Community Brag Posts

How to Build a Fireplace Mantel and Surround

Submitted by MillerMade on Thu, 03/24/2016 - 09:05

The Custom Built-ins started out with lots of research, and like many DIY project we looked to Pinterest and Houzz for inspiration. A lot of love and time went into this project. I can't stress enough how important research is. This process is often over looked because DIYers just want to get to the building process as quickly as possible, but trust me when I say doing solid research will save you a lot of stress and time when it comes to building.

 

Estimated Cost
$4,000-$6,000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

John Deere Green Barn Shelf

Submitted by Veronica P on Wed, 07/30/2014 - 22:08

After finishing my boys' new John Deere room and tractor bunk bed (also posted), I saw this plan and thought it would be the perfect thing for some extra toy storage.

Yes, I know, barns are supposed to be red. Everything else in the room is John Deere green and I had paint leftover, which is not cheap. So green it is! I used my new paint sprayer for the first time on this project and am thrilled with it. I would recommend it to anyone who dislikes painting as much as I do. I bought the Wagner Flexio 590 which comes with a detail sprayer as well as the full size and I'm very happy with both.

Thanks to Ana for the well laid out, easy to follow plan and also for helping me create a big boy room that my boys love!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
John Deere green paint plus primer, black & white paints, white paint marker for the shingle detail and satin polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Veronica P

Thu, 07/31/2014 - 09:38

Thanks so much for your comments. It's so nice to hear positive feedback since I'm very new to this! My 3yr old is quite particular about everything being in its place, I'll pass along that you liked his animal placement. Lol :)

King Easy Build Bed - Headboard / Footboard

Submitted by imsomark on Wed, 02/08/2017 - 07:26

First of all, thank you to the site for this plan. The headboard specs were spot on. I was interested in making a footboard as well, and you actually will end up with a few scrap pieces that will help you build the footboard (the 1x3's and 1x2's). My footboard ended up being about 23 1/4" high. For reference, the mattress in the photo is 10". I included a picture of the total boards you will need to buy to do the headboard, footboard, and side rails (I used 8 inch boards for the side rails, not 10 inch, but those could be interchanged). One thing to note is the plan calls for pocket hole screws but these are not necessary. I used 2" brad nails, 1 1/4" brad nails, and 2" screws (for the slats and the support rails on the slats. You could use 2 1/2 inch for the slats but the support rails need 2".). Not included in the picture I included is another 2x4x8 that I bought that I placed three scrap 4x4 posts that I had under the middle of the slats for extra support. I also bought steel bed rail fasteners ($11.30 from Amazon) to attach the side rails to the headboard and footboard. They worked great and the bed is extremely sturdy. Can't budge it at all. I used the common whitewood boards from Home Depot, which are all the correct width - the fur boards are cheaper but are not the correct width, you would need to adjust the plans if you were to use those. Overall I am very pleased with the bed. Please ignore the half dozen water bottles in the photo.

Estimated Cost
$190
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
75/25 mixture of Classic Grey and Jacobean.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Restoration Hardware Dining Table

Submitted by Rounders7 on Tue, 11/18/2014 - 07:08

Restoration Hardware Inspired Dining Table.  Got these plans from Shanty 2 Chic. 

Estimated Cost
$150 for the table and bench.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Fancy Farmhouse Headboard with Modified Trim

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/14/2017 - 17:02

Fancy Farmhouse Headboard with Modified Trim. There was a lot of trial and error as this was my first ever project, but now I'm hooked! We only needed a headboard to attach to our King platform frame. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Made chalk paint using Extra White by Sherman Williams.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Jeep Bed

Submitted by papamike on Mon, 07/05/2021 - 17:15

I hope this is OK to add here. It's not an Ana White plan, so moderator please delete if it is not allowed. I made this bed for my grandson. I bought a plan online and modified it from a twin to a full size bed. The dome light and running lights work as night lights. A motion sensor light activates if he crosses the door to illuminate the ladder. Front tire is made as a step so his parents can climb in and read to him. The whole thing is on EZ Sliders so they can move it away from the wall to make the bed.

Estimated Cost
$150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Playhouse Loft Bed with Stairs

I built this bed for my twin daughters right after Christmas. It was the first big wood project that I've ever attempted in my life. I was surprised at how easy it was to build and how great it turned out! It looks much harder to make than it actually was. We plan to eventually put a second twin mattress under the bottom, but for now that space is a playhouse. I put carpet on the storage stairs by cutting up a rubber-backed bathroom rug and using the pieces to cover each step. I hung Christmas rope lighting inside the play house. It took me about 2 days to construct the bed and about a week to paint and finish it (with 6 children under foot-otherwise could have been much faster!) Fun project and EASY plans! (Thanks Ana!)

Estimated Cost
just under $300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
used the Disney princess paint colors (lavender outside, pink inside) from Home Depot
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cutest Baby Doll High Chair

Submitted by tracysmith on Sun, 03/27/2011 - 15:29

My neighbors grand-daughter is about to turn 3 and I thought this would make a great present for her.. plus, when she saw it online while visiting me (I was checking the website as usual), she said "Oh, I NEED one of those!".  I laughed and then that night went out and checked my scrap pile to see if I had everything I needed to build it.

I only needed one 8' piece of 1x2 to complete it.. .everything else I had, so great!
Estimated Cost
About $10 with paint.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I have yet to paint this little project, but it will be painted in a gloss lavender purple so it's easy to clean.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Well loved outdoor sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/16/2022 - 17:51

This sofa has been in constant use for three years. Sturdy and comfortable, we have to compete with the cats for a nap or rest. Even on the winter, when we remove the cushoins, it gets used as a bench or a kitty hiding place while they wait to come in.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Lumber Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/20/2022 - 15:44

We are so excited about have an organized way to store our lumber and scraps. We only had to purchase 4 2x4’s for this project and were able to use a lot of on-hand scrap pieces. The plans were so clear and easy to follow. Thank you for sharing!!

Comments

Farmhouse bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2023 - 18:51

Needed a bed. After looking in town for premade beds, I wasn’t satisfied with the workmanship or price. I thought I could build one much nicer than what I was seeing. With these plans, I was able to make it happen. It turned out way better than expected. After a couple of strikes with paint, I watched a couple of YouTube videos on painting furniture black and that’s all it took to get exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much for the plans. I also made the mini farmhouse bedside tables. I’ll put pics of it under the tables category

Comments

Round Side Tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/16/2023 - 18:39

I first made a set of these for my wife to use on the deck. She liked them so much that she's using them in the living room! (Second photo.) These were made from rough lumber left over from a building project so took a fair amount of time to cut and prep. I don't have a planer so the belt sander outside was put to good use. Then, to make them them fit well, I recut the sides, and rather than pocket holes I glued them into a plank before cutting the rounds with my table saw. That also gave me a tight flat top.

Her friend saw them and wanted a set, so here they are. Again I recut the sides and glued them to create a smooth plank. This time I used the router and a circle jig to cut the tops, giving me a much nicer finish. They will be stained mahogany and finished with multiple coats of polyurethane.

The large one I simply upsized from the original plan, roughly scaled. It is 22" tall, made with 2x8 lumber selected and purchased at the box store. My wife's friend is totally delighted with them! Thanks Ana for the inspiration.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Vanity Table

Submitted by Aggiegirl on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 06:08

I started with the Cindy Wood Console Table but modified it. I wanted the center to be open so it could be used as a vanity table. I omitted steps 2 and 4 and altered step 3 so that the length of the centerpiece is only 8 3/4 long. I also omitted step 7. In step 8, I made the front-facing go all the way to the bottom, my cut was 27 5/8. All other steps were the same. 

Since it is a vanity table, I also made a bench to go with it. I used 1X4 for the legs and side pieces. The total dimensions of the bench are 22 inches long, 12 1/2 inches wide and 18 inches tall. I had to buy an additional 10 feet of 1X4 to add this to my project.   The cuts for the front and back of the bench are 14 7/8, the sides are 3 7/8 of 1X4.  I used pocket holes to put the legs, font, back, and sides together. Because of using pocket screws, make sure to put the sides together first, then the front and back. I used leftover 1X2 pieces to create a railing on the inside of the bench for the seat base to rest on. I put the railings 5/8 inch from the top of the bench and secured them using wood glue and 1 1/4 inch screws. I used leftover plywood as the seat base. I cut the plywood to be 10 1/2 by 20 inches. 

Estimated Cost
150 - 200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted it white so that it would go with my daughter's dresser and side table she already had.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Rustic Dining table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/07/2016 - 09:28

Took the plans from Ana white and made my own twist to it! Came out awesome and the person loved it that I made it for! Kona stain on table top and Navajo white on the bottom. Did the same for benches and chairs to match! Thanks for the great instructions! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona stain and Navajo white, clear gloss poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Garden Shed

Submitted by Deborah on Sat, 08/18/2012 - 23:01

I have been dreaming about building so many things featured on this website, and I finally buckled down and built something. I figured that an outside garden shed would be a bit more forgiving than a project requiring a bit more precision, and from the picture, you can see that it's not perfect! I'm still working on trimming the shingles and I still have to stain/seal it. I've got to admit, when I first picked up the wood for the project at the store, I wondered what I had gotten myself into. But I just jumped in, and here it is.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Plan to stain it with some sort of deck stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

DIY Toy Chest

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/22/2024 - 10:46

Toy chest / hope chest for great grandkids. My first project in about 30 years. Never had time before.

Ed Smith

Built from Plan(s)

Simple Bed (twin size)

Submitted by giorod82 on Sat, 10/10/2020 - 15:42

Simple twin bed project. The only modification I made was to shorten the height of the head board to the same size as the foot board.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Red Mahogany
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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