Community Brag Posts

Book Ledges { $10 Ledge Plan }

Submitted by Shorty on Fri, 10/25/2013 - 14:58

We used a pocket hole jig to build the ledges (to practice using our pocket hole jig), and loved how easy it was to put these together. We made each ledge 32" so we only had to use 1 1x2 and 2 1x4.

Turns out these ledges work perfectly to "house" or baby's books (and a couple of our own in the mean time). Love this build –and so much cheaper than buying (or building) a bookshelf!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr's Swiss Coffee in Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My Sons new work bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/08/2016 - 15:57

Plans are not exact online recomend buying one more 2x2 for front legs.

I used (2) 1x2 from front legs on each side nailer them together with brand nailer makeing some other measurements diffrent.

This project took me about 4 hours with assemble and sanding

 

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Creating an island in a DIY kitchen

We used the basic kitchen cabinet plan and my kreg jig for the first time to create a couple of the cabinets and the island in the kitchen. The plans were an inspiration that did not quit. We added the lit up open cabinets above and then framed them all the way to the cathedral ceiling. 

Estimated Cost
$250 for all the wood
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Carrington for stain and White Mocha Behr Alkyd paint for the cabinets
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ultimate Workbench/Miter Station

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/06/2023 - 15:32

This plan is exactly what I needed for my workspace. I ended up adding some slat wall pieces and cabinets above from cubicles in an old office nearby that closed down for a tool wall and storage. I left the right opening empty due to how unlevel my floors are. I may close it in later with drawers or cabinets, but it will be my sitting workspace for now. I trimmed out the edge with 1x2s and painted and stained everything for aesthetics.

Comments

Abbi's Cozy Cottage Bed

I was looking for a bed for my daughter, and a project for my sister and me. I looked at a well-known children's website and fell in love with their cottage loft bed, but didn't want to pay $1,300 for it. My sister found Ana's website with plans and everything for the same bed! We built the bed, (with the help of our husbands) that weekend. Abbi loves her bed! Thanks, Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar paint - cottage stone (white), swamp water (green), deep sunset (pink), and Behr Ultra - bear rug (brown).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Stormie (not verified)

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 23:05

Precious! What is an estimate on price of lumber please?

Gerri Larson (not verified)

Wed, 11/23/2011 - 15:45

Need plans for a cottage loft bed with stairs. Where do I find plans

Guest (not verified)

Sat, 12/03/2011 - 13:32

I need plans for that as well as possible full bed on top plans?

adp7907

Wed, 03/07/2012 - 13:44

Hi. I would love to have a copy of the plans. This is perfect for my daughter!! Thank you

Madeline Layson (not verified)

Sat, 05/19/2012 - 20:28

This photo looks like there is more space under than he other photos. Did you follow the exact plans or alter them. I want to put another mattress on the bottom as well

X Desk

This desk cost me ~$40 to build. I used a precut piece of oak for the top and worked the dimensions around the piece itself.

I omitted the drawer out of laziness.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar spray paint (can't remember the name) with a dark stain applied over top
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Handmade by Ken

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/11/2016 - 22:22

Barn Greenhouse

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$600 US
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Angle Chair

Hello Ana, I decided to modernize your project a little ...
This is 3DS MAX ... ;)
Thank you for your work ...
Regards, Serge...

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Rustic Computer desk with Shou Sugi Ban and Epoxy Top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/14/2023 - 14:16

I slightly modified the Rustic X Desk plan to make my L shaped computer desk with a monitor platform! The desk surface is Shou Sugi Ban with an epoxy finish. All made from stock lumber and a lot of pocket hole screws. Thanks for posting your plan Ana to give me the idea! Construct for around $200.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Entry way Table

Submitted by MikeB on Mon, 11/28/2011 - 09:37

I used the narrow farm house table as my starting point. I added two shelves. I used select grade Pine for this project for all except the 1x12 that was used for the shelves. I didn't want to spend 30 bucks for the select grade 1x12 for the shelves, so I used whitewood for that. I used pocket holes to join the 4 1x4s that makes up the top. I sanded the joints to try to give the appearance that it is a single boards. Can't tell unless you really look close. I am pretty happy with the way it turned out. Biggest problem I had with this project was my 10 year old cordless drill. Batteries would only hold a charge for 4 or 5 pocket holes, so this project took me much longer then it should have. That's okay, I used the time waiting on the drill to charge to sand, and measure. That problem has been corrected with the Black Friday sale at Lowes. My next project is a desk for my daughter, I designed it myself, but would never have attempted something like this without this great website!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
80 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax pre-stain conditioner, Red Mahogany 225 stain, two coats for minwax Polyurethane clear gloss. lightly sanded with 220 sand paper between 1st and second coat of polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Simple Bedroom Bench

Submitted by PattiSAZ on Tue, 10/29/2013 - 09:34

I added just a little bit of extras to this bench. I was wanting to match some of our bedroom furniture detail to it. This was my first home furniture project and with Ana White's plan, it was very easy to do. Thank you! Looking forward to what I can make next!

Estimated Cost
100.00 with extras
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Mirawax American Chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sliding mirror cabinets

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/15/2016 - 18:42

I made a sliding mirror cabinet for each of my  5 girls as Christmas gifts this year.  I added a stencled back and provided lots of hooks for hanging jewlery and varied shelf distance for hairs sprays, lotions and nail polishes. They love them and filled them full. Thanks so much for the great idea and plans.

 

Estimated Cost
$35.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I sprayed them with a sprayer and used a stencil with 2 different paint colors.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Patio renovation

Submitted by Tia P on Wed, 05/29/2019 - 19:25

Built these pieces in one day.  I made the chair first and decided to modify plans to do the loveseats for lounging.  The stain is Honey by Minwax and used an outdoor polyurethane.  The seat cushions are 24x24 from Wal-Mart and I waited for a sale at At Home Store for the rest of the cushions. 

Estimated Cost
Just benches were about $100. Total amount of cushions were probably 3x that.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Honey stain with outdoor polyurethan
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Our new barn door

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/20/2023 - 07:49

We had an open pantry that was an eye sore in our updated kitchen. Im 75 years old and I always liked to take on new projects so I thought about building a barn door from scratch. It was a bigger opening than one would think of as a pantry goes (at least I thought as much) . The opening measured 50 x 60 approximately so the door was made 56 x 65. Plenty of door to cover the eye sore. The door was built more or less on our garage floor and up on four saw horses! I had no idea if it was was going to be successful and the staining was yet to come (Gulp) As Ana said just do it. Well the build came out pretty good Squared and level. And I totally suprised myself staining the wood to the color we were looking for. Self help videos are very helpful so Id consider it before starting out. Everything was a process and I took my time. As with some things I have attempted in the past rushing sometimes ended with disastrous results. Oh boy, not to mention a waste of time, materials and money. What I hadnt bargined for with this project was the final weight to this barn door. IT WAS HEAVY. In any event I purchased the hardware for the railing and handles and pretty satisfied the way it came out. I had no plans to work from but settled on a build that I saw from several websites on barn doors.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Barn Wood Frame Birthday Gift

We loved the barn wood frame plan, and we just happen to have a barn that is coming down soon, so this project was a no-brainer. The picture is actually a metal sign purchased half off at Hobby Lobby, and was the only expense associated with the project. All he did to the wood finish was plane and clear coat.

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None, just a clear coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fillman toddler headboard

Submitted by brogers67 on Sat, 11/02/2013 - 15:02

Loved this design as was sinple and elegant and easy to execute !! Constructed out of salvaged timber so only real cost involved the screws and paint .

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

JoanneS

Sat, 11/02/2013 - 18:15

What a great bed, this is super cute! Love the decorations for the headboard. Looks better than the PB Kids bed!

Slightly smaller version

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/18/2016 - 20:23

I love how this fits our space. I shrunk the measurements to help use up some of the scrap fence board pieces I had left over. Holding up to the pounding of a 2 year old and his legos pretty well.

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
spray paint, and minimax stain with poly on top
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Coffee Table [Beginner/Under $40]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/25/2023 - 03:46

Than you Ana, My first time ever that I have made anything - my coffee table taking pride of place. Looking forward to making my next project from your plans.

Comments

Kitchen Island

Submitted by lbrown on Sun, 12/11/2011 - 19:52

I made this kitchen island for my mom last year by repurposing two cabinets and building a bookcase for the back.

For details: http://www.homeandawaywithlisa.com/blog/2011/11/28/kitchen-island-for-m…

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used white paint for the finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Finished the amazing playhouse loft bed

Submitted by gftl33 on Tue, 11/05/2013 - 12:27

My granddaughter is so in love with her loft bed! She feels so special, and she is! Thanks for such wonderful plans.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I created the brickwork by using 1/4 " tape 3 colors of paint sponged on to create 3 dimensional looking "bricks". Added trim at seams, mitered corners around window and door. Fabulous house!,,
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Tue, 11/05/2013 - 14:05

Love this project! It is absolutely beautiful! Your paint details and trim work make it a castle! :)