Community Brag Posts

"The Most Beautiful Bed in the Whole World"!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/13/2016 - 20:08

My husband and I just moved into a new home with our 3.5 year old little girl. We wanted to utilize the space in her room as efficiently as possible yet still accommodate her request for the "most beautiful bed in the whole world!" We found your plan and decided to adapt it to her style...and this was the end result!!! Thank you so much for the plans, we both love your work!

Estimated Cost
$225 due to our decorative additions and decision to use 4x4 cedar posts for added stability. Cedar was the only untreated 4x4 lumber available in our area, and raised the total project cost by nearly $80.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used a basic primer and sealer followed by Behr interior semi gloss in "Cotton Sheets". The pink used was a custom blend with cool undertones. I used "Crystal Clear" polyacrylic on the bed and wished I hadn't. It wasn't nearly as clear as it claimed and left yellow stains on the finish that I had to cover later. The stairs were done using project paper from JoAnn Fabrics decoupaged with mod podge/extreme glitter mod podge and finished with a coat of semi gloss poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Work Bench

I just started wood working this past few months, and this is I think my 6th project already. Super easy to make and so sturdy!! This will definitely help make building easier!!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Reclaimed-Wood Headboard, Queen Size

You can't tell in the pictures but the frame where the bolts are supposed to be barely touch the legs on the headboard. I have a standard queen bed on a standard queen frame, but it's just a bit too wide to bolt the frame to the headboard. I also had to take about 8 inches off the original plans because of the window the bed is under. Measure, measure, measure.

Get straight wood. The straighter, the better.

I used standard finishing nails and liquid nails glue to hold it. I didn't need to break out the Kreg Jig as the original plan stated.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I made my own finish using steel wool in vinegar. This is what took the most time.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sewing/cutting table

Submitted by drc3924 on Thu, 06/19/2014 - 19:53

This has become my dream sewing/craft desk!! This project took about a week from start to finish (with work days in between). The shorter portion of the desk is used for my machine and sewing. The taller portion is used as a cutting table. The plans (dimensions) were tweaked some to get the perfect heights for me :).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
After sanding I painted 1 coat of interior primer the about 2-3 coats of mint flat interior paint. I decided not to add a clear coat just because I wanted to use my amazing desk ASAP!!!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

tamaralyn79

Wed, 03/25/2015 - 06:31

Your desk is GORGEOUS!!!! It's exactly what I've been looking to build for my space. I would love to know how you modified the plan to make it.

TaylorMade1205

Wed, 03/25/2015 - 07:23

I also wanted to comment on the thread shelf you build, that is really awesome, you can see all your colors right in front of you. Mine are in a drawer and I have to pull the whole thing out to see what I need. This is really giving me ideas.

kchess

Fri, 09/04/2015 - 08:45

Would you please send the plan instructions (with measurments).  It is perfect for me as I sew and embrodery both and have two machines.  

Lilia's Dresser and Nightstand

Submitted by EngrTodd1 on Sun, 09/18/2016 - 08:34

I made this dresser and nightstand for my oldest daughter when we moved her into her "big girl" room, as we were expecting a second daughter who would take the nursery.  I ended up modifying the design a bit with the side panels to have them more closely replicate the multi-layered look of the actual Pottery Barn dresser.  I wanted to add a nightstand to have another matching piece for more storage.  I ended up taking some average dimensions from other kid's nightstands online and designed and built it in the same style and manner as the dresser.

 

The overall project took WAY more time than i thought it would but I'm very happy with the way it turned out. This was the first time that I used a router to cut grooves in the drawer box pieces to slide in and lock the drawer bottom in place.  Also, this was my crash course with an HVLP sprayer as well.  Hopefully, these pieces will be able to handle all of the abuse my 3 year old daughter will surely give them.  Thanks to Ana for the wonderful plans!  Also, thank you to Ed for his detailed write-up on his modifications, http://www.edhart.me/2015/05/how-to-build-a-kendal-extra-wide-dresser/.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$600 for both dresser and nightstand
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Zinsser BIN Shellac based primer.

Rust-Oleum Satin White Enamel Paint top coat.

Applied with Rockler HVLP sprayer.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Modified Hailey Platform Bed

Submitted by amjoear on Mon, 08/27/2012 - 16:54

Our first building project and couldn't be happier with the outcome!

My husband and I were in the market for a new bed frame, but nothing in the shops were what we were looking for. We discussed making it. I came across these plans (http://ana-white.com/2012/01/plans/hailey-platform-bed) and off we went! The headboard was something we "designed" on our own (we did not work off any plans). We wanted something simple and functional.
We started from scratch .... had to buy tools, wood conditioner, stain, etc. But unbelievably thrilled with the outcome (and cost)
It is a very sturdy and heavy bed, something that is great for use, but may cause some issues when we move .... ;)

I did not include the time needed to dry, only the time it took to get items/measure/cut/build/assemble.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Approx. $300 (includes all tools needed, wood, stain, etc.)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Premium Wood Stain
*conditioned, stained, top coat (glossy), once over with sandpaper (220 very fine with handheld sanding block), second application of top coat
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Hallway Table

Submitted by DawnB on Sun, 06/22/2014 - 22:51

Turns out this plan was made for this random spot in our hallway! I used leftover butcher block for the top.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

King Headboard

We used these instructions for this project. This is for our king size bed. We used premium pine wood from Lowe's and Home Depot. The boards weren't 100% perfect, so on the back side we had to attached a piece of wood vertically and centered to straighten them out. For the stain we used Minwax Honey 272 and applied a coat of polyurethane (clear satin). 

Estimated Cost
$500 (remember, this is for a king size bed)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Honey 272
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

When you follow directions and plans..

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/04/2020 - 05:54

Followed Ana’s plans down to the measurements. Didn’t have a brad nailer, so I attached the 1x4 sides with 3/4in pocket holes and 1 1/4in PH screws. Additionally used trim screws and 1 1/4 finish nails throughout it for places I couldn’t put a PH. Plan on getting four more brackets for the bottom half, like the top. Very proud of myself.
Stained the legs, top, and base before completely assembling them.

Estimated Cost
$35 (without tools and screws)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Briarsmoke. Three coats of Satin finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ten Dollar Ledges for Books

What a quick easy project!!

I bought 8 ft long boards....and was able to make a 3 ft shelf and a 5ft shelf with each set. (The 5 foot shelves are going in my bedroom for photos...I'll be finishing those up this week!)

I hung these (3 foot) book shelves behind my daughter's bedroom door....so I adjusted the 1x4's to 1x2's....that way the door can open all the way and not bump in to them. A perfect fit for usually wasted space!

I staggered the shelves in my daughters room, so some taller books could stand up on the sides. She LOVES them!!

~Don't mind all the other chaos in the photos....that is all my daughter's "projects". She's a doer- like her Mama! =)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $3 per shelf (since I used the remaining wood on other projects)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I didn't even stain/paint these. They look adorable just bare wood!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Repurposed Pallet Dinning Room Table

This was done entirely with thrown out pallets. Lots of work and sweat but I love it! Used polystain as the finish. Only spent about $30 in supplies ie screws, nails, stain.

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Girls' room

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/25/2016 - 15:32

From selecting wood and staining, it took about a weekend to build and an additional weekend for finishing. It's stained with Minwax  classic grey and protected with three coats of poly. Recommend only using 0000 steel wool between poly coats, as sandpaper took off the stain. Also modified ladder and safety rails. For smaller space, it works great! Build cost came in as expected. I used a Kreg Jig and flush screw plugs. Great project! Best I was able to find after an exhaustive online search. Keep up the good work!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stain plus polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Great plans!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/06/2020 - 07:34

These plans were great. Easy to put together and they look quite amazing. And they are solid! Bought cushions from IKEA and the wood from Home Depot. Stained and sealed.

Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr stain and seal
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Riley's Big Girl Bed

My husband built this bed using the plans for the Hailey Storage Bed but added a few extra features of his own. Our 2 year old could not be more happy about her new big girl bed!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Sat, 09/01/2012 - 02:42

Beautiful! Love the headboard and footboardand, and the lift top center storage is a super idea. You did a teriffic job on this!

tommirhea

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 19:08

This is so nice! I love the uniqueness of it. I just did the farmhouse bed for my little girl, sooo fun to get them in a bed!! It's a milestone.

Toy Box

Submitted by TaylorMade on Wed, 09/28/2016 - 10:46

Built from Ana's plans. Thank you so much Ana! I had just enough scraps for this and I just adore it in my girls room! 

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Back