Community Brag Posts

Indoor Playground Set

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/10/2017 - 11:56

This playroom set was inspired by the plans you posted.  I was forced to make some significant modifications due to the fact that our bonus/playroom has angled ceilings.  We have a rock climbing wall, ladder, crawl tunnel with windows, trapeze bar, monkey bars, miniature baskeball goal and a slide.  My boys are 6, 3 and 19 months and they love it!  Thanks for the inspiration.

 

Jim and Caroline Sparrow

Estimated Cost
$1250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Paint on bottom and Minwax Stain on top
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Bunk Beds for a Small Room

Our bedrooms are 9' x 9' so when our girls needed to move in together, we needed a bunk bed that would be short enough to fit under the fan, have a place for drinks, books, an alarm, and tissues, and also have a place where our youngest could have a dark sleeping space while older sister stays up later.

We're not going to be in this setup for long, so I used common board to keep the cost down as much as possible. The whole bed cost about $200, but I would suggest staying away from common board. It was really warped and couldn't be sanded smooth. We ended up going with a dark, thick paint to cover the wood imperfections. To deal with the warped wood, I made an outline of each end of the bed with painter's tape on the garage floor and used weights to hold the wood where it was suppose to be. I also modified the plans to make the bottom bunk a bit shorter and made the whole thing only 3 inches off the ground. All put together the bed is very sturdy and everything lined up well.

I used some scrap wood to make the holders for drinks and tissues and a holder for the iPod and speakers. These just rest over the railing, so we can move them around if need be. The book racks are Ikea hacks....they're just spice racks painted to match the bed. The curtains are just hung on a 1" dowel set into the same cups that closet rods are put up with. I also added some flower knobs from Target so that the girls can hang a robe when it's cooler outside.

Thanks for the plans Ana! My girls LOVE this bed!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint and polyurethane coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Bunk Beds for 4 to 6

Submitted by Judianne on Thu, 07/02/2015 - 10:32

We used the Build a Simple Bed plan and the Bunk Bed from Simple Bed. I modified the plans to build a double bunk bed. We needed a way to fit up to 6 small children in a long, narrow room. Although we haven't built the trundle beds yet, each bunk will also have a trundle bed. The kids especially love their "privacy" curtains!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under $300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

MODERN SLAT TOP OUTDOOR WOOD BENCH

This was my first project. I am pretty excited how it turned out. If I did it again, I would recommend sanding and painting prior to building.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Spray Paint - Oasis
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Board and Batten Bathroom

My first project with raw wood and power tools! All I have is a circular saw and electric sander, but it went really well. It took about 3 days because I couldn't work straight through (silly life and all it's appointments!). Thanks for laying out all the prep work with your instructions, Ana!! My next project is a cubby shelf for towels.

Estimated Cost
$76
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin Finish Latex paint by Valspar. Upper wall color is Valspar High Noon in Flat Enamel finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

loniwolfe

Tue, 10/11/2011 - 21:38

That looks really great! I was just thinking about doing this in our bathroom, thank you for posting this! Now I'm definitely doing this! Great great job!

Modular Corner Office and Craft Desk

I started creating the furniture for my new craft room by making the Easy Three Cube Benches I found here.  I modified them so that my cats could lay on top and look out the windows.  The cube benches gave me the confidence to design a printer stand.  Using Ana White's technique of "build the box" and then add the rest, I designed a custom printer stand I am so very proud of!  After the printer stand, I moved on to the final piece that would complete my craft room, a modular desk with plenty of workspace to complete any craft I want.  I modified each module a little to keep with the theme design of the room.  I created three modules.  The last one being a bookcase that is a modification of the Modern Craft Table bases.  I used better quality Oak plywood for the desk top, and good pine and whiteboard plywood for the modules.

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
For the modules I used Valspar Furniture Paint in ultra white. For the desk top I used Minwax Simply White stain and then Minwax Dark Walnut over that to create the "driftwood" style look. I sealed the desktop with about 5 coats of Minwax wipe-on poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

melkaye

Wed, 02/19/2020 - 13:53

Could you tell me the measurements for the top? I absolutely love your table! 

sukheeso

Wed, 04/07/2021 - 14:07

Hi! This is very similar to what I'm hoping to make. I was wondering what the length of the left side of the desk was?
Thank you!

Outdoor Loveseat

Still need to stain but this was my very first project and it turned out well!  The directions are very easy to follow and I am very happy with it!

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Will be using Minwax oil-based stain over a wood conitioner, and a clear flat oil-based top-coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

King Farmhouse Storage Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/18/2019 - 15:41

After a successful attempt at Ana’s farmhouse desk I decided to make a bed for my wife... needless to say I think she likes it! Thanks to Ana and Pretty Handy Girl’s plans! (This is my 3rd woodworking project)

Estimated Cost
700
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar Cabinet Enamel
Minwax Dark Walnut stain
minwax Polycrylic satin polyurethane

I used acetone to transfer the graphic I designed for my inlay. I carved out the inlay with a router. I stained the wood and then painted the surface black.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

First Woodworking Project - Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/03/2019 - 07:34

I am embarrassed to admit, but we had been using a 8ft plastic folding table with a table cloth and folding chairs for TWO YEARS prior to this build. I had struggled to find a table that was large enough and that I actually liked. I was so fed up that we decided to build this table. It was a huge learning curve because we had never build anything before. BUT IT IS DOABLE and FUN!

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Mimi Wax - Walnut & Mini Wax Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic X Tall Bookshelves

Submitted by frmoody on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 09:23

A friend wanted these bookshelves to match the Farmhouse X Desk but she wanted them narrow so they would fit in a small office. This was a very challenging and at times frustrating build getting everything to fit and getting the X's correct but in the end they turned out very well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
The wood was painted with a white cabinet paint and the shelves were stained with Varathane Kona.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

American Girl upholstered arm chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/21/2016 - 13:47

I used the pattern and instructions on how to re-size from http://1inchminisbykris.blogspot.com.es/2013/01/chair-upholstering-tutt…. I then built the base using 1x1 and part of a wood closet rod I had left over and drawer bottom material from Home Depot.  I know those descriptions are not super informative but it's just materials I had around the house.  Once the base was built I used Ana's instructions from the doll mattress tutorial to sew the bottom and back cushions.  Unfortunately, I don't have pictures from the build but I intend to make her a couch when I have time so hopefully I can add some pictures of that to give an idea of what the frame looks like.

Estimated Cost
~$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

8x12 Shed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/13/2023 - 03:26

My new garden shed built from your premium plans! I'm 62, never built a shed before, and worked mostly alone. My sons helped with some of the wall and roof sheathing. In the end, I did everything except for the shingling. I painted it to match my house main color and trim.

The video is very helpful - I watched it several times. My major change to the plans was using Simpson Strong Ties and hurricane ties to secure the rafters to the ridge pole and the top plates. Otherwise, I used all other methods. I recommend cutting the front wall sheathing before cutting the panels for the doors. I do not have a trim saw and thought my standard circular saw was too heavy for me to make the cuts like Jacob did.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

West Elm Bed Knockoff

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/14/2023 - 13:00

We paired this bed frame with Nathan James upholstered headboard to replicate our favorite Airbnb we stayed at in Telluride. That bed was a $1300 from West Elm. Minus the tools, this bed came in around $500 for everything (including bedding).
Wood: Douglas Fir
Stain: American Walnut

Built from Plan(s)

DIY Brew Station

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/30/2023 - 14:38

I used your workbench plan to build my Brew Bench. I changed the measurements to fit my space and used a butcher block for the countertop. Very sturdy and pretty easy project. Took one day to build.

Scott R

Comments

Farmhouse Bed - Canadian King

Submitted by rbernier09 on Thu, 11/28/2019 - 06:39

Followed Ana’s plans to the inch and I had no issues at all everything fit like a glove. I used knotty pine for all facing boards except for the 2x4 sandwiched second from the top on both head and footboard (used spruce). I used spruce for anything that would be hidden. Glue and #10 fasteners. Instead of screwing the side rail cleats to the foot/headboard post I used 3.5 inch bolts and washers.

A Canadian King is when your dog owns your bed and allows you to sleep in it.

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Circa 1850 Bleach.
Minwax white wash pickling stain.
Old Masters Wiping Stain - Dark Walnut.
Varathane Diamond water based clear coat - Satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Flat back book racks

Submitted by Spolitte on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 20:39

These came together nicely but I definitely advocate the right tool for cutting the curves on the sides. Also, the next time we make them, and we most likely will, I will make the roomy version. The wider size will give us a little more room for a few extra books. All in all the girls are very please with them. I like that they are just above their bed to make night time reading easy and fun. Couldn't have done it without you Ana. Thanks.

Estimated Cost
10ish dollars minus paint
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We painted all the surfaces a No Voc semi gloss for easy cleaning. When it came time to add the girls names I found that a bright semi gloss with layers of corresponding glitter paint added the vivid contrast and bling that all little girls love.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Tall Rustic X Bookshelves

I followed the Rustic X Tall Bookshelf plan to make a set of bookshelves for my husband for Christmas! It was my second ever woodworking project. The plan was really easy to follow and so fun to make! I ended up using an additional shelf piece on the very top for a more modern spin on it. I also bought a pocket hole jig to use on this project. I'm happy with how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75 per shelf
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax English Chesnut Wood Finish and Paste Wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Folding workbench

Submitted by mellyc_fl on Mon, 12/30/2019 - 17:42

We do not have a garage yet, so this size works great to push out of the way when not being used and pull out for a workbench and also to extend the table top for the saw.  The plans were easy to follow and easy to modify.  I added a base made of 2x4’s to make it sturdier since it will be moved across a deck vs a level floor.  I also added some boards behind the shelf to keep things from falling out the back and adjusted the height to match the table saw top.   Next up will be a router table stand to replace the camping footlocker. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Book Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/22/2016 - 11:08

I built this book rack using scrap wood and modified plans from the Full Length Plate Rack. It was a really straightforward build, and functions very well as vertical storage that takes up little space. I predrilled, screwed and glued all of the joints, vs. stapling.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of "Simplicity" country chic chalk paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

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