Community Brag Posts

I built this table very similar to Ana's plans except I shorted the length to 72" and I used different wood for the legs on the table and the bench.

There were no plans for a matching bench at the time I built this, so I made the bench using the table plans as a guide.

This project does not take very long to build. I found the longest part was the finish.

This project was done casually over a series of weekends.

I used the base plan for the Shirley Console table and modified it by using 2x2s instead of the 1x2s and changed the lengths to fit in a space between my sets of stairs. The drawers were easier to install than I first thought, however I should have placed the slides up a little further up than I did (I should have researched it a tad more.) For the drawers I found some knobs from Anthropologie that seemed to fit well with the personality of the table.

I'm a hobbyist but I am very pleased with the end result and wanted to share - this site has been a real inspiration for me and was the push to try something I'd always wanted to but was not confident enough to do. Thank you, Ana.

Here is a modified version of the Bristol Lounge Chair. It is more narrow than the original about 4-6 inches shorter and off the width. I actually made an error while attempting to attach the back slats and ended up creating the two verticle slats instead which I kind of like :-)

We used MDF instead of the 1x4 slats, but incorporated some of the trim from the fancy farmhouse bed.

The stenciled part is on the head and foot board.

I lowered the head board some, and raised the foot board, but I forgot that her mattress is a pillow top one, so part of the design on the headboard gets covered.

Saw the plans and the video for this and told my wife about it and she said she would love one. I made a pair of them for us to sit together, when get a chance too.....lol. Thanks Ana for inspiring me to get back into woodworking after a long break. This is a great site. More projects to follow.....

I made the cushions and pillows myself using shower curtains as a cheap and water-resistant fabric alternative. I also ordered the foam and pillow forms on-line. This was a great Father's Day project completed with help from my son and husband. Great plans!

My hunny made this, love how it turned out! I couldn’t find one that I liked so he made this for me.

I didn't follow Ana's plans for this, I actually designed the closet system to correspond with my dimensions / wants / desires (see blog post), but this goes to show you that once you start building things, it's really hard to stop! I think in building brain now. I don't think in "how can I afford that" terms anymore, I think in "how can I make something similar, but BETTER?" Ana has helped us make our nursery for our first baby a labor of love!

Adirondack Side Table made from leftover 2x3 pine and two cedar fence posts. Stained with Minwax Dark Walnut and sprayed with Minwax clear matte sealer.

Decided to build for myself after many projects for my kids and friends. Liked the simple look of the reclaimed wood headboard. Very easy to build. After building headboard and attaching to a standard metal frame, I was very disappointed it the stability of the headboard. I was not interested in attaching headboard to the wall, so I decided on building a matching footboard as well as side rails. Rockler has some great hardware for attaching side rails, making it simple to be able to disassemble should I need to in the future. I did extensive homework for the stain as I was going for a weathered beach wood look. Used Dark Walnut wiped off almost immediately. Followed immediately by the weathered gray, which was wiped off immediately. After drying for 24 hours, finished with 2-3 coats of the gel topcoat. Easiest application is to use an old tube sock over a gloved hand.
Very pleased with end result and with side rails and footboard, it is very sturdy.

I saw your design for the queen and made the king for my wife. As you can see the mattress we have is not long enough because they are two small twins next to each other. We need a new mattress but it’s not in the budget yet. 

I also made some floating night stands of my own design to match so the drawers would still be able to open on the sides. 

I built this headboard using the Outdoor Canopy Daybed plans for the sides. You could do it either way using the sides or back. I did modify it a little; had to make it 60" wide and 30" tall, then I just added 22" tall legs to get the height I wanted. Over all dimensions are a simple 60" wide X 52" tall. This one is made with 1 x 4's I had left over from a closet tear out project. It didn't cost me one single penny! I had the paint left over from another project. I simply squared it up with the top and bottom boards and then laid in the rest. For a more modern look I began board spacing at 3/4" then went to 1" on the next, 1 1/2" and so on... I loved building this. I have gone without a headboard for 2 long years. I was waiting for one to catch my eye, and it never happened, Until I found this site. Ana you have inspired me to take charge of my own home again. For years I'd study the "wishbooks" from Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn drooling over what I wish I could afford. You have made it possible for EVERYONE to have the home they've always wanted. You have also inspired people to actually put forth effort for what they desire and to work for that goal. You are a God-send. Thank You so much!!!

P.S. I also built a Toddler Bed and will be posting it as well.

This was the never-ending project!! Started off as going to be a 5-piece sectional that turned into a 6-piece sectional that was modified into 2 couches. We found it to be much easier for cushions to make 2 couches rather than having an odd number of back cushions or needing pillows that will constantly move around. Although more expensive, we really like the look of using 1" wood and they are definitely sturdy enough. The table was made by basically taking the bottom part of a side piece and doubling it to make the table 48". The project was half making the pieces and half staining, and once a coat of sealant is put on, the project will turn into more time finishing than building. I would recommend for anyone to find cushions before they start to build. 24" cushions are significantly more expensive than 22" cushions. Luckily the plans are simple enough that they can be easily modified to accommodate the smaller seat size.

I needed a couple of chairs to go with the Farmhouse Table and bench I made, but it made me ill to spend more on chairs than on the table and bench! So I thought I'd give this chair a try. I figured if it didn't turn out, at least I hadn't spent much to try (around $8 because I had a scrap of plywood). Boy, did it turn out! I modified the pattern by taking 2" off the front to back measurements and the side to side measurements. I used 3 1x4s for the back, and 3/4" plywood for the seat, and I didn't add the bottom rungs because I'd like the option of putting it over the cross supports on the farmhouse table. I sanded the tar out of the plywood, because with 5 kids, upholstering these chairs would be a joke. Primed and painted in colonial red.

I was able to take the end table plan and modify it slightly to accommodate the kennal. I added the detail to the sides using a couple 2x2. The for door and rear I made a frame and then cut down some wire shelving. I think it turned out quite nice. Now the dog has a good place to sleep and I don’t have to have an ugly kennal in my great room. 

The fist project I tried was this console table. I wanted something bar-height for outside entertaining. It's not perfect, but it's still standing! :)