Community Brag Posts

Double Tilt-out trash bin

Submitted by lindy19 on Wed, 10/23/2013 - 17:47

Really wanted one of these but everything I found was way too expensive so I found these plans, tweaked em a bit to fit the space I had and voila, double tilt-out trash bin. Thanks for the wonderful plans!

Estimated Cost
$50-75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

ADeboer

Sat, 05/02/2020 - 14:36

This is the exact Style I've been looking for!! I see that you made this ages ago - any chance you still have the dimension modifications you made somewhere?

Long version of flip top storage bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/07/2016 - 10:46

We are loving the way this turned out. I made it 5.5 feet long, split the top and added a divider support bar in the middle inside the top storage area. It feels super sturdy (has had our twin toddlers climbing and banging all over it without a problem!) and is getting a ton of use. Winter gear in the top, and shoes/boots in the bottom. As my first big wood-working project, it was relatively easy thanks to the instructions. Having the wood pre-cut at Lowes saved me needing the tools, but the pieces were not exact. I also found that this cost us more in materials than was listed, maybe because I bought the higher-grade pine, and we made a longer bench. I

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Base: Minwax stain in Jacobean, with clear furniture wax on top
Top: Homemade chalk paint in Valspar Posh Red, with clear furniture wax on top
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bench!

Submitted by kcav1706 on Thu, 05/02/2019 - 06:24

I used Ana's website and found the plans for this awesome and adorable bench! I placed it on my front porch at my house and it really brings a feeling of "home" to the outside! The best part about it is that I only used six 2x4s and the cost was under $18! (If I would have read the first direction about cutting the long pieces first then I could have avoided going back to Home Depot for an additional 2x4 lol) Also- if you have never done a miter cut before that has to be a precise length, make sure to cut the board longer than what the plan says and then cut the angles. I made the mistake of making a cross cut at 13" and then making the 45° angle, causing it to be too short. 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$18
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Helmsman indoor/outdoor clear mini-gloss.
I first sanded everything, stained it with Minwax "Jacobean" color, sanded it again (220 grit) then used the protective finish. I sanded it lightly once more and then reapplied another coat of the finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Laundry Cart/Storage

We used Ana's Laundry Basket Dresser plan and modified it slightly to fit our needs and our space. We made spaces for two laundry baskets, plus a shelf for laundry supplies and a bigger top for ironing/folding. We also attached casters to the bottom so we can wheel it around wherever we want!

See more pictures on our website strawbridgestuff.com

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-gloss white spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

cathryn j (not verified)

Fri, 11/11/2011 - 09:31

I have been eying this plan and you have given me a great idea on how to modify the dresser plan to fit my area. Looks great!

Queen Farmhouse Bed - First of many

Submitted by bclute on Sat, 10/26/2013 - 11:41

This was my first project, and I am happy with the way it turned out. My inspiration came from the bed on the home page. It took many trips to blue and orange stores but now I have the tools I need for the next project. The cost of the project was a little higher than most of the brag posts, because I didn't use any scrap wood and had to buy a sander. If I built it again I could do it for about $100. Same with the time, this project took a lot longer than most because I put 4 coats of paint and did a lot of thinking/planning/football game breaks.

I followed the plans for about 90% of the project. The only modifications I made were on the side rails. I used a smaller board because my mattress has two pads and it was very thick. I went with the smaller side rail so I was able to still keep the storage space under the bed. Also I used joist hangers for the frame. If I were to do it over I would do the same thing, but use more 2x4's instead of the 2x6's. This would have given me even more storage space under the bed.

All in all, very happy with the project and can't wait to use the leftovers to build a twin version and brave the farmhouse table. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$175 - $200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I overdid the paint, and in the end didn't need to. I painted two coats of primer, two coats of semi gloss Valspar Allen Roth Great White Way. I hated the finish, because it was too shiny and you could see every brush stroke and mistake. I ended up sanding over the finish and distressing it and it made it ten times better. Distressed with orbital sander, hand sander and screw driver between the joints.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Vegetable Bin Cupboard

My husband's and my first Ana White build. Made it for my mom for Mother's Day 2015. She loved it and I absolutely loved how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Writing Desk

I built this as a Mother’s Day present. There were a few hiccups (i.e. the cut list doesn’t include the drawer face which I didn’t know while shopping), but the plans were great and most of the project went smoothly. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

BABY/DOG GATE

Well with a new addition to family it was time to start baby proofing the house. With some help from the wife we decided to build a dual purpose door to keep babies out and dogs in. After looking all over the internet this is what we found. I hope you like it. sorry about the photo being so dark..

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
antique white paint and kona stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

L shaped loft beds

Submitted by AbiCurrie on Wed, 01/13/2016 - 00:49

We have 12 foot studs in our house so I wanted to make use of the height of our ceiling to provide more space on the floor for the boys to play! With two boys sharing a room, the beds were going to take up a lot of valuable floor space. I found the bunk bed plans in Ana's book and decided to modify them to make loft beds. We had to do two so decided on an L shape so we could fit them into the room! Once we made the first bed we decided we should put only one set of stairs in to save space. The safest way we could think to do this was to place the stairs against the wall so the boys were less likely to fall. The stairs double as book shelves. The coloured rope was an added safety feature we thought up and gives me peace of mind! This was a fun, relatively easy build for two non-builders making their first big project. I bought a Kreg pocket hole jig for this project and it was a life saver. I can't imagine doing this build with out it!!! We completed it in about two to three days while my brother was down on holiday. It was fun and good brother sister bonding time! I am about to embark on phase two of the boys room, this time by myself , adding a storage dresser under one bed. I will modify Ana's laundry dresser plans to fit some plastic storage boxes. Then a day bed/sofa under the other bed using Ana's Alaska cabins day beds plan and finally (if I'm still standing) a shorter version of the craft table for the middle of the room! That's my year planned! Hope you enjoy the pictures, the beds are so big and high it's very hard to get a good photo. 

Estimated Cost
$300-400 NZD
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dulux - White paint matte finish. I painted all the wood before assembly, I highly recommend this. It needs another coat post build but I can confess I haven't gotten around to it yet!!!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse King bed headboard, frame and platform

I followed most of the farmhouse plans for the headboard and footboard.  Adjustments were made for the size of our mattress being 80x77 here in Canada.  Also the primary reason for building a bed was to get away from boxsprings as I am am just too sensitive with previous back injuries to they 'not so flat' feel.  Because of this I somewhat designed a slat system based on our mattress' guidelines for maximum gap between slats.  I framed a simple setup just 3/4" below the side rails so the slats would be flush with it.  Also our floor is not flat (yikes) so the side rail is not the same measurement from end to end it is instead done using a level (out 1/4" over about 7 feet).

 

 

Estimated Cost
Cost was actually near $500 here in Canada. Lumber in about $240 and I did not have any wasteful cuts. I did not have all of the screws, brad nails, glue and so on so the greater cost was paint plus hardware which was a shock. I do have plenty left over for future projects though. Still happy though as the bed would be far more new and I know its not made form mdf with a veneer. A week in and very happy still with everything.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We ended up painting primarily because of the Cedar/Spruce contrast. The Cedar was primed then 2 coats of white. The Spruce was all done in 2 coats of white with about 8 hours between coats. We definitely cheated construction and started 4 hours after the last coat, which I wouldn't advise even though we didn't have issues. It was a risk because of a time crunch.

Behr No 7900 Alkyd Satin Enamel
Kilz Premium Primer/Sealer and stain blocker for the cedar
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

I can’t believe I did this! Thanks Ana!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/17/2023 - 11:21

My first “real” build! I’m thrilled with how it turned out! Thanks Anna for giving me the confidence to give it a try.

Comments

learning tower

Submitted by clamoss on Wed, 10/30/2013 - 23:02

Thanks for the plans. I'm a novice at best, but this was an easy, well designed project. Our boy is going to get a ton of mileage out of this!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Quilt Rack

Submitted by mtairymd on Sun, 01/17/2016 - 11:04

Build Instructions: http://www.instructables.com/id/Quilt-Rack/

This is a nice little project that can be made in an afternoon. The simple design allows for easy construction with only a few basic tools. All joints are interference fit with glue added for extra strength.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Optional
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My wife built a bed.

Submitted by AKMan279 on Sun, 06/02/2019 - 20:45

We looked for a simple plan for a bed and found this one on Ana’s site.  Easy to build in a weekend.

Estimated Cost
$140 with all lumber and stain.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Poly stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Full Size Simple Bed with Arch

Submitted by jalfieri on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:14

I'm building new beds for my daughters for Christmas. My oldest wants a bigger bed, so she's getting the full size simple bed. My baby bear needs a little more space in her room, so she gets the loft bed. The loft bed is finished but no pic's yet, as I can't assemble it till Christmas. For the full bed, I combined the Simple Full Bed with the Simple Bed with Arch. It's not quite finished yet, but here is a picture of the headboard. I'll add more pics when I'm done. I want to thank Ana for the hard work she puts into this website. To go out and buy similar beds to the ones I'm building would have probably cost me a couple thousand dollars, and would have been made of flake board. Because of Ana's plans, both my children will sleep on good quality, solid wood furniture for under five hundred dollars. Thanx Ana!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Plus Ultra
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Small Rolling Kitchen Island Rustic X

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/19/2016 - 15:43

This was my husband's first furniture build and he really enjoyed it. The whole project took about three or four hours to build. He changed the top to a plank style with Douglas fir pine planks which I then beat up with a hammer and a screwdriver to look old. The top was then stained with five layers of Minwax Ipswich Pine and sealed with two coats of satin polyurethane. The base of the island was chalk painted, then distressed. I then took the Minwax furniture stain and wiped it on over the chalk paint and immediately wiped it off to age it and darken the chalk paint. I then sealed it with Rustoleum Chalked Matte Clear. We love our new kitchen island and it really fits in with our little cottage!

Estimated Cost
$75-$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalk paint, Minwax Ipswich Pine
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner