Community Brag Posts

rustic homemaker

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/06/2016 - 09:20

simple build looks great inside and out

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
teal behr and white with brown stain
paint splotches of paint , sand, stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Desk With Sliding Shelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/01/2020 - 14:19

I used Ana's plans for the Rustic X Desk and made it a little longer to add the second side of shelving. I squared off all the edges of the 2x4s and 2x6s, so had to figure new measurements. I also widened the space between the shelf towers. I used drawer slides on the bottom shelves on each side for easy access to the printer and other items. I used whitewash stain for the body and Early American for the shelves and desktop with wipe-on poly.

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Minwax Simply White, Minwax Early American, Minwax Wipe-on Poly Satin

Comments

Farmhouse Media Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/26/2023 - 12:37

I ask my kids and spouses if they would like me to build something special for Christmas each year . Last year I surprised my daughter with a beautiful coffee table. This year she said Dad can you make us a TV stand that is a similar look to the coffee table. She provided me dimensions and had this piece in time for Christmas. Love your website Ana.

Thad

Built from Plan(s)

hailey platform bed - king size

please see the full post here:
http://crabandfish.blogspot.com/2012/05/aaaahhhhi-love-our-bed.html

we built the hailey platform bed, modified for a king size mattress. we included four extra feet under the bed for additional stability.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax ebony - 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

4x4 Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Cody_G on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 08:21

This a great project that I built for a friend. She wanted it to be a little distressed, but she gave me creative license to I found a middle ground between rustic and distressed. I hand planed the top to create a great distressed look on the top.
This is a great project, but I would just pass along to make sure that you have enough room and enough help. This table is large and heavy.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Custom mix stain and Polyurethane top coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adjusted Counter Height Farmhouse Table

Submitted by rahurtado on Mon, 05/04/2020 - 23:26

I liked the look of the “counter height table” and adjusted the height to make it a table for an office. I used 4x4s for the legs and oak for the top.
I used a biscuit joiner to join the top, a Dremel tool to carve grooves in the frame so I could attach the top with figure 8 fasteners (allows wood to move as it expands and contracts).

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic Entryway Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 12/28/2023 - 13:58

Enteranceway Bench. Can be used indoors or out. 2 x 4 for legs. 1x10x 6 for top. Stained Expresso. Sealed for outdoor use.

@Superior_Chalk on FB and IG.

Square Planter (w/o finials)

As a first-time user of pocket holes, I have to say they're brilliant! I learned from a lot the mistakes I made constructing the planter, but look forward to using variations of the plan for more planter projects. Thanks!

It took about two hours to construct, and then paint time. I used paint I had on hand (a paint store near me occasionally sells mis-mixed paint for $1/container), so I put on a white first coat and finished it with the green. It was a little too green, so I spray painted it with a light coat of bronze spray.

I attached the side slats to the outer 2"x"2 corner rather than the inner corner and subsequently found the 15-3/4" bottom slats a little too short. I had a spare furring strip on hand, so I cut another set a bit longer and they fit more securely. I haven't decided on finials yet; I may leave them off.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Green box: acrylic paint
Stained box: oil based stain with clear overcoat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mini farmhouse nightstand

Submitted by Carmenh on Mon, 04/14/2014 - 12:07

You can do this!
This mini farmhouse nightstand was my first building project. Of course Ana's easy to follow PDF's made it doable but check the tips above for cuts on your 2x2's. One rookie mistake I made was forgetting to double check my pieces. My 1x2's were actually thicker than 1" so they protrude from the side of my piece a bit. A sander could fix that. All in all so proud! Thanks to Ana and to everyone else for your brags.

P.S. A mini keg jig kit is SO worth the investment. I used standard wood-cost of about $20 including $4 for my drawer handle hardware. Kreg jig kit plus pocket hole screws were an additional $30 but I have plenty left for my next project;)

posted by Carmenh | on Mon, 2014-04-14 13:45 EDITREPLY

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer and good quality cabinet paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Alex's Toy Storage

Submitted by bobrombach on Tue, 07/12/2016 - 08:55

Super fun, and easy, to build this toy storage bin from Ana's plan. I took your advice, Ana, and made the top rail a little taller than a 1x4 and it's working great! I also used a prefinished (white) wainscotting panel for the back. I really like the way that turned out.

I bought the prefinished (white) letters at Hobby Lobby. 

