Community Brag Posts

Dog Crate (modified)

Submitted by ransom511 on Thu, 03/08/2012 - 13:52

Had to have this one. I made this almost to the exact plans, but shortened it 2" in order to accomodate for the couch height, as well as the height of our furry friend. It is constructed with the 1x3 and 1x2 pine furring strips called for in the original plan. I decided to leave the door off, as my daughter has a tendancy to play with them a little too much. I finished it in a gloss black to match the rest of our furniture. This will be my first of many posts. Love this website!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black Enamel Gloss, Gloss Clearcoat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toddler Step

Submitted by betsy47 on Thu, 01/02/2014 - 20:55

Though I've built a lot of kids' furniture now, I think this is my son's favorite item. He requests it constantly. I built two more for friends and even a tiny play one for his toy house.
This was my first attempt with a jig saw, and my biggest advice is to be sure the trigger is pressed all the way in and to go very very slowly. Also, when you are cutting the straight edges on the side, you can clamp a guide on just like with a circular saw. That helped a lot. By the time I made my second and third it was easy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Two layers of paint and a stencil in white son the top and side.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Dining Table and Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 08:16

Rekourt dining room table with bench 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane weathered grey top and white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Ultimate loft bed

Extremely easy with Ana's plans. Under $100. 

Estimated Cost
100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Redwood stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

New Bed for my tween: chestwick platform bed full

Submitted by autma on Sat, 01/04/2014 - 20:35

After searching for a bed for our tween we found that we couldn't find the bed we wanted for the price we wanted to pay. I'd been eyeing this site for months and finally decided to take the plunge. The Shanty-2-Chic blog really motivated me to get this going.

This was our first (and arguably most expensive) project ever- husband ended up acquiring new tools to make the job easier, haha.

We followed the tutorial from the site with modifications for a full size mattress. (Just substituted 53x75 for the queen measurements and adjusted cuts accordingly.)

Used furring strips (1x3) for mattress support to save money.

Finished with zinsser primer (bought a quart for all our future projects)- this stuff is awesome!

Picked a flat white paint in a color that matched her dresser.

Cost of Daughters New Bed:
Lumber $120,
Kreg jig clamp $29
Air compresser with nail gun $150

Learning how to construct furniture ourselves: Priceless

Estimated Cost
$120 or so- I don't recall exactly
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Zinsser primer (2 coats brush on)
white paint- flat finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Top on Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/25/2016 - 13:31

Used the Ana White plans for the console table but omitted the 1x12 and used 1x4 45' for the perimeter and ran anothe 1x4 up the middle.  We added cross supports under the top to attach the top to, eliminating the second layer on the top.

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

Cabin (Camp) Collection Side Table

After building the small dresser from the cabin (or camp) collection, we wanted a side table to match. Pottery barn makes one, and there were some similar plans on Ana's site, so we kind of made it up as we went, following the same basic design as the dresser, only with modified dimensions, and less drawers, etc. This was a super quick build after the dresser, and we made it all from scraps we had lying around - only things were purchased were the hardward for the drawer, and 1 square dowel for the drawer slides - less than 5 bucks! Used left over paint from the dresser as well.

Estimated Cost
$5 + scraps!
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
white spray paint - Krylon primer, rustoleum paint in semi-gloss, krylon clear coat in satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Bunnie1978

Fri, 03/16/2012 - 15:19

Your room is so sweet. It makes me want to have more babies so I can build a room just like it... though I think it's supposed to go the other way around. :)

First Build - "Platform" Bed and Hailey Headboard

Submitted by stsa84 on Tue, 01/07/2014 - 10:25

After finally getting fed up with having our mattress on one of those cheap metal "frames", and no headboard, I decided to try my hand at a platform bed and plank headboard.

I followed the headboard plans to a T, with the exception of using 1x4's for the front trim instead of molding (at HD/Lowe's, the cheapest option would have set me back $40), and making it higher and wider to fit my bed plans. Everything came together very easily.

For the bed, I drew up the plans myself. I wanted clean lines and a modern look, with short wide legs. Instead of having the mattress rest on slats, I elected to hide the box spring within the wood frame, with the mattress sunk down 4" below the lip of the frame.

Total cost for headboard: $100
Total cost for bed: $80

Do NOT waste your time going to Lowe's or HD to buy any of the 1x's. The only frustrating part of this project was finding un-warped wood, and the big box stores had me pulling my hair out. Find a local wood place in your area, give them a call, and ask if they sell to non-contractors. My local yard was actually cheaper than the big box stores, and their wood was straight as a board, as it should be.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain: Minwax Jacobean
Clear: Minwax Satin Polyurethane (3 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

amt47

Mon, 03/10/2014 - 04:29

This looks great! Can I ask, is it a solid board at the bottom, or two boards? What did you use for the nail heads that you can see connecting the bottom boards? I'm fairly new at this. Is that just decorative or are they the screws holding it together? How do you get that look?

Thanks! I am going to try to do something like this.

Kentwood Night Stands

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/28/2016 - 16:35

 Made these for my both my daughters and they love them. I think I may make some to sell as so many people seem to like them. I used a routered edge on my tops which deviates from plans a bit. I also used a biscuit jointer and glued in some biscuits to create my top made from 1x6 and 1x4 boards. Great plans and thanks for doing what you on this amazing website.

