Community Brag Posts

Playhouse

This was our first project and it was pretty simple! We are really happy with the results. We went a little further and lined the inside ceiling and used outdoor carpet inside as well. We saved money by using reminant wood for the deck and some old shingles that had been lying around. It was our first time roofing so it is far from perfect but it should stay dry. Overall our two little girls LOVE it.

Estimated Cost
$400-$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Exterior Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

nikjwil

Sat, 07/07/2012 - 21:06

We just finished this project. I love the shutters, mailbox and curtains! What cute touches!

Wine rack

Wine rack made from discarded pallet, with slots to hang glasses

Estimated Cost
Free!
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

TV Stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 07:33

This was an easy project. It took longer to paint and stain than the construction.
Thanks for the plans, this web site is awesome.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under $200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Low Loft Bed

Submitted by enweldon on Sun, 01/19/2020 - 19:09

Made several modifications to this plan.  Wanted the bed to be easy to change sheet, reduced overall height to 48in.  The mattress is fairly thick so I increased the rail height to 18in by adding another row on the side rail.  The ladder can be located on either end.  My munchkin now has a new bed and with some curtains, a new hideout.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200 lumber, $50 hardwear, stain,
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Red Oak Stain with a Satin Poly coat.

Entry table using Cottage Media Table plans

Submitted by KelleighW on Wed, 04/18/2012 - 15:17

I used the Cottage Media coffee table plans and modified the length and height to suit for the space I needed. Ana's plans were super easy to follow and am pleased with the end result.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Chocolate Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

King Farmhouse Bed

My husband and I built this bed as our first ever project. It was so easy. It took about 8 hours plus painting time. I modified the original King plans by raising both the headboard and foo board 6 inches. This meant every vertical measurement was changed by 6 inches. I am also using a metal bed frame with box spring. We are next going to make the matching nightstands! Super excited to continue building my own furniture!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Olde Century Paint:
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Headboard with Fold Down Tray Tables

Submitted by t856463 on Sat, 01/25/2020 - 21:05

Wow, my 2nd piece of furniture I attempted.  A lot of wood filler was involved.  My shelves seemed too big, so I just did one, then my back board accidentally got used in “open shop” so I used some left over pegboard.  I had fun but spent a lot of time fixing “oops, that doesn’t seem right”. Peg

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint and stain

A First Planter Project

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/18/2023 - 15:44

Cedar Planters, my first planter. Thanks Ana!

Caleb

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

10 dollar ledge

10 dollar ledge with small trim on the bottom (now cost 20 dollars total)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer and two coats of white paint (with floetrol) applied with paint brush
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Updated Tryde Coffee Table

This was my first building project, and I'm very happy with the results. It was a cinch to put together, too. My husband helped me cut the pieces after work one night and then I put it together that Saturday. I decided to do a two tone finish with the legs and apron painted because our local Lowes didn't have 2x4s and 4x4s in the same type of wood, so I was afraid there would be too big a difference in the way they take stain.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60 including lumber, screws, paint and stain
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
The legs and apron are spray painted with black Valspar gloss paint, and the top was stained with Minwax Kona stain. I did the painting and staining prior to attaching the top to the bottom and then gave it three coats of poly to help with durability.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Barn door tv stand

Submitted by BojackH on Mon, 05/02/2016 - 20:44

We had a cheapo tv stand made out of pressed board which I felt was one nudge short of collapsing.  So decided to build an upgrade.  There were a few electronic components I wanted to be in the middle so designed a 3 bay instead of the 4 bay originally posted here. I used the picture from the sliding door hardware tutorial site - but instead of joining the plywood box with kreg screws I instead used Spax MDF screws on the end grain + wood glue (they work great and don't split the plywood at all - no need to predrill either!).

For the shelves, I drilled a buncha pin holes in case I wanted to adjust the height.  For the top I used 3 2x6's instead of the 1by used here.

With the backing, I used scrap planks from a couple pallets - I spaced them at about 2 inches to allow airflow for the components (HTPC/ PS4/ modem) as well as the ability to run cords through.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minewax Special walnut for base & doors. Minewax Dark Walnut for top. 3 coats of Minewax Satin Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

The Mail Boss is ready

Submitted by JanMarie63 on Fri, 01/31/2020 - 20:20

The Mail Boss cabinet with chalk paint and wax finish. Ana White plans.

I worked on this project off and on for two days. I love it! Thank you Ana 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Blue chalk paint and clear wax
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

accox16

Wed, 02/05/2020 - 20:46

Love this & we would like to make it! Want a “command center” to get organized. We have all needed tools. Can you estimate the supply costs for the building materials?

Pioneer Twin Bed

Submitted by timh on Sat, 02/08/2014 - 15:48

This Pioneer bed took me several weekends this winter, doing a little at a time. It was a challenge for sure because there were a few errors in the plans, but with some improvisation it was easily avoided. This bed is very simplistic but the design allows for some personal flare and variation to be added. Be sure to make precise cuts! Be sure to pick out straight boards!

I used specialized software to make the head and foot curves and printed them on paper, then transferred them to the wood. I did not put the two blocks on the headboard posts...because to me it just looked plain silly! I added two bun feet to make it look like genuine bed knobs and they look excellent. Also for the foot board posts I used specialized square pieces of wood found in the hardware store that have a nice design in them doe a decorative look. they indent far enough towards the bed that they actually hold the sheets in place!

I did not paint it. Instead I used a golden oak stain, one coat. Then put two coats of high gloss on it. This also strengthened the soft white pine I used to build it.

I did not follow the part about the slat placement nor where the bed rails should be mounted, as this will vary depending on the thickness of the mattress you get, or if it has a box spring.

I used bolts to hold the bed rails in as well, along with nails and screws.

Sandpaper! Use it a lot!

$65 to build, although I already had nails, glue, sandpaper, stain, and varnish.

My daughter just loves it and I know it will be around for years to come!!! Everyone in my family loves it too. I highly suggest anyone who is looking for a simplistic looking twin bed, and who knows how to take their time and follow directions, to make this bed. Feel free to write me if you need help. [email protected]

Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Golden Oak Stain, high gloss varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

timh

Sat, 02/08/2014 - 15:51

Thank you Ana White for such a nice website with great resources for all of us who like to build things ourselves and save a buck or two!

Queen Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/07/2016 - 17:56

Made the bed using the Queen Farmhouse bed plans as a guide.

Wanted to include my box spring so modified the frame so the bed sits inside the frame.  Also had to increase the height of the head and footboard to accommodate the additional height of the box spring.  

Added middle legs to the frame, somewhat for support but mainly to make the connect to the head and footboard easier (since I was doing it myself).  

Used leftover prefinished fooring for the paneling.  Like the contrast with the white, plus really ties it in with the room.  Bed came out really well, wasn't sure since I've never used plans from this site before but can now say, will be doing so in the future. Next up, matching farmhouse mini nightstand! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin white enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

First Project - Farmhouse Storage Bed

Submitted by kmac1036 on Fri, 04/27/2012 - 11:55

Working on getting furniture done for my kids. Gives me something to do when they are away on visitation. New furniture from a store is too expensive right now & gives me something to work on to keep my mind off of things.

Modified to fit a Twin XL mattress.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Passion Pink latex enamel semi-glass from Sherwin Williams. top coat with polyurethane for chip/scratch resistance
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

birdsandsoap

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 13:37

Beautiful job! I love the color. I have memories of being gone for weekends on visits and coming home to a newly decorated "Rainbow Brite" bedroom and my mom assembling a waterbed for me on the kitchen floor (it was the eighties); it felt great to know that my mom was thinking about me while I was gone, your kids will not forget those things.

amercado

Wed, 05/16/2012 - 09:48

Hi!, i am new to all of this and would love to make this bed for my daughter, could you share the measurements for the twin version? thanks!

fortmac (not verified)

Sat, 06/02/2012 - 03:12

Hi, I like this bed for my son, also looking for the measurements for the twin version.Thanks

Nicole 1016

Mon, 08/27/2012 - 11:05

This is gorgeous! I would love to know how wide you made this and if you only had to adjust the headboard and footboard?

grreenbeans

Sun, 01/17/2016 - 09:17

Hi! I know this question has been posted before and replied to but, for some reason, I can't see the replies so... would anyone mind maybe sharing their converted measurements for a twin sized bed? Thank so much! This will be our first project and I'm sooo nervous!

grreenbeans

Sun, 01/17/2016 - 09:17

Hi! I know this question has been posted before and replied to but, for some reason, I can't see the replies so... would anyone mind maybe sharing their converted measurements for a twin sized bed? Thank so much! This will be our first project and I'm sooo nervous!

Firemedic

Fri, 02/05/2016 - 20:20

I made this bed in a twin. The twin mattress is 39x75. That's 21 inches narrower and 5 inches shorter than a queen. So just make the head board, foot board, and slat measurements 21 inches shorter keeping the height the same. The length is five inches shorter but to get three drawer slots the same size I made mine 75 3/4 long. ( 24 1/4 for each drawer slot).

Farmhouse table

Submitted by bwheat5 on Tue, 02/11/2014 - 09:09

35X72 standard table height.
Made this Farmhouse table for my daughter for her birthday tomorrow. Hope she enjoys it as much as I enjoyed making it. Happy birthday my girl.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Distressed finish, Minwax Dark Walnut stain, Deft Semi Gloss Lacquer, Minwax Finishing Wax Natural
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Vertical Herb Planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/10/2016 - 20:04

Used your plans but make changes to the planters since I do not own an angle machine.  They look great and the cost was less than $30

Estimated Cost
$28
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Deck screws
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

NextGreenLife

Tue, 05/30/2017 - 14:33

Can appreciate wanting to do projects but not having all the necessary fancy tools.  I need to make two of these anyway (one to give away), so going to steal this idea to make it a wham-bam quick job!

Front Door Storage Bench

My bench sits outside my front door to welcome visitors and provide a place to set your packages while unlocking the door! I made it two years ago, and it's weathered three Baltimore winters with out repainting. I'll probably sand t and repaint it this spring. Folks are always asking where I bought it, and I give all the credit to Ana White, your site and your wonderful furniture ideas!

Jim Dupree

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Seasonal And Holiday

Library book holder

Submitted by ltl_lisa on Sat, 04/28/2012 - 18:33

Finally a place to hold library books away from spilling milk and coffee cups!

Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
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