Community Brag Posts

Full size Murphy Bed

Submitted by Hartung26 on Wed, 06/26/2013 - 20:07

Used the plans for the twin bed, just added the difference in mattress size to the measurements. Pretty simple really. Used a cam lock centered above the door and a sawtooth picture hanger on the inside as a locking mechanism.

Estimated Cost
$275
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
WinMax English Chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Thu, 06/27/2013 - 12:16

Been thinking of building one of these. Yours looks beautiful, nice job!

campbelllsara

Tue, 09/30/2014 - 14:16

Hello,

I have been scowering the internet... I too would like to have my murphy bed raised off of the ground and be a full size murphy bed.  But everytime I try to do "adjustments" and get "creative" it ends in disaster.  I am better at following instructions.  Is there anyway that you could give me the exact measurements for your fullsize bed and let me know how it is that you propped the bed up at the end?

[email protected]

 

Thank you.

Murphy Bed

Submitted by Newfey on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 14:59

This is a Murphy Bed that I made for my daughter Alicia for their getaway home at Canadian Lakes, MI. Due to limited space i had to make it horizontal instead of the normal way of being vertical. It really comes in handy and takes up very little space.

Finish Used
Red paint mixed with Baking Soda
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Fri, 07/19/2013 - 15:17

Looks great! Love the color and the trims you used. Where did you find your hinge hardware? PS- How did you like the baking soda paint? I've tried ASCP which was good but very pricey, and last time made my own with some plaster of paris. Your finish is lovely.

Newfey

Sat, 07/20/2013 - 18:47

I bought the spring hardware on line. I can't take the credit for the paint as my daughter did that part. She loves the way that the baking soda and paint covers everything and it is a whole lot less expensive than buying the commercial stuff.

Dog Houses

Our local Habitat for Humanity puts on an annual event where they get folks to restore discarded or worn down furniture and sell them at auction. My wife and I participated last year and this year I was asked to build 4 dog houses and then they were going to let local designers/decorators finish them out.

I figured it would be easy to find a good dog house plan, but I was wrong so I had to come up with my own designs. I did not want to use plywood becauase I wanted them to look good. So I used 1x4's and 1x6's. I built them all just a little bit different, but the same basic design on all 3. Since I am not very good with circular cuts, did not do any fancy 1/2 circle doorways!

There are "after" pictures on the Blog. Thanks for looking!

Estimated Cost
$100 each
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I didn't finish them out, but did use screws to attach everything, so filled those in with wood putty and sanded down of course.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Sun, 11/06/2011 - 16:10

Great job for a great cause!

Entry Level Entryway

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/24/2023 - 06:13

I built this farmhouse style entryway table while we waited for our house to be completed. It was the first of many projects I dreamed of completing. After it was done, I used a “navy” stain that wasn’t quite what I had planned but ended up bringing color to the area.

Comments

Porch swing bed

Submitted by Beaulook on Tue, 01/28/2014 - 16:29

Started off with the original design but enlarged it to fit an oversize single mattress. The mattress cost me $35 from a local faith farm, while the materials came in around $200. I decided to hang under my backyard pergola. Fun and easy project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Cedar stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

bhammond

Tue, 01/28/2014 - 21:10

Wow this looks so inviting I might just have to make one too! Nice work-- it looks great!

Shorty

Tue, 01/28/2014 - 21:26

Really great job on your porch swing bed AND an awesome looking patio/yard. Looks amazing all around!

Debbie Perkins

Mon, 07/27/2015 - 22:45

I want this!  I just made a couple of plant stands for my front porch.  My husband asked me what my next project was, why, a swing bed.  (This was only my second project!)  I want to put cup holders in those big ole arms!  We have a house at the beach in South Alabama, so, you gotta "hydrate."  This is an awesome swing.  I can't wait to do mine...pillows to rest on, one foot on the concrete pushing me in a slow swing. Cold beverage in my hand or in my cup holder. Yep, southern girl has a new project.  Love it!

Laundry Basket Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/13/2023 - 09:35

I didn’t want to have to paint or cut the metal angles - plus I wanted 4 basket tall so I used pre-drilled melamine for the sides making the unit 48” tall. Then cut top and bottom same as plans and bought 5mm L shelf pegs and had shelves cut 24 1/4”. Used white wainscot panel for back. Very easy - especially since I had big box store make all my cuts! Just have to make sure you have peg holes lined up at bottom or you won’t be level.

