Community Brag Posts

Rustic lap desk

This was a fun afternoon project built almost entirely from materials I already had on hand. I finished it off with a coat of Gunstock stain by Minwax, followed by a coat of Cherry stain. I sanded a little between each coat. Next I applied a thin coat of black paint and sanded gently until the stain started to show through (and bare wood in places). Finally I applied a coat of polyurethane gloss. It took about four days to complete the finish and I made it up as I went along. Super happy with the end result. I opted not to add the side bins, but I did add an extra 2x2 on each side, mostly because the 2x2 I used for the legs was a little bowed and the exta piece ensured that they'd stay where they're supposed to.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $12. I had to buy a 1x4 and some hinges.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax stain in Gunstock and Cherry
Rustoleum Gloss Black
Minwax Polyurethane Gloss
(I already had these colors on hand)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

4x4 Truss Beam Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/11/2019 - 16:22

My husband made this beautiful kitchen table using redwood 4x4s left over from another project, and poplar for the top. With some help with the planing, it came out beautifully and matches our existing chairs. Thank you for the plans.

Built from Plan(s)

Got my confidence in building back!!!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/05/2023 - 03:45

I woke up one morning and decided this space couldn’t go on without a day bed. One week later I am standing tall. This is my first intermediate build. Excited to jump into the next project!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Playhouse Loft Bed

Submitted by sraper2 on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 18:20

Built this bed for my 5 year old for Christmas. I planned on doing it alone but luckily my husband helped because it was much easier to put everything together with 2 people. I definitely recommend the Kreg Jig if you are going to be building this bed. The lumber for the bed was $190 with a 10% military discount at Blue then about another $100 for paint, primer, sand paper, screws, and hinges for the stairs. You could probably do it for less but we sprung for the expensive self tapping screws and I got a gallon of primer and a gallon of each paint color. It took me about a month to finish the bed working but between my twin 1 year olds, my husbands schedule, and making sure I wasn't to loud in the garage (we have a duplex and the garage is right by the neighbors room) I could only work about an hour a night.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Laundry Basket Dresser with picture top

This is my take on the Laundry basket dresser. I started with the idea based on many photos I found on this site, but made some updates/improvements (well they are improvements in my mind anyway). Please view the last picture that has text for explanations of the "features" of my design.

I did some quick drawings in Sketchup, and then did some work in the workshop. I don't have exacting plans on the exact measurements, but you'd probably need to tweak for the size basket you plan to use.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Oak is finished with polyurethane. Everything else is painted with the color "guacamole" which is a sage-like color.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Bois Rouge Saint Paul bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/07/2016 - 08:43

fit the Bois Rouge Saint Paul Table

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
use coumpound joint to fill screw holes, sand flush, prime, paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

First Solo Project- Farm Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/30/2019 - 17:34

My 6 and 8 year old boys helped me build this bench because I couldn't stomach paying $200 for one with 3 little boys. It cost about $40 and it was so easy to do. We are all so proud of the end result.

Estimated Cost
40
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Premium wood stain-Kona
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Maple Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 17:24

Table was made from curly maple that was glued into 12" widths to match the panel widths of 12". Client loved the look.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Factory Cart Table

Submitted by tonihowe on Fri, 01/06/2012 - 08:47

Thank you Ana! I requested my dads name this year for Christmas. Why? He has everything! With the help of my husband & son, we took wood out of my dads old farm house that is about to fall down. The house was built over 150 years ago, and to my suprise the wood walls were beautiful tounge & grove pine. I built the base out of big box pine & stained. The old pine I sanded lightly & scrubed down with murphys oil soap. The only finish was the Austrailian oil sealer in natural. Table left my dad speachless & with a tear in his eye. You made Christmas great Ana - Thanks

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Maybe $20 for the casters - had wood for frame, repurposed wood on table top
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax old american on base, natural austrailan oil sealer on table top
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jelly Cabinet / Pie Safe

Submitted by Ctarbell03 on Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:28

My mom as always wanted a jelly cabinet and there's one for sale at a local antique barn so when I saw the plans I knew exactly what I could get her for Christmas. The plan measurement's were a little off so I ran it through Google sketch-up to get the exact cuts I'd need and to play around a little with the plans. I used chicken wire for the doors and they came out better than expected. For a finishing touch, my mom loves black bears and moose, so I decided to include them in the final design. I went with free drawing them on contact paper and cutting them out and using them as a stencil, I love how they look. Overall it was a fun project. I just need to distress it a little and seal it with poly and it should be better well done.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Just wanted to paint this piece, will be doing some sanding to distress it and then seal it with a coat or two of poly to protect the finish. The back pieces I stained first then drew the moose, bear and trees on contact paper then stuck them to the wood and painted it, let it dry, peeled off the contact paper and it came out better than I hopped.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Custom Spa-like Vanity

Submitted by BERobinson on Tue, 02/09/2016 - 07:39

chunky-leg vanity for spa-like bathroom.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
all wood was white-washed and then painted on top of. Legs were asked to be painted black, and top was asked gray. Wax finish on the legs and plank shelves, semi-gloss poly on the top to keep it waterproof.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Camp Loft Bed Modified & Modern Kids Bookcase

This build was super fun and easy.  I modified it slightly with a bottom bunk and outdoor grade slide for my two grandsons.  The room is only 10x10 so it pretty much takes up all the space, but I left a good amount of space under the bed (11”) for storage or for the dog to hide.

I attached hinges to the stairs for easy access to underneath, maybe for a hidden fort or more storage.  To gain extra support for the beds, I added angle irons to the top bunk legs and 11" 2x4s to the bottom bunks legs for the cross bars to sit on.  Both my husband and I tested, and they're not going anywhere, pretty solid.

Thanks Ana & Jared for sharing your talents with the rest of us!!  I wish I had room in my home to make every single one of your projects!

🥰,

Alexis 

 

Estimated Cost
$260 (w/slide)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Provencial
Behr Marquee in “Inked”
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/17/2023 - 07:49

Easy to make. I’m in love. Thanks for the super simple plan to follow.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Easiest Uphostered Bench - with a Skirt

We took the idea from this brag post, and changed the dimensions to fit the space in front of our window. We actually built 2 bases to ensure it would be sturdy.  We love how it turned out!  Check out our blog post for more details. 

Estimated Cost
$90 + Scraps
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
FABRIC! We didn't do anything to finish the wood- just upholstered the bench, and put a skirt around the legs. Easiest finish EVER.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Nightstand

Nightstands are expensive. I don't have money. So, I thought I would build one. I kept this one rustic looking by not filling the holes but I did sand quite a bit. Just not enough to remove the printing on the boards, I think it looks good when it's got finish on it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
15.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot Aged Leather stain ± sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

BIGGER Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/12/2016 - 11:52

Using Ana's Rustic X Coffee Table plans, I created a larger version at 60" by 33" - just as easy and perfect for my space! Thanks Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80 Canadian
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane gel stain in Weathered Grey (single coat) and Varathane Triple Thick Varnish (two coats).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse tables!!! Made from Ana's plans!!!!

Followed Ana's plan for the easy ~8 ft Farmhouse table and then I made the counter height for 4 Farmhouse table! I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modern Outdoor Chairs and Simple Seacoast Tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/22/2023 - 17:08

Great sturdy outdoor furniture to spruce up a small deck space with lots of afternoon sunlight and coastal breezes!

Comments

Diamond Tufted Headboard with Nailhead Trim and Matching Bed Frame

I used Ana's chunky leg bed frame plan with a few modifications for the bed and tutorials found online for the headboard. For more info visit my blog.

Estimated Cost
$300 (could have been cheaper but my fabric was expensive)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
upholstery
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 18:21

The whole thing is beautiful, but love that headboard, especially. I can't get into your blog. It won't work. It tells me page not found.

Guest (not verified)

Wed, 01/11/2012 - 13:51

You are very talented!

Janelle Kay (not verified)

Sat, 07/28/2012 - 18:20

Beautiful!!! You did a fantastic job on this bed!!! I am wondering how far apart you spaced the buttons?

Thanks,

Janelle

Faux Fireplace

Submitted by tammterry on Sat, 11/30/2013 - 09:53

After looking online for something to make a fireplace to hang my kids stockings, I came across Anna's! WOW her instructions and plans seemed very simple to follow and so I did. I made minor adjustments based on what I had on hand but I followed her plans to the t. Thank you Anna, you inspired me!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Some cream paint and glaze, then poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Produce bin toy box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/15/2016 - 10:51

Handmade

Estimated Cost
100ish
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments