Community Brag Posts

Loft bed, not quite finished

Submitted by Bunnie1978 on Tue, 10/27/2015 - 20:33

I built this bed several months ago, but it isn't finished.  Deigned the plan myself with inspiration from several plans/brags along the way.  The room not at all square or level so had to build as you go.  This was for my son's 7th birthday, and he loves it.

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

Doll House Book Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/25/2018 - 19:58

Made this for my little girls room 

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Woven back bench

Submitted by Lukilla on Thu, 09/01/2022 - 15:47

What a fun project! My 2x2 scraps had started to accumulate, and I couldn't think of anything to do with them. Ana White to the rescue! Built this one for the fun of it, and my wife had fun with the colors. Great plan as always. I added 2x2s to support the seat slats, but im sure it'd be fine without

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Another Doll Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by n8ur9irl on Fri, 08/12/2011 - 06:16

I made this for my Granddaughters 6th Birthday. My husband and I just finished a tree house for the Grand kids and we had lots of scraps left! Very easy to make and the only thing that took time was waiting for the paint to dry.

Estimated Cost
9.00 for the bedding, 0.00 for the bed ( I had wood scraps from a treehouse we made)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White enamel, for durability.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Oxidized Wood Silverware Caddy

This was the very first thing I've tackled. It's something I've always wanted to do, but haven't taken the time. A new house that we've moved into has a barn beam mantle above the fireplace (which we love!), so we wanted to incorporate wood that would compliment it. We used knotty pine and tried out the oxidized wood treatment to get the desired color and sealed it with a spray Varathane. Because of that treatment, it took an extra day for all of the drying time from start to finish. I also plan to stencil on the side "Give Thanks", but haven't found a good spot to get a stencil yet.

I am such a fan of these great designs and styles, I will be making many more things. Next on my list, the Oxidized wood X pattern side tables and coffee table! Thank you, Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15, but have wood and other things left over
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oxidized wood using The Friendly Home's how-to-step-by-step instructions, then sealed with a spray varathane
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Connor Side Table

I built this as a way to stay busy on a three day weekend, and it turned out so well my wife wants two more for our night stands.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Chalkboard Paint for the top and Minwax Early American stain. If I were to do it again, I would use a lighter stain color. I sprayed a cheap clear coat over the top of the black.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Workbench console and hutch minibar

Submitted by kwildman on Sat, 12/29/2018 - 05:14

Love my new minibar! Built using select pine for the 1x and stud grade 2x4s. 

I used Ana's plan for the Workbench console which is a pottery barn knock off for the Markham Console.  The hutch is Ana's plan for the Rustic Hutch.  I first stained with dark walnut danish oil and didn't like the color.  It was too yellowish.  I went over that with minwax grey wash and loved the color.  I finished with minwax dark paste wax. 

Estimated Cost
350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut Danish oil and minwax gray oil based stain. Minwax dark paste wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Apothecary cat box console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/06/2022 - 06:21

Just used Ana’s plan for apothecary cabinets. Needed mine wider, shallower and taller for use under wall mounted tv and wanted it to reach very high chair rail behind it. As well as hiding tv wires and providing much needed storage I needed to hide a cat box.

Comments

My Simple Outdoor Sink

Submitted by kmatt55 on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 16:46

I finally completed the last piece to my customized simple two-toned outdoor collection...an outdoor kitchen sink!!! It still needs a couple of touch ups... but more on that later. This is by far my favorite and easiest project to date. We plan on using this as a grill caddie/garden station. This will eventually go onto a 24x12 deck up against our kitchen window (The indoor and outdoor sink will be against each others backs). I decided to go with the Sturdy Workbench plans for the base mainly because of the weight. We wanted something that's going to be difficult to move since it will be hooked up to outdoor plumbing. I used treated 2x4's for the base, cedar 1x4's for the top. I bought the bar sink for about $70. I also used a Kreg Jig to screw in the cedar slats from underneath so the screws won't be visible from the top. FYI - Wait a couple of weeks before you paint soaking wet treated wood. The green chemical from the 2x4 is starting to leak through my white paint. I'll have to go and prime/paint it again when it finally dries. Other than that, it came out 10 times better than I could ever imagine.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120 ($70 for sink and hardware)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson's Water Sealer, semi-gloss exterior white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Vegasboiz

Sun, 09/29/2013 - 08:16

I love the sink table a lot. I have been looking for one for a long time. Can you tell me what is the length, width, and height for this table. Thank you very much. Jimmy

Another Benchright Farmhouse Dining Table

Submitted by Thewaggy on Sat, 09/07/2013 - 16:41

I know, I know, yet another Farmhouse Benchright Dining Table! For this one, I wanted 4x4 legs, angled turnbuckles and removable legs since I know I have to move a lot. The legs are made removable with carriage bolts and with the legs fastened this way, the whole project has a more simplified frame. The finish is dark walnut to try and blend vintage/weathered design with a modern finished project. I added dark gray slate to the tabletop, carved in via router, for a little more design and as a built in trivet if so desired.

Estimated Cost
200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut with Satin Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Harriet Higher Chair

Submitted by aerialc on Tue, 11/10/2015 - 09:33

I made this chair for my almost three year old and it is perfect for him to reach the dining table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Honey Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Grey on White

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/31/2018 - 16:09

Used your plans, worked perfectly. First time using the Kreg, gonna use that a lot more!

Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi gloss ploy
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Utility Table

I had empty spot in my kitchen and I wasn't able to find any nice looking utility table, so I figured to do it myself. I was looking for plan but didn't seem to find what I was looking for (If you find plans for the similar one, let me know!), so I end up using my left over 2x6 and 2x4's to make counter top and 1x4 for legs as for shelves. I made "grill" for the shelves from 1x2's. My kitchen has white cabinets so legs I painted white and counter top and shelves I stained same color than my counter top I made for my kitchen. I measured space between window and door and made it fit there, height is same as my kitchen cabinets.
I need to stain shelves one more time to get them nice, but i had no room to let them lay around the house so I had to put them together.

http://ourleaningtree.wordpress.com/diy/utility-table/

Estimated Cost
Less than 20$
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Wite paint and dark walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

A Frame Chicken Coop

Submitted by emwasson on Sat, 11/14/2015 - 22:28

    I love how my co-op turned out! I added a few things. I made a door for egg collecting, I built 2 nesting boxes. I made a door for access to food and water and I made the middle 2x4s 10 feet so we found move it around the yard. It cost about $130 for me. I had some extra wood that I used for the boxes and ladder. The chickens and myself are enjoying the new coop.

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Fillman Storage Bed with Drawers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/03/2019 - 17:25

Utilizing Ana’s plans I was able to build this great bed with a few “ extras”. Box joint drawers..rail/stile drawer frames.. peg joinery to name a few!  So much fun following these plans and achieving results that made one young man very happy!  Thanks Ana!!

Estimated Cost
200$
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Painted with a non latex paint and finished with a water based poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Wooden Egg holder

Submitted by Lukilla on Fri, 09/30/2022 - 15:31

We've got a friend that basically supplies us with unlimited farm fresh eggs. The instant my wife saw this on ana-white she started asking me for one. Rounded over the holes with the router and rounded the corners of the sides. Took us about an hour total.

Combo of varathane special walnut and weathered oak stain on the finish.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Doll Adirondack Chair

Submitted by spiceylg on Sun, 08/21/2011 - 12:52

When I first saw this I thought it was adorable and had to build it even though I don't have any children! I use lengthier guestimated times to include sanding, painting and drying times.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5-6 plus paint
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
It's been a while since I completed this project. I used spray primer and spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Teaching Easel in the Classroom

I built this easel for my wife who teaches 2nd grade using the plan on this site. I used a jigsaw to make all the cuts which is why some of them are not perfect. All holes were countersunk and covered with wood filler as I have not yet purchased a Kreg Jig. One sample jar of paint was just enough to cover the whole project with 2 coats. Home Depot sells the whiteboard in 2' x 4' pieces for about $10 in my area. The toughest part was getting the holes to line up just right for the bolts that fix the four main pieces together. Some of them I had to use a little bit of force to make fit. The plan was easy to follow and worked well. I added a curtain rod to the top to hang a paper pad from which I bought for about $5. The big whiteboard behind the easel was hung over the existing chalkboard using industrial strength velcro strips. I bought the whiteboard material from Home Depot for $13 for a 4' x 8' sheet (it is actually called a "hardboard panel board". It works very well with dry erase markers and was an easy, cheap way to install a whiteboard over the current chalkboard.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr purple paint sample
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified loft bed

Submitted by jont on Tue, 08/23/2011 - 21:01

My wife has been asking for a bunk bed for the kids for some time. The room is a little short because it is in a basement and I knew I would need to modify the plans so I procrastinated.
I ended up shortening the height of the bed to 62" total. I also sank the top mattress down because it is a pillow top and the rails were not tall enough. Those were the easy parts. I then had to modify the ladder, I needed to shorten it and wanted a little more angle to it so some high school trig and I was on my way. It turned out pretty good I think.
To save money I used furring strips for everything but the 1x8s. It is very rough and the finishing is not easy on furring strips, but it saves some money.
I had some extra blue from a previous project but wanted it a little darker. I used a flat black water based paint for the base coat then brushed on an incomplete layer of the blue to give it the look I wanted. Sealed it with a clear coat.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$90
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 03/30/2012 - 17:38

Hi...I'm planning on making this bed for my own room, and I was wondering if the furring strips affected the stabilty or if they are just as sturdy as if you had used pine boards. I'm 16 and around 140 pounds, if i make it with furrying strips do you think it would support me?

In reply to by Guest (not verified)

jont

Sat, 03/31/2012 - 08:31

Furring strips are of lower quality - more knots and splitting. Technically this could effect the strength of the strips, but for the loft bed the main supports are made by attaching 3 1x3s together (increasing the strength synergistically) so I think it would be safe to say there will be no problems with load fatigue. Just be sure to use glue on every piece when attaching together. Good luck!