Community Brag Posts

I love my new bed! Thanks Ana!

Submitted by elisabet3 on Wed, 11/30/2011 - 19:38

While doing some renovations on our house we gave our kids the largest bedrooms while my husband and I took the smallest. We desperately needed extra storage in the Master bedroom since not even a dresser would fit. The Queen Sized Storage Bed plans were the perfect solution and the bed looks gorgeous! More details on my blog...

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

engineer2mommaof2

Fri, 12/02/2011 - 08:26

WOW, we've been trying to find the time to complete these same plans and seeing your results make me want to put it on the top of our list. Your bed is BEAUTIFUL!!!!

But the hanging lights next to your bed and your flooring also add to the beauty. Would you mind sharing where you got these two items? Thanks!

elisabet3

Fri, 12/02/2011 - 13:28

engineer2mommaof2: Thanks for your kind words about our bed. We love it too! The lights are mercury glass pendants from Pottery Barn. Our hardwood floors are red oak that were original to our home (built in 1939). A couple months ago we sanded them down and stained them a dark walnut. The dark color is gorgeous...but pretty hard to keep clean with young kids around since they show every speck of dirt. Good luck on making your bed. Go for it! You won't regret it!

Blue Stain Pine Farmhouse Storage Bed

Submitted by martint on Thu, 10/31/2013 - 13:11

This project was inspired and guided by the plans for the

Farmhouse Storage Bed with Hinged Footboard by birdsandsoap.

The most visible parts, head and foot board, are made of beetle-killed blue stain Lodgepole pine, locally sourced and milled.

The boxes are made of 3/4" maple plywood and rest on a frame of 1 by 2's. I am still working on the 6 drawers, which will have blue stain pine fronts as well.

The bed slats between the boxes are stapled to webbing and the first and last slat are held by dowels drilled into the supporting rails to prevent the slats from sliding around.

Knock-down design - by removing the few (non-loadbearing) screws that fasten the head/foot boards to the boxes, the bed can be disassembled into manageable/movable components.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
AFM Safecoat PolyureSeal BP - Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Bunkbed

Submitted by Miles35 on Sun, 01/17/2016 - 12:17

I built this for my grandkids. It took me several weekends to complete to this point. I made a few changes from the original and still have the drawers to complete but overall its about finished.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Water based paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

CarrieLJP

Mon, 01/22/2018 - 10:41

I love how bright and vibrant you made this! It looks absolutely beautiful! I'm working on a bunk bed for my two young daughters now and I liked seeing how you tweaked the plans a bit- I'm doing something similar. Thanks for sharing!

First bed frame.

Submitted by msucharski on Tue, 06/04/2019 - 02:46

I work at a lumber yard, and this was built with "garbage" door jambs. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustolium wood stain. Kona.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Shanty Side Board and Hutch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/24/2023 - 09:05

This is the Shanty Chick Side Board and Hutch that some of my high school students chose to build. It is going to the Texas state contest in Corpus Christi next week.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

DIY KidKraft Chic Dollhouse

We're short on money this year so we decided to make our Christmas gifts for the kids. The KidKraft Chic Dollhouse is perfect for my daughter, but it's soo expensive. I used Ana's plans to make one that matches the decor in her room. This dollhouse is so sturdy, we can definitely use it as a bookshelf when she grows out of it!

Content was too heavy to post to please visit http://blog.prettyinprints.com/2011/12/diy-kidkraft-chic-dollhouse/ to see the entire thing (:

Estimated Cost
$100 with paint & floors, $60 or less without
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Antique white high gloss for the frame, pink high gloss for the roof & stairs, decoupage walls, decoupaged textured (and paintable) wallpaper from Lowe's for the floors.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

In reply to by spiceylg

Draftmen888

Fri, 12/11/2015 - 12:02

To my mind very important when out little ones so happy with their toys such as dollhouses from Kidkraft.

Agree with you - really cool job!

Emily W. (not verified)

Mon, 12/19/2011 - 07:35

I'm currently working on this dollhouse, so it's fantastic to see one that another reader has completed. Sometimes I look at what Ana has come up with and think, "Is it possible for someone else to make one that looks that awesome?"

Thanks for proving it can be done. Your dollhouse looks amazing!

As far as hiding it, I second using a neighbor's garage. I remember my brother and I scouring the entire house when we were young, looking for Mom and Dad's secret Christmas stash. Good luck keeping it hidden!

guest (not verified)

Wed, 12/21/2011 - 08:23

We are almost done making our girls house and needed some more ideas on how to finish it. Yous looks great.

Guest (not verified)

Sat, 12/31/2011 - 00:16

Made this for my daughter this Christmas. It was perfect. She loved it. I know she will get years of use out of it. Thank you so much.

JoseO1998

Tue, 07/15/2014 - 02:28

I'm building one for my niece for her birthday in August... I am about 60% done but I really love the job you did...

King size farmhouse bed

Submitted by Jeepers on Sun, 11/03/2013 - 19:25

Used cedar for the planks in the headboard and footboard

Added some common trim pieces like the rope

Built the frame as described in the Queen plans - found that a standard metal ammo can on its side is the perfect height to set up the side panels at the corners.
Used 2x4 studs for the cross slats, but set them on their side to give some added height.

