Community Brag Posts

Reclaimed Cedar Board 10x 10 Barn Greenhouse

Submitted by bailie on Sun, 04/24/2022 - 13:02

Thank you for sharing your plan!

10×10 greenhouse made with re-claimed cedar boards from old barn on Menlo, WA

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

rick1956

Wed, 06/08/2022 - 05:52

Beautiful! I like the fact that you bucked the trend and turned your clear panels for Washington rainwater runoff. There are good and bad with both directions, vertical makes the most sense. I can see myself re-doing ours at some point to change the panel direction. At least they're pointing the right direction on my skylights.
Great design, and of course, I love the 'live edge' details you added throughout!

Hexagon Picnic Table

Very finicky to assemble, but love the finished product!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Haven't stained it yet, will add photos when stained.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Little Helper Tower

Submitted by SecondWind on Thu, 12/08/2011 - 16:48

Love this site! I stumbled on Ana's site via Pinterest and have been hooked ever since! I used pocket screws to attach everything (the Kreg Jig is AWESOME!) Thanks for the great plans, and my daughter loves her tower! I stained it to match the cabinets in our kitchen and so our soon-to-be baby boy can use it in the future. The wood is just some cheaper pine from the local HIW.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Bombay Mahogany Minwax Polyshades
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Patio Table & Bench

Submitted by madore07 on Wed, 04/16/2014 - 18:47

Great projects for any beginner. Make sure you're working on a level surface for the table. I purchased simple planter boxes from a local hardware store, and worked around those. For the bench, my only suggestion is to verify you are square at each step- other than that it's pretty straightforward.

Estimated Cost
350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Teak Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

TV Stand Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/02/2016 - 10:00

This was a super fun project and didn't cost much at all.

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mixture of Grey and Brown stain with a poxy coating
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Dog crate/bench

We wanted a bench at the foot of the bed to help our squatty dog Kirby get up and down from our elevated bed. When we saw the plans for the dog crate we decided that we could make a crate for our Boston Terrier Petey who needs to be confined overnight AND put a reinforced top on it to provide seating space. We knew it could not be taller than 18" (the same as our living room couches) so Kirby could jump on and off comfortably, and that we didn't need to make it as big as Ana's plan since Petey is half the size of Ana's lab. Our crate/bench is narrower. Every bit of this piece was made with wood either repurposed from an old playhouse or scraps from the cedar pergola we built in May. We had the hinges and the screws on hand already. We drilled holes in the lid to tie a cushion on top eventually. The lid comes off completely for ease of changing out dog bedding. Petey loves sleeping inside and will go in for naps even during the day when he has the run of the house. Kirby and our other dog also like to nap in there. You can just see the white of Petey's blaze in the pic where Kirby is peeking in.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat primer, two coats of Valspar in Indigo. Lid has 3 coats of Minwax Golden Oak.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

booksnotbombs

Thu, 07/10/2014 - 07:22

Your pups look so happy with their new crate/bench! It looks nice and sturdy. :) Do Kirby's nails scratch the top at all as he jumps on an off? Just curious what you used as a clear coat, if anything. My little dog gives me the hardest time about cutting her nails so they're probably a little longer than they should be at times until I get her to the groomer.

This is a great, creative solution to all your needs. :)

S_and_S_have_t…

Thu, 07/10/2014 - 19:51

Yes, they are very happy and spoiled! Kirby's nails have not scratched the top yet but since we know they probably will eventually, we plan to put a thin pillow on the top. I won't get around to making it until the fall. We might put a clear protective poly coat but haven't yet.

I started using a Dremel on my 2 Boston Terrier's nails when they were very, very young so they are calm and resigned when it's nail time. That they get Cheerios as a treat afterwards doesn't hurt! However when Kirby was a puppy he was going back and forth between my ex-husband's and my house and my ex didn't start Dremeling early so Kirby won't let us sand his nails down and a groomer has to do them. I hate that we have to spend money on something that could be taken care of a couple times a month at home but if dogs are not conditioned to be held upright, tolerant of having their paws held tightly for the sanding, or terrified of the noise, it's not going to be acceptable to them when full grown. Kirby goes full Tasmanian Devil throwing a fit whenever he sees the Dremel case out so we don't even try anymore.

The bench is great and I am so happy Petey loves it so much. He is congenitally deaf and a real pill sometimes so it is a relief that he has taken to it.

My Mom's King Fancy Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by thehallway on Fri, 10/26/2012 - 08:28

I built this bed for my parent's guest room at my sister's house. It is very similar to a bed mom had been wanting. They wanted a king size so I had to do some modifications to the original plan - primarily adding 16" to all width measurements. I also used 10 - 1x8s for the headboard panels. That made the panels slightly too wide, so I had to rip a little bit off the 2 end panels.

The hardest part of the project was getting it in her house! The legs made it about 1/4" too wide to fit it thru the door. We were about to remove the legs (which would have been a disaster since they were glued, screwed and painted on) when we finally figured out the right angle to squeeze it in. I had to touch up the paint in a few spots once we got it in position, but that was much better than having to remove legs and put them back on. We still need to get plywood for the mattress to sit on and I'm going to add a middle leg for extra support since it's a king. I will probably eventually build nightstands to go with it. Overall, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out since this is my largest and "fanciest" project so far.

Estimated Cost
~$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Satin Latex Enamel in White
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

bran2511

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 12:41

I really love this bed, however, being military we move quite often. Is there a way that you would recommend I could alter it so that it can be broken down a little to make it easier for moving? Thank you much :D

bran2511

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 12:41

I really love this bed, however, being military we move quite often. Is there a way that you would recommend I could alter it so that it can be broken down a little to make it easier for moving? Thank you much :D

jlouki01

Sat, 08/24/2013 - 18:31

I just posted a brag post with this bed in black. I will see if I can upload a photo of how I built this bed for very easy break down. I looked at all the brackets etc.. with this being built out of pine I was not 100% confident in the Rockler / Wood craft brackets. I used a forstner bit and a 4.5" bolt with some washers.

Easy DIY Workbench on Wheels

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/09/2020 - 13:26

I needed a workbench and Ana's easy plans were perfect for what I needed. I have a small one-car garage that I do my projects out of. The garage also provides storage for bikes, kayaks, gardening tools, etc. I customized the dimensions a little, making the bench only 30" deep to better fit the space available, and to add wheels to be able to roll the bench out into the driveway if needed. The lower shelf provides some good storage for me as well.

Estimated Cost
$90
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Nativity stable

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/28/2021 - 14:45

Stable made from scrap wood I had on hand (plus a few toothpicks).

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Caden Leather Ottoman (Pottery Barn knock-off)

Submitted by c11burke on Mon, 12/13/2021 - 14:51

This is a knockoff of the Pottery Barn "Caden Leather Ottoman". Made from Ash and American Walnut.

Comments

Scrap Wood Cart

Submitted by Scrivman33 on Sun, 02/25/2018 - 13:45

Saw the other project and based everything off of that. I made some adjustments on the shelf side to ensure I could lay down 3 layers of 2x6's without it hanging off too far. At first I wasn't going to go with the rail shelf system, but I couldn't find anything that I liked at the store to make actually shelves. I did cut a 2* angle on the bottom and top of the shelf framing. I figured if I put enough weight on those shelves, I woudln't want it messing with the frame of the cart too much. On the bin side, I decided to just do different heights instead of angled because I know I'll have plenty of 3' plus. I chose to put a scrap bin on the end for anything smaller than a foot. Many of those joints were done with my Kreg setup, but not all of them. The last fix I did was add a 2x4 to the insde of the shelf frame. This was to move the shelf hangers in so that an 8' board wasn't just edge to edge (I found that to be a problem when I put some of the 1x4's on there...they would be on 2, but not always all 3). So moving each side in around 1.5" gives you about 3" to play with as far as 8' lumber goes. This enabled me to turn my old storage into bench and shelves and I'm ready to get moving on projects!

Estimated Cost
$200-$250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toddler bunk beds

Submitted by jarsofclay on Sat, 08/03/2013 - 19:01

well after I made my daughters bunk beds my toddlers were begging and begging me to make them a bunk bed so this weekend I decided to make a toddler bunk bed. So here it is and I'm here to share with you all.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I stained it with early english stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

CreativeChaos

Sun, 08/04/2013 - 16:20

That is absolutely adorable! We know all about the little ones wanting to be like the big ones. Great job!

jarsofclay

Mon, 08/05/2013 - 15:57

Thankyou very much! Yeah it was every day every time I'd go into my work shop they asked if I was making their beds

herrejon

Sun, 10/13/2013 - 17:48

Hi! it's just what we're looking for!
do you have plans or something like instructions por dummys :)
i'm a begginer

herrejon

Sun, 10/13/2013 - 19:11

Thanks a lot! It looks so easy! Can't wait to start! I'll share with you our happy little faces when it's done :)

Octagonal picnic table

Submitted by Mike F on Wed, 07/04/2018 - 11:39

Picnic table is built of non treated pine. 2x6 and 2x4 only. I did stain as I went with outdoor stain just so everything would be protected. I don’t have the exact amount of wood bought but I think it is around 11 2x6 and 6 2x4. I used plans off of YouTube from A Simple Design of Ocalala. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WlprN_rUiJg

Estimated Cost
$180 -$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Super deck from Sherwin Williams.
English walnut and Mountain Ash
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farm House Bar Table

Modification of Ana White's Farmhouse Table adjusted to bar height.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Scrap Wood Barn

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/22/2023 - 08:11

My daughter watched me do another build project and wanted something for herself. We built the Toy Barn from Ana White's plans using only scraps around the garage!

