Community Brag Posts

Full Storage Bed

I built Ana's Full Storage Bed.  This was fairly easy to build and it is a perfect bed for a child's room.  I LOVE the added storage!  You can see the plans for the crates I built to fit at our blog http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2011/03/crates-for-storage-bed.html 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut Stain and Minwax Polycrylic Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bookcase or homeschool station?

Submitted by ewinter on Mon, 06/24/2013 - 18:35

We've made the decision to homeschool our almost 5 year old daughter starting in September. The dining room will be the school room, but I don't want to lose my table in the process. So I began looking for good storage options. I saw the Display-It-Storage Mirror on the PB Teen website and loved it! Right up until I choked on the price tag. I went inspiration hunting and found Ana's Willy bookcase plans. I modified the Highrise Condo Willy bookcase, added a base with lazy susan hardware and a top outfitted with crown molding. Then I bought some cork on Amazon to create a cork board on one side, a role of dry erase paper to create a dry erase board on the other side and framed them. On the back, I hung a bathroom organizer with lots of pockets for dry erase pens, push pins, pencils, tape, scissors, etc. Finishing touch was my daughter's choice of scrapbook paper for the inside backing.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
192.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
High Gloss Behr paint in Cappuccino White.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Hexagon Table

Submitted by german_mot on Sun, 06/07/2015 - 06:51

Anna, thanks for your project! I only strengthened it a metal plate in the center, extended sitting on 4" and feet connected bolts.

Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Computer desk

Submitted by Amy22 on Sun, 12/31/2017 - 05:17

I built one for my husband but he said the top is too thin for big guy like him so when my friend asked me to build 1 for her son I attached 2 plywood together to make it stronger...

Estimated Cost
$60
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Basket bed frame and custom headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 15:01

The base came from Ana’s site, the headboard came out of my head ;-)

I upsized this to king size for my daughter. I think I entered the correct ‘plan’ name below. It’s been a few months since I built it. I painted the basket cubbies and applied (I think) spar urethane to the rest.

Super plan on her part, Ana’s, I love the other things I’ve done from here as well. Sorry but the pics rotated when they were resized on upload.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Dresser with Open Bottom Shelf for Changing Table

Submitted by karahart on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 13:46

My husband and I built this dresser to use as a changing table in our daughters nursery. I explain the build process (with photos) in this blog post : http://mekhart.blogspot.com/2011/03/nursery-room-biggest-build-yet.html and the finishing process in this blog post : http://mekhart.blogspot.com/2011/04/nursery-room-finished-dresser.html . I'm so thankful to Ana...I love that almost every element of her nursery is home made!

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint with a whitewash over top and glazing on the edges. To see more details on how to replicate this finish, check out my blog post here : http://mekhart.blogspot.com/2011/04/nursery-room-finished-dresser.html .
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

AllGardenBenches.com Farmhouse Table

Made this for my wife for our anniversary!
Check out a video of the project here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eyroIH517A
Check out more great furniture through All Garden Benches: http://www.AllGardenBenches.com

Thanks for the plans!!!

Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a basic oil based wood stain - dark - it was called Moorish Teak. One coat was sufficient. Lastly, I added a clear gloss finish - two coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Console

Submitted by cjlaw on Wed, 06/10/2015 - 13:44

We really liked the design of the console table. We built an entry way table and a coffee table to match. We did change some of the measurement to suit our particular needs. We are very happy with how this one turned out. Next we plan on making some end tables to match also.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained top and painted bottom.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Doll beds

Submitted by Kimberwdld on Tue, 01/02/2018 - 09:14

We had our first American Girl Doll Christmas ... and it was a big hit ... the girls all love their American girl dolls.

 

So we decided to make them beds.  Found Ana project on line ... and it was so fast and easy, thank you.

 

We made 3 beds, from the supply list ....  and 1 cradle, from an old oak magazine rack we found at the thrift store ... turned out so cute.

 

And we are looking to make the couch and chair set.

 

Thanks you again,   Kim

Estimated Cost
less than $25.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
sanded, paint and clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

1st Porch Bench I made

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 16:49

This is the first bench I have ever made.

Comments

Farmhouse Inspired Table

My husband and I used Ana's plans to create this BEAUTIFUL farmhouse inspired table for our dining room. The project was straightforward and we are EXTREMELY happy with the results. We added a touch of modern to the table by purchasing metal chairs from overstock.com. The table is perfect for family get togethers and even more important...family game nights!!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshades in Dark Walniut-we also applied a few coats of wipe on poly to the finished project. We wanted our table to look rustic so we did "bang it up" a bit before staining and finishing.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

wjc129

Fri, 06/28/2013 - 08:26

Looks great! Did you just use the cheap pine at Lowes/HD? Any tricks to getting the table top flat and level?

In reply to by wjc129

amandaherlache

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 06:15

We used the "select" pine boards from Home Depot..which are a bit nicer than just the ordinary ones. To make the table top level we used a level to be sure that there weren't any major bumps...then once we had the top secured we sanded it to make the boards flush to each other. Hope that helps! Thanks for you comments!

Entry Bench and Shelf

Submitted by MatthewC on Tue, 06/16/2015 - 08:51

This was my second build, very easy with the plans. I wanted it flush with the wall so used a jig saw to cut notches in the bottom to fit around the baseboard. I was also covering an air vent, so I built a simple air diverter out of 1x's and bought a decorative vent cover of Amazon for $10...worked out much better than I thought it would. Painted with a flat black then a few coats of poly.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint and polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Dartboard Cabinet

Submitted by Knathu121 on Fri, 01/05/2018 - 20:38

I made this dartboard Cabinet from pallets to give it a really rustic and weathered look. I stained it with rustoleum weathered wood accelerator. 

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cottage end table w/ rustic x

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 21:51

Made the cottage end table, but through in the rustic x style. I really needed a narrow end table. Oh and I threw a shelf on the bottom. First time making a drawer! Loved it!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Simple White Nightstand

It is a friend's birthday on 5/6 and I noticed she didn't have a nightstand so instead of buying a present, I decided to make her a nightstand. I really liked how the person who built "Lee and Beth's Simple Nightstands" used bead-board on the sides, and I have a lot of bead-board left over from our master bathroom renovation, so I decided to use it, too, and that way I wouldn't have to buy the wood for there, because I didn't have any extra plywood to use there. I also used the bead-board on the back and as the bottom of the drawer.

It looks more modern-cottage than it does modern, like I wanted, but it still looks good.

Pictures are of what it looked like pre-sanding and wood-filling, with 1 coat of the stain on it, and then finished with white paint.

With the combination of scrap wood and new wood, I only spent $20 on new wood for the project, and $5 on the drawer pull!

For the top, instead of a 1x12 and 1x3, I used a 1x12 and and then flanked it with 2 1x2s - for a more balanced look. I also cut the 1x12 at like 19 1/2 inches instead of 18 1/2.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I originally wanted this to look just like the one that Ana has posted (minus the distressing) - in an espresso stain with the brushed nickel pull on the drawer. I forgot to add the pre-stain and put the stain right on the wood and it looked horrible. The wood did not take the stain well, nor was it even, and the wood filler was visible all over the place. I decided to paint it a flat white instead. I put on 2 coats of white primer and 3 coats of FLAT white paint. I don't really like glossy paint as I feel like it's harder to get it to cover right. I haven't done it yet, but will add a couple coats of satin polyurethane to protect it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

L-shape Modern plywood desk

I constructed this desk all from birch plywood. It features a pull out keyboard tray, modern drawer finger pulls, and full extension drawer slides. The plywood was finished with a hand-rubbed danish oil for a natural wood appearance.

Estimated Cost
$150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
danish oil
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Nightstand

Submitted by fiddlepics on Mon, 01/08/2018 - 07:24

Built this nightstand for my boy's bedroom- built the farmhouse headboards to match. Was a straightforward project. I actually bought a circular saw instead of having the store make the cuts- best decision ever. Much better to cut as I go along. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax penetrating stain- 2 coats dark walnut, 1 coat red mahogany. Spray Minwax Lacquer in Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Your kitchen island

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/27/2021 - 11:27

My first real project, which you gave me the courage to try!!! The kitchen island!
Made one error that I had to spend a bit of money to correct but in the long run the finished product is beautiful, I even used the same color you used.
After that success my daughter-in-law asked me to build the changing table for my expected granddaughter, I went into that with a little more confidence. Thank you for the inspiration that you give so many!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Not so "Rhyan" Nightstands

Submitted by Kimbers on Sun, 05/08/2011 - 19:05

I used the Rhyan end table plan (with a few alterations) to make my nightstands. I changed the dimensions so mine turned out to be 20”D, 25”W, 27”H, I extended the side and back panels all the way to the top to close in the shelf and I made the bottom drawer larger. I decided to use under mount drawer slides but I think I will try out the side mount slides in the future though.

I wanted them to match the headboard and bench that I made for my bed so I added the same molding that I used on those pieces to finish it off.

I pre cut every piece for the main body of the nightstand and predrilled all of the Kreg holes which made it a really quick piece to put together! I purchased the Mini Kreg jig for this project and am so glad I did. Totally worth the money!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $80 For 2 Nightstands
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted with Rust-oleum painters touch semi gloss white and then sprayed a few coats of polyacrylic on the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner