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Submitted by Jannie on Sat, 07/09/2011 - 08:50

This is my first build and I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. There are a few things I learned along the way that will help me with my next build. We have a lot of children's book so I made the bottom shelf an angled shelf for more room.

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

Upholstered Entry Way Bench

This was my first solo wood project! My husband normally builds things that we want. This bench was very easy. The hardest part would have been the upholstery. I decided to fully upholster it instead of making a slip cover. I plan to make holiday themed slip covers to slide over this though. I painted the legs white, and we ended up using MDF for the top portion since we had a piece on hand. I used a cushion off of an old chair we were going to get rid of to save money on the foam, so I had to change the dimensions a little. This bench is 13" by 48" total instead of the 16" by 55". It still fits the space beautifully. Since I had the foam and mdf on hand it only cost me about $20 to make this including the price of 6 packs of nail heads and the fabric. So a very inexpensive project! The shelf in the pics my husband built from some scrap wood and hooks we got from lowes.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint. This would be FAB distressed but I didn't have the time. Might go back and do it later.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Closet build

So thankful for the plans to build the closet shelves. They were key to our building out our new walk-in closet.  Love it and this site!  Onward to the next project! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About 200 because we built 2 and includes paint and additional wood for shelves and rods.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Trim (semi gloss) paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Bed Mod

Submitted by adck9d on Thu, 05/12/2022 - 14:01

Took the Farmhouse bed model and incorporated a geometric headboard. This thing is heavy!

Comments

Sleep and play loft bed

Submitted by hams1856 on Mon, 07/11/2011 - 20:33

This was my first project from the plans I got from this site. I had a blast building it. Made it out of poplar so that it would be strong enough to support either me or my wife on it with our daughter. Directions were simple and easy to follow. Key to this project as mentioned is to be precise in measurements and square! My wife and daughter both love this bed and now have 3 more projects lined up for me. I am so lucky!!! What family wants you and urges you to build more things from wood!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Just primer and paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

lmh1632

Wed, 07/13/2011 - 15:38

Love the colors! We are going to do a combo of these plans and the cottage loft bed for my step daughter. She's almost 7 and really too tall for the cottage loft bed but she wants the playhouse look of it. I'm hoping of coming up with a way to remove the "walls" when she's a little older. I'm thinking of putting it in a corner like you did and then just do the exposed side and front. Your family is very lucky you are so willing to build for them:)

Entertainment Center Fireplace

Submitted by Blondeh on Wed, 08/14/2013 - 09:48

I have always wanted a fireplace, however I couldn't justify spending $600 or more for a flimsy electric TV stand. Not to mention, I have checked out the displays of these pieces at Lowes, and they are made from cheap materials that I do not want to sit my expensive TV on. We found the entertainment center on Craigslist for $100, because they got rid of their big projection screen TV (which many are doing these days). I looked for fireplace TV stands for months, and just couldn't find a piece that wouldn't look like a separate piece of furniture stuck in the middle. I found a new electric insert on Criagslist for $100 (normally about $250), and purchased the materials from Lowes where a nice employee cut it all for me. I glued and nailed the frame together, applied the AirStone, attached the mantle (a 2x4), and slid the insert into place. Overall, the project took about 4 hours to complete, and cost about $200 to build. (It could have been done for a bit cheaper, but I went with 3/4" plywood for strength and stability.)

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain & polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

sgilly

Wed, 08/14/2013 - 10:28

I have an electric fireplace that is made with cheap materials. I've contemplated building a new surround for it, and your finished product and the pictures have made it seem more doable! Thanks for posting.

spiceylg

Thu, 08/15/2013 - 10:26

This is so cool! What an awesome idea and you can't beat the price! Nicely done.

My first project - metric mitre saw stand

Submitted by EmH-C on Sun, 09/13/2015 - 03:30

Adaptation to fit my little mitre saw, small workshop and the metric timber available in B&Q. My first build, this should let me build more while staying comfortable and safe. I'm ridiculously pleased with myself!

It took longer to build than expected because my little boy thinks naps are for wimps.

In case anyone in the UK wants to build similar, here's my adapted sizes.

18mm plywood cutting list:

2   85cm x 50cm (sides)

3    50cm x 50cm (shelves)

2    50cm x 60cm (leaves)

2    45cm x 30cm (leaf supports - replaced fancy brackets that were too expensive over here)

Timber cuts:

6  34mm x 34mm @ 50cm (cleats)

6  18mm x 70mm @ 52cm (supports)

2  18mm x 70mm @ 42cm (spacers) 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
£40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Help me use my mitre saw safely and comfortably.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Wife's Kindergarten Classroom

Been a while since I had time to actually build anything worth posting about! My wife wanted some items for her Kindergarten classroom this year, so built several items, most inspired by the Farmhouse family.

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

Comments

sido17

Thu, 07/18/2019 - 15:27

I would love the dimensions or plans for this. Would love to make it for my classroom.

dlee69

Tue, 07/30/2019 - 12:07

Hello

Can I please get the plans to the u shape table?

Thanks

Linguine

Mon, 08/19/2019 - 12:09

I am guessing the corner posts are 2 x 4s, the top is 2 x 10s.  It looks like the width is 6’ (looking at the floor carpet tiles being 24” square). So 2 - 2 x 10s side by side for the main part of the desk top and 2 - 2 x10s perpendicular on each side of the chair.  I guess the height is subject to choice and the length of each side would also be subject to choice or to the length of the 2 x 10s to be economical.

 

an educated guess would be 4 - 8’  2x10s for the top and 6 - 6’ 2 x 4s for the legs?  

 

Anyone else have any input here?  Open to suggestions.....

Pirate Ship

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/25/2022 - 16:09

I started building this pirate ship in the spring of 2020. It kept getting bigger as a friend donated old lumber from his masonry company. He was going out of business and wanted to get rid of some of what you see here.

The ship is 24ft by 10ft.

I won’t papa of the year three years straight.

Comments

Tool Box

Submitted by canesa on Thu, 07/14/2011 - 23:40

When Ana posted these plans just before Christmas, I had to make one! I still don't have a use for it but I love it anyway! I made a few small changes and it was super fun to build! I can't wait to make a miniature one for my little guy!

Estimated Cost
Under $5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted it a gray green color and gave it a light sanding.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Stratton Daybed Knock Off Project

We followed Ana's detailed plans for the Stratton Daybed from her book and her blog. We appreciate the help!

We made this for our twin nursery, so that I could have a place to feed, sleep and read to the babies. It is much more comfortable than having to squeeze myself and two babies into a single chair.

It took us a few days because we work and have a three year old. We decided to paint the inside of the storage spaces underneath to go along with the rest of the room.

Estimated Cost
$380
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Garage shelves

Submitted by Joy on Sat, 09/08/2018 - 18:12

Designed to store 56 qt clear sterilite totes. Spaced 17” apart and used 5 2x4s so 23” deep. We have a lip of our foundation that sticks out so we had to adjust for the difference in leg heights. 

Estimated Cost
Lumber was $8.25 per board (2x4x16) and we used 32. 3 boxes of screws. 2 1/2 for the frame, 2” for screwing down the shelves and 3 1/2 to screw into the wall studs.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pool Noodle Holder from DIY Planter Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/04/2022 - 06:58

I modified the plans for the planter box to make a holder for Pool Noodles. I made it 40" tall and used 4-4" fence pickets and 1-5.5" fence pickets. I used a 4" spacer and the openings worked out perfect. I stained inside and out since it would show with 2 coats of the solid stain. It is perfect! Thank you so much for the inspiration and plans!

Comments

Farm House Table

Submitted by MzAnderson on Sat, 07/16/2011 - 14:39

With only a few changes from the original plan this farm table is my first furniture build. The legs are removable on the table and custom sized for our breakfast nook. I very much enjoyed building this all thanks to Ana!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

T-Town DIYer

Thu, 12/08/2011 - 06:34

No one has commented on this table, yet? It looks great. I'm loving the white bottom with the stained top. Im probably going to steal the idea for a project in the near future.

Guest (not verified)

Tue, 01/24/2012 - 07:34

Can you share the specifics on your mods? This is just what I want for the breakfast nook i'm going to build!

Simple Kitchen Bench

Submitted by bludevil35 on Tue, 08/20/2013 - 07:44

Another bench for another wedding gift.

We've made another already to keep in our kitchen. Looks great, thanks again for the plans.

We opted not to incorporate the storage/ flip top. Just a simple sturdy, great looking bench.

Estimated Cost
Just our time, all materials were reclaimed
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X End Table

Modified to be slightly more modern by removing had the X and having a solid bottom shelf. Also, narrowed it up to be rectangular shape to save space. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Traditional Wood Toddler Bed w/ Straight Headboard and Footboard

Submitted by tducote on Tue, 06/14/2022 - 13:01

I completed this project back in February of 2020. I'm just realizing that I never posted about it here. The bed had held up phenomenally for the past 2+ years.

This was an excellent little project. It was just a little challenging and very fun. I changed the headboard and added a footboard to the bed by using extra 1x6 boards and elongating the feet about 6 inches to make it work. The construction part of this project (including cutting and assembly) took just one evening. I stayed up pretty late working on it, but I was able to complete it in one night. Painting took a few more days.

One note about the guardrails: the pocket screws split the vertical rails that were rounded off at the end. I glued and clamped the splits back together (note the clamps in one of the pictures), so no big deal. But I would recommend maybe not rounding them as much as I did. If I were to build it again, I'd probably just use my little disk sander to take the corners off, instead of taking off as much as I did using a jig saw.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Simple Modern Outdoor Sectional and Ottomans

Submitted by dwcampb on Fri, 07/22/2011 - 12:04

This was my second project and is the simple outdoor sectional. Took me about 8 hours to build all the sections and another 8 hours to stain everything. We ended up buying the cushions and pillows from Garden Ridge in Texas. Total cost for the cushions was about $500. Wood and materials was about $300. I used 1 x 4 cedar to insure it was rot and insect resistant. Then I stained it with Behr Premium Outdoor Natural #500. Looks great out on our covered patio. I will be building more as we are in the process of installing a pool of which I need lots of furniture to go around the decking!

Estimated Cost
$850 with cushions
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Outdoor Natual #500. I sprayed all stain with a cup gun and gently spread the stain with a pad applicator. I did 2 coats on all sides.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 07/22/2011 - 13:55

This is gorgeous and it goes really nicely with your brick house too! I'd love to see more pics if you have. Great job :)

spiceylg

Mon, 07/25/2011 - 08:09

I want to build this so bad but have to be patient and wait because of the cost of the cushions - it's crazy! You did an amazing job!

Guest (not verified)

Sun, 02/26/2012 - 12:41

Cushions are expensive because you want to buy a mold/mildew resistant foam on the inside. Secondly, you want the fabric to be an outdoor fabric that has resistance to fading from the sun, but again that will resist mold/mildew and withstand rain, etc...with that said it makes them expensive.

Seasonal And Holiday