Community Brag Posts

Castle Loft Bed "Frozen" Themed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/15/2017 - 14:19

I present the "Castle Loft Bed" with minor modifications. Finished in a "Frozen" theme.

It was time to upgrade my youngest to a "big kid bed" and she was insistent on a frozen bed. After searching for various options we settled on the "Castle Loft Bed" from the Ana White catalog of plans.

We left the slide off, due to available space. Also we changed the steps to be more of a usable toy box/storage and hamper area. I also modified the internal bookcase to have a small "secret" cubby for her "valuables". We also added color changing LEDs to fit the little princess's mood.

 

I hope you like my rendition and keeps in spirit the DIYers quality.

 

 

Estimated Cost
425.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Various paints
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X Hall Tree

Rustic Hall Tree
I have been looking for a really nice Hall Tree with out having to spend an entire week just to build it and I found it here. I followed the plans with the exception of the width, which I had to narrow due to where it was to go. I also had to shorten due to wife's height (5 ft 1). Because I help with my friends projects I end up with left over odd and ends and can use them in my projects. The backing I used is T- 1-11, that I sanded down till smooth and then painted. The seat and shelf is a 1 x 12 x 6 bullnose that was left over from a prior project that I cut to 1 x 12 x 3, then ripped the other half to fill in the seat making it 18 inch wide and used the other half to make the top self. The trim was left over from a book shelf that I helped a friend build. I painted the tree but stained the seat, shelf, trim and X with red mahogany stain to match the floor and then sealed with 4 coats of semi-gloss polyurethane.
Thanks for the plans, next project will be a desk for up stairs.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Master Closet System

Submitted by Michael B on Thu, 01/17/2013 - 13:17

Followed plans with slight modifications:
1. Made shelves deeper but narrower
2. Used 3/4" Birch Plywood for all
3. Built no base just mounted to floor & wall
4. No drawers just shelving

Estimated Cost
Under $80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Clear Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Modern Outdoor Sectional & Table

Submitted by khood11 on Wed, 11/12/2014 - 12:10

This was my very first project, and it was so easy thanks to Ana's plans.  I bought a few tools that I didn't have already - Kreg jig and miter saw - and things went super fast from there.  I found cushions at Ikea that fit perfectly, and were cheaper than making them myself.  I just hope they last!  I used cedar for the sectional and storage table, and stained them a dark brown.  I used deck stain as suggested by a Home Depot employee, so that the stain and waterproofing was all in one step.  I have received tons of compliments on this set, and people still can't believe we build this ourselves!  Thanks, Ana! 

...onto the next project...

Estimated Cost
$275 (not including cushions/pillows)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
deck stain - dark brown
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Coffee table

Submitted by cook_chris on Fri, 02/17/2017 - 09:40

I changed the plans some. I started with a large pallet crate used to transport train windows.  So with the used palletwood i had to put the boards in sideways and pockethole screwed them together. With going on the cheap iwent with a 1x4 and 1x6 top so i could use the pallet wood. I ended up torching it with a torch to bring out the grain  and it looked good with the rustic look of table.i plain to eventually clear it when ohio weather permits. I only had to buy i 8 foot 1x4 and 1 8 foot 2x2. Have less then 15 dollars 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Less then 15
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Burned with torch eventually clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Loft bed with stairs

Submitted by donk on Tue, 11/24/2020 - 15:14

I started planning this project this spring when we bought and moved into our new house. I knew with the room size a loft bed would make the most of the room. My daughter is scared of heights a little bit so I was worried about using a ladder. I stumbled on this site and these plans and knew this is exactly what I was going to build. Ever since we finished painting it and getting her room done she has been glued to it!

Comments

Dress-up Tower

Submitted by JReed on Mon, 01/21/2013 - 12:33

Our daughter has just recently gotten into playing dress up so we were looking for storage for all of her new dresses and accessories. This tower was the perfect solution. We used a mostly MDF and some plywood we had left over from other projects to help keep the cost down. We added a mirror to one side and 3 hooks to the other side. Very pleased with the result!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Basic white interior paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Garage Storage

Submitted by jlrd13 on Sun, 11/16/2014 - 11:00

I improvised on this a bit.  I envisioned being able to put small items on the shelves at some point so I made it with solid shelves instead of all 2x4's.  Except the stuff I bought for the shelves was so flimsy I had to add the support pieces. Ahh, well.  I'm learning.  And with the three support pieces (2x4's cut to size) running widthwise, it turned out to be a solid shelf.  LOVE this site!!  Thank you again, Ana!  Next project is a bathroom vanity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Comments

Minnie Mouse Chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/20/2017 - 07:44

Made based on a picture i was shown,and used the kids andarondac plans on this site

Estimated Cost
12 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint, they painting was difficult for me as I am no artist.. I had a picture of a minnie mouse chair and did the trial and error method
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Christmas pie safe

I found the knob on clearance for 59 cents at Lowe’s and the hinges were under $3. The rest was just pretty plywood and some thin poplar instead of edge banding with a boiled linseed oil finish.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under $5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Boiled linseed oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

mamasue72

Sat, 11/25/2023 - 12:17

I am so in love with this! I love traditional and antiques this old time pie safe is what I have been looking for. Especially with cats around. Beautiful and simple!

Seasonal And Holiday

Media Console

This is the first project my husband and I have made. Funny enough, it was suggested in the directions to not do this as a first project. We had already gotten the materials and our minds were already made up on building this media console. We just took it one board and one nail at a time. Sometimes we would take one step forward only to turn around and take two steps backwards. We learned A LOT on this project. Needless to say, we loved working together and building our own furniture... We will be building more for sure!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I had some navy blue paint I found at the "miss tint" section at Lowe's for only $1.80! I decided to paint this color on 1st. After painting, I skimmed over the wood, with my sander, in spots to give it the rugged look I wanted. Then, I painted Minwax's "dark walnut" stain over the entire piece. Afterwards, using an old rag, I wiped it all off. The next day, I went back and brushed glossy polyurethane on to seal it.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Husky Farmhouse Table

Submitted by renata on Tue, 11/18/2014 - 12:01

This was such a great project and not too complicated for my first large one.  I loved using the milk paint to create the old world distressed charm.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Grandy Sliding Door Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/23/2017 - 07:27

I built this 7 months pregnant and couldn't be happier with it. The plans were excellent and easy to follow. I was intimidated by the hard ware at first but that was also very simple. Overall very happy with this project build.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stained top Special Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

simple bench

Thanks for the plans on the simple bench

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
custom stain gloss laq. top coat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Birthday Bed Surprise!

heartyesMy FIRST carpentry project! Good thing my husband was willing to help as it was a little heavy and I was googling terms like "counter-sink."  It would have been so much easier if we hadn't made it a birthday surprise for my daughter. She LOVES it! 

I purchased choice 2x4s and was so sad to see how much sanding the planks still required, even with an electric rotary sander. That added a few hours-perhaps because I am such a beginner! 

We used a white nylon rope which matched her room better, but again, increased the cost a bit.

I am really proud of the results! 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Ben Moore Cherry Tomato paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

JoanneS

Thu, 11/20/2014 - 17:44

You should be VERY proud of the great job you did on your first building project, it looks awesome!  Love the color, and that smiling face says it all!  Well done!!

Handmade by MARS

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/25/2017 - 11:13

Followed the plan until we decided on a bottom shelf.  Where there's a will there's a way. Made it a little bit harder but well worth it 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under $100.00
Finish Used
Oil based stain fir top and water based stain fir button for deeper color. Used a wipe on poly on everything and waxed and buffed the top
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

4x4 Truss Bench

Submitted by Eddie A on Fri, 12/11/2020 - 16:25

This was my first bench build and I’m happy with the way it turned out! I adjusted the plans to account for wood movement of the table top using mortise and tenon joinery and draw board pins on the bread board ends. Also edge glued the table top boards and used z-clips to attach the bench top.

Built from Plan(s)

Storage Chaise Lounge

Submitted by kristine on Sat, 01/26/2013 - 12:59

It took the husband and I a good 3 days to finish this project. You can read more of my experience with this chaise on our blog:
http://tonyandkristine.blogspot.com/

For the plans, I found them at Lazy Liz on Less blog:
http://lazylizonless.blogspot.com/2012/05/it-took-me-while-to-decide-wh…

Estimated Cost
Appx $220
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Waverly print fabric, Varathane Stain + Poly in Early American
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Washer Dryer pedestal

Submitted by glap on Mon, 11/24/2014 - 05:59

Thank you so much to Sausha and this site for the instructions, shopping list and measurements! I finally have my pedestal! No more back aches! I modified the height to 15" by making the posts to 6" and added center posts using 2x4.

 

 

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr paint (1 coat) and white paint for the design
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X Kids table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/27/2017 - 14:59

This is a twist on the Rustic X console.  I made it wider, shorter and only did one shelf which is indented so the benches can both slide under for easy storage. 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The stain is a combination of Dark Walnut and Weathered Grey.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate