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Colin's New Bed

Colin needed a bed for his room to upgrade from his toddler bed. I new immediately I was going to use plans from Anna's site! Building the bed was extremely easy with the new tools that I received for my birthday. This was my first time staining anything so that took the longest time for this project. It is my second thing that I have built from Anna's awesome website!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$135
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Gel Stain - Hickory
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

mltnichols

Thu, 03/06/2014 - 07:00

Did you use a kreg jig and attach 4x4 legs via pocket holes? I don't see any screws... trying to decide how to best attach everything before taking on this project. Thanks!!

mltnichols

Thu, 03/06/2014 - 07:00

Did you use a kreg jig and attach 4x4 legs via pocket holes? I don't see any screws... trying to decide how to best attach everything before taking on this project. Thanks!!

christinamurr922

Thu, 03/06/2014 - 20:16

Yes. I used the kreg jig and created pocket holes that screwed into the 4x4. I used the correct size when drilling the holes but I may have used the next size up in the screw length for extra support. The bed gets plenty of use between my 7 and 5 year old and is one solid piece of furniture.

DIY Stuffed Animal Storage

This was a really easy build and has brought much needed order to my little one's stuffed animal collection.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
ECOS Paints Woodshield Special Walnut + Satin Varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Headborad with Fold Down Tray Tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/11/2019 - 11:09

I first saw this headboard on Ana White's Instagram and loved the idea! I took a screen shot so I would remember it later. One day my daughter was flipping through the photos on my phone and saw this screen shot. We were about to move to a new house and she wanted me to make this headboard for her new room. She is 11 years old and loves to play games on her laptop with her friends so this was perfect for her. Within a month of moving into the new house I started to build this piece. It took me a couple weeks to finish since I have three kids and was also trying to unpack our entire house but I love the finished product! My daughter really loves it too!

Estimated Cost
$115
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted with semi-gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Adjusted Balin Console Table

I loved the Balin Console Table plan, so my husband and myself decided to try it as our first project. We adjusted the height to 42" and we added a bottom shelf. I am so happy with the way it turned out. I have received many complements.

The mirrors were made by my father, I have to brag on him since he did such an amazing job! I show him Viva Terra's porthole mirrors collection and he re-created them with Teak wood.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$160
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Wed, 02/15/2012 - 14:39

You did a beautiful job and I love how the whole area is staged. The mirrors are amazing, too!

hammertime

Sat, 02/18/2012 - 11:14

Beautiful job. I love the finish and the hardware you chose. And your dad is quite talented too!

Chauncey's Car

Submitted by Gaucho85 on Tue, 12/24/2013 - 19:55

Thanks for the idea. I added a couple extras and figured I'd post them in case it helped anyone. Fun project!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Husky Table and Bench

I used the Husky Dining room table plans to build this table. I also modified the plans to make a bench as well. This was a very east build and turned out gorgrous!! Thanks Ana!!

Estimated Cost
$500 for everything.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark stain with matte wax coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Captain's Storage Bed with Pallet Veneered Headboard/Footboard

This piece was one I recently created for a customer using the plans provided in the Queen Storage Bed with Drawers from Anna's site. It was created using 3/4" birch plywood and 3/4" pine common board. 

I chose to cut dado's when building the boxes for stability's sake. I was able to leave out much of the construction screws by using strong, but relativity simple joinery techniques with dado's and rabbets. 

The piece's drawer fronts were then veneered with pallet wood to lay flush with the drawer faces, and hardware installed on top of that. The headboard and footboard were both then stained using a Varathane, Minwax (water-based), and General Finishes to create the various tones in the pallet veneer to create a complimentary uniform look to the drawer faces. 

The other variation in this bed was that I used Threaded inserts and hex bolts so that the head and footboard could be removed multiple times for transport without damaging screw holes. 

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American (Minwax)
Early American (Varathane)
Ash Grey (General Finishes)
Dark Walnut (Minwax)
Wipe on Poly (Minwax Satin)

Mix and match stains in order to achieve the depth of color or based on pallet wood imperfections. I noticed that not all pallets are alike. Results WILL vary. I found it easiest to break down several different pallets and cut and reshape based on a random selection of boards, rather than breaking down and using one pallet at a time.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Sausha's Washer and Dryer Pedestal

This was one heck of a project LOL! But I am so pleased with the results!!

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

pdoughty (not verified)

Sun, 09/23/2012 - 08:03

My washer will shake on the metal pedestals. Will it shake on this one?

Shawna Sommerville (not verified)

Mon, 12/31/2012 - 19:01

My husband just finished one similar to this for me today-total cost about $65.....Thank you for the fabulous & frugal idea!!

Jelly Cupboard(s)

Submitted by bbomer on Fri, 12/27/2013 - 09:48

I have built several of these Jelly Cupboards since the plans came out. Everyone really likes them, and they are super fast and easy to build. The last one had glass doors that turned out pretty well. I like to use plywood beadboard on the back to give it a little more character. I also like to use 'hardware cloth' for the mesh type doors (found at farm stores). It usually has openings about 1/8" or less but not as tight as screen, which looks perfect.

Edit: For hardware part numbers and sources please see: http://grvland.com/wordpress/2012/02/07/jelly-cupboard-project/

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50-$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black Walnut Danish Oil, Wax Free Shellac, Latex Paint (dark), more latex paint (light), sand back, Water-based Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

romanweel

Tue, 12/31/2013 - 00:51

Really lovely work! I scoured a couple of those pretty butterfly hinges by pure luck a while back, and I know where to find more...but those strap hinges! Where did you get them? I can't seem to find them for a decent price (Ohio).

bbomer

Tue, 12/31/2013 - 07:15

The strap hinges are from Acorn Manufacturing. I had to order them because I could not find anything like them locally. For some reason I can not post links in the comments, but the sources are linked on my blog, grvland dot com (no spaces and a . obviously). Just search there for Jelly Cupboard and you will find the source links in the earlier of the two posts. I will also see if I can add a direct link above.

Couch mods

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2016 - 00:09

My SketchUp of the Sofa I am going to build, modified from this plan. New features include wider arm rests, and a taller back that is at a 12 degree slant. I will post additional pictures after the build.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Luggage Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 10/19/2019 - 12:20

Turned out great! Problem with the plans: written instructions for legs say 35 degree angle but the diagram shows 40 degree angle. Which one should it be?

Finish Used
Used a white stain on legs and brown stain with dry brushed gray stain on top. Sealed with poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Storage Bench

I built just the bottom portion and chose to omit the molding. I lined the inside with contact paper so that items stored inside don't snag on the rough plywood on the other side of bead-board.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax stain/poly in one
0000 Steel wool between coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Hand made vanity mirror/door

Initially I was simply going to replace the old medicine cabinet with a mirror but my husband insisted that he needed a medicine cabinet. So I built the cabinet. Then I built the mirror. I wanted the mirror to stand upright but the width of the hole left behind by the old cabinet was too wide. I then tried to have the right side of the cabinet remain open but then realized that the door would not open because of the height of the faucet. In the end I had no choice but to make the door horizontal.

Though it's not what I wanted and it is not centered like I would I liked it to be I think it still turned out fine. And the mirror looks fantastic! Better than the pics show.

Most of the wood used were scraps from other projects. Including the trim. The one thing I bought for the project was a mirror that turned out to be the wrong size. It was too large and I did not want to cut it so I used the mirror from the old medicine cabinet. It did have hole where the door handle was which I tried to fill. Now I just try not to look at it. lol

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20 for cabinet hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax 1-qt. PolyShades Espresso Satin Stain and Polyurethane. I applied it with a sock like I did the vanity but then I did the last coat with a high density sponge (on a stick). A total of 3 or 4 coats. Lost count...
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Complete with matching benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/12/2016 - 18:14

I stained the table and benches dark to match our cabinets.

I created matching benches based loosely on the table plans. The benches are made of 2x6 for the top and breadboards. I left out the stretcher on the benches as the 2x4 and 4x4 frame structure was more than sufficient.

The table was finished with a paste wax rather than poly. This gives it a smooth, water resistant finish without being overly glossy. The goal with this style, after all, is to make it look somewhat old. The wax does a great job.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Hailey Platform Bed

Submitted by lmr3471 on Fri, 10/25/2019 - 07:25

My husband followed these user-friendly DIY platform bed plans and was able to build and finish our son's big boy bed in 2 days. We used poplar wood for the headboard and pine for the frame. We are so in love with the results! Thanks, Ana, for sharing these awesome plans with the world! 

Estimated Cost
250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum wood stain - dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Playhouse/Loft Bed In Small Playroom

Submitted by Espana811 on Wed, 02/29/2012 - 07:15

We had a small 6’x13’ storage room that we wanted to make into a playroom for our daughter. I saw the “Playhouse Loft Bed” project here and wanted to do something similar. With limited space I had to redesign the plans to make it fit. I eliminated the side walls from the plans and made cleats on the three walls to hold everything up. This actually saved a lot of money and time. As this was simply going to be a place for my daughter and friends to play and watch movies I did not worry about the size of the mattress. I simply went and had some foam cut that I am making a cover for. We are building a ladder that will go on the left side as well doors. It is dark inside so I was able to find motion operated puck lights that stay illuminated for 45 minutes at a time. So if she forgets to turn them off then they will go off by themselves to save batteries. This was a fun project. The most time consuming part was the planning. I did everything in Sketchup. This made it simple when it came time to build. The house itself went up fast. I spent the next few days filling holes, sanding, and of course painting. None of which too a long time but I was not in any rush. I also made a Dutch Door to go along with the room.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around $125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Bunnie1978

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 06:00

You did a great job! I see lots of fun places in that room for storage too.
I used cleats on my loft bed that's still in process... but mine is queen sized and into the corner. I am doing the measure as you go thing, so it's taking a long time.
It's like a little theater room! Toddler sized!

Espana811

Mon, 03/05/2012 - 07:45

This has definitively been a fun project. There are still a ton of things I want to do for the rest of the room. My little girl goes in every morning to play.

Sister's Table

This was the second table I built - it was much improved on my first and was for my sister as a Christmas present. It has 4x4 legs that I notched out with a circular saw for the legs and a spruce top. I modified the length down to 6' for her house but added extensions on the end that make the table up to 9' long when fully extended.

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut with Polyurethane and a epoxy coating on the top to seal all the cracks, as sister has two little kids.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

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