This bin is a fun, and functional, addition to our home.

Thanks again for the great resources, Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Gloss paint and high gloss acrylic finish. Tip - don't apply finish in high humidity! Yuck... took forever to dry.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack chairs and table

Submitted by BrookR on Thu, 05/07/2020 - 04:09

I loved this plan for sturdy, yet economical Adirondack chairs. They were exactly what I needed for one of our Airbnbs. I liked the look of smaller back and seat boards, so I used 1x4s in place of 1x10s. The seat spacing worked out on the seat but on the back I had to rip one of the boards on the back down to 2.5 inches or so for it all to to fit. If I make them again, I’d probably just add a 2 inches or so to the length of the back 2x4s so the back board spacing would work out.

Thanks again, Ana, for proving such great plans for us all.

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior paint. Painting took longer than the building!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse Toddler Bed

I was way overdue on building this toddler bed for my son. He really motivated me when he started repeatedly climbing out of his crib. The bed was very easy to make. The three things I would recommend are:

1. Do not use pocket holes on the footboard, so you don't have to fill all the holes. The nails worked great on the footboard and it is very sturdy.

2. Attach the side rails to the end board on the outside, not the inside. I found this out the hard way and had to take it apart and fix it.

3. Listen to Ana White and measure your mattress first. My son's fits, but I have to squeeze it in a little.

Great plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Minwax Dark Walnut, #2716; I rubbed it in with a rag. I followed with 2 coats of Minwax Fast Drying Clear Satin Polyurethane. I love how it turned out. It can’t dry fast enough :)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

shortermama (not verified)

Mon, 08/13/2012 - 17:34

Did you use a plan for your bed rail? Do you find that it's large enough? I feel like my little man will roll right out. He's an active sleeper just like I was as a kid. Though miraculously when I rolled out of bed (even when hitting a wood platform floor when camping with girl scouts) I never woke up. This guy will.

Pallet rack modified

I changed it alittle by not having three posts and some I added a top shelf and cut holes for shot glasses. I also added wine glass holders to the bottoms cutting out a circle and slot.....Use t-molding mush easier and faster.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stains and varnish. Used 220 sand paper on some and rustic ones 80 grit.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

$18 Star Shaped Clothes Drying Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/15/2016 - 19:54

Make a beautiful star shaped clothes drying rack that magically expands, using very simple tools and materials! Detailed tutorial and free building plans.

Estimated Cost
$18
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Medicine Cabinet

Submitted by beansurfin on Mon, 07/02/2012 - 18:12

I found this project on I different site (sorry) but really wanted to make it for our quest bathroom. It was not to difficult and it really helps to finish off our quest bathroom since it was missing a medicine cabinet.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rolling Cubby Bench topped w/fabric

Submitted by dhynd on Fri, 04/18/2014 - 20:26

Super easy to make this cubby bench! Used fabric to cover the the bottom shelf, and cut an extra piece of lumber to make an additional top. Will add 3 inch casters.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Glidden Mint Paint in EggShell
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Loft Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:33

I took the junior hight bed and made it 75 inches tall (floor to top of bed). I also reduced the side measurements by 3 1/2 inches so that it fit an IKEA twin mattress and added some 1x2 boards on the front for looks and support of the safety rail. I used a slatted base of 1x4 boards. These adjustments were to make the bed fit our room and mattress. I didn't do the platform stairs as we had no space for it. I added height so that I can walk under the bed and so that I could put a nursery under. Our space is a tiny 8x9 foot bedroom. I plan on making this a bunk bed as the baby grows. The big sister is in love with her new bed. Thanks for the plans ANA!! Oh, and the color I chose for the bed is Theresa's Green by farrow and ball. Color can be matched in both Lowes and home depot. Total cost for me was $82 for everything.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint, Theresa's Green by Farrow & Ball
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Twin farmhouse bed with cubby bookshelf

Submitted by Natalieeh on Mon, 05/11/2020 - 12:51

My friend needed a bed for her son... she described what she was looking for but couldn’t find in her price range... so I told her it would be cheaper for me to build it... around $280 I built this bed.... it took me a week but I didn’t work on it everyday. All in all, I could probably do it in 3 days. I am a Slow builder though

Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DIY Linen Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/08/2024 - 10:07

My husband and I built the Hemnes Linen Cabinet for our daughter and it turned out beautifully! Thanks for the plan, Ana.

Cheryl

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

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