Community Brag Posts

Whew! This was a challenge. Yes, it should have been easy - Ana's plans are really straight forward and seem easy enough to follow. I think I just have a hard time following directions! First, the table needed to be small, so I was going to have to tweak the plans anyway - why not make it just a bit different? Well, because then it's not so simple!
Almost finished with my first plan, the table boards started splitting. I had to make what I had work, so back to the drawing board, and the end result did turn out beautifully.
The chairs were a challenge because I really didn't want to use my husband's BIG circular saw. I bought a new cordless, lighter saw - and it wouldn't cut through the 2x4s. After butchering the first set of legs, I dampened my fears and pulled out the big saw. How silly I was - it was easy to use and cut right through those 2x4s with ease! Once I had the legs cut it was pretty simple to put the chairs together. I would suggest that you sand and finish all the pieces before you begin putting them together. And, attach the seat slats before attaching the seat to the back piece! I ended up adding an additional 2x2 across the seat so that I'd have something to nail the slats to (Thank you to my son for that idea!).
I had the table and 4 chairs sitting on the lawn waiting for my son to pick up, and had quite a few people stopping by to ask about them. I always tell everyone that I've found this wonderful site just full of beautiful furniture plans waiting to be built - thanks, Ana!

About three years ago I made my first project from Ana's plan for the Super Easy Little Tricky Ladder Table. It is the one on the right in the opening picture. That little step stool (that is what it is used for) has stood the test of my 175 lbs and the terrors of two grandkids dragging it around for all sorts of mischief. Since then I have made another version of that same stool but a little wider and shorter for more stability and I like the new proportions

I have also made one of Ana's Vintage Step Stools and that is the one with the kid standing on it in the bathroom. Perfect. The last picture shows my knock-off of a classic Shaker step stool except I hinged the top to add a small amount of storage under it. That is not me in the picture. Its a co-worker.

I encourage everyone to build these stools. My family has found them to be very very useful in the kitchen, in the bathroom, reaching high places in closets and I even use them to paint rooms. Easier than dragging a step ladder around.

My only caution is to use the best grade of pine or a stronger wood and to overdo the strength of the lower step connections. Do NOT build these out of furring strip wood. I did and it collapsed immediately. Not the joint but a leg below the lower step connection.

Built a twin bed trundle for visits from grandma and grandpa. Thrown together when we realized our setup was not going to work, we are planning to paint or stain once this visit comes to an end.

These chairs were super easy to make and so was the table. I did make a couple of changes if you'd like to read about it on my blog.
http://isteppedoutofmycomfortzone.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-love-to-build-…

Outdoor farmhouse table built using Ana's plans. Modified the plan slightly, used 3 2X4s on the top (instead of the 2 1X4's that Ana's plan used) and attached everything from underneath using pocket screws so that no hardware is visible from the top. Used a nailer board under each side of the tabletop to provide a place to attach the top without using huge screws.

Table was built using non-pressure treated lumber (because we wanted the stain to stick well). The finish was done with 2 coats of a chocolate outdoor stain. Took 2 days from start to finish, although much of that time was waiting for the paint and/or glue to dry. Very simple project, only used a few tools. The only "big" tool we used was a 12" sliding compound saw to make the end cuts. Also used the Kreg jig in a few places where we didn't have clamps large enough or, in the case of the table top, we wanted the wood to be able to "float" without warping other boards.

Simple design, very practical, and the kids love them

This bed is our first build. We added 4 inches to the height of posts on headboard and footboard. We also used brackets rather than screwing directly into footboard to make the bed easier to move if we ever need to.

We decided to build these for the kids, to get the old Ikea dressers out of their rooms. The build went very easy. Now the kids have a room full of only handmade (ana-white) furniture!

Modified to have more of a modern style. Removed shelf and half the X. Also, lengthened it to 11ft. Love!

This is my very first woodworking project (except for a Paper Towel Holder in High school over twenty years ago).I have always wanted a long farmhouse table, so when I saw the plans,I was excited to try building my own. Thanks so much Ana for making this doable! 

This was my first attempt at DIY - had to convert to Metric! thank goodness I calculated right - end product is awesome. I lined the back panels with textured Silver wallpaper - gives an awesome contrast.

I'm Hooked, already looking for my next project!

We modified the plans for the Camp Loft Bed to accommodate a full size mattress.  We also extended the platform so that the bed spread wall to wall in the bedroom.  Since the platform was extended, we added a short railing to prevent falls.  The height was pushed up to make it taller than the junior size of the original design.  This way we were able to place a desk and add 2 pine shelves underneath the head of the bed.  

We added a board along the long side at the bottom to take out some wiggling.  The bed itself still seemed a little shaky until we attached the platform and now it is rock solid.  We have had 1-2 adults and multiple kids up there at the same time with no problem.

The bed itself could have been built in a weekend.  However, the time it took to sand, stain, and clear coat added many more hours.  Those hours were definitely worth it for a finished product.

3 foot by 4 foot slider wine rack island. 

This was little tougher for me being new to wood working. But I like the look a lot better.

Built this from lumber from a daybed that I tore apart. Total cost was about $10 for the pieces for the top. Built in a small apartment with a Kreg jug and some clamps on the kitchen floor. The top is not completely even but close. Was fun to build and I am very happy with how it turned out, thanks Ana!

I made a few changes to Ana's plans to basically work with my cushions.  I found cushions on clearance at Ballard's Backroom.  I had to adjust the size of the sofas in order to fit the cushions.  I also adjusted the height of the sofa, as I found it to be a little higher than I would have liked.  The project took a while to complete, but it wasn't due to difficulty.  This was an easy project for a novice like myself.  I just primed every piece of wood with exterior primer and then painted the whole thing with 2 coats of exterior paint.  It was the drying time that added to the total project time.

I also made a cocktail ottoman out of a lounge chair cushion that I purchased at Ballard's.  Basically, the ottoman is a rectangular box built to the size of the cushion.  I added feet purchased at Home Depot just to make it look a little less box-like.  I applied a couple of coats of primer as well as the exterior paint to every piece.  

Still a work in progress