Community Brag Posts

Rustic X Coffee Bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/31/2016 - 07:47

My birthday present from my hubsand. He built it following Ana's plans, then I stained it in Sunbleached by Varathane. I had him make the top shelf higher than her plans called for, though, so that my KitchenAid mixer would fit.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
less than $100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sunbleached stain by Varathane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Garage Workshop Bench

Submitted by leah.toth on Sun, 03/22/2020 - 14:18

I came across the plans for this workbench - exactly what I need for my basement laundry area.  I wanted a nice flat space where I can fold laundry. I started yesterday and put together the legs and frame.  I'll pickup a countertop or nicer finished plywood for the bottom and top shelves.  Here is the link to the page with plans and pics  https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/workbench-get-job-done

Thanks so much for this great project idea, plans and instructions!  Super helpful!  I can't wait to finish it - I'll post final pic when it's complete.

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

Potting Bench for a Friend

Submitted by Jake on Sun, 05/20/2012 - 17:07

A friend of mine said she needed a potting table (aka bench) so I offered to make her one. Got the plan for the simple potting bench and went to work. The friend wanted a lip on the left and right sides of the top self and she wanted the top shelf to be solid. So adding the lip was no problem and I added the same but smaller on the bottom shelf. I built the solid top from three pieces of wood held together with pocket joints and glue. Worked great. With just a little sanding it is a beautiful flat solid piece of wood. Much better and cheaper than plywood. Since I do not like to rip lumber the final top self was about an inch or so deeper than the plans but that was easily adapted to. It is a good lesson to cut as you go along rather than cutting everything at the onset of a project. You make changes and it effects other aspects of the build. I added a Shaker peg on each end to hang a bar towel or a trowel whatever suits your fancy.

Most important is to continually check for square joints. Especially if you don't have the fancy tools and jigs. I got lucky and my final bench was square and level in all directions.
The build takes about 8 hours (plus a couple of days for priming and painting) using mostly hand tools. If I do another one I am going to substitute lighter and thinner wood. The 2x4 shelves and supports are over kill. I think it will give you a better and nicer looking final product. Keep Ana on The Web,,,,

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30 - $35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I made the potting bench on the agreement that she would finish it. So with the table went instructions on sanding, priming, and painting. Maybe I will have a picture later of the finished product. My cost above does not include the cost of finishing,
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jake

Sun, 05/20/2012 - 17:10

I also added a face to the exposed lumber ends in the front and for the top and bottom shelves. The bottom face is actually a piece of old cedar fence I found in the garage. Sorry I forgot to mention in my first Brag ...about the potting bench.

Cassidy king bed

Submitted by Krigsvolds on Tue, 03/04/2014 - 13:05

My wife and I loved the look of this bed and decided to try to do it together. I built the frame and she tackled the headboard. In my haste at the hardware store I picked up the smaller packets of shims, a happy accident in my opinion! I decided to put the supports together with joist hangers to make it easier to take apart ,if need be.
We used a nail gun to attach the shims to the head board , and changed to
the pattern a little. Being that we were putting it in a smaller room I made some floating bed side tables as well. What a gratifying project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rust oleum ebony and weathers grey stains (1 coat)

Minwax polycrylic semi gloss (2 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Christmas Stocking Stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/05/2023 - 19:16

Love this project!

Rlynhack

 

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Loft Playhouse Bed

Loved making this for our girls...Selah & Annaleah. We have 9 ft walls so I made it extra tall. Love it so much!!! Used 4 in boards for the walls b/c they were so much cheaper. The shutters ended up my favorite part.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sara L. (not verified)

Mon, 08/06/2012 - 14:26

I really like the paint colors that you used on the bed and the ones on the walls. What paint brand(s) and colors did you use? I really love your room. Additionally, where is your fabric from? Your room is amazing. I know a little girl in TX who would like one just like it :)

SAJAGREEN

Mon, 05/23/2016 - 18:52

Hi! I really like the taller version for my daughter's room, would you be able to share the new measurements, or what you did differently? Thank you! !!

