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Pallet Daybed Sectional

These are just a few of the photos we took while we built our first project. My daughters and I did it over a weekend.
We got 8 pallets from Lowes for FREE, and cut them down to fit two twin sized air mattresses (standard size) from Wal-mart ($15 each). We used about 1.5 pallets for the length, but stacked them two high for a total use of two full pallets, two half pallets, and then the remaining half pallets were used as back supports.
We sanded them after we removed any bad boards or nails.
Then, we used a circular saw to cut them to the appropriate length, added casters to the bottom pallets.
Secured the pallets together with brackets. Secured the back supports together with brackets.
Treated the wood, hated the stain we got at a special price from Menard's, so I decided to cover them with outdoor fabric.
Make the daybed skirts out of a flat sheet and outdoor fabric I got half off at Joanne Fabrics. Haven't sewn in 25 years!
Pretty happy with the first project. Still need to get cuter blankets, but I used what we had in the house.
Pricing:
Pallets free
Brackets and screws came to about $25
I didn't have the circular saw or sander so I had to purchase ($120 with some extra sanding pads)
Fabric $75
Air matresses $32
Sheet sets $20
Total: $275ish but I had sold some of my old patio furniture for $275, so it was a wash! And now, I have a circular saw and an orbital sander! Also, the fabric was optional. Had the pillows at home. Just recovered or took from the storage closet.
Now, onto other pallet projects! I have more pics if needed.

Estimated Cost
$25-$275 depending on what tools you already own.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain, then covered with Sunbrella fabric.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

melanie dahlan (not verified)

Fri, 05/04/2012 - 09:52

What a great job and so creative. I think it's awesome that you and your daughters did this together. Now, I'm going to go collect pallets.

Modified Rustic X Console

This is a modified version of the Rustic X Console, it isn't as long as the original.

I created this, with a little help from my Fiance, as a TV console. We have made furniture in the past, with plans from Ana White, but this is my favorite piece so far.

We looked for months for the right piece of furniture that wasn't extremely expensive or made of cardboard. Instead we found the plans for the Rustic X Console and thought it would be the perfect fit. I also created a cubby bookshelf at the same time to store my hundreds of movies.

Eventually our entire living room will be homemade, the next project on our list is the matching coffee table!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used multiple stains to create the right color for us. It is greyish with a slight warmth, the photos don't do the stain any justice! We then coated with 2-3 layers of poly in a satin finish, using a natural bristle brush and "sanding" in-between coats with steel wool.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

kristyzed

Mon, 02/17/2014 - 06:48

I love how you modified the plan! It looks awesome, and I like how you decorated it as well! :)

BernsFamily

Wed, 04/16/2014 - 14:21

Beautiful. We are planning on building this as well and wanted a smaller version. Can you by chance share your measurements? What size TV do you have on the console? Thanks!

Juanita_r

Mon, 03/16/2015 - 03:59

I love this one, just wondering what size your console ended up being? I am going to do one that will end up being 60 inch in length and I am tossing up whether to add the centre leg or leaving it out?

Happier Homemaker Outdoor Firepit Benches

I built these benches out of cedar, which added considerable cost to the job.  The total cost for four benches (including stain) was about $240.  I used clear cedar and Sikkens outdoor stain in chocolate brown.  I also modified the plans slightly to create stronger joints, using rabbet and mortise joints and Titebond III (waterproof) glue.  This only slightly changed the dimensions, but I think it will make the benches last for years to come.  It did add some time to the plans, as I think butt joints would've taken only 2-3 hours total before sand and finish. 

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sikkens ProLuxe Semi-Transparent Chocolate Brown
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Black Rustic

Submitted by husker021 on Sun, 05/06/2012 - 19:38

Built this for my girlfriend and my apartment. Used a method of painting and sanding and finished with a stain. Still plan to put some sort of protective top coat to give it a more even finish.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint and Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

New dining table

Submitted by Dawnynz70 on Tue, 02/18/2014 - 21:09

loved the husky dining table on Ana's website so sort of followed the plans this is how mine turned out :-) still in the process of distressing the legs and then varnishing

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
walnut stain and varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Restoration Hardware Inspired table

Submitted by EstebanM on Fri, 05/20/2016 - 10:31

Needed a classy table...

Purchased the chairs separetely. Sanded the legs from black paint back to wood, and stained them to match the table.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Weathered Oak with a satin seal
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Kid's Picnic Table and is two X Benches

Submitted by AlexE on Thu, 05/10/2012 - 04:46

My first project on my own!

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Parkerdd

Wed, 05/14/2014 - 00:46

For the end pieces at either end of the top of the bench and table, how did you secure them to the legs? It doesn't look like you cut the extra pieces to fill in the legs so that they are level with each other to make the base. I like how this version looks but it seems like half the 2x2 is barely attached to the legs. I'd love to hear how you did that so I can copy, thanks!

Impossible Triangle

Submitted by mtairymd on Sun, 02/23/2014 - 16:26

This is a modified version of the Penrose “Impossible” Triangle which is an interesting example of how the brain can be fooled. The main difference in this version is the use of hardware to simulate the triangle side connections. Watching the video is the easiest way to see how it works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B2D5h74mMA

Please check out my other woodworking videos as well. Each video has a PDF drawing of the plans in the description.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcLIJdluqiyiI7J9qp5VAXrALMOftr0RT

Estimated Cost
Free - pallet wood and recycled hardware
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

American Girl Doll Bunk Beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/23/2016 - 12:16

My daughter and I built it together. We had great fun. She is totally into the Kreg Jig and the brad nailer now. I'm sure we'll find something else to build. What a great father daughter activity. Thanks for the plans!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Non
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

First Project Ever

This was the first thing me and the hubby ever built. We had lots of fun and even got the kids involved. Pretty sure we got the building bug now! Thanks Ana for inspiring families to build better lifestyles one board at a time. :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
American Accents Colonial Red
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic X TV Console Table

First project attempt. Instructions were really easy to follow. The X's were quite challenging at first, because I only had a Miter Saw. After many trials and errors, I found that building and attaching a 90 degree fence on the saw and then cut the 60 degree angles at the 30, gave beautiful 60 degree cuts. I used Min Wax Special Walnut Stain. I didn't do a lot of sanding because I wanted a gritty rustic feel to it. I used common pine boards. For the hardware, I bought zinc plated L brackets and Large bolts. I used a blow torch to melt the zinc to give it a great look.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60 in wood, $10 in hardware, $12 in screws,
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Special Walnut Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Double Bed Headboard

Submitted by RobA on Fri, 05/27/2016 - 20:18

so I tweaked this plan and made it a double bed for our spare bedroom.

Estimated Cost
$100 CAD
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax gel walnut stain
3 coats Polycyclic clear
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modified farmhouse California king

Submitted by bechokoy on Tue, 05/15/2012 - 23:10

Sorry the the photos were taken from my phone so the lighting is making it look darker than it really is.
Basically I followed the plans to a T other than the poplar trim and crown molding.
For the head board I Used 3/4" red birch ply and made some stiles with excess from the sheet and then just trimmed it with poplar molding. instead of stacking 2 2x4 for the sides i just used a solid 4x4 and cut the spot out to old the rails on. I was afraid how the stain would react or how it would look since 2x4 have rounded edges. Thats pretty much it. The finish was a tricky process. since I used red birch and white poplar I had to find a way to get everything to stain evenly. So basically I
Dyed all the wood then sealed then stained then toner then glaze then a little more toner then when i got the color i wanted i put 2 layers of top coat.

Estimated Cost
400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Ml campbell stain and dye
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

gugsisreal (not verified)

Thu, 05/17/2012 - 03:41

That is one of the most beautiful finishes I have ever seen on this site.

jdlemmons

Thu, 05/17/2012 - 11:38

I'm doing a bed very similar to this... but i'm only doing 2 larger panels rather than 4 like you have. How do you the insides of the panels? Quarter round and then crown molding? I was thinking I would attach the trim on top of the plywood and then just attach some quarter round on the inside to round it and make it stand out a little more.

Matthew Betts (not verified)

Thu, 05/17/2012 - 17:00

I didn't use any round(but that is the idea to hide the ugly plywood layers that are exposed when cut). Its just 2 3/4 x3/4" whitewood/poplar casing that I had left over from a project i was working on. the frame of the squares was 3/4" birch ply so the casing laid nice and flush with it so it looked nice. the trick is to get the stiles(the frame of the squares to lay flat against the plywood backing other wise the casing won't lay even all the way around.
heres a link to the casing i used
http://www.lowes.com/pd_105664-81562-OML14-7FTWHW_4294801993_4294937087…

heres the link to the crown that i used on the top
http://www.lowes.com/pd_105626-81562-1069-8FTWHW_4294801991_4294937087_…

the trim stuff at the box places are considered paint grade and don't take stain very well. its easiest to paint if you don't have the right setup to finish things. and if you are going to stain I recommend a product called timbermate its stainable wood filler its hard to get but its amazing stuff it blows the minwax stuff out of the water.

Ladder Shelf

Submitted by 3G on Sat, 03/01/2014 - 09:31

Pottery barn Ladder Shelf

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black Shine
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

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