Community Brag Posts

This is a basic console table, aside from the drawer. This was my first time attempting drawer, and it wasn't too bad. The top I put together from a piece of 1x8 and 1x4's using my Kreg jig. It ended up being a bit long, so I trimmed the breadboard ends down a couple inches. For the base I used reclaimed table legs and 1x6's for the aprons. To make the drawer opening, I simply cut out a rectangular hole slightly larger than my drawer box out of the front apron. The drawer box I built out of 1x3's and 1/4in plywood and then attached a piece of 1x4 for the face. Since it was a small drawer, I didn't want to purchase drawer slides for it. I pocket holed some 1x4 stretchers, going from the front to back of the table on either side of the drawer opening. I then screwed a strip of 1x1 to the drawer box horizontally, lined it up to the stretchers and screwed another 1x1 to the stretcher. So basically, I made my own sides using 1x1. I added a bin pull and was done. I feature a few other projects like this on my blog http://pneumaticaddict.blogspot.com .

Restoration hardware style coffee table.  We saw a coffee table we liked but didn't want to spend $2000 on.  Designed my own and managed to build for $200.  Main expense was the $130 for the legs from Osbornewood.com.

I love this table. I modified it to fit my needs.

I built this toy box for a friend who just had a baby. I followed the plans, except I used pocket holes for the main box. Instead of the base moulding I used 1 x 4's and carved out the shape with my jigsaw. I also used quarter rounds instead of cove moulding because I couldn't find that.

Ana's plan called for using 8 hinges (I'm not sure on the placement of those).  I used a total of 16 to ensure sturdiness.  I put two hinges on each corner of the 1x8 piece and a hinge anywhere the corners connected.  I used Narrow Utility Hinges (1-1/2" Zinc plated).  The pack of 2 cost $2.27 and comes with screws.  My biggest regret is not painting the hinges before I put them on. I waited until after screwing them in and it was a pain and makes my paint job look sloppy.

Although I priced this build out, I ended up using wood I already had in the garage.   I didn't have enough 1x3 to make the anti-tipping feet so I used a 2x4.  I also didn't make the rounded edges, just a few angled straight cuts.

THESE ANTI-TIP FEET ARE A SAFETY MUST, DO NOT SKIP THEM!!  I've seen a few commenters say they skipped the anti-tip feet, but for us they were a must.  My kid would have easily knocked his tower many times if it weren't for these anti-tip feet!

Couldn't be happier with this build.  Totally worth  every penny.  Hands down my favorite kitchen addition!  

Wrote about this on the blog too: http://thehuth.blogspot.com/2014/11/ana-whites-little-helper-tower.html

Not much to say here other than THANK YOU ANA! I built it right to the plan, used plain dimensional spruce for the drawer box, and reclaimed fir for everything else.  Had fun using my thickness planer to save many hours on the belt sander.

We made eight of these benches for Christmas gifts this year. It was a lot of fun and we learned so much along the way. We made 5 benches in the standard 30" length, 2 in 36" and 1 42" bench on request.

Suggestion for building: Make jigs so that the legs and side boards are the same size. It doesn't exactly matter if the measurements are a little off from the plan, as long as they are consistent in each bench.
We chose to paint the bottoms off-white and stain the tops for an elegant rustic look. However, we fully stained a couple of the benches as well because we thought they would look best for a few of our family members.
It was hard to tell exactly how long each bench took because we worked on all eight at once when we had free time, but one bench shouldn't take more than an afternoon if you are new.

I also added a picture of the one bench we chose to distress.

Wanted to give my great-nephew something handmade for his 2nd birthday and hopefully something he can enjoy for years to come. Spent the weekend with my hubby doing this and loved every minute and thrilled with the final outcome 

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.

I shortened this table to fit the space, it works perfectly. Thank you again Ana for your wonderful plans.

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...

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 

We were looking for bookshelves for our children's bedrooms, but with 3 kids the cost was going to be astronomical. So I found a bookshelf I liked, googled the name and stumbled across Ana's plans. So glad I did!

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.

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

Whenever I see vintage metal letters in antique stores my instinct is to buy them all…that is until I look at the price! I was determined to figure out a way to make them myself for a fraction of the price. Here is what I can up with. I am excited to try other colors and fonts.

For the full process check out the post on my blog.

http://re-storedesign.com/2013/01/14/faux-vintage-metal-letters/#