Used minwax Walnut stain - really looks nice on the cedar - just one coat for the cedar

Waxed top of the footboard

Stained a small footstool using Walnut.

Kingsize version is a monster - very solid, no movement or creaking

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Wipes - Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Desktop Organizer

Built this in an afternoon with scraps left from other projects! Using it at at work on my desk. Added 1/4" plywood to base to close up drawer space. Felt strips on bottom of drawer makes the drawer slide out very nicely. 

Estimated Cost
Wood scrap project. Bought drawer pull for $2 and a paint sample from Lowe's.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar paint sample in "Prickly Pear" shade. Furniture wax over paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Cubby Shelf with hairpin legs

I built this modern cubby storage shelf by making a few modifications to the Rolling Cubby Bench plan. It's a quick project with extra bright paint to add a bit of fun. Check out all of my tips for building this fun storage bench at https://mamaneedsaproject.com/modern-toy-storage-project/ . 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint, Minwax Polyshade - Mission Oak, Pink paint - Cerise by Sherwin Williams (SW6580)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

An adaptation of the Rustic Bookshelf!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/28/2023 - 16:44

During Covid, my husband and I renovated our mountain house. After taking down a wall enclosing a staircase, we were left with awkwardly long pony wall. Originally we planned to do built in bookshelves, but then I decided the x bookshelves would look good and be a lot easier. So we customized the measurements and built them. Then I decided we really needed a bar space, so we built another x bookshelf around the measurements of an inexpensive bar fridge and voila! They look great and we get lots of compliments on both!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Easiest Chalkboard Shelf from Scraps

Submitted by carbogast on Tue, 12/13/2011 - 18:20

Chalkboard

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalkboard paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Mail bin

Submitted by Brad Wills on Tue, 11/05/2013 - 19:47

I liked the pb mail bin, but wanted to build the entire piece. Learning experience, measure twice. File folders will not fit, as the inside measurement is to small. Still turned out cool.

Estimated Cost
25.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane ash stain and light blue flat behr paint. Varathane poly to finish 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Reclaimed TV console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2016 - 10:24

Built this TV console from reclaimed pallet wood. Added some tiny hairpin legs for more of an industrial look.

Estimated Cost
$150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Hand rubbed clear wax
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Indoor Picnic table for grandchildren

Submitted by tcm9966 on Thu, 06/27/2019 - 08:09

Easy build- used Coated boards for top and seating to reduce finishing work and potential splinters . It can go outside but shouldn’t LIVE outside.

I’m a little in love.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern clock

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/07/2023 - 13:51

From a picture I found on Pinterest

Comments

Scrap wood shelves

Submitted by chelseawa on Sat, 12/17/2011 - 17:16

The kids and I worked together to make these shelves from wood I dug up in the scrap pile. I had to be creative to come up with enough wood of the right dimensions, some of the 1x4's started life as 1x6's and the front pieces are baseboard moulding. I didn't use a back piece because it seemed sturdy enough as is. I used removable velcro type hanging strips to attach them to the wall.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic Benchright Table and Bench

modified plans a bit from on the website. Went with 4 x 4 legs, matching bench. hardware I found the turnbuckles at home depot 3/8 - 16, and picked up the left handed and right handed rods and nuts at grainger.

Estimated Cost
450
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut and Minwax paste wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Planked Wood Sideboard

Submitted by eutah10 on Sun, 01/24/2016 - 07:59

Seeing your planked wood sideboard clicked for us and the cabinet we'd been looking for. We wanted rustic and I chose to make it around a plywood casing instead of using the plans due to the poor strength of the pallet wood. Most of the time was used in deconstructing and cleaning the 40+ year old pallets. Also our space called for a smaller unit. It's used as our coffee cabinet. Since I had a basic structure already in the plywood I was able to be creative in how I used the scraps of pallet wood.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Only the 3/4 plywood case, the hardware, and the paint were costs so it totalled maybe $60. De-constructing old pallets and cleaning the wood was time-consuming.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Acrillic paint. Several layers were painted on. I used different colors and painted over them partially to mimic old re-used wood. Many obvious re-used boards were prominent.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kids desk

Submitted by shruti on Wed, 04/12/2023 - 13:13

My daughter wanted a desk from a long time and this was a perfect plan!! I tweaked it a little as per our requirement and it came out be awwsome!! My daughter loves it :) Thanks Ana for the plan..

Comments

Rustic open vanity

I decided to take on the third bathroom renovation all by myself. No help from the husband. I knew that I wanted a rustic open faced vanity - so I modified some plans that I found here on Ana's site. I used the basic design of the Farmhouse Vanity and added in the spa splatting for the bottom shelf so I could add baskets to hold extra tp and towels, etc.

This was one of the easiest projects I've done and I'm so happy with how it turned out! Total time was an afternoon - and that included the staining and poly!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor Storage Box

I built this to go with my outdoor sectional. It's perfect for storing the cushions and the gardening tools that I like to keep on the porch. It doubles as a table and extra seating in a pinch, so it's a great addition to the space.

I'd recommend either spray painting it or pre-painting the pieces- I wouldn't want to try and brush between all the slats.

Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
spray painted with rustoleum 2x the coverage in ebony
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner