Community Brag Posts

Hanging Loft Bed

We decided to make loft beds for our girls room to offer them more space and also give them some individual room. The old room had daybeds that just took up so much of the room.

I saw the hanging beds on this site and thought they would be great. So I got to work.. I used 1x4 s for the platform to lighten the weight of the bed. I had to customize the sizes a bit but that wasn't a big deal. I used the Kreg jig to joint the 2x4s as well as on the rail posts. They are attached below the platform to the front 2x4. We also used chain rather than rope as chain doesn't give.

We are really pleased with the results. The girls love them. Each has their own desk space now, they shared one before, and their own storage space.

Cost us with all wood, supplies, hardware, paint, about $150-175

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse table - Grey legs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/28/2016 - 13:06

Made exactly to the plans with the exception of the middle 2x4 between the legs. I used 1/2" threaded rod, some steel rings welded to the rod, and a double sided clevis to make the connection in the middle. 

Estimated Cost
~$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

KIDS WORK BENCH

Submitted by kwildman on Thu, 11/21/2019 - 15:54

This is a kids work bench that I saw on pinterest.  I couldn't find plans anywhere so I just winged it.  If anyone knows who I should give credit to, I would be happy to do that.

This is made from pine studs.  The dimensions are 24" wide x 42.5" back height, 19.75 bench height, 19" deep.  The peg board is 24" x 18".

I used Early American stain with dark wax finish.   I painted the peg board with Rustoleum Navy spray paint.

I used a plan from Jen WoodHouse for the red tool box.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Minwax Early American Stain with Minwax Dark Wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bunk beds for 18" dolls

Submitted by petera on Thu, 01/09/2014 - 07:53

These bunk beds are a big hit for daughters, nieces, granddaughters, and even full grown kids. After making a few as gifts, I decided to make three at once and cover several birthday parties at once.

The plans were very well done and I just followed along. Worked great!

Thanks for the plans!

Peter

p.s. I put that these take more than 20 hrs, because there's a lot of gluing and waiting time while doing the guard rails.

p.s.s. An old pillowcase is the perfect size for material for the mattresses.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

First Father-Daughter Woodworking Project

Finally having a house meant that we could finally have family over for holidays, parties, etc. The problem was that we didn't have a table large enough to accommodate more than 4 people comfortably. When I saw the plans on here, I knew it would be the perfect fit for our home which is turning out to be a little bit rustic, a little industrial and very eclectic. While my dad has done some woodworking projects, they have mostly been easy shelves or home construction, nothing like this project. We built the table and built the matching 8ft bench out of approx. $95 of construction pine lumber. We changed the table lumbar from 4-2x10s to 8-2x6s (cut down to 5" width for cleaner edges). My dad did most the construction and I completed the finish. I sanded to 220 grit. We used SamaN Water-based stain in Black (I love that stuff, so easy to use and re-wets so I didn't have any lap marks, although it did wipe off some when I applied the poly) and ZAR Ultra Max waterborne oil-modified polyurethane. The grain raised even more after I laid on the poly. I love how the pine created a reverse grain and has such great texture. We made some modifications, one being that we did not attach the table top to the base. Instead, we added some wood to the bottom of the table to brace against the brace and legs. The table top is so heavy that is never moves and will make it easy to move since together, the table and brace are too heavy for 2 people to lift. Some of the things we learned: always double check the measurements (the base braces were about 1.5" to tall), if at all possible, create a jig to keep the leg pieces square, be careful assembling the base (we cracked one of the braces), and let poly cure for at least 24 hrs even if none of the literature mentions it. If we had the equipment, we would have loved to use a planer and a joiner, but even so, I think it came out awesome. It only took 40 years, but I think that our first father-daughter woodworking project has been a great success. Can't wait to work on our next project!! Thanks Ana-White & Shanty 2 Chic for some great plans!

Estimated Cost
$95 for lumber + $55 for materials (screws, stain, poly, etc) = $150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sand with 220 grit (for table and bench tops, I raised the grain before knocking it down with the 220 grit), stained with SamaN water-based stain in Black (my lumber came from 2 different stores, the 2x6s came from a local lumber yard which took the stain better than the other lumber picked up from Home Depot, so the Home Depot lumbar all got 2 coats of stain. Poly'd with ZAR Ultra Max Waterbourne oil-modified polyurethane with 2 coats (although I will probably add more coats in the future). I sanded with 400 grit between coats although I don't think I needed to. I used the brush-on instead of wipe-on and so it was not the easiest to use, but I've heard it could have been a lot worse. Definitely let the poly cure for 24 hrs at least even when your literature does not indicate anything.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Christmas tree alteration

Submitted by bbhughey on Mon, 11/25/2019 - 18:14

My wife and I loved the original plan, but we needed the shelves to be wider.

So, I adjusted the plan to taper like a tree.

I used plywood and my wife painted it up.

The dimensions changed to 9 inches between shelves. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Storage Coffee Table with Lift Top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/01/2023 - 15:04

I wanted my top to be a lift top, so I used 1x3's adding breadboard ends. I ordered the lifts from Amazon. I applied a single coat of stain and then sanded it down to give it a more rustic look before applying a satin poly coat.

A. Henry

Comments

Mini Laundry Basket Dresser

Submitted by kendaves on Tue, 03/20/2012 - 19:39

This is a mini version of the Laundry Basket Dresser that fits 2 baskets instead of 3. VERY easy to do!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100 (w/ a lot of left over lumber to do another project)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic Console Table

Submitted by jennpenney on Fri, 01/10/2014 - 14:16

Thanks Ana White for creating such great plans! This was my first furniture build and I must say I am so happy I did it! Our living and kitchen area are now complete (finished mine just in time for Christmas) which was a life saver! This table can hold a lot of decor and cookies!!

Have yet to get the hardware spray painted and attached - but even with out it looks amazing (already have been asked by 4 friends when I can build them one). We decided to go with Grey Stain and a satin poly.

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

Cabin Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/02/2016 - 07:53

Changed the scale of the front panel and the window trim slightly.  Added window boxes for a drink, toys and book storage.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Interior paint and primer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Console Table

Submitted by LatvianGal on Sun, 12/01/2019 - 18:31

This was my first furniture build, and my 20 year old daughter did it with me! We made some rookie mistakes, but we love it!  Super excited to make some matching end tables and or coffee table!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$85
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We whitewashed the bottom and stained the top with Minwax Red Mahogany.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Tall Loft

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/06/2023 - 13:55

We just finished building this room and decided to finish it off with Ana's loft bed. It's mounted at height of 6 feet in order to accommodate our 18 year old.

Renae Gilford

 

Chunky Leg Bed

Submitted by Delilah on Fri, 03/23/2012 - 19:19

We made this in king size, and used a 2x4 instead of a 2x6 for the center so the mattress would sit a little lower. We also built the legs around 2 1x6 blocks each instead of one.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax natural and two coats of satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toy Box

Submitted by LARMO on Sun, 01/12/2014 - 10:23

Toy box plan from sunset magazine and letters from elentology.com for name letters. I traced the letters from printer paper onto the back rest using a pen, painted the letters and traced with a black painter pen.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Goss latex, craft paint for letters, craft paint pen for outline
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Xcoffee table

Submitted by GingerRae on Mon, 04/04/2016 - 16:12

My husbands second build and it turned out AMAZING! The plans were great!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain, off white semi gloss by glidden and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Wood star

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/10/2019 - 17:53

First project in my back porch turned into a makeshift wood shop

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Non yet , still going tru options
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Whitney's Farmhouse Side Table

Last summer I made two of these side tables. They turned out to be adorable little night stands with baskets for storage. These were modified from Ana's Farmhouse Bedside Table plan, changing it to two large shelves and sized to fit the space. It was a very fun and quick build that cost around $40 for the pair.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Lots of Sanding
Minwax Walnut Gel Stain
2-3 coats of poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Planked wood sideboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/07/2016 - 10:45

This sideboard buffet took me several months to complete mostly because I have little kids and had to have my husband home to give me the time I needed! The hardware and paint was the most expensive piece. I first stained it with kona stain then painted it with ASCP in Provence. I still need to put the wire mesh in doors but I'm still searching for options:-) This was my first project with drawers and it was not easy!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Kona stain
Annie Sloan chalk paint in Provence
Clear wax to bottom
Polyacryllic to top
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Custom cornhole

Submitted by mandee on Sun, 12/15/2019 - 15:21

I made this custom cornhole game for my brother for Christmas. I drew the Texans logo freehand as well as the “M”.  

Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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