Community Brag Posts

West Elm Bed Knockoff

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/14/2023 - 13:00

We paired this bed frame with Nathan James upholstered headboard to replicate our favorite Airbnb we stayed at in Telluride. That bed was a $1300 from West Elm. Minus the tools, this bed came in around $500 for everything (including bedding).
Wood: Douglas Fir
Stain: American Walnut

Built from Plan(s)

Farmhouse Bed - Canadian King

Submitted by rbernier09 on Thu, 11/28/2019 - 06:39

Followed Ana’s plans to the inch and I had no issues at all everything fit like a glove. I used knotty pine for all facing boards except for the 2x4 sandwiched second from the top on both head and footboard (used spruce). I used spruce for anything that would be hidden. Glue and #10 fasteners. Instead of screwing the side rail cleats to the foot/headboard post I used 3.5 inch bolts and washers.

A Canadian King is when your dog owns your bed and allows you to sleep in it.

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Circa 1850 Bleach.
Minwax white wash pickling stain.
Old Masters Wiping Stain - Dark Walnut.
Varathane Diamond water based clear coat - Satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Flat back book racks

Submitted by Spolitte on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 20:39

These came together nicely but I definitely advocate the right tool for cutting the curves on the sides. Also, the next time we make them, and we most likely will, I will make the roomy version. The wider size will give us a little more room for a few extra books. All in all the girls are very please with them. I like that they are just above their bed to make night time reading easy and fun. Couldn't have done it without you Ana. Thanks.

Estimated Cost
10ish dollars minus paint
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We painted all the surfaces a No Voc semi gloss for easy cleaning. When it came time to add the girls names I found that a bright semi gloss with layers of corresponding glitter paint added the vivid contrast and bling that all little girls love.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Folding workbench

Submitted by mellyc_fl on Mon, 12/30/2019 - 17:42

We do not have a garage yet, so this size works great to push out of the way when not being used and pull out for a workbench and also to extend the table top for the saw.  The plans were easy to follow and easy to modify.  I added a base made of 2x4’s to make it sturdier since it will be moved across a deck vs a level floor.  I also added some boards behind the shelf to keep things from falling out the back and adjusted the height to match the table saw top.   Next up will be a router table stand to replace the camping footlocker. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Book Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/22/2016 - 11:08

I built this book rack using scrap wood and modified plans from the Full Length Plate Rack. It was a really straightforward build, and functions very well as vertical storage that takes up little space. I predrilled, screwed and glued all of the joints, vs. stapling.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of "Simplicity" country chic chalk paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

4x4 Truss Table

Submitted by BojackH on Mon, 05/02/2016 - 20:08

We needed a sturdy table but didn't want to spend a fortune buying one so decided to take a stab at building one.  Our space isn't too large but also wanted the ability to expand the table with leaves if we have a large crowd.  I built leaves by cutting notches in the horizontal leg 4x4 and then sliding in/out with 2x2's attached (see pic).

I will say it makes life a whole lot easier learning how to use Sketchup or some other design software.  That way you can visualize what it will look like, cuts you need to make especially if you will be deviating from the original post design and don't want to do math in your head (like me).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$200 for wood
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used the vinegar/ steel wool solution and then 6 coats of Minewax semi gloss polyurethene. Before applying polyurethene, I used a blow torch on the corners to make some neat burn marks.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

First Project - Farmhouse Storage Bed

Submitted by kmac1036 on Fri, 04/27/2012 - 11:55

Working on getting furniture done for my kids. Gives me something to do when they are away on visitation. New furniture from a store is too expensive right now & gives me something to work on to keep my mind off of things.

Modified to fit a Twin XL mattress.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Passion Pink latex enamel semi-glass from Sherwin Williams. top coat with polyurethane for chip/scratch resistance
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

birdsandsoap

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 13:37

Beautiful job! I love the color. I have memories of being gone for weekends on visits and coming home to a newly decorated "Rainbow Brite" bedroom and my mom assembling a waterbed for me on the kitchen floor (it was the eighties); it felt great to know that my mom was thinking about me while I was gone, your kids will not forget those things.

amercado

Wed, 05/16/2012 - 09:48

Hi!, i am new to all of this and would love to make this bed for my daughter, could you share the measurements for the twin version? thanks!

fortmac (not verified)

Sat, 06/02/2012 - 03:12

Hi, I like this bed for my son, also looking for the measurements for the twin version.Thanks

Nicole 1016

Mon, 08/27/2012 - 11:05

This is gorgeous! I would love to know how wide you made this and if you only had to adjust the headboard and footboard?

grreenbeans

Sun, 01/17/2016 - 09:17

Hi! I know this question has been posted before and replied to but, for some reason, I can't see the replies so... would anyone mind maybe sharing their converted measurements for a twin sized bed? Thank so much! This will be our first project and I'm sooo nervous!

grreenbeans

Sun, 01/17/2016 - 09:17

Hi! I know this question has been posted before and replied to but, for some reason, I can't see the replies so... would anyone mind maybe sharing their converted measurements for a twin sized bed? Thank so much! This will be our first project and I'm sooo nervous!

Firemedic

Fri, 02/05/2016 - 20:20

I made this bed in a twin. The twin mattress is 39x75. That's 21 inches narrower and 5 inches shorter than a queen. So just make the head board, foot board, and slat measurements 21 inches shorter keeping the height the same. The length is five inches shorter but to get three drawer slots the same size I made mine 75 3/4 long. ( 24 1/4 for each drawer slot).

Kind bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/16/2020 - 22:07

King bed hand made made with 1by4 pine boards

Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

My very FIRST build!! LOVE IT!!

Submitted by AmJoy37 on Sun, 02/23/2014 - 09:11

My husband is deployed and I just decided to start building, to keep my mind busy. I built this table & benches, sanded, stained it & had it in my nook in just 6 days!!! I worked on it every night when the kids went to bed. Thank you Ana White!! :) I will be using this site quite a bit to keep me busy!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Vintage pew bench alteration

Submitted by Wnolan on Mon, 03/17/2014 - 11:16

I needed additional seating for my dining room table and wanted something a little unusual. When I saw the vintage pew bench, I loved it. After looking at the plans, I determined I could alter the arm height so we could use it at our dining table. Now that we have moved, we no longer need it at our dining table, so it now sits in our entry. It has been a great multifunctional piece.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
less than $100.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Miss Mustards Seed's Milk Paint with a clear coat of wax and an antiquing glaze over that.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ana White

Tue, 03/18/2014 - 10:44

Amazing Pop of Color, Love the Bench! Is that a print or painting, may I ask where you found it?

Wnolan

Mon, 03/24/2014 - 13:25

Thanks Ana! It is a painting. I bought it in South Korea while we were living there.

I may be able to track a canvas down for you, though. You would have to get it stretched...it would be too large to ship. I have a friend who is living there now. ;-)

Kae429

Sun, 09/20/2015 - 16:44

What's the new arm height? I'm going to TRY to adapt this to a 60" bench with two drawers, and the lower arms.

Seasonal And Holiday

Christmas Tree Cup Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/04/2023 - 08:50

Hi Ana,
I just want to thank you for sharing your projects. My father is 92 years and was always a "maker." For the last three years he is living with and being cared for by my sister, but while he no longer has use of his basement workshop, he still gets up early each morning and goes to his small work area in her craft room where he does small projects like bird feeders. He had made and given away so many bird feeders that we were searching for another small project he could take on. I came across your Christmas Tree shelf. My husband cuts the pieces to size and then my dad completes the projects. He has made enough to give his six children and 10 grandchildren each one as a keepsake. Pictured is the way one of the grandchildren has recently used the shelf he was given. So thank you for being so generous with your ideas and plans!

Mary Beth Sharp

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Flag Pole Planter

I wanted a place for a flag pole, but I didn't want to put one in the ground or screw into my siding, so I modified the cedar planter to hold a flag pole. It was a fun project!  Check out more here!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40 plus flag pole
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White Exterior Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Medicine Cabinet

Submitted by beansurfin on Mon, 07/02/2012 - 18:12

I found this project on I different site (sorry) but really wanted to make it for our quest bathroom. It was not to difficult and it really helps to finish off our quest bathroom since it was missing a medicine cabinet.

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

Comments

Dining room set (with Classic Chairs made Simple)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:16

This was my first attempt at making furniture...but it turned out GREAT!  My fiance was about to buy a VERY similar dining room set for $1300 before I stopped her and insisted that I could build it myself, finish it to match our kitchen/dining room, and save a TON of money!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350 total
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Expresso Stain plus 2 coats of Minwax Polycrylic on table top and seats
Minwax Classic Black Polyshades on frame
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Table & Benches

This was my first time building a piece of furniture on my own, so it was a lot of learning and trial and error on my part. The plans were fantastic for the most part (I thought the bench plans could have used a little more specification and couldn't seem to find a pocket hole version). We completed the project over the course of a couple months, simply because we revisited it when time allowed. It could easily be done in a much shorter period. One thing I will say is this -- add a step to the plans and utilize a planer and jointer on all of the boards. I had the table put together at one point and whew, I wasn't sure what I did wrong, and I went back and had followed all the steps. While this might sound obvious now, remember it was my first time doing something like this, so I followed each step to a T. I also used a belt sander on the table and bench tops to level things out even more, and went across the grain to make a smooth surface with an 80 grit belt, then hand sanded with a sanding block with 120, 220, and 320 grit. I also modified the bench plans to cut about 5 inches off so that they would fit under the table.
We used Minwax pre-stain conditioner, then one 10 minute application of Mixwax Honey stain, followed by Mixwax Satin Poly. It turned out great and we are already moving on to other projects!

Estimated Cost
About $400 inclusive of lumber, stain, poly, and sanding.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Pre-Stain Conditioner
Mixwax Honey (10 minutes then wipe off)
Mixway Satin Poly (3 coats, sand with 600 grit after coat 1, 800 grit after coat 2).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

New coffee table & a place to rest our feet!

Submitted by Quartney on Sun, 07/08/2012 - 18:43

We needed a coffee table that we could rest our feet on comfortably while watching television (how gauche!). I altered the plans so the table is 15.5" high--just perfect for legs!

Like any project, this one had its ups and downs. I had to remake the table top twice (using the same wood), as the pieces just didn't line up right at first. And then I had had the brilliant idea to stain the bottom part gold for a pop of color in the room. Not cute. I had to paint over the stain with oil-based primer (followed by latex paint); it was worth it to get the final result!

Estimated Cost
$110 for wood and hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
SW Antique White oil-based stain on the top; SW Black Bean paint on the bottom
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse End Tables from Ana's Book!

Submitted by ksmith311 on Fri, 04/25/2014 - 10:48

I made two of these farmhouse end tables for a friend/client. She wanted them to be very light gray when painted. I went to the blue store to get some paint mixed and waited... and waited.. and waited... and couldn't find anyone for the paint section. So I eventually just mixed it myself. It does have a bit of a bluish hint to it but I think they are very pretty.

These were a fun build and probably the best drawers we have ever made but we did have to use wooden guides on the inside to be sure it will close perfectly.

I hope she loves them!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100 for two
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
light gray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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