Community Brag Posts

Modular Corner Office and Craft Desk

I started creating the furniture for my new craft room by making the Easy Three Cube Benches I found here.  I modified them so that my cats could lay on top and look out the windows.  The cube benches gave me the confidence to design a printer stand.  Using Ana White's technique of "build the box" and then add the rest, I designed a custom printer stand I am so very proud of!  After the printer stand, I moved on to the final piece that would complete my craft room, a modular desk with plenty of workspace to complete any craft I want.  I modified each module a little to keep with the theme design of the room.  I created three modules.  The last one being a bookcase that is a modification of the Modern Craft Table bases.  I used better quality Oak plywood for the desk top, and good pine and whiteboard plywood for the modules.

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
For the modules I used Valspar Furniture Paint in ultra white. For the desk top I used Minwax Simply White stain and then Minwax Dark Walnut over that to create the "driftwood" style look. I sealed the desktop with about 5 coats of Minwax wipe-on poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

melkaye

Wed, 02/19/2020 - 13:53

Could you tell me the measurements for the top? I absolutely love your table! 

sukheeso

Wed, 04/07/2021 - 14:07

Hi! This is very similar to what I'm hoping to make. I was wondering what the length of the left side of the desk was?
Thank you!

2x4 Sectional , table, and chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/14/2023 - 04:57

Your easy to follow 2x4 proje ts turned out amazing. My outdoor set is complete. The chairs, also, came from your plans. I built all of it by myself in one weekend. Thank you

Comments

Bathroom Vanity I did for my mom Based on the Momplex vanity

I remodeled the main floor bathroom for my parents. My mom had seen a vanity she like at a home center. Then she thought about doing an open vanity. Then I showed her the one Ana did for the Momplex (48" Turned Leg Vanity). and she loved it. This is what we came up with.

It has bead board panels on the ends and the doors. V-grove planks for the bottom shelf.

The top is made from 100 year old ship lap siding from my brother house. The sink is hand hammered copper with a venetian bronze faucet.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
The vanity was finished using Rust-o-leum Ultimate wood stain in summer oak with several coats of a marine varnish to protect it in the bathroom. The top was only finished in the marine varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Small kitchen island with slide out double trash cans

This was a mommy do during work furlough. Wasn't too hard. I have minimal experience with saws, but with hubby help, we got it done. Some of the instructions didn't make sense, but but we were able to figure them out or change them to work. I used bead board on the front and sides that we added over the existing sides. I used a manufactured butcher block that had to be cut down. Looks great and now my trashcans don't walk around the kitchen when the dogs play. The downside, the dog bowls slide under the island. If you have to cut down butcher block, make sure you have the proper blade.

Estimated Cost
$200.00 because of the manufactured butcher block.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black cabinet paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor planter steps or benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 00:45

A very enjoyable project. I'm relatively new to diy woodworking projects but these plans make it so much easier.

Thanks.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Modified Chicken coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/10/2017 - 00:20

We live in a termite infested area and as such were nervous about putting wood in contact with the ground. We modified these plans to sit on top of a welded bar frame that is moveable and stands a meter high. The measurements are custom to our welded frame but the shape was based on these plans as was the construction process followed. We dont have a worry about predators so have used a design that doen not have a closed floor - our girls can simply fly or walk up the ladder to the roost and are able to leave the coop when ready in the morning without us opening doors. We are also in a warm environment thus an enclosed coop is not needed.

So far they are happy and are happily laying in the two egg boxes (We left the remaining space closed internally so that we can use it for storage) and as there is no bottom to the coop they poop straight into the run and onto the sand floor.

They are not free ranging yet as we are nervous of our dogs chasing them but once we are happy to let them free range we will use the gate built into the welded run.

Thank you Ana and lady goats for this design - I spent hours (and hours) researching and reading and looking at coop designs before deciding that this cute number was the one we wanted.

From me and my happy hens, thanks again!

 

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior was painted with a water based exterior paint over wood primer
Inside was varnished
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Table

My husband and I love entertaining, but our small kitchen table was just not cutting it for both our space and our hosting abilities. We decided that instead of searching for the perfect table and spending a ton of money, we would just build our own table. We found that Ana's Rustic Table plans best matched what we were looking for, but my husband being the detailed person that he is didn’t just want to take her measurements and run with them. So we taped off the floor around our old table to decide how large we wanted our own table to be.

We basically followed Ana White’s plans to a T. Until it got to the legs. Ana White used 2×4′s for her legs, but we decided we liked the look of chunkier 4×4 legs instead. We also did things in a different order, like attaching the legs to the apron before attaching the table top. This did make everything way easier when it came to painting, no tape needed. We also stained the bottoms and sides of the tabletop boards before attaching them to the apron. After the top was attached I stained the top side and applied about 3-4 coats of Matte polyurethane. I like the matte finish because it doesn’t add any sheen and makes things look even more rustic; however, we’ll have to add a regular coat of poly as well because the matte is too soft for something that will see such rough use over the years. And now for what you’re all wondering about, how much did this project cost us?

  • Wood – $86
  • Stain (Dark Walnut) – $7.77
  • Paint (Olympic Snow Storm) – $11.97
  • Polyurethane (Rustoleum Matte finish) – $11.93
  • If that is all we needed to buy then our total would have been: $117.67.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

mistyclinton

Mon, 12/31/2012 - 09:43

Your table is gorgeous! You did an amazing job.

I am getting ready to attempt my first two projects, bookshelves and a buffet table. I had a couple of questions about how you got such a consistent stain.

1) The Stain - What kind of stain did you use? How many coats did it take? Did you use a conditioner first?

2) Wood filler - How did you get the wood filler to match the stained areas so well? What kind did you use?

Thanks for the advice! I was thinking I would have to paint the buffet but after seeing your table I think I may actually attempt the stain.

Extra Long Bed

Submitted by Lumi on Fri, 10/24/2014 - 16:36

My hubby is 6'5'' tall. Since most matresses are 80 inches long, he mostly ends up with his feet hanging out of the bed (since you don't lay your head down at the very beginning of the mattress, right?). So I tried to solve this problem by making the bed 4'' longer than the plans suggested. I added 2'' of foam on each end of the bed, so now its 84'' long and my hubby fits perfectly!

Thanks for the great plans, I had a blast building my own bed!

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

Rocketship Bookcase

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 10/31/2020 - 17:27

Pretty much followed the steps as outlined in the rocket bookcase plans. Googled astronaut and spaceship stencils and free hand drew those on construction paper. This bookcase is heading to my 3 year old son's room and he's pretty excited to fill it with toys and books.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi gloss blue and red paint. A sparkling orange spray paint for the fire, metallic gray for the fins and stencils. Covered it with spray poly for a protective coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

6 cube bookshelf

Submitted by lindsay on Thu, 01/24/2013 - 04:27

This was my first project that I've built and I feel really great about how it turned out!

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

Comments

ACM

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 14:25

Great job! Your bookshelf looks solid and the color is crisp against the darker wall. Love the frames too!

Kid's Country Bench - stretched

Submitted by Bk32 on Sun, 01/27/2013 - 18:17

We needed a bench to hold shoes and bags on the foyer, and this plan fit the bill. I stretched the bench one foot so 3 kids could sit on it and to add one more cubby. I used pocket holes everywhere I could, so I had to modify the assembly order. We're excited to start using our new bench!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I started with minwax pretreatment and used minwax Red Mahogany stain. I finished with varathane tube water-based poly, since it didn't require sanding between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Computer Desk with hutch

Submitted by SusanStory on Sat, 12/19/2020 - 07:19

My cousin needed a computer desk but wanted it to look like a piece of furniture when not in use since they have limited space. The left side stores her tower, the right side has a pullout shelf for her printer and storage for printer paper & supplies. She works with 2 monitors so the center on the hutch will accommodate both but be hidden when she isn't working. This was a fun project and using Shelfhelp made it a joy to build. They will be my "go-to" place when building large pieces of furniture.

Estimated Cost
$400.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished as they will stain to match their furniture

Comments

Combination of the Emme Twin Bed and Farmhouse Storage Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/07/2017 - 20:25

I used elements of both the Emme Twin Bed and Farmhouse Storage Bed to create this perfect bed for my daughter. Thank you so much for your fantastic plans Ana!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used a soft pink paint/primer in an Eggshell finish. I applied two coats of paint and sanded between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Modern Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by jdwarns on Mon, 12/08/2014 - 13:03

So glad these plans were posted so that I could build my own outdoor sectional.  I built two armless and two corner/end pieces.  I used cedar with American Walnut stain and clear/satin spar urethane.  I purchased the cushions online.  They only had 24x24"; so for the back cushions, I used a seam ripper to open the cushion, cut the foam and extra fabric, and re-sew.

Estimated Cost
500 including cushions
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
American Walnut water-based stain
Clear/Satin spar urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse toy box

Submitted by Jayna on Fri, 02/12/2021 - 13:34

Made a few adjustments to the farmhouse toy box. Made it a little bigger and added Xs out of 1x2s around it to give it a little extra something! I'm using it as a storage coffee table and I couldn't be happier with it! So in love!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut stain, three coats of Varathane clear gloss polyurethane, and painted with Valspar white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

New Mudroom

Submitted by EChiasson on Mon, 03/15/2021 - 11:02

Built this new Mudroom / Office from some plans i found on your website and I absolutely love it! It has turned out better than I Expected and I learned soo many new things when planning and building this out!

Estimated Cost
$1000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

A-Frame Chicken Coop - Easy to Clean

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/24/2017 - 14:25

Thanks for the free plans. I did have to make modifications for the doors. i hid the hinges to give it a clean look. i used cedar for the trim and Plywood Siding Panel T1-11 4 IN OC (Common: 19/32 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft.; Actual: 0.563 in. x 48 in. x 96 in.) for the doors.  i used a metal flashing for the roof so it will vent.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
BEHR Transparent waterproofing finish (Cedar Natural Tone) NO 501
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

Adapated shoe cubby to on its side with LED lights.

Submitted by forbeskm on Thu, 03/21/2013 - 22:26

This is an adaption of the shoe shrine shelves. Since I didn't have a closet or other room than the bedroom to put these, I put them on their side. I modeled these off the shoe shrine shelves.

Each cubby is 11 3/4 deep x 8 x8 for the long version. The 2nd version I made was only 48 inches wide and did not divide well so I simply left the center cubby wider. I also made the 48" version to have different height shelves for purses in the middle and flats on the bottom.

I basically flipped the shoe shrine's on their sides and added LED lights. This also inspired a tall version for a cubby we had upstairs.

I used a panel saw to cut the plywood and then assembled with a Kreg pocket hole jig for horizontal pieces and biscuits for the top and the dividers. I did not want to fill the holes or I would have used Kreg instead of the biscuits.

I used 3/4" paint grade plywood and a 1/4inch back panel.

LED lights came from LED wholesalers on amazon. This step requires electrical knowledge! Not much more than a wiring a light but do not attempt if you are not qualifed to do so. LED strings required a fine tip soldering iron, wire and heat shrink.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Latex Behr Swiss Coffee sprayed on.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

forbeskm

Fri, 03/22/2013 - 11:50

The LED's came after we designed them. I was like there is no light where these are going and its hard to see inside the cubbies. This is true for the bottom cubies which are only 5 inches tall. So for 30 bucks a cabinet it was a quick and easy addition that really made them pop. Only downside is it can make the room look like you are in Nordstom's :) so she doesn't leave the lights on regularly.

Kai777

Thu, 09/18/2014 - 01:42

Very nicely done.  Do you mind telling me more about which particular LED product you used and the process to wire them in?  Did you mill out any part of the cabinet to set the lights?  How are they activated?  Thanks in advance.  You can also email me at [email protected].  Much appreciated!

Book shelves

Submitted by Marisol on Wed, 03/27/2013 - 15:55

I have had these for a while but never finished with the painting, the most dreadful part...but found some chalk paint that I love, and will always use chalk paint to finish all my projects now.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
free- scrap material
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Annie Sloan Duck Egg and made my own white chalk paint with a recipe found online that worked great with Paris Plaster, water and flar behr paint, I only got a tester for $3, plaster $6. Annie Sloan $65.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

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