Laura Thompson

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Queen Loft Bed

Submitted by christy on Tue, 05/22/2012 - 07:54

I made this bed for my 6 year old daughter. I loved Anna's Loft Bed plans, but she wanted a bigger play area underneath. So I modified the twin loft bed plans to fit a queen mattress. I also added extra supports for the mattress, and I used PureBond plywood on top of the supports for the mattress to sit on.
That's the Farmhouse Toddler Bed underneath. My younger daughter inherited her big sister's twin bed, so the toddler bed was put to use in the new "playhouse."

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I sanded the wood and primed it. Then I sanded (lightly) again and painted it with Valspar latex enamel in Gloss Almond.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Neatha (not verified)

Mon, 08/20/2012 - 13:04

Do you have your modified plans still? I don't know where to begin with editing the originals. I am moving and we have limited space I need to place a desk under and queen sized bed but my ceilings are only 8ft.

Lindsay (not verified)

Sun, 09/02/2012 - 12:45

I think it's great that you modified it to a queen! I live a studio and NEED something like this. Could you share the modifications? It looks beautiful = )

christy

Sun, 09/02/2012 - 20:58

The changes I made were:
End planks cut to 63"
Top back guard and front and back rails cut to 87"
The top guard rails on ends cut to 66"
I measured for the mattress supports and the front guard rail after the rest was completed.
You should also measure for the bookcases after the rest is completed, but each of mine wound up being about 31" wide.

Everything else was pretty much the same.

Hope that helps.

dbai (not verified)

Thu, 11/01/2012 - 08:24

This is wonderful - I've been looking to make something like this for an urban efficiency (adult) apartment! Thanks so much for sharing your modifications!

gmur589

Mon, 07/29/2013 - 14:08

Will the height of the bed allow for adults to stand under it? If not what modifications should be made to make the height fit a standing adult? (the highest being 6'1" male) Thanks! =D

etb1999

Sun, 10/06/2013 - 08:23

Hello, about how much did it cost you to make this?
THANKS

NicoleLance0826

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 12:30

Hey Christy I was wondering if you could send the plans for upgrade to queen size. I cannot pull up the changes. Thank You. Im sure its not to many changes.

pretty-prima

Thu, 03/24/2016 - 16:52

Hello! I would like to build this queen sized bed, could you give me a cost estimate? I don't have any wooden planks sitting around so I would have to buy them all new.

Modern Adirondack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/10/2020 - 10:10

My wife and I were tired of the cheap plastic chairs but not wanting to spend a fortune. I came across Ana’s site and these great plans so I gave it a shot. Everything was pretty straightforward. I decided to use 1x6’s for the seat and back slats instead of 1x10’s. I also used dowel rods instead of wood filler to close all of the screw holes and I Roy fed the edge of the front seat slat one the router. I’m currently working on a partner for this chair with some adjustments (Making it 2” wider and using pocket hole and other techniques to hide the screws).

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax English Chestnut stain.
Valspar clear deck/outdoor furniture sealant.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Three Cube Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/11/2016 - 07:42

I used the bench top from Ana's Farmhouse Table and took 1.5in off the legs to compensate.  Got the baskets on Amazon.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Special Walnut over Honey Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2 Person Desk System

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/14/2024 - 09:38

Took the farm house desk and mirrored it. It has four file drawers and a desk drawer on each end. The frame and drawers are clear coat polyurethane and the desktop is stained chestnut with warm satin polycrylic clear coat. - 

Mike Godfrey, Spring Hill, Florida

Built from Plan(s)

Clubhouse Bed - my first build

Submitted by dpeterson on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 19:32

So we wanted to build a simple twin size bed for our 5 year old son. That quickly expanded into my wife wanting me to build this PB replica (which happens to be her favorite kids bed). My response was "honey, you really don't understand my lack of ability." She insisted and after a couple of weeks the bed is done! Using Ana's plans made this not only doable but much easier than I thought (this was my first build).

We changed the design very slightly because the original was a few inches too tall (we have a ceiling fan that would have hit the top). We simply shortened the top half of the bed by 3 inches. At the suggestion of a friend (who's mitre and table saws we used for the cuts) we used dado instead of pocket holes for the stairs. We also used a lot of countersinking instead of pocket holes (for example to attach the vertical slats on the side walls).

We bought the cheapest wood we could get at Home Depot. All the wood and stain and materials cost about $250-300 (I still haven't checked the receipts exactly). However, I was told (quite sternly) that I severely overpaid for the wood by not going to a lumber yard. We used a Minwax oil-based stain (mission oak). We only did one coat.

Now that we're done with this we can't wait to get started on the next project (right after I get my dissertation going).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax oil-based stain - Mission Oak, single coat applied using rags.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

5 tator tots (not verified)

Fri, 12/07/2012 - 18:22

I've been wanting to build this for our youngest son. He will be three before we make it and the fact that it is enclosed makes me comfortable with having him in a lofted bed, but it also looks like changing the bedding would be really challenging. Seeing your picture smoothing the quilt begs the question, how hard is it?

Nice work on the bed-what a first project!

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