Community Brag Posts

Sliding Pet/Baby Gate

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/27/2023 - 20:13

We desperately needed a gate to keep our pets from accessing the rooms, with carpet, in our new home. We originally thought about building a full barn door but, the security system was in the way and it wouldn’t have allowed the light to pass through to our dark entryway anyway. We definitely wanted to steer away from the “barn door looking” gate we did at our last home and wanted to try something more timeless with the sprayed, black caning. We have a very eclectic style. Very vintage industrial, MCM, with pops of RH glam and a touch of BOHO. Sounds confusing but, I needed this gate to take the pressure off of trends we didn’t quite fit in and be easy to use for my teenager. The gate leads to her bed/bath and the guest rooms. The mechanism is not my design but, it’s brilliant, especially for the industrial element to our home. Took me close to 4 days from start to finish. Lost my Kreg jig in our move and was so thankful to a stranger-neighbor that willingly let me borrow his on the curiosity of what exactly I was building. NGL, it felt pretty good when he said how impressed he was with the build. 💞

Comments

Full Size Storage Bed

My daughter wanted her room redone for her tenth birthday. We decided to go big with Ana's storage bed plans. I had so much fun building this and really learned a lot. It took me three months to find enough spare time to finish it, but it was worth the wait.

Estimated Cost
$200+
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dutch Boy Refresh paint in Mocha White over no VOC primer. I rolled it on with a smooth roller.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Misty Tillema

Mon, 11/07/2011 - 19:24

You did a really great job building the storage bed. I am in the process of building this same bed for my teenage son, only I'm not building the towers. Finding enough time to actually get a project finished is nearly impossible when you only have a few hours here and there! Your daughter will love all the extra storage space as she gets older.

My wife built a bed.

Submitted by AKMan279 on Sun, 06/02/2019 - 20:45

We looked for a simple plan for a bed and found this one on Ana’s site.  Easy to build in a weekend.

Estimated Cost
$140 with all lumber and stain.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Poly stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Coffee Bar Sideboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/28/2023 - 05:48

I made this coffee bar from your plans making modifications to fit our space .It came out beautiful, I have made numerous pieces of furniture from your plans but this is my favorite . They plans are super easy to follow and modify to my needs .
Thank you Ana and keep up the good work!!

Comments

Coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 16:02

My first build

Estimated Cost
80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Easy Scrap Wood Crayon or Pencil Block Holder

Submitted by DMax2010 on Mon, 12/23/2013 - 07:40

I wasn't planning on doing another project so close to Christmas but I saw this and couldn't resist. After the holidays, I will be making one for myself, because it is really comfortable to hold!

I did both versions, one with just the crayon holder and one with the lap pad. For the lap desk, I used 1/4" birch (purebond) plywood, just because its lighter.

Thank you ladies so much for all the fun projects! I have to catch up on my brag posts, I've been so busy building (and trying to finish my dissertation!)

Happy Holidays!

Estimated Cost
Less than $5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanded, then used some cardstock paper to mod-podge on with some white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Fireplace Wood beam hearth,shiplap and new molding

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/04/2016 - 05:10

I started this project with 1x3 mdf primed molding and used 1x5 for the base. For the hearth I used 1x8 knotty pine and created a box, distressed and stained it. I glued veneer to the sides so you couldn't see the seems. To finish off the project I used 1x6 mdf boards to create shiplap effect and painted them grey. I love how cozy this fireplace makes the room.

Estimated Cost
The shiplap effect was about $65, the rest of the project was about $100.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Polyurethane Dark Walnut Stain & poly in one, Sherwin Williams Peppercorn paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor Sofa and Chair with Slanted Back

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/16/2023 - 10:22

OK, I think this build may be my biggest project yet! It is definitely the heaviest. With the strong winds we can get here in Florida we needed substantial outdoor furniture.
I did make some modifications along the way measurement-wise so the sofa would fit my front porch better. All in all, this took 2 full days. I built the sofa first, stained it the next day and then decided (due to trying to get stain in all the nooks and crannies) to stain the chair pieces first before putting it together.
I am so happy with the results and so far, almost a year later, this furniture looks great and hasn't moved an inch in any of the thunderstorms we've had! Thank you Ana!!

Simple Bunk Bed Triple Bunk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/20/2016 - 07:07

I loved the look and design of Ana's Simple Bunk Bed but due to limited space in our home, needed a triple bunk bed. I wasn't interested in the hassle of a trundle so I decided to modify the simple bunk bed plan and make it a triple. I have to say, I was a little worried about how sturdy it would be but this plan is so solid with the 4x4 posts that there is no need to even even think about that for another second!
I changed the ladder so that it was attached to the side rails of the bunk bed as someone had posted they did earlier and decided to add another little ladder for the middle bunk so my little one wouldn't have to leap from the ladder to get into her bed. ;D

In order to do a triple in our home (with 8 ft. ceilings), I needed to bring the height down so I made the bottom bunk sit on the floor with the legs only being as long as the height of the headboard. I also made all the headboards and footboards only as tall as the footboards in Ana's original Simple Bunk Bed plans.

This was my first build and there are definitely things I would do differently to make this work better if I had it to do all over again. I would make the legs a little shorter on the 2nd and 3rd bunk so that there is more head room for the person on the top bunk.

All in all though, I had a great time building this and can't wait to try some more of Ana's plans!!!

Estimated Cost
$450 including hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White paint, not sealed
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

wbmclaurin

Mon, 11/01/2021 - 21:30

Do you happen to have the exact plans for this triple bunk? I saw that you modified the simple double bunk to fit your space but I'm wondering if you drew up plans wih measurements to make it easier for beginner folks.

Farmhouse Bed Headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/27/2020 - 14:26

I only needed a headboard for the full size bed in my guest room. I attached it to the existing metal frame with carriage bolts. I built matching nightstands from plans found elsewhere on this site.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Honey Oak Stain
Water based polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic Banquette Bench with Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/04/2023 - 14:16

I needed some extra storage space and have always wanted a storage bench in this corner of my dining room. It took me a week to build from start to finish. I’ve never done any woodworking before, so this plan was good for me, as it was easy to follow with the color coding. The only thing that was “off plan” were the X’s on the face of the bench. I had some leftover 1x1 trim, from a handyman project a few years back, that I was happy to use up. It fit perfectly and I had just enough for all X’s. My biggest challenge with this project were the lids. They have a very minor bow, so one of the corners isn’t flush. But, it’s not enough to bother me or need to re-do the lid. All-in-all, I’m super happy with this banquette and may have caught the woodworking bug!

American Girl Doll Storage and Bed

Submitted by advanlente on Sat, 03/28/2020 - 11:09

For my niece's birthday, I built her this awesome storage solution. Mom was super happy that everything could fit together in one spot and my niece takes this with her wherever she goes. I was so happy to find plans to build this as I was not sure what to make her for her birthday!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)

Comments

mlrussell65

Sun, 10/20/2024 - 09:56

Could you send me plans for trunk for American Girl dolls and accessories please

Double Kayak Rack

Submitted by JamieLynn on Tue, 05/26/2020 - 09:44

I couldn't find a plan for this but found a picture of what I was looking for. It's a little too big but works. Took about 3 hours to make. Used mostly scrap wood.

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

Rustic Outdoor Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/04/2024 - 11:53

Seen these plans a couple years ago and finally have gotten around to making a set. This was a fun and really easy to follow set of instructions and I think they turned out really nice.

Jeff, with LaBrie Family Woodworking LLC

Seasonal And Holiday

Podium for My Wife's Classroom

This is my first try at building furniture. I've built larger things in the past like decks and a fort for my nephews, but never furniture. Even though I used the plans to build the main box, I did change up the bottom and added some new stuff. I added wheels to the bottom my wife could easily move it around her classroom. I didn't want to put a square base on it because I thought it might hit her ankles when she was standing close to it. So I sort-of notched it out to give an opening for her feet and I used some scraps to create a short shelf at the bottom. I also added more trim that the plans call for. I cut strips of the pine plywood for the base molding and topped it with quarter round. I used corner trim for the front corners, the self inside and the bottom notched shelf. I also used screen trim for the back of it. I think it came out nice and I've very pleased with it. I used 2 coats of Minwax PolyShades American Chestnut on it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax PolyShades American Chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cornhole Boards

Submitted by SaraLodise on Fri, 09/23/2016 - 13:15

Cornhole boards for friends and family :)       Used 1x4s for framing and legs, 1/2" ply for top.

 

"R" set:  Birch plywood tops w/ (2) coats of Miniwax Weathered Oak oil stain. Red stripe is Behr 'Cherry Cola.'  (3) coats of Polycrylic finish.

 

"AW" set:  Regular plywood tops w/ (1) coat of Miniwax Special Walnut oil stain & Glidden 'Clemson Orange' stripe.   (3) coats of Polycrylic finish.

Estimated Cost
$100/set (2 boards)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
(see description)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

PB Inspired Toddler Bed

Submitted by Rennie82 on Mon, 09/03/2012 - 17:51

I loved this bed from PB but couldn't see spending the $400 that they wanted for this bed that the little one will only be in a shortwhile. This was a fairly simple build with the finishing taking the longest. A little more skill with the jigsaw would have made the curves flow better but all in all it turned out very nice. Looking forward to more fun things to build!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
40$
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Used Rustoleum spray paint with 3 coats of gloss minwax polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple toy box

Submitted by Rcbaker on Tue, 07/29/2014 - 08:11

I followed the directions other than the hinges in the plans. Those hinges where $25 a piece so I went with a basic hinge and added the soft close attachment. Works just a as well! This was a mother day present and it turned out so nice I hated to give it up.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a dark stain and sanded with 2000 grit sandpaper to smooth it out
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

kulichka

Fri, 10/17/2014 - 08:38

Hi, can you give me the specific hinges and soft close attachment that you used? I'd love to make the box but can't spend the $50 on the hinges.

Looks great, by the way.

Thanks!

Ultimate Work Bench using Ana's plans

Submitted by Wendy KT on Mon, 08/31/2020 - 08:30

When I first saw Ana's Ultimate Work Bench I was blown away. I *had* to make this. I love how neat the garage looks when everything is put away.

I had to make a few extra cuts in order to allow room for my table saw fence, but other than that the only thing I did differently was to pretty it up using a white gel wood stain that I sealed with finishing paste. I also added trim using the leftover 1/4 inch plywood.

Thank you for being such an inspiration, Ana. I love your plans!

Estimated Cost
$375
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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