Pottery Barn Printer's Long Low Media Suite

I feel in love with the Pottery Barn Media Suite and new immediately I wanted to build it. I couldn't justify paying close to $2,000 on an entertainment center. I knew Ana would have the plans to help me out. I modified the plans a little bit and instead of building 6 cabinets, I decided to make the inner 4 cabinets one piece, and the 2 outer cabinets removable. This will give me options for when I have to place the Christmas Tree or if we move and cannot fit this huge piece. I also wanted to have as much strength in the middle for our plasma TV. It's about 4 years old and isn't as light at the new TV's are. I loved every minute of building this project and couldn't be more happier! Feel free to search PB website to compare their media suite to my version (savings of $1,700). Feel free to ask any questions!

Estimated Cost
$325
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

ctufano

Wed, 07/08/2015 - 08:35

Love how you did yours Christina

I too would like to make one larger unit rather than say 6 of the individual cabinets. Looking at your pictures, it looks like you still made them individually but I'm assuming you attached them (screwed) together? Is that the case? Did you have any issues with the main piece and two ends being different heights when finished?

Am wanting to make a total length of around 104". Means I'll have to tweak some measurements.. In addition, I would like to have one side be a lift top so we can put in a record player and simply lift the top face to access. That wont be too big of a deal.

How did you find the doors were to make? No big deal? i've been curious how the dimensions all play out with the hinges and doors opening etc.

Industrial end tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/06/2016 - 21:30

Saw the basic 'c' looking shape end table on Pinterest, but it didn't have any plans. So I drew up my own plans, used different types and dimensions of lumber, and added the black iron pipe to our design to truly make it our own.  These took my quite a while, and were a lot more expensive then I wanted them to be. So these will probably be staying in my home. Lol

Estimated Cost
Lumber was about $125 (used special laminated shelving)
Pipe and fittings were about $50
Total around $180-200.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean and Minwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Hall Tree Bench with Shiplap Back

I made this for a cousin, but now I think I am going to need to make one for myself too!  I used shiplap for the back instead of plywood. It cost a little more but was less effort than cutting the lines into the plywood. Plus it was already finished. 

Built from Plan(s)

Twin fancy farmhouse bed

Submitted by Beaker on Fri, 05/25/2012 - 12:20

A twin version of "Mom's Fancy Farmhouse Bed" that includes a matching footboard. Kreg jig used all around. The bed takes about 6-7 hours to cut everything and put it together. Staining takes quite a bit more because of the dry times needed.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax English Chestnut
Satin polyurethane (2 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Debbie440

Mon, 12/30/2013 - 11:01

Did you do anything to the footboard to hide the pocket holes? I made the headboard and want to make the matching footboard, but I wasn't sure how the inside of the footboard would look.

Classic Bunk Beds in White

Submitted by Radcrafter on Mon, 03/10/2014 - 16:07

Simple, easy to build and oh-so functional. Loved these plans because of the ease of building and the budget friendly supply list.

The frame for the bunk beds were completed over the course of a weekend and the next week was spent sanding and painting.

The plan allows you to build a strong, sturdy bed that can be easily disassembled/reassembled as necessary. It worked great being able to carry the 4 separate panels into my daughter's small room and then screw everything together. I also liked that feature along with the ladder integrated into the bed.

An Important Tip (one Ana recommends all the time) - Be sure to read the comments section on the original plan. Lots of important information there, especially if you need to buy 8' boards instead of the 10' listed in the plan (like I had to) and a few of the missing cuts are noted in the comments.

You can read more about my build experience here... http://radcrafter.com/2014/03/adding-the-bunk-bed-bedroom-makeover-pt-2/

Built from this plan: Classic Bunk Beds: http://ana-white.com/2010/09/classic-bunk-beds-cleverly-designed.html

Estimated Cost
$100-200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Semi-Gloss in Ultra Pure White (no tint)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Garden Shelf

My wife wanted a Garden Shelf to replace the one that just gave up the ghost, so I browsed my favorite site for plans similar to what I was thinking.  Thats when I found the Rustic X Book Case.  Perfect.

I need to stuff larger objects then books in there, so I changed it to 3 shelves and I put those on top of the cross members.  That was easier and it gives it that work bench look.

