Community Brag Posts

Toddler Bed

This was my second project from Ana White's plans. I felt confident in my new woodworking skills once I learned how to use the kreg jig for pocket holes. The child's table and chair I made came out so good, I decided why not try a toddler bed for my 4 yr old granddaughter. She loves her new bed. And I love how easy and fun it was to make.

I only had to make minor adjustments to the size to accomodate her mattress. I brought the footboard out to the edge of the legs because I needed to add an inch to the length, but the sides are set in like the plans. I also added a couple inches to the rail height since her mattress is 6 inches deep and I wanted it to be above the mattress.

I was afraid I couldn't get the rounded headboard neat, so I used the whole 6 inch board, adding to the height of the headboard a few inches. I also added the top board on the headboard because it just made it look cleaner on top. You might not be able to tell from the photo, but I did use the beadboard - I had a scrap the perfect size.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Glidden Satin in White
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Wood Star Serving Tray

Submitted by LampAtFeet on Sat, 12/07/2019 - 13:41

I followed the plans for the Wood Star Serving Tray. I thought it was a little tricky cutting all the angles to the correct length. One tip I would suggest is to mark which end has the 24 degree cuts, since you'll be attaching these joints first. Any gaps in the joints can be filled with wood filler, then sanded smooth. I would say this is an Intermediate level project due to the angles and trying to attach them without the nails popping through the other board. Would be fun doing a set of 3 and painting them red, white & blue for the 4th of July. Thanks for the plans, Ana!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained with Varathane Briarsmoke, then a light layer of Dark Walnut to help give it an aged look. Sealer on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Narrow Console table

Submitted by lazyLiz on Sun, 03/25/2012 - 11:27

I wanted a hallway side table, using Ana White's Simple, Cheap and Easy console table directions (as usual with most of my built) and revising the measurement and adding some thing in here and there I was able to build me this! Thanks to my new jigsaw my husband bought me :) Measures 55" long, 34" height and 14-1/2" depth.

Estimated Cost
$ 45.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
dark mahogany and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

vacookie

Thu, 04/12/2012 - 13:17

I am looking at making this soon and really like what you did with the sides. Any tips should I decide to go a similar route on mine? I haven't done that type of work before with my jigsaw and am not sure can pull it off but it looks so good!

daisy (not verified)

Tue, 07/24/2012 - 11:11

could you pretty please share how you did the sides and everything on this table...I love this exact table (the one you built) and it would be PERFECT in our family room under the t.v. Pretty, pretty please :)

First project

Submitted by MadJack73 on Mon, 01/13/2014 - 12:34

Rustic X Console, minus the X. And I used the finishing techniques from another project. I also built a bar before I found this site and we painted the bar stools the same color as this console to tie in the two spaces in the finished basement. I would say the most stress was that I couldnt find straight boards.. so being square was a challenge. Also when you follow the plans, it says to make both sides ( figure 8s) then attach the shelves.. I put the 2x4s on the top to connect and then did the shelves. I figured if all the pieces were right lenght, then it was best way of assuring the project would be as square as possible. I know it would be on carpet, so I wasnt too worried, but when I brought in into basement to paint, all 6 legs sat very flush on the ground with the slightest of wobble. So, I would say rest one side on the ground.. line up the 2X4s that connect the two sides at the top and then go from there, then do the shelves.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$217 ( including Kreg Master JIg set )
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Krylon brown spray paint over the bare wood when assembled. Mostly along the edges and knots. Then vaseline over parts of the spray painted area. Then painted over this with Behr Satin Natural Gray.when it was all dried in 12 hours. I wiped off vaseline exposing some of the brown and then sanded lightly to rough it up. We wanted Beachie feel, so we avoided the X on the end. But I can see how it would be stronger with the X. We are mostly using it for a few light components and subwoofer and baskets.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Head Board

Submitted by Kvnpalmer on Mon, 08/19/2019 - 18:07

Head board we made over the weekend. Great beginner project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used an antiquing wax for the finish. Bought it off amazon
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Live Edge Floating Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/18/2023 - 12:31

Older children moving out for college left the youngest without a bed. We decided to use your plan for a bed, but altered the headboard just a bit so that we could use live edge cypress. We love how it turned out, plus we were able to use locally sourced cypress!

Kathleen R

Modern Cutout Headboard

I was so thrilled to see this cut out, modern headboard included in Ana's plans, since I had been lusting over the expensive West Elm version for months. It was really easy, and I'm thrilled with the results.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Water based stain and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cube Storage Shelf

This is another piece for my living room to go along with the console table I've already finished. My hope is to replace all of the furniture in the living room with matching pieces to finally have a house that doesn't look like it was decorated through the Salvation Army.

This one has the specific purpose of a toy box for our two year old. Now she has a place to store her toys that she keeps in the living room instead of just piling them up in that corner. It's based on the 6 cube bookshelf design and finished with three coats of Varathane's Kona poly blend over regular pine.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane's Kona polyblend
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Daybed and side tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/17/2019 - 06:56

My husband made this for our granddaughter when she comes to visit. Then we saw the side tables, adjusted the height and poof the best room ever!

Estimated Cost
$300.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)

Jelly Cupboard

Submitted by emilyr on Mon, 04/02/2012 - 18:15

Ever since I saw this cupboard, I wanted it. So when I got a free day I jumped at the chance to build it. I love it! The only problem is trying to figure out where I want to put it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30-40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Porter's Prussian Blue and black spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

tommyc325

Thu, 02/19/2015 - 19:11

Hi Ana - I dont mean any disrespect but how do you figure this project costs $30-40. I bought just the boards no hardware or plywood and its cost me $60. Pine #2.

Please let me know your thoughts and where you buy your wood from.

Bander

Fri, 02/20/2015 - 12:00

The cost estimate is from emilyr, posted almost three years ago. Lumber prices fluctuate, but $30-40 is still quite low. I estimate about $100 to buy the lumber (pine) on the shopping list from Ana's plan at current prices in my area.

Brookstone storage bed

Submitted by ajordan on Sat, 01/18/2014 - 16:48

This is the first project I have done; we used a couple of different plans to make this bed. I had to change dimensions to make this into a full size bed. Overall I am very happy with the way it all came together. We made this for our 8 year old daughter and now I'm working on a vanity! I used the twin headboard plan made taller and wider for a full, I made a footboard to match and the storage bins bellow are from the modified farmhouse queen made a little smaller to fit a full.

Estimated Cost
$250 with the lights
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Red mahogany first coat, min wax sun bleached second coat and then I used Martha Stewart bronze metallic paint. I watered down the paint to make a wash then I put it on and wiped it off like I did the stain which gave it a little brown color and shimmer!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor Pergola with Seating Built-in!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/27/2023 - 12:14

Pergola outdoor room plans modified to make side seating instead of side tables. Left sides open. Added cute crochet swing bench. Anchored to concrete slab with iron plates and added decorative wood ties that match footing. I've gotten so many compliments and no one believes I made this!

Kristen P.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Play kitchen for Christmas

Submitted by vacookie on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 18:18

I never built anything before this. I really wanted a sturdy wooden kitchen for my son for Christmas but they were sooo expensive. Then I found this plan and decided to give it a try. And I did it! All by myself with no real experience (seriously, I had to buy a drill for the project). It isn't perfect but my son doesn't know (or care) and I had fun doing it. Note that as we have it placed across the threshold from carpet to tile floor, I currently have a board underneath to level it. I modified to put a door on the sink since I don't sew and thought the curtain might look a bit feminine on my son's kitchen.

Estimated Cost
hard to say since I had lots of start up costs, maybe $130? could do for more or less
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I believe the green paint is "Olivine".
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mudroom lockers and shoe storage

Submitted by tommybo76 on Mon, 01/20/2014 - 19:04

My wife requested this project as a Christmas present. Since we have a door in the middle of the room, I decided to build 2 identical hutches with storage areas for all 4 of us. I used 3/4 plywood that was cut to 2'x4' sheets at the store to make transport and further cutting on my table saw manageable. I connected the main pieces by using the kreg jig. After attaching the bead board to the back with screws and nails, the hutch was very sturdy. We had trouble finding baskets to fit the squares which I designed to fit a 12" square basket that we already had in the house. It proved very difficult to find that size so we went with a slightly smaller basket (I wish we would have researched this ahead of time). The color scheme came from another brag on Ana's site.

After completing the hutches, Patti mentioned that someday she'd like to take the washer and dryer off the pedestals and add a table across the top of them to fold clothes...so before putting away the tools I decided that was the "someday" LOL. I stained the tabletop to match the hutch and painted the 2x4 legs white. I then added a 1 inch dowel to hang clothes and a shelf above the dowel. Of course, the new room would not have been complete without new paint! I plan on building a cabinet for the laundry sink with a pullout drawer for recyclables in the near future.

It's fantastic to have a spot for all our coats, shoes and hats/gloves. It makes it easier getting two young boys out the door for school when you know exactly where their items are stored and makes the room look so organized compared to before. Thanks to all for your inspirational posts/brags!!

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Ebony stain, polyurethane, white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

3 pedestal farmhouse table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/13/2016 - 18:00

Just love how this turned out
The plan was so easy to follow
I stained with black then sanded to give it a rough look marking up the corners etc and then applied dark walnut
I am waiting on brass studs /nails to trim the apron in the centre applying brass corners will keep you posted

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

King Size Mantel Headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/01/2023 - 13:26

Mantel headboard king size, I used 2x6 construction grade lumber. Sanded it down. If I did it again I’d used 1x6 and a better grade lumber. It’s quite heavy. With thanks to Matt Brooks twindaddedesign

Vince D

Built from Plan(s)

Garden Bench on a diet

This bench was perfect for our front porch, but after I bought all the lumber I realized how big and substantial it would be. So, I slimmed it down and swapped out the following: seat slats 1x2, posts and supports 2x2, arms 1x3, backrest 1x6, aprons 2x3. Looks great and feels like a better fit for our porch. Enjoying the afternoon sun in style now, thanks!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson's Water Seal
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

momejojo

Wed, 05/01/2013 - 09:31

I would like to make the bench on a diet since my front porch is smaller aswell. Are the cuts the same as original plans?

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