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

Plant Stand or Side Table

Submitted by mtairymd on Sun, 01/17/2016 - 11:08

This project was made with two 2x4s and two solid wood round discs. Although it’s hard to see in the photos, the pillar has a unique shape due to the v-notched 2x4s. This design is very sturdy and should hold about anything you would like to place on it.  See Link for full build Instructions:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Side-Table-or-Plant-Stand-Made-From-2x4…

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

Awesome Adirondack chairs!

Submitted by Naboo on Mon, 06/03/2019 - 07:45

Thanks for sharing. Added a smal table to match!

Estimated Cost
$125 a chair for cedar
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Deck sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Raised Wood Planters by Urban Wood Solutions

Planters build by Urban Wood Solutions

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

Grandy Sliding Door Console

This was my favorite project I have made so far! And was a challenge to get the hardware just so. But I highly recommended giving it a try!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Custom blue paint, with early american stain to age paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Dresser with changing table top for nursery

Submitted by mjolgren on Thu, 06/13/2019 - 06:44

I used the Kendal extra wide dresser plans which were super easy to follow for this project. I wanted to add some of my own touches so I made the drawers with box joints, my first attempt at this. I also changed the drawer fronts and added my own scalloping at the bottom. The changing table frame on the top of the dresser was also added which is removable once we are out of diaper changing! I am using half moon aged brass pulls for the drawers once delivered. Overall I am happy with the way this turned out.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400-500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Flat white furniture paint, sanded and coated with water based poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Sweet Pea Bunk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/27/2023 - 10:54

This was fun project! Changed up a couple of things, but am very proud of myself. I can't wait to see what my Grandkids think :)

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

A Work in progress

Submitted by 914934 on Thu, 01/21/2016 - 10:10

We haven't had a chance to hang the first bed but had to make it functional asap. So, we gave it temporary legs on the front and attached it to the wall in the back. We are thinking of replacing the desk and making a smaller toddler sized version there for one of our little guys as well.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primed with kilz, painted with Wet Sand (leftover paint from walls)
We've got a lot of little ones with crayons around here. We've got to have something washable!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Outdoor Chair & Love Seat

Submitted by Wilsjac1 on Wed, 06/26/2019 - 13:59

After building the first chair I decided I did not like the sizing, it felt like the arms were to low and the back cushion really did not have any support so I modified the chairs a bit and rebuilt the chair and also made a matching loveseat. 

I also decided to reverse the arms so the 2×6’s are on the outside instead of the inside, Originally I did this by mistake but I decided to keep it that way because it helped hold my cushion in place and I like it better that way. But most people I have asked say they prefer the arms the original way that Ana-White had them though.

I ended up making the legs 3" inches longer to raise the height. 

I made the side slats and the armrests 3" shorter to reduce the depth to make my cushions fit better

For the love seat the only thing I had to change was I made the back slats the front slats and the seat slats 48" and I added in a 2x4 for support under the seat slats that attached from the front slat to the back slats.

Overall I love the way they came out very sturdy and we use them everyday! 

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded all of the 2x4's and 2x6's with 80 grit & 220 grit, I then used minwax primer before applying the stain, I used the color "Honey"
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse potting bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/06/2023 - 23:12

Had so much fun building this project for my moms birthday present.

Built from Plan(s)

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

Simple bench for outdoor patio or deck

Submitted by ScottG on Sat, 01/23/2016 - 23:44

Built two simple deck benches from plans found on this site.

Estimated Cost
About $40 for each bench. That includes the price of the wood and stains used.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Used Minwax water-based stain for the gray color and Minwax oil-based stains for the other colors. Will add a couple of coats of outdoor urathane once benches are moved outdoors. Base for the bench was built first using the 2x3 studs. Once that was complete, I built a frame using the 1x4 pine and then cut the pieces for inside of the frame to correct length. Then stained all of the pieces. The pieces are joined to the frame using pocket holes and the frame with pieces attached is joined to the base also using pocket holes. In this way, no screw holes are showing on top surface.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Moses Basket Stand

Submitted by Tbacks on Sun, 07/07/2019 - 19:34

Thank you Anna!!  We have friends who are adopting and they were given a beautiful mosses basket.  Your pattern allowed me to make this gift for them.  

The rockers were a bit complicated but I pulled it off.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$85
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Natural with semigloss clear coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

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