Community Brag Posts

Simple open toy box with moulding detail.

We loved Ana's plans for the large pet kennel / end table combo but we needed a medium-sized one for our Welsh Terrier, Watson. I reduced all the dimensions, ending up with a kennel that's 18"(W) X 24:(H) X 28"(D), perfect for Watson.

To prevent Watson from using the rails as chew toys, I lined the inside of those areas with chicken wire. I also extended the table top an extra 3" to accommodate a swing-arm end table lamp (with the cord outside of the kennel, of course). We painted the kennel black to match our other end table.

This was my first time using the Kreg Jig (80+ times on this project!) and I love it!! In fact, I'm looking for more projects that require the Kreg just so I can play with it some more. :-)

Used the ideas from the kitchen island plan and coffee table plan to come up with a more elegant coffee table.

I made the legs from joined 2x6's cut down to 3x3. Mortised the rails in the legs for a really solid construction, and that way I could also eliminate any excess framing inside the table, and no screws. I was able to salvage all the wood for the legs and rails from a pile of scrap construction lumber.

Joined the top with fir strips between each 2x6 piece. The 2x6's and fir slats were purchased from a hardware store as I don't have a planer to clean up the surface of such wide boards...

I wanted to do something special for Christmas for my 4 year old daughter. I have no real experience so this was one big lesson. The site and the photos from others made it feel so doable... I got it done in time and we finally painted it. My daughter picked all the colors and we painted it together the last few cold weekend days. What a great experience. Thank you for making DIY  feel so doable... now I’m completely hooked and her twin brother told me he wants to build a chair with me.. but a big one ... uh oh. 

This build seems so long ago...it was over a year ago, and it's what got me on my building kick. I'm just now getting around to transferring my brag posts to the new website. It was my very first build, and one that I'm still extremely proud of. I'll forever be grateful to Ana for giving me the direction to do this so that I had the courage and confidence to know that I can do / build anything!

I modified the Fancy X Farmhouse Table plan to shorten the table to 6 ft instead of 8 ft and added breadboard-style ends. Jacobean stain.

Inspired by the ryobi dream workshop.  Shelving unit and the feed carts are complete.  Still working on the the organization of all our stuff!

You probably read a lot of amazing posts here about how people using the plans can make something in a day or a weekend. They deserve kudos for their diligence! But I don't want you to get discouraged if you don't or can't work that quickly. I want to encourage those of you who work more slowly that you can still use these plans. What slows you down? Maybe it's lack of time, health concerns, or cost. I have made and even designed furniture in the past. But prior to this, I always had someone helping out with the building process, used a kit, or the project was small enough that it didn't seem overwhelming. I made this completely by myself . . . and that's why I think you can, too. And while this project took me almost four and a half months to complete, the end result is the same--a place for me to sit and type up these tips for you!

I hope the things I learned along the way may help encourage you to just take that first step toward creating a piece of furniture.

Beginning Tips for Slowpokes:

* Bookmark and print out the plans from the Ana White website, and keep them in a safe spot that you will remember over the months to come. Check the site regularly for updates, corrections, and tips that members share.

* Break up what you're doing into a bunch of smaller projects. The desk, for example, can be broken up into up to seven different projects (the center desk section, the two cabinets, and four drawers), with each being able to be completed partially or completely before moving on to the next.

* Get as many cuts done in stores as you can. You'll need to be careful here, especially if you gather pieces over time. Everyone cuts wood differently, woods have different dimensions (even when they shouldn't), and your pieces may not match up exactly. However, having pieces cut will generally make things a lot easier for you!

* Taking time off from building is okay! If you plan correctly, you may even be able to use partially-finished projects. I took a break before building the drawers, but still used my desk, complete with open shelving units on either side.

* Do what you can, even if it doesn't seem like anything. At times the most I felt I could do in a day was to drive three nails. But then, I was a few nails closer to being done!

