Community Brag Posts

I had this space in my mudroom that was a perfect spot to make a custom shoe dresser. I adjusted the plans I found on this website to custom make storage for shoes. Now this weird little space is functional.

I was really into building things and DIY over 10 years ago, but due to work/life I hadn't done anything since 2009. I was going pretty crazy working from home during the pandemic, and decided to get back into home improvement to have something to look forward to. After doing some painting and building a few accent walls out of shiplap and reclaimed wood (and loving it), I decided to turn my single car garage into a shop. This is when I found Ana White, and absolutely loved the plans and videos around the wall storage and workbench. I can't believe how sturdy everything is, how straightforward the plans are, and how well this turned out. It made me want to build all the things, and I'll be taking on many projects in the future. (my apologies for the pictures being in the wrong orientation - can't seem to adjust them)

Enjoyed this project although with the price of lumber it was a little expensive to build. The only modification I made was to put a cross brace in the centre of the table top. That allowed me to attach the top boards a little more securely as some of them were a little bowed. I'll add a better photograph once I get it out of my garage and on to the back deck. It is a little heavy.

My little girl needed an upgrade from her toddler bed.  I've made a few benches and factory coffee table (all from this site and yet to be photographed), but I needed to step out of the comfort zone and handle a "big" project. 

I made a few modifications with the headboard:  I lined all the pieces of wood vertically and connected them using three horizontal boards.  After nailing the bottom and middle boards, I then cut the shape of my headboard and then attached the final board on top.  I also decided to round the edges of the front boards.  I wanted the stain to "pop" on each edge.  I attached the headboard with bolts, washers, and wing nuts.

Things learned from this project:
1.  A little glue goes a long way.  You really don't need too much.
2.  Nail guns are the BOMB!
3.  Don't chinz out on sanding.  We all have parts of a project that we just don't like doing.  Sanding the inside of cabinets is mine.  But if you don't, the stain will make all the scratches your wood received at the warehouse make themselves known.
4.  Stain (or paint) at least 4" in from the top of the cabinets.  The storage part of the bed is made to be a little bigger than the mattress so your little one has someplace to step to get into bed.  You don't want the raw wood to show.
5.  Make sure to "dry run" your boxes. You want the side boxes to line up with the bottom box.  You want the horizontal measurement to be the same all the way down.  Once it measures the same, THEN screw in the slats.
6.  Enjoy making your furniture.  If you're having a rough time, walk away and come back another day.  Sometimes seeing the project with fresh eyes is all you need.

A friend wanted a tatty old chest freezer turning into a traditional looking ice cream cart for her business. The freezer itself was way to heavy and not really fit for purpose but, after a week of tinkering about with a couple of design changes here and there to accommodate the weight, I don't think I've done too bad a job.

The internal frame is Nordic fir, half lapped at the joints and secured in place with 38mm oak dowels, the cladding is 6mm birch ply finished with paint from the French chic Al fresco range, the writing proved a little challenging on the the eyes and my hands aren't as steady as they used to be but she's happy.