Community Brag Posts

This is my first ever build using Ana White's awesome plans! I stuck to the plan mostly, but used 4.5 lag screws and joist hangers like others had suggested. Oh, I also used a 2 inch board in the middle of the headboard and footboard, since my HD only carried 7.25" 2 X 8's. I had a couple of hiccups.....the headboard fell down in my garage and some boards got tweaked out of place, but I think I was able to sufficiently cover up the aftermath with wood filler and paint :D I really wanted to do this project by myself (sort of a "I am woman, hear me roar!" kind of thing, but it would've been a lot easier to have a helper.....just some advice :)

My very first project using the Compound Miter Saw. Easy Cuts. Easy assembly. Cost was about $1.50. I think I am going to make kits (as suggested in the sister plan) for a couple of birthdays coming up!

I wanted to make a large porch swing but just couldn't find the exact design. I wanted to be able to stretch out and take a nap but also be able to have a back to lean against. Most plans that I found were just basically a box you could put a mattress in and then hang. So I found Ana's plan for a basic daybed and chopped off the legs and raised the back just a little. It's perfect!! Thanks Ana. The plans were very simple to follow. This is my first project and I think it turned out great.

Hi Ana!  This project was pretty much inspired by ALL the great things you build on this site, as well as from watching a 'Fixer Upper' marathon (hence, the white color and shiplap).  Last Christmas, I promised my sister that I'd build her a hall tree since she's now up to 10 grandkids and needed more hooks for all those coats and hats.  Unfortunately, I also came down with a WICKED case of vertigo, so no power tools for yours truly. : (

Well...  The vertigo finally cleared up, so it was time to get out my trusty ol' Kreg Jig and fire up the tools.

This project started with 2 4x4s.  I cut 17 1/2" off each, then used the long pieces as the back and the sort pieces as the front legs.  Then I built a rectangle (shored up by some cross supports) out of 2x3s and used those to attach the back legs together with pocket holes.  I did the same thing with the 2 front legs, then attached the 2 sets of legs together with shorter pieces of 2x3s that framed up the side.

Next, I added a front to back support to the underside, and then attached the bottom of the seat on top of that.  I built the front, back, and side pieces of the bench section by cutting a couple of 8' x 8" x .5" planks to size, and attached 2 pieces to each side by gluing and nailing them to the frame.   Then, I rans some shiplap up the back (glued and nailed to the back frame) and topped it all off with a mantle.

For the seat, I used a 12" project board ($11 at Lowes for a 6 foot section) because I love all the knotty details and nail marks.  I framed it out with 1x1 and attached with pocket screws on the underside.  I finished that piece by staining it in Rustoleum Dark Walnut.

As for the rest, I just framed the shiplap section with leftover 1x1s, then sanded and stained the whole piece with the same Dark Walnut stain (so that something would show through after distressing).  Finally, I applied 2 coats of Rustoleum Linen White Chalk Paint (LOVE that stuff!), distressed it, and topped with one coat of Minwax 1 Coat Poly (ALSO love that stuff), and added some hardware and country do dads from Hobby Lobby (Rustic Hooks, 'Bless This Home' Sign, Decorative Doorknob, and "Mitten Clip" for wet mittens and gloves coming off little hands) .  What do you think?  ヅ

I built my first daybed in May of 2010, and my second one in August of 2010. I've since moved one of the daybeds to my new nursery I'm creating. These beds are so versitle, so sturdy, and can be moved anywhere and 'go' with whatever decor. I love both of them!

This project was on the honey-do list. My wife was looking for antiques and had a pretty specific look she wanted this one fit. It was a fun and relatively fast build. I choose Oak as that is the most regular wood I use and had some on hand.

I modified the dimensions a bit making the hutch a foot taller and the buffet a little larger in width and smaller in depth. I used full extension ball bearing drawer slides for the drawers.

I rabbeted the back in and put a middle brace in for support and so that I could hide the back seam. I don't like to face nail face frames, but for this it turned out pretty nice nonetheless.

Made for my wife for a Christmas present. Awesome project.