Community Brag Posts

Vanity stool Katarina

Submitted by Gumball14 on Tue, 09/16/2014 - 08:11

Had plans but no instructions, so involved learning my own techniques which was fun and it came together including size modification.  Lots of cutting!!!

Estimated Cost
100 hardwood
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Clear satin varathane, walnut and oak wood creates color
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

American Girl's Modern Sofa

Submitted by KaitieBee on Wed, 01/04/2017 - 18:25

I made this for an older girl (11) so decided to go for a trendy, modern design rather than a bright playful color. It was very quick, and I made it with scrap 3/4: plywood from another one of Ana's projects. I increased the width of the seat and back from 5 1/2" (a standard 1x6 width) to 6" for the back and 5 3/4" for the seat. This gave it a higher back and made the back side of the sofa completely flush (probably to account for using 3/4" plywood instead of a 1x6). I used Titebond glue, 1 1/4" brad nails, and clamps for assembly. I ironed veneer edging on all the raw plywood edges and sanded, then gave it a thick coat of paint. Instead of seat and back cushions, I included two square throw pillows lightly stuffed so they can be creased (as in the photo) like real throw pillows. Including sewing, the project took me an hour. PS: I photographed it next to an every-day object for rough size comparison. I had initially shown someone who thought I had made an actual couch. LOL, Maybe in my dreams!

Estimated Cost
$0-$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Acrylic paint, black.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Brookstone Desk “Farmhouse Style”

Submitted by boneill on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 16:48

Gray / White Brookstone Desk “Farmhouse Style”. Super fun desk build . I went with a soft close set of drawer slides for a nice drawer closing . I used pocket holes to attach the table top but for the rest I followed the plans. I’ll be uploading a video step by step how to build this to my Instagram (bryan_oneill907). Link below .

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Gray / White.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kid's Storage Step Stool

Submitted by juriona on Thu, 12/06/2012 - 07:42

Made this fun pink stool for my two-year-old granddaughter. She loves it!!! Thank you Ana for the awesome plans. It was a lot of fun to build.

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

Rockin' Moroccan Corner Bench

This free standing banquette corner bench was fashioned from Ana's upholstered bench design. I made modifications to her design to fit my space and the 4" upholstery foam that I purchased on-line from Amazon in 4x30x72" sheets. Designing it to be 18" off the ground allowed for a multitude of play options from American Girl dolls to Barbies. The addition of rope lighting underneath held on with cable ties allows wonderful illumination and spurs creativity and desire to entertain imaginative play at night. The seating is wide and sturdy and even though it is housed in a play room it is very comfortable for adults. Of special note; the upholstered back rest and skirt were made with one queen sized quilt, eliminiating the need for sewing a hem by utilizing the hemmed edge. The cushions were made from one king sized duvet cover and no sewing was needed. To finish the look custom piping was added which required sewing. Confident that when it will inevitably be jumped on that it can take it and will not come crashing down. The back rest was attached to the wall with this bracket I purchased at Lowes for $10.00.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_56378-37672-122373_0__?productId=3058195&Ntt=

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished boards.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

The Little Prince Step Stool

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/07/2017 - 11:21

We created this step stool for our granddaughter for Christmas from plans on your website, using the classic "The Little Prince" as a theme.

Following the lead of the animated version on Netflix, we even included glow in the dark stars on the treads

We hope others are inspired by our creation!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Acrylic paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/17/2020 - 16:47

Great desk, easy build and very solid.

Only issue with the plans was not enough 2x4 (unless I cut it wrong).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Smoke stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

$55 Fancy X Desk - my version

Submitted by burgan on Tue, 12/11/2012 - 10:31

Duel Computer Desk. I varied the desk width to 16.5" in and used 3 - 2x6's for the top. Other dimensions changed to allow for the narrower top. Purchased hardware for under desk keyboard and mouse tray. The His and Hers signs were made on a scroll saw by my wife.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Classic Black Gloss Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

ScottyG

Mon, 03/23/2015 - 17:48

I'm building a computer desk myself and just purchased a 1"x16" x 6 foot project board for the top. I love the look of your narrower Fancy X Desk, so I'm thinking I'll go that route too. ヅ

bench

Submitted by Annie D on Sat, 09/20/2014 - 21:08

This was my first project. Shortened the bench to be 3 feet long. Angles were hard and the hubby had to do it for me and help me put it together. Other than that it was fun to build. 

Estimated Cost
25
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Big Boy Bed for 4 year old

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/08/2017 - 23:26

My Husband made this twin bed for our son off the Alaska Cabin Bed plan. 

It was easy enough for him. To complete without any mistakes. Took aprox 3 days to complete,  about $130 in lumber. He used

6 (pine)2x4's &  1 sheet of cabinet grade Baltic Birch. He added a center support beam. 

Painted a white trim around drawer fronts  coordinate with white nightstand. Used magnet clasps on drawer flaps. The bed is solid enough for us to lie down and read bedtime stories with our son, and the bed doesn't even creak a sound. Easy to slide mattress off a little and change the sheets. I would highly reccomend this plan to others. 

Estimated Cost
$130.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish on baltic birch. Painted white on 2×4's.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Truss 4x4 Farm Table

Submitted by iamjulz622 on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 19:07

I love this site and the user friendly plans. I used the suggestion of turning the 2x4’s but I think it would have been better to have more to screw the top boards to if I hadn’t.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White paint, stain and sealant.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

American Girl Doll Closet

My Girls are having an american girl doll christmas this year. They're each getting a doll, with cars, horses, clothes, gymnastics bar, whatever you could want to go with it, lol. I decided last minute to make this closet for them as well to help organize their stuff. I made it 2" taller and added some more shelves. On the two little shelves, I am currently making a box out of the plastic embroidery sheets (I'm embroidering it with pink satin ribbon, instead of yarn to make it prettier). Walmart had a bunch of shoes for these dolls for just $1.50 a pair so I got them a lot of shoes for their stockings and needed little bins to hold all the shoes they are getting. I had fun building it. Because it was last minute and because I still need to install the quarter round on our laminate floor (hopefully before christmas), I was making this as quick as possible to I opted to not do the star cut out and just spent the $5 more to get the two handles. I also did easier hinges. We only have the washing machine for these dolls so I didn't need all the room on the bottom.

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

momma2three

Sat, 12/15/2012 - 04:43

sorry the pictures are sideways, I uploaded them from my ipad and for some reason, they got switched to the side during the upload!

A-Frame Chicken Coop

Submitted by winelass on Thu, 09/25/2014 - 07:59

We followed all the original plans and added a few modifications. Chickens seem happy! We dropped the height of the nesting box down a little and made the roof only cover half of the coop. We live in California on the central coast so it doesn't get too cold. We also only made one side of the nesting box able to be opened. We added a little door on the bottom level with left over t 1-11 for easy access to their food and water and in the hopes that eventually we will let them roam our yard supervised during the day.

All in all the project cost us about $150 and took 4.5 hours to complete! Thanks for the great plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My Wife's sewing table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/10/2017 - 10:37

This turned out to be a great project.  In the end it took far more time than I thought.  I used Mahogancy and Maple for the table top. That was expensive and costs around $250 in material alone.  I attached the boards together with Kreig Screws.  It took around 120 screws to get it all done.  

There are a few things I would do differently.  I would not use 12 inch wide boards.  They are all warpped or cupped.  I would either use birch veneer plywood or I would use 4 to 6 inch boards, straighten the edges on a table saw and then glue them together.  There are YouTube videos that show how do to that.  The 12 inch boards just did not cooperate and I really had to struggle to deal with the twisting and cupping. And, I hand picked what appeared to be straight boards.  

The top took a lot of sanding.  The Krieg system states that glueing is not necessary.  However, that is really not accurate when using different kinds of wood of this length.  So, the edges raised up and needed some serious sanding.  I also should have cut all the edges straight because after the job was done I could  see spaces between some of the boards.  Not a big deal but just somehting to take note of.  All together this took around 50 hours.  I also used a router to cut the shelf supports, (a challange in cupped wood) and I put some extra mouldings on to cover up the cupping and warping in places.  Then we painted it white with aqua trim and decided to re-do the color to dark blue.  

My wife loves the table and it looks great and no one knows about the mistakes but me. It is a great design and very functional.  I really like the hardwood top. 

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Oil stain on the top and paint on the bookshelfs
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Teacher gifts from soda crate caddy

Submitted by bhoppy on Wed, 12/19/2012 - 20:17

I loved how these little crates turned out. I used scrap wood that I've had for so long..It's 2 different kinds of wood though which is why I painted them. I ran out of 1x6 boards so I used a 1x12 for the bottom. I hope my daughter's teachers will like them. I filled the cubbies with various little things like candy and Christmas ornaments.

I made the coffee table earlier this year and love it. It holds so much and it's filled to the brim with toys.

Estimated Cost
crates free table $120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
crates leftover paint. table minwax ultimate stain and satin poly 3 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

modern park bench

Submitted by debinmi on Sun, 09/28/2014 - 11:50

Spent an hour or so an evening after work to make this bench .  Also made the umbrella stand but haven't drilled the hole for the umbrella yet so it' s still in the garage.  Love the bench, it's long & deep enough to lay down upon.  Made the arms from a 2x6 and rounded the front w/ a jig saw, made the other end the same size as the 2x4, and made them longer than the plan. Pretty simple, did use pocket holes in places. First major build & 1st brag.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Pittsburg exterior stain in Oxford Brown
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Seasonal And Holiday

Kitchen prep table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/14/2017 - 13:37

I borrowed a few ideas from multiple plans to make this prep station for a kitchen with very few countertops. I really like the strong tie hardware and I purchased a bamboo benchtop from Home Depot to finish it off.

Estimated Cost
$90
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of satin white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Jewelry Cabinet

Built this for my mom as a Christmas gift!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

$55 Fancy X Desk

Submitted by momoflilgs on Sun, 12/23/2012 - 18:59

We recently purchased a foreclosure on thirty-five acres and have been diligently rehabbing the property. (That's why the picture shows missing wall trim and unsealed floors!) We needed a desk in order to reclaim our dining table so I decided to build this one. I love how it turned out and it is perfect for our needs.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$37
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a jacobean and cherry color mix. (We're trying to use items we have on hand.) I wanted a dark color since our house colors are very light. I then used bees wax for the top and buffed it off.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bathroom Storage Tower

Submitted by mom of 4 on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 21:53

I designed this closed storage unit for my main bathroom. Two adjustable shelves behind each door make storage very flexible. The open middle shelf is tall and easily accessible for items used multiple times a day.

I built this with a single sheet of plywood. I splurged on nice hinges for a full-overlay door.

I drilled my shelf pin holes using a piece of pegboard as my guide, and some painters tape to mark the depth on my drill bit so I didn't drill too deep.

Getting the doors to hang straight was one of the hardest parts! I apologize that the pictures are all sideways, I don't know how to fix it.

Estimated Cost
Plywood and backing- $40
Hinges - $16
Handles - $3
Rust-Oleum Half Pint Ultimate Satin Polyurethane - $7
Shelf pins - $4
Total Cost - $70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
3 coats of Rust-Oleum Ultimate Satin Polyurethane, sanding before first application and before final application.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate