Community Brag Posts

Lydia Daybed

I built the Lydia Daybed for my nephew's new big boy bed. Was a little worried about doing the fancy decorative corner pieces, but just adapted the design a little so it was not such an intricate cut. Everything turned out great and there are a few more pictures on the blog, www.atouchofarkansas.com. Thanks! JM

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
160.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted it black
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

PotteryBarn Benchwright Console TAble

Great Plans for this project from Ana-White. Took about 1 day to fabricate, 1 day to sand/prep, and 1 day for stain. I used Espresso Stain finish (two coats), and knobs from Home Depot. Kreg Jig used for most all joints, including the breadboard top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$160
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax "Espresso" Stain. Two coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor sectional couch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/16/2017 - 07:33

Thanks Ana for the plans, we love our new outdoor sectional. I was able to find Redwood for my project I think it gives it a lot of character. I have an idea to make a chair similar to this. 

Estimated Cost
$800 for the whole thing
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Preservation Wood oil stain and sealer. Clear
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modern farmhouse bed and nightstands

Submitted by Markb25 on Thu, 03/18/2021 - 00:59

Having recently moved house our current bed was too big to fit so, I took a break from building Wendy houses to build this. The size of the room meant the nightstands couldn't be built as per the plan. Not wanting to alter the size of wood used, I opted to do away with the draw instead installing a solid base with a flip down front.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Homemade, a solution of white vinegar and steel wool to force oxidation of the wood, followed by rustolium clear wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My coat tree build

Such a great, simple project! Thanks for the plans Ana! I'm doing my best to send people your way via my blog, iliketomakestuff.com

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
High Gloss Spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

yurra-bazain

Tue, 03/12/2013 - 22:56

I made Ana's coat tree recently as well, but I painted mine white. I love that high gloss red that you used! It turns your coat tree into an accent piece. :)

Brothers media wall

Submitted by DIYJosh62 on Sun, 01/18/2015 - 13:13

My brother saw me making a bunch of stuff at my house and begged me To do something with his basement TV room. So after talking with him and seeing what Ana had to offer i settled on the smith media wall collection. I loved he way it turned out and I have happy brother to boot. I modified the plans to fit his bigger TV. 

Estimated Cost
$550 for the total project.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum stain. Kona
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sofa table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/18/2017 - 19:31

This was so much easier then I thought it was going to be. 

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

Garden planters

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/23/2021 - 08:36

Great project to try and as you can see they turned out quite well

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Once assembled just use a course P80 sandpaper, then finish with finish with fine P120 sandpaper
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dollhouse Bookcase

Submitted by sraper2 on Wed, 03/13/2013 - 18:33

This bookcase was really easy to make and provides tons of storage! I am doing my girls playroom in blue, purple, and pink so I painted one room each color and also modge podged matching scrapbook paper into 3 of the rooms.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toy Chest

Submitted by brittanyj on Wed, 01/21/2015 - 08:31

Made this toy chest for my niece this Christmas.  Pretty easy build.  Used some leftover wood and plywood for the top to cut down on cost.  Instead of edge banding, I used some screen moulding.  The wooden owls were purchased from Hobby Lobby and glued on to match her room, as well as the "C" on top.  Cutouts routered on both front and sides to better protect fingers, and for looks. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
walnut stain, poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Marine Ply Stools and Benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/21/2017 - 15:31

I have been working on using my cad skills to make somthing using a CNC router so this is what I came up with. I designed it a a flat pack with minimal assembly. Very comfortable.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and Varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Outdoor patio sectional

My husband built this sectional from Ana's outdoor seating plans. Overall, it was a simple and easy project for our spring break. The paint is Glidden's Water Chestnut all cushions are from Garden Ridge. We love it!

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Glidden's Water Chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cottage Bench Turned Laundry Hamper

This bench was the perfect size for a long wall in our bathroom!  My husband added a solid front panel and used peg board to create a vented back panel.  Then he made the seat hinged.  Now we have a great bench that doubles as a laundry hamper with two compartments.  I absolutely love it!

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor Sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/23/2017 - 15:02

Modifed slightly to make a sectional.  Used extra cushion for an Ottoman.  Added an additional board behind/beside cushions to hold them firmly in place. (2x2)
Purchased 9' boards instead from our lumberyard.  Cushions from Lowe's, throw pillows from WalMart/Canadian Tire. 
 

Estimated Cost
Approx. $700

Cushions from Lowes (7 sets at $80)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut / Old Master's Dark Walnut Gel Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Reclaimed Wood Couch Shelf

We were finding the wall behind our couch difficult to decorate. The couch is nine feet long, so everything we put up lacked the scale the couch demanded. I decided to build a reclaimed wood shelf to go behind the couch. The shelf is 6.25 inches deep, so is perfect for displaying items without losing space in the living room.

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Kona and sealed with Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kitchen Island - minus the drawers

Submitted by bensona on Tue, 01/27/2015 - 12:41

Found this plans for the Gaby kitchen island and fell in love. So, I decided to try my handy work at it one weekend.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot water-based stain Paprika. Shellac sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Blanket Ladder

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/26/2017 - 12:01

Used 2x6 boards on the outside to give it a bit more depth, mounted the rungs at a 45 degree angle and used a pocket hole jig so no screws show. Height is 5' and left a bit more room on the bottom so I could cut it shorter if I ever move. Sanded it down and applied stain and a polyurethane coat to finish and protect.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sawhorse Desk

I love this desk! My husband loves it too. He was surprised to come home from work one day and find it sitting in the office. Cutting the notches for the shelves was tricky. I bought the cheapest jigsaw from Home Depot, which would have been ok had I bought a decent blade to go with it. The blade it came with was terrible, but after much trial and error, and power sanding, it all worked out. I'm really happy with the finish. In person, it looks like the pit of an avocado, which is exactly what I was hoping for.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Mixed my own. Watco Danish Oil in natural, Watco Danish Oil in dark walnut, and General Fishes Gel Stain in brown mahogany, mixed together. I just started a blog and wrote the details there.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Thu, 03/21/2013 - 05:45

Very nice build. Love the finish and everything is staged so pretty!

jackiemacrae

Tue, 12/03/2013 - 16:08

Beautiful! I must ask, did you diy the map? It's gorgeous and matches so well

Rustic hall tree-bench

I built this in a weekend. I used the Kreg pocket hole jig to build frame and also secure back panels to side rails. The bench is 4' wide and almost 6' tall. I put the coat hooks on either side of the top rails.

Estimated Cost
$140.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Flat white covered w/ semi gloss urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments