Community Brag Posts

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?

Step Stool

we made two of step stools for two little girls for Christmas! we personalized them. we drill some wholes so, it'd be easy for the girls to carry around.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Twin Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by lauralaine on Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:31

My handy Dad built this for my daughter using the awesome Plan as a base. Made a couple minor modifications (raised it up so more space under the bed; added brackets so the siderails can easily be removed; etc). Turned out perfectly!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250 (CDN)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat of primer and two coats white semi-gloss paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

TV Hutch for Existing Dresser

I bought a campaign dresser off of CL that I wanted to use as a TV stand, but it was too short. I searched Ana's plans for "Hutch" and figured out how she builds hutches, and made a simple hutch for the dresser. That's my favorite part about Ana's site...I'm gaining knowledge and experience to be able to build whatever I want!! I used 1 x 10 boards for the body of the hutch, 3/4" plywood for the back, and a 1 x 2 for the trim.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat primer and then Sherwin Williams Duration latex in "Envy"
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Birthday Present

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/19/2016 - 01:27

My daughter wanted a second doll for her birthday and we stupidly caved in. This of course meant she needed bunks.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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