For the X's, I had the wood to risk so I tried recessing them.  I dry fitted (chop saw highly recommended) and marked them and when I flipped them over, they aligned perfectly.  With a circular saw set to just slightly less then 1/2 depth, and some very careful cutting, they fit together quite well.

Sturdy with a bit of class.  I'm pleased.  Thanks.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Less then $100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson's Wood Seal - Honey Amber
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple Bed Twin

Submitted by GMWW on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 19:22

Total cost was under $200. The wood was a combination of select pine, Douglas fir. I used Minwax clear finish. Instead of slats I used plywood. This is going into the spare bedroom. We are quite pleased.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax wood conditioner and Minwax clear Polyurethane fast drying.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

GMWW

Fri, 06/01/2012 - 20:45

Yes it comes apart. A total of four pieces. Headboard, footboard, and the two sides. Also a fith piece if you count the plywood base for the mattress. The sides are screwed in at each of the corners of the head and footboards.

PSUlion01

Mon, 05/12/2014 - 19:01

Thinking of building this for my son as we move from crib to bed. Just curious how sturdy and strong the bed is? From the pictures it doesn't look like there's much wood where the rails attach to the head and footboard. Did you use pocket holes and screws? Any comments on how it's held up, what you might do differently? Also any idea if it'll hold a kid and parent for nightly story time?

Thanks...nice work!

GMWW

Wed, 05/14/2014 - 15:22

It is in our guest room and does not get much use. However, it is screwed in at the corners not with pocket screws because the rails were too close to the edges. I chose to screw them in starting farther back and at a 45 degree angle to send the screw deeper towards the center of the four posts. It is very strong. Another suggestion would to purchase bed hardware. Hardware can be found online or in a hardware stores for attaching rails to bed posts. I've used such hardware for fixing commercial beds I've purchased.

Hope this helps.

ShaunSmith

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 08:26

You did a beautiful job of making that bed. Any chance you could tell me where you put all the screws?  We have a Kreg Jig but are completely stuck on where to put the screws in without seeing them (because we'd like to stain).

GMWW

Tue, 01/20/2015 - 15:25

Sorry it took so long to answer. Where I put the screws depended on how the bed was going to be placed in the room. In our case, the headboard was going to up against a wall. Therefore the screws were on the wall side of the headboard. The footboard of the bed had the screws on the mattress side. Kreg sells pocket hole plugs that work very well. Glue them in after you screw the head and foot boards together and sand them before finishing.

The sides of the bed that are attached to the head and foot boards and screwed in too. I had to screw them in at a sharper angle to get enough sideboard material but deep enough into the head and foot boards in. Use the longest screws possible for strength without going all the way through the four corner posts.

GMWW

Tue, 01/20/2015 - 15:37

Sorry I had to take a look again at the underside of the bed. I actually used the pocket hole screws on the sideboard to attached to the foot and headboards cross pieces if that helps.

GMWW

Tue, 01/20/2015 - 15:50

Either way described above will work. See added photos of plugged finished pocket holes and underside attachment to foot-board.

Corner beds

Submitted by CLDavis on Sat, 03/15/2014 - 12:52

Thanks for the plans! The beds turned out great. I just made everything about 6 inches higher for more storage space.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sandbox for G

Submitted by Redboots on Tue, 06/14/2016 - 18:15

I made this for my 4-year old granddaughter and added it to the play area I built for her last summer. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

X Console

I built this X console for my kitchen, to replace an ugly cheap wardrobe that previously held my kitchen appliances. This made space for a kitchen organization space too- with calendars above, and bins for the kids' schoolwork etc.
The plan was easy to customize, and a great afternoon build.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax gel stains in Rosewood and Black
Minwax Polyacrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Concealed Wall Desk for Computer

Submitted by Gabie on Mon, 11/20/2023 - 10:51

I built this fold-up desk, out of sheer necessity. It's rather unassuming when closed, yet fully functional when open, with built-in power outlets and light, a large screen, a nook for the laptop and the chargers, etc. It's tailored to my needs and specific size limitations, but I think you could make a great general plan of it for anyone needing a small-space hideaway desk.