Christmas tree
Modified the plans slightly to make each shelf taller. Stained and used a heat torch for the burnished effect. I like it!
Modified the plans slightly to make each shelf taller. Stained and used a heat torch for the burnished effect. I like it!
Plan modified to be built on stringers due to hight.
Fri, 07/07/2023 - 15:22
Do you have an illustration or instructions on the exact modifications you used for this project?
Tweaked your plans slightly but I'm happy with results!
Handy Kandi
My wife saw this project on your page. I had to shorten it to two feet, but, it pretty easy to do and turned out pretty well 👍🏼😁
Steve Phethean
I followed the plans pretty closely. I added dividers to make 3 drawer units but I didn't find it necessary to have the top shelf go all the way to the back since it would never function as a shelf. I used scrap pieces for that and they weren't big enough to be full shelves.
I used 1/2" MDF for the bottom, sides, and backs of the drawers to cut down on weight, cost, and general bulkiness. I used this free app called Cut List to figure out the easiest way to have the guys at Home Depot cut all the drawer panels after I learned I'm not that good with a circular saw. I used a hack saw to cut aluminum bars for hanging files and used scrap wood to make the little brackets to hold the bars upright in the drawer. The full extension drawer slides are functionally and asthetically better but it would have been so much easier to put in basic bottom mount slides.
I wanted a wood grain top and ended up with common pine boards over more expensive poplar or oak and I would use pine again without hesitation. I used Google SketchUp to figure out the widths of boards I needed to make the top with minimal cuts. Then joined them with glue and mending plates and sanded the hell out of them. I altered the dimensions slightly to make it the same size desktop as the Bedford desk. My two wing sections are 23" x 23" but I should have made them 23" deep by more like 24" or 25" long. I had to hack the bottom bracing to make a spot for the drawer units to slide into. If you alter the dimensions make sure you can secure a brace between the main body and the wing of the desktop and still have room for the brace at the edge of the wing.
My cost includes things like a Kreg jig, saw blade, clamps, paint brushes etc. so you may be able to do this for less. I could have gone with a middle of the line paint I think. This project was a beast for me because a) I'm not a furniture maker b) I don't own a table saw which would have been amazing c) I picked the hardest way to make the desktop and d) I modified some of the dimensions from the basic plans. I worked on this thing for weeks (granted sometimes I didn't touch it for several days or a week). But it was a fun and rewarding project.
Tue, 08/27/2019 - 19:28
This is AMAZING!!! I'm so sad I did not see this earlier. Thank you so much for sending in pics!
I modified the kids couch plans to make a sectional sofa for my apartment! We removed all but one of the arm rests. So when pillows are removed it doubles as a twin bed for our friends!
Luv your site. Took your bench swing plan and modified it a bit (shortened depth) and then created a small pergola to hang it from. Just need to stain/poly to finish it off. Thanks for your plan and website it is very inspiring.
The chairs were my first project ever and they came out great! I even made the ottoman/side table because the chairs looked so good. Ana, your plans were fantastic and easy for a beginner. I learned so much from this first project and I'm already working on another project from your site! The cushions were definitely the most expensive part of the chair.
I built this a couple feet shorter than in the plans because it is for my neighbor's fish tank! It was fun to build and I'm in love with the finished product. She's going to paint or stain it herself. The pics were taken in my messy, projects-everywhere carport right before the neighbor hauled it off! Her son-in-law wants one now, and I will be building one for MYSELF right away as well! Thank you Ana!!!
Tue, 09/08/2020 - 16:56
looks great I'm hoping to build one myself this week =)
Our first DIY furniture project. We told friends it was an assignment from couples therapy. lol Don't look too close or you will see the many flaws, but I can say it has character and will serve its purpose.
We had problems with the doors. I think they are true and plum, but the cabinet, not so much. They hang a little cockeyed, but they do swing. The plans for the doors didn't quite match the cabinet, but we are newbies so we could have misread the plans.
The hinges and latch are from the blue store - painted matte black from a can from the original nasty brass. The red is Balero and the shelves are a coordinating tan from Sherwin Williams. A coat of Minwax Polycrylic for protection. We used square wire from the blue store for the doors. We didn't router the doors to inset the wire, a stapler worked fine.
It was an absolute great first project that Husband & I enjoyed tremendously. Mom has been looking for a jelly cabinet for 6 months without success. Old functional furniture pieces just aren't manufactured anymore. This cupboard fit the bill perfectly.
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 08:01
This is awesome. Seriously. You two did such a great job and your mom will enjoy it for many years. That red with the black hardware looks so great.
In reply to This is awesome. Seriously. by Maira (not verified)
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 18:14
Thanks Maira :) That was sweet of you to say. Can't wait to start another project.
I loved this design. I couldn't believe that they wanted to charge me almost $600 for the pedestals for the washer/dryer set that I bought on black friday, so I decided to give this project a go. I basically used the same construction plans from Sausha's project, but I dressed mine up a bit. First, I chose a bit larger trim for the tops and bottoms of the posts. Then, I bought some 2" baseboards and did the top and bottom with baseboards. On the bottom, I had to use my tablesaw to trim off about 1/2" because I used 1x1" boards on the bottom so that I could have more space for baskets. Then, on the top, I inverted the baseboard and allowed it to overlap a bit so that if it were to vibrate, the washer/dryer could not fall off the edge. I also added some fabric on the top (stuff that I use to cover the bunk boards on my boat trailer...kind of like a very thick and durable felt material) to cut down on vibration and also keep the units in place. Finally, I added sides by using wedge trusses on the inside of my side posts and then I put a 1/8" piece of plywood over top and nailed/glued it to the trusses.
It turned out great. Thanks for the plans Sausha!
In reply to Nice Detail by earthbybike
Mon, 12/08/2014 - 11:42
Thanks. Yeah, I thought that it did really dress things up. I really like the way it turned out.
Mon, 12/21/2015 - 17:38
Did you use sanded plywood? Did you use any veneers for the exposed 2x4's to get a smooth finish or did you paint right on it?
lastly, what is the name of the trim you put on the 4x4s? I've hard a hard time finding it. Thank you!
Mon, 12/21/2015 - 17:44
Did you plane the 2x4s? Because they look really straight.
In reply to Question... by Zlk200
Wed, 06/29/2016 - 13:59
Sorry for the super delayed response. I didn't realize this question was here. I did not plane anything. I did sand the surfaces a bit, but I didn't get too crazy. I put 3 thick coats of paint on it which made it pretty smooth. If you look very closely in person, you can still see a bit of wood grain, but it is only noticable if you really get down and look. I did use a lot of wood putty to fill all of the gaps and crevaces and then I sanded those parts pretty well.
With regard to the trim, the top literally just standard baseboard material turned upside down, and then the little trim on the tops and bottoms of the 4x4s is just another standard strip of moulding that I got from Lowes. I think they call it "Chair Rail" moulding. Its the stuff that you put down if you are doing some sort of paint separation or wainscoting.
http://www.lowes.com/pd/1-625-in-x-12-ft-Mdf-Chair-Rail/3403018
I used woodglue on all of the moulding and tacked it on with a nail gun. Then I filled all of the nail holes with wood putty and also use the putty to fill gaps where the corners came together to make that look smooth.
I hope that helps...you are probably already done with your project by now, but I figured that I would answer anyway. :)
This was our first major project, so we learned a lot while we were doing it. We painted our bed white, and rather than using metal bed rails (which no one seemed to sell), we improvised and fastened 2x4s to the inside of our side rails. Then we cut slats to rest on the 2x4s and run the width of the bed. The 2x4s lend great stability to the side rails, and are much less costly, not to mention easier to obtain. ($10 vs. $75) This bed is sturdy and solid. I think we will be handing it down to our grandchildren in fifty years!
Made this bed from Ana's plans. Modified it with rail so I can add my box spring. Cost was approximately $160 for lumber, screws and stain. Absolutely loved the plans and easy to follow or modify if needed.
Tue, 02/23/2021 - 20:12
This is gorgeous! Is there anyway you could post your modifications? Very nice work!!!
Bench was an experiment. Wanted to see how the style looks in the kitchen. The wife loved it, so onto the farmhouse table.
My wife wanted a portable farmhouse style rustic dining table that she could take to photoshoots and other events. I started with a top made with 2x6s and make the legs with 4x4s and the rest with 2x4s. Stain is dark walnut with a clear coat on top.
The legs are attached with door hinges and can fold into the top for more portable use. There is also a board that can be inserted in the bottom slots so that when in use the legs can not fold in.
So far the rustic dining table is working out great, although this table is VERY HEAVY and needs 2-3 strong people to carry it around. I have also made a lighter version using 1x6 tops and all 2x4 frame and legs.
Photos courtesy of Jennifer Blair Photography Designed by Amber Veatch Designs
Wed, 06/12/2013 - 04:15
Oh I really hope that you are able to put these modified plans up!!! A foldable farmhouse table.... what will they think of next!
Sat, 10/22/2016 - 12:25
Stunningly beautiful! Thank you for sharing and inspiring!
Sat, 10/22/2016 - 17:21
I cannot find the plans for the tiny house drawers any where. Can someone please point me in the right direction. Thank you!
This is by far the biggest project I've completed yet. It actually surprised me how easy it was to complete. It did take me about 4 days to build the project and an additional week to sand and paint the project.
I followed the playhouse loft plans and the storage stairs plans, adjusting only the back to allow for the additional length of the slide. I didn't add the windows to the sides (I didn't see any point in having them there). I also used the castle loft plans for the slide. When I first started this project I was planning on making the slide completely separate. I changed my mind mid project after I had the side wall cut to length at Lowe's, so I just added that small piece to the left of the slide to make up for the gap. I also made this project in 4 separate pieces (stairs, slide, front wall, back) so I could put it together in her room in one evening and not have to kick her out. Once we moved it to her room all I had to do was screw the four corners in and attach the back wall and bed slats.
I definitely recommend not using particle board. I had no idea what the difference was between particle board, mdf and plywood when I started this project. Particle board was less then half the cost of plywood, but looking back I would pay the extra for the plywood. I don't feel like the screws hold well in the particle board and it also chipped on the bottom some. I actually had a chunk come off in the corner where I must of screwed to closely to the edge. I'm sure this is basic knowledge for most, but for those newbies (like me) just a little tip.
I had a lot of fun building this bed (not so much sanding and painting) and learned a lot. Now off to browse for my next project :)
Thu, 07/09/2015 - 07:30
Awesome job! Looks clean and not even close to DIY. Keep it up!
Thanks Ana, I built your planter box, actually built 2 of them, one for each mom. The were a huge hit and I already have people asking me to build them one.
So loved building this planter box. Thanks for all you do for your fellow woodworkers!
Dale G
Callahan, FL
Tue, 05/10/2022 - 07:05
Love these, wonderful idea for a mother's day gift, thank you for sharing!
Love these night stands! I spent $40 on lumber for two night stands and $30 on the hardware! You can see more pics of my finished night stands at www.shanty-2-chic.com
Mon, 08/29/2011 - 20:10
We made two of these same night stands earlier this month. I haven't taken a good enough picture to post on here. I need to do that. Great job!
Wed, 09/28/2011 - 22:17
This is wonderful. I'm looking for something similar to build in the next couple weeks. Could you share the plans for it please?
Mon, 05/28/2012 - 06:25
My hubby made these for my daughter and they turned out awesome.So now I have to have them too. He is working on them now, but we are making them out of some oak we already had. Can't wait. Now I need a matching headboard!! Looking for plans...
I have been dreaming of this project for YEARS! I used shelfhelp to design the shelf size and the open bottom mudroom plans with matching hutch and the plan with lift up boot storage for inspiration. I still need to add trim but I'm so excited I couldn't wait to say THANK YOU for all the inspiration and help! We absolutely LOVE it!!
Sun, 11/20/2022 - 12:36
Love the color choice, and the build is phenomenal! Thank you so much for sharing.
Reader submitted photo