Finishing for Slowpokes:

* Pick your paint (or stain) color and manufacturer wisely. Initially, I used some leftover barn red paint for the center desktop piece, expecting to get more of the same paint. After I had put on one coat, it dawned on me that the paint line had moved from one manufacturer to another. I searched around online and discovered that the paint colors changed in the move, not just the manufacturer. Oops. Some paint companies are really static with paint colors. If you plan to create the project slowly, it's really important to be able to trust that the paint you went with will be available in the future if you run out, so that you don't have to go through the trouble of color-matching. I switched to an older brand and a less-trendy color.

* Distressing is your friend! Creating a beautiful stained or painted finish is tough to do, and if you leave your project partially finished, you up the chances of it getting dirty, dented, or otherwise marred. Choosing a distressed finish means you don't have to be as careful, and any little mistakes will be more accepted. When I was painting one of my drawers, a big chip mysteriously fell out of the moulding. I looked at it in shock. Then I thought, "Well, it's distressed!" I could write a whole list of things that are wrong with my desk, including crooked drawer fronts and the fact that they're not flush with the cabinet. But distressing the desk makes it look like a homemade antique, and perfection isn't necessary.

* Write down ALL your finishing steps clearly, including paint colors, brands, and type (example: matte or semi-gloss). Keep this list in a safe place along with the printed-out plans so that you can make each part of the project look the same. Some day it would be my dream to have the entire wall unit of which this desk is just a small portion of. I now have confidence that any future pieces would look at least somewhat similar to the desk!

I hope that these tips have helped encourage you to get started on your dream furniture. Just remember that no matter how long it may take to have that dream fulfilled, the end result is the same!

I loved the Parson Chair plans on this site and wanted them for my dining room! I modified the plan simply by making the chair 2" narrower and the seat back 2" taller. I also made the slipcover removable (and with fringe), so that I could change it up as I wish.

Used 2x4x10s instead of 2x4x6s. Shortened the length of the seat and legs by a tiny bit and was able to save a bit of money and waste less lumber by making better use of fewer pieces of lumber.

I started with the basic plans and dimensions, then made it my own from there. I added a center shelf, used regular (cheap) hinges and a removable brace instead of the shelf brackets, with stop blocks on the brace cleats to help easily center them. Added 2x4s on the sides to mount the hinges and let the wings fall flush, 2x4s on the bottom to mount 4” casters, 1/4” plywood backing, and 1x3 trim on the front for aesthetics and as a lip to hold items in place. The backing completely covers the lower shelf, and I left a gap to run cables through in the upper shelf backing. Velcro strips on the back hold the wing braces when they’re not in use.  Even though it’s plywood, I sanded everything thoroughly to reduce splinters and snags. 

I made these to create display space for my son's lego creations.

I think I'm the first one to use this plan. I am a newbie so maybe I made it harder on myself but I diverted a little bit. I did not have 4 inch screws that would work with the treated lumber, and they were going to cost me a very pretty penny to get. I did have a box of 3 inch treated wood screws leftover from when we made the floating bunk beds » {LOVE THOSE} so instead of building each side, I had to build it level by level,attach them all together inside once I was finished. I use some leftover pieces to add a little seat in the trunk and a license plate. you also might have a few scrap pieces that you could use for rear view mirrors and headlights, but I would like to keep this simple and chic. I have a small wood slat piece that I will use for a grill on the front { from an old wooden toddler bed rail} so his car will look just like the tiny Fisher Price one he plays with! I'm still searching for a free steering wheel off an old toy or perhaps I will use my husband's 2.5lb free weight. I think it is perfect if I can figure out how to attach it... and how to get away from my husband ;)

Husband and I built this chest in a weekend for Son's under the sea themed nursery. Easy plans to follow for a great project!

Our daughter loves using this kitchen helper and is a great way to keep her safe in the kitchen. 

I modified this to include another shelf on the bottom. Easier when built by two people.