Estimated Cost
50$ with paint and hardware.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Min Wax Honey, white semi gloss gloss and primer from Rustoleum
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

lsieu

Fri, 10/21/2022 - 05:44

These are really beautiful. I love the white wainscot (?) in contrast with the natural wood top. I wonder if this design can be stretched upward and elongated into a cat little box cabinet enclosure? My mom could use one that's easy to open up to clean tall enough for a bit of enclosed storage, and a table top height for a place the cat can relax away from the dogs.

KIDS WORK BENCH

Submitted by kwildman on Thu, 11/21/2019 - 15:54

This is a kids work bench that I saw on pinterest.  I couldn't find plans anywhere so I just winged it.  If anyone knows who I should give credit to, I would be happy to do that.

This is made from pine studs.  The dimensions are 24" wide x 42.5" back height, 19.75 bench height, 19" deep.  The peg board is 24" x 18".

I used Early American stain with dark wax finish.   I painted the peg board with Rustoleum Navy spray paint.

I used a plan from Jen WoodHouse for the red tool box.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Minwax Early American Stain with Minwax Dark Wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

The Entertainment Center

Submitted by a.mcdaniel on Mon, 03/19/2012 - 00:34

It took 2 1/2 months and a LOT of wood, but my husband created this masterpeice. Thank you to the inspiration provided by Ana White and Kristen Lotz, we have finally done our biggest project yet!

Estimated Cost
1000.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

a.mcdaniel

Wed, 03/21/2012 - 10:22

Thank you so much, Ana! That comment means a lot to my husband and I! He is so amazing at building things now and your website has been a major inspiration for him - THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Now our new home is becoming more "ours."

Christie (not verified)

Thu, 07/26/2012 - 20:44

Both yours and Ana's centers are beautiful! I am a little more drawn to yours with the lighting and architectural touches you've added. Did you have a formal plan drawn for it? I would like to make an exact replica of it if possible. It is just stunning and exactly what I am looking for. GREAT JOB!!!

kristenlotz

Wed, 12/19/2012 - 15:58

I love it. I am so glad our project inspired you to build this! You incorporated a lot of the things we considered during the build such as fluted stiles on the bookcases, downlights, and faux raised panel doors. Now, we just need to see pictures with it all decorated.

kristenlotz

Mon, 12/31/2012 - 14:42

I finally got around to making the plans for our entertainment center (well, actually my husband did it). It is very similar to yours with a few exceptions. Hopefully that helps those looking for plans for this beautiful entertainment center. I love finding brag posts of similar entertainment centers because they are absolutely beautiful at a fraction of the cost of buying one. And we love telling people that we built it!

http://www.jrlwoodworking.com/2012/12/furniture-plans-custom-entertainm…

Thanks,

Mya's Dollhouse

Submitted by Kiwilisa on Thu, 03/31/2016 - 03:40

I eliminated the bottom floor and created a shorter storage area instead. To make the project more manageable for one person, I chose 1/2" birch plywood, however, I think 5/8" would have been a bit more sturdy for this project. I love the plans and found them very easy to customize to fit my project.

Estimated Cost
$150-$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Advance in Winter Grey (Exterior)
Benjamin Moore Advance in Decorator White (Interior and trim)
Minwax Dark Walnut wood stain (Floors)
Varathane interior polyurethane in Gloss to finish entire project.

I used the HomeRight HVLP sprayer to finish all the pieces (Except the stain) prior to assembly.
I also stained the floors prior to assembly simply using a wipe on stain. All the plywood edges were finished off with a white melamine iron on edge band.
The BM advance paints and Homeright sprayer are my absolute favorite combination for any furniture project.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Christmas tree alteration

Submitted by bbhughey on Mon, 11/25/2019 - 18:14

My wife and I loved the original plan, but we needed the shelves to be wider.

So, I adjusted the plan to taper like a tree.

I used plywood and my wife painted it up.

The dimensions changed to 9 inches between shelves. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Storage Coffee Table with Lift Top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/01/2023 - 15:04

I wanted my top to be a lift top, so I used 1x3's adding breadboard ends. I ordered the lifts from Amazon. I applied a single coat of stain and then sanded it down to give it a more rustic look before applying a satin poly coat.

A. Henry

Comments

Mini-Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by saracrow on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 11:34

After completing the Queen Farmhouse headboard, we wanted tables to go with the set. Our guest room is small, so we opted for the mini-farmhouse table rather than the normal size that Ana has listed. It was quite a process, the little drawers are harder than they look! We do love the end result though!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax wood conditioner, Mixwax Dark Walnut, Minwax Polyacrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Pair of Kentwood Inspired Night Stands

Submitted by AndyH on Fri, 11/15/2019 - 11:08

Wanted to build matching nightstands based on the Kentwood design which I liked. I also wanted to make sure the doors were hung for the appropriate side of the bed for easy opening. Hopefully guests will love these in their room!

Estimated Cost
$105
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax pre stain. Minwax Jacobean stain. Minwax Satin Polyurethene. Only one cost of Jacobean stain was enough. Two coats of Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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