Deb D.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Built In Storage Bench

I wanted to make a built in storage bench for the breakfast nook in our eat-in kitchen, but wasn't entirely sure how to go about the process. After seeing Ana's "Mimi's Storage Bench" I thought the plan could be modified to fit our space, so I convinced my husband to give it a shot. We've done a fair amount of carpentry in our house, but this is the first piece of furniture that we have ever built. Thanks to Ana's plans and our new Kreg jig, it turned out better than I ever imagined. We absolutely love the new bench, where my toddler spends every morning eating his breakfast while staring out the window and giggling at the squirrels in our backyard.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore's Satin Aura paint in White Dove
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

2x4 Loft Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/06/2023 - 11:04

I added support for more weight by adding a 2x4 on the inside of the four legs. This way, I have the entire frame supported by screws AND 2x4, so I can rest easy.

Rebecca Nemeth

Playhouse big build

I went a little out of control on the week of the 4th of July - I set out to build a picnic table, 4 sling chairs, a deck and a playhouse - and I did!!!! I owe Ana a great debt of gratitude for these amazing plans and empowering me to do it! I built the picnic table and the sling chairs as I was waiting for primer and paint to dry on the frame, inside and outside of the house. For the shutters - I scrounged around the garage and found some leftover wainscoting, and put a leftover 1x2 on them. The door frame wasn't straight - so I added a piece of leftover trim from my daughters bed I built. My only next step is curtains for the windows. I even moved the full kitchen set I built the kids a few christmas's ago into their. They have only been playing with it for 2 days and I can't drag them out of it!!!

Estimated Cost
$500-$550
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Primer and paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

King Size Platform Frame

Submitted by EndGrain on Wed, 07/18/2012 - 08:46

I based my bed off of the Fillman Platform Bed plans. Just bumped the dimensions up to fit my mattress and added the mid supports. The frame was built using 2x6 boards taken from a fallen barn. I ripped 2 2x6 boards down the center to make the the supports for the slats. My feet are 3 2x6's screwed together and then attached to the frame. Next time I will cut a notch out of the feet so that I can rest the bed on them and then try to find some old lag bolts to attach them to the bed. The frame was put together using a Kreg Jig. I put the Cedar boards on to dress the front and sides up some and to help keep the slats from showing when the sheets were tucked in. My finish is 1 coat of Linseed Oil and 2 coats of Teak Oil.

Let me know if you have any further questions on this build. As soon as I find some doors I will be building a head board for this bed.

Estimated Cost
$150 ish
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Linseed and Teak Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Board & Batten Inspired Headboard

Our guest room finally has a headboard! I put together this queen size headboard using what I had learned building my daughter's headboard (and consulting the plans for the Reclaimed Wood Headboard) using the remainder of the plywood sheet from her headboard project, 2x3s for the legs, a 2x4 to join the legs (and connect to the metal bed frame), furring strips, and a 1x3 to top it off.

Our plywood had been cut to fit our car, so the first vertical furring strip was placed to hide the seam where I joined the two pieces back together. Then we evenly placed them from center as just looked right to us.

We had a great time seeing this come together as we didn't follow a specific plan, but were able to be a bit more creative inspired by various plans.

Estimated Cost
$45 including hardware & paint
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
We painted with Martha Stewart's Stratosphere in a flat finish, distressed and rubbed on Minwax Provencial stain. Unfortunately, the stain gave the headboard a very green tint, so after a lot more sanding, we were able to finish the project with two quick coats of Minwax water based Poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Playhouse

Submitted by Dawnybb on Thu, 11/22/2012 - 09:32

This was so much fun to do! Very easy and I added some personal touches. I made the lower level an enclosed sandbox area with a chalk board on the back wall. On the outside of the back wall, I added a "ball wall" that my kids love. I enclosed the bottom sandbox with plastic "chicken wire" to keep the cats out. :)

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Dawnybb

Thu, 11/22/2012 - 15:34

Thanks! Glad you like it!

The paint was from Dunn Edwards: Roof was "Louisiana Mud", playhouse walls were "Drifting" and then the white was a snow white from Lowe's.

The slide and accessories were also from Lowe's.

m7hennen

Tue, 04/15/2014 - 09:35

I LOVE this! This is exactly what I'd like to build. Do you have plans you can share with us? I think I'd also like to add a couple of swings on one of the sides too. Thanks so much!

In reply to by m7hennen

Dawnybb

Sun, 04/27/2014 - 08:39

I know I messed with the dimensions a bit but I don't remember exactly. I made the playhouse larger (deeper and taller than original plans) . I also cut the roof line on the deck side for more room. I put aluminum over the wood on the roof and then painted. The Ball Wall was made out of plastic gutter pieces that I painted and we used practice rubber golf balls to throw into them. I hope that helps! We sold that house, so I can't go out and measure it :)

eegad1973

Thu, 05/28/2020 - 15:32

You may not get this as this is an old post. Did you dig post holes? I have older kids and I am thinking about building a plan like this but at a 6ft height. Wondered how much it moves around when there are a bunch of kids on there. The house I will build is also 6 ft heigh.

Seasonal And Holiday

Coffre à jouets rustic x

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/13/2020 - 19:36

Adaptation de la table console pour en faire un coffre à jouets.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Traitement de vieillissement du bois avec du thé noir et une solution de vinaigre et laine d'acier.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tilt Out Wooden Trash Bin

Submitted by paigers01 on Mon, 01/09/2017 - 11:27

Tilt Out Wooden Trash Bin

After 7 years of our trash can sitting out in the open, my wife decided we needed to do something about it. I saw the plans for this tilt out wooden trash bin, and slightly modified it using tongue and groove for the face panel.

 

Estimated Cost
$50-$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax English Chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids rolling cart for tea or toys

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/28/2017 - 19:22

We followed the tea cart plan (mostly). Since the scalloped edge looked hard to us, we bought molding for trim instead. We had a mitre saw so used that to cut the molding at 45 degree angles. The kids have been putting all sorts of toys on it and right now it's their legos.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Most of our cost was tools since this was our first project. Thankfully our local pawn shop had great deals on tools.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
1.5 cans Rustoleum Seaside spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Tack Box

Submitted by Evandgc on Tue, 12/30/2014 - 16:21

I made this box for my wifes christmas present. She has been riding horses for sometime and is planning on doing some shows. I built this box from Mimi's storage bench design, made it bigger, added a deeper box top and created the rest from looking at pictures online. Its all made of pine plywood and pine boards to keep it light. I added 4 castors to the bottom to make it easily moveable and hid them with the moulding around the bottom. Still has to be sanded and stained before it hits the barn. Its 39W X 24D X 29H. I used a piano hinge and routered the back to set the hing in. Added cove moulding around the bottom and to all the boxes around the front and side. Used a lot of pocket holes and finsh nails. Took me longer than it could have, because I planned everything as I went.  I will add more pictures when its finsihed. I would rate it intermediate to advanced depending on your skills with certain tools. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Will all the hardware, wood materials, screws etc, I think it cost me around $250-$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
not finished yet
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Gigantic planked sideboard

This was my second project and my first piece of furniture I built from Ana's plans. We have a vaulted ceiling in the hallway near my entry and needed a really big piece to fill up the large blank wall. I always hated the space but now I Love It. The Gigantic sideboard is perfect there. I finished it with milk paint and paste wax. If you inspect it closely it is not perfect but for my first piece... I love it and it's supposed to be rustic right!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I did not keep track of how much I spent but I'll say roughly 200 to 250 .
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I first used wood conditioner then sanded, sanded, and sanded. For the paint I used General Finishes Coastal Blue and topped it with minwax paste wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Church pew style entry bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/26/2017 - 15:02

The bench measures 54" wide x 21" deep.  We slightly modified the Rogue Engineer plans at the customers request to allow it to sit flush against the wall. 

Estimated Cost
99.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain is 1 coat Minwax Classic Grey immediately followed by 1 coat Old Masters Dark Walnut Wiping Stain immediately followed by another coat of Minwax Classic Grey. Topcoat is Gemini Gem Coat Matte Pre-cat Lacquer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

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