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The Penrose stairs, also known as the impossible staircase, is a two-dimensional depiction of a staircase in which the stairs make four 90-degree turns as they ascend or descend yet form a continuous loop. Although the staircase is conceptually impossible, it does interfere with your perception since it looks like a person could climb forever and never get any higher.

Watching the video is the easiest way to see how it works. I’ve included a drawing which is linked in the video description.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAAZBhA8Pfc

See my Youtube woodworking channel for additional projects

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcLIJdluqiyiI7J9qp5VAXrALMOftr0RT

This was my first BIG project that I have ever attempted.  Would I do it again?  Probably not, it definitely was a "bite off more than you can chew" situation.  Many adjustments had to be made to fit our needs, however it turned out wonderful and I am happy with the results.

I tweaked the plans for the folowing reasons:

• Twin XL mattresses - I wanted something thick and soft, as well as supportive.  I was able to find memory foam twin xl mattresses (thank you amazon) and they delivered right to my door.  This was the first factor in changing around all the measurements (to fit the mattresses).
• L shaped couch - The husband wanted an L shaped couch.  I wanted two identical couches, since it seemed a lot more simple to do this.  I lost that battle, perhaps I gave in to the notion that I could take on the added challenge.

The framing was easy as pie.  We opted to not do the storage concept- we have enough as it is.  We bought fabric online from a fabric wholesaler based out of Chicago (found them on Amazon).  This was probably the most costly out of everything, and with two cats and a dog I deeply regret going with blue-grey canvas.  It looks great, but shows stains very easily.

The padding was relatively simple to do.  I should have done more than just one layer, since it seems pretty hard on the corners and edges.  Again no big deal, I don't lay on the arm or backing.

For the pillow cases and mattress covers, we found a woman who sews in her spare time to make zipper cushions, so we could easily take the cushions on/off to clean them.  This was a little pricey, and I wish I could sew, but sadly I do not have the patience (or sewing machine for that matter).

Stapling the fabric and assembling the couch together... oh what a nightmare and test of patience that all was!  Again since I caved on the L shaped approach, I wanted an arm rest for the "chaise" portion of the couch.  Seemed pretty simple and straight forward, right?  NOPE!  I had to strategically assemble and staple the fabric, so the last part to staple down wasn't in a visible area.  And to top it all off, the framing was too large to just assemble in the garage and bring inside.  Assembled, this five thousand pound monster couldn't even fit through my doorway!  So assembling it all together, and uphostering was done in the living room.  I must say that this is the most solid (and heavy piece of furniture) that I have ever encountered.  If a tornado came ripping through my neighborhood I would probably try to find refuge and hold on to the couch- I can barely move it, it's so heavy.

It was so much fun doing this project.  The fabric portion was a challenge to say the least.  It was a fabric rubix cube, but we got through it with patience and planning.

Cute farmhouse x style night stand with hidden storage.

I took the building ideas from Ana's shelf but made mine a lot bigger so that it snaked up the wall as boxes.
It was a really easy project to do - the most complicated parts were measuring out exactly where to make the cuts and keeping them straight with the jigsaw.
I attached my shelf to the wall using keyhole hangers rather than L brackets as suggested, as I wanted floating shelves where you can't see the hanging hardware.
Have a look at my blog for photos of the hanging hardware and more photos of the shelf.

This bed frame was my first project. There are some mistakes, but overall, I love the way it turned out. I combined two plans: "Mom's fancy farmhouse bedframe" and the storage bed.

I love the look of wood and would have loved to stain this project. However, this project was painted due to the fact that I repurposed Ikea bookshelves for the two side pieces. The pieces I built were the headboard, bottom storage bench, and the drawers. 

There are a couple of things I learned during this project. 

1. Measure, remeasure and if you're building pieces like drawers to fit your frame, measure just one more time. I did not plan to frame the bottom storage box I built, so when I made measurements for my drawers, it was for the frameless box. I, however, changed my mind and ended up framing the box and cutting the drawers. I put them together and checked to see if they fit and ooops.....they don't because I added frames. So, lessoned learned was to double check before I make cuts especially since I made measurements at the beginning of my project. 

    1A. I also ended up going off the measurements for the "farmhouse bed frame" for the headboard and didn't match my calculations for the storage bed frame to match. So, the headboard ended up being wider than intended and it sticks out. I did not end up rebuilding the headboard or the bedframe since I thought it would be too much work.

2. Making drawers did not agree with me. I seriously had to redo my first drawer four times due to my mismeasuring or calculating. After everything clicked, the rest of the drawers were a breeze.

3. The drawers I made with 1/2 plywood. Looking back, I would have made them with 3/4 plywood. I also would have made the drawers shorter so I could have built the faces of the drawers using Ana-white's drawer face plans (they seem so much easier!).

4. The drawer faces were made with 45 degree cuts to add more interest vs the straight pieces of wood. I'll admit, this was my husband's idea and I LOVE it. However, getting the pieces just right weren't the easiest thing (and they aren't perfect, but it's our first project and it's good enough). It made painting the bevel a little more difficult too.  So, if I were to do this again, I would have made the drawers shorter, used 1/2 ply for the face and glue the frame on the 1/2 ply to attach to the drawer.

5. The finishing part took the longest. I used Glidden semi-gloss white paint off the shelf. I actually used old paint that the previous owner of my house left. I would NOT use old paint again. The paint must have been at least 3 years old and I thought I mixed it well, but it seems like there's some yellow in the paint. I'm guessing I didn't mix it well enough.

This build was my 5th build and turned out pretty good. I used weathered oak for the base and early american for the top. I will be building a few farmhouse benches to go along each side, and then pick up some oak chairs to refinish for the ends. Total cost for table was probably around $110, since I had polyurethane on hand, and it took me a couple weekends to build. Love how it turned out, very stable table!.

My Kid loved his new bed, I made an extra storage for his toys in the space under the bed so he can play.

My wife wanted her own little office and we needed to free up our spare bedroom. So we decided to use the walk in closet underneath the stair case. We attached cable and hardware to the desk and ceiling to give it some added character. We spray painted the hardware black with hammered paint. I went to Home Depot to the discount wood section and found wood that had worm holes in it! Given I already had the hardware and cable this project only cost me $10.

Made this frame for a mirror and intended to use an existing mirror and break into 2 equal sizes to make two framed mirrors.

Broke the mirror though after making the frame (learnt my lesson there!) and the only mirror glass I could buy would not fit this frame.

Decided rather than waste the frame to make a chalkboard for the kitchen.

Finished in new Minwax Classic Grey and two coats of Minwax Wipe on Satin Poly.

Built the bench first and even made a 7 foot bench for the barn then decided to try making chairs and having my husband paint them!

I made one of these for my dining room table and my family liked it so much I made 2 more. The last one I made from a live edge piece of black locust and made the base out of black limba. The second one my daughter wanted a little wider so I used a 1X10 instead of a 1X8. A lot of fun to make and everyone really likes them.

We love this table! We didn't want to have to deal with food getting into the cracks, so we used a solid top instead and we love the way it turned out.

Now we just have to get some new "matching" chairs and we're all set!

For about a year after I found Ana's site and seen her farmhouse bed plans I finally got the courage to tackle it. It took me only four days to build and finish. But about a week later it was put together in our room. I still get excited when I lay in it at night that I built it myself. With the plans Ana gives makes it super simple!! I chose not to go crazy with the sanding because I like the rustic look!! :)

Here's a table I just finished for a friend of mine.  I altered the triple pedestal table by making it 96" vs 106" and I only did 2 legs vs 3.  I used 2x6 for the table top which gave it the strength to span the 2 legs.  We used a Kona Rustoleum stain, then minwax pickleing stain for the white wash effect, then stain over the top of that.  5 coats of clear matte polyacrylic finish.  

A friend of mine approached me about building something for a silent auction to benefit the Austin Boxer Rescue. After raiding my scrap pile, I found I had everything I needed to build the Kids Surfer Table and Bench Seats. I have to admit the double bevel scared me at first, and I considered ditching it and just building straight legs. I'm really glad I didn't! The splay legs look so cute, and are super solid. Plus it gives the set the added "oomph" of home made to Hand-Built and Awesome. I decided to stain the three center slats instead of white paint, and used Behr's Mermaid Treasure on the legs. The hibiscus and "surfer dude" sayings are from a can of oops! coral paint that I outlined with a fine-tipped Sharpie. I can't be happier with this little set, and am so excited to deliver it! I'm hoping one lucky kid gets to take this set home while saving a few pups in the process.

A few last thoughts, the stools are great as-is, but the surfer table would make a great bench or coffee table. Only the paint sets it aside as a "kids surfer table", the shape and slats lend a great cottage feel.

I made this shed in our backyard for my fiancée. We have a smaller house and not much room, so I thought I'd give him a place of his own to store his beer brewing supplies. I added a lot of personal touches, including shelves, a bottle cap wind chime, and a dart board which led to my brother dubbing it the worlds smallest man cave. Overall it has been a tremendous hit! Thank you!

This was our first bigger project. The plan was really really helpful. We made some custom changes to make the bed higher and added some other customizations. Overall, it was a great success and our daughter really loves it. It was all worth it! :)