Community Brag Posts

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

Jake's Beach Cabin Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/07/2016 - 08:18

I built this for my son's beach room.  We stained the roof to match his dresser and built him a ladder as well.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
High Gloss white and Colonial Maple stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Adirondack chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/08/2023 - 09:20

Finished the second chair using Kreg holes fir the arms
Cedar looks good I think

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

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Scrap Wood Barstools

Submitted by BERobinson on Tue, 02/09/2016 - 07:33

Wife wanted me to throw out all the scrap wood I had lying around. Instead I made some killer barstools. Fun look.

Estimated Cost
FREE SCRAPS
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Ebony stain on the chair border and legs, various paint colors from previous projects on other pieces
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bookshelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/15/2019 - 18:35

This was my first project in about 10+ years, so it's not perfect. Thanks to my oldest son who bought me a compound miter saw for Mother's Day and a few of my hubby's tools. My son's and I completed this project over the weekend. Looking forward to our next team project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Provincial stain

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

Farmhouse bed with Kentwood night stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/12/2016 - 10:03

I modified the queen size bed to a full and adjusted the dimensions of the bed accordingly. I used solid oak for the headboard posts and top boards. I used oak beadboard to match the Kentwood night stand I previosly made.

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Watco Danish Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Club chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/22/2023 - 14:32

I needed patio furniture and happened to come across Anna White’s site. It is a great beginner’s project. I was so happy with how they turned out.

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

Fire Pit Bench

Submitted by docfin02 on Mon, 02/15/2016 - 09:18

Modified the plans slightly to make a bigger bench, especially on one end. Added rope lights underneath for a cool effect.

Estimated Cost
$225, including rope lighting underneath and having to buy screws and glue
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Bed and Night Tables

Submitted by frmoody on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 18:44

A friend of mine wanted a new queen bed in a rustic, weather grey look. I have built many projects from Ana's site and decided on the Farmhouse Bed. The plans were perfect and building the bed didn't take me long. The time consuming part was the finish. I really wanted an old, weather wood look so the entire bed and night tables were first stained with a dark Kona stain. Once this dried I applied two coats of a watered down (50:50) light grey paint. The thinner paint made it easier to sand. Once this was completely dry I used a medium grit sanding sponge and selectively sanded everything. This took a while. Once complete I carefully cleaned all pieces and then applied three coat of semi-gloss varathane. The bed is incredibly solid with the 2 x 4 slats and will last a few generations. As always great plans from Ana.

Estimated Cost
$300 for materials
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Kona, Beauti-Tone Designer Satin "My Favourite Sweater", Varathane Diamond Finish Water Based Interior Semi-gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Tryde coffee table tweaked

Submitted by ccobb1612 on Tue, 05/30/2023 - 08:58

Tweaked the Tryde Coffee table plans to fit daughters desired look with added magazine shelf and appropriate dimensions. Weekend project turned longer due to top color changes and re-sanding off stain a couple times. Settled on Ebony stain and ivory paint bottom. Love the plans from Ana White.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

East Fork Factory Cart

Okay, I didn't use the Factory Cart Coffee Table plan for my version, but since mine was inspired by the same piece as the Factory Cart Coffee Table, I decided to brag.

As is the case with all my projects, I used 100% "rescued" materials (salvage, leftovers from someone else's project, garage sales, dumpsters, curbside, etc). Wood, hardware, wheel and castors, glass, glue, finishes- all of it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
made from materials I had around here, estimated cost about $8, $5 of which was the big wheel
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Danish oil for the wood
I painted the Simpson galvanized hangers on the corners with Rustoleum (color: oil rubbed bronze) over an automobile adhesion primer coat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

east fork spring

Fri, 01/20/2012 - 23:24

Got the wheel from a guy about 5 miles from here with a few acres packed full of all kinds of stuff. It's basically a junk yard for everything besides cars. Lots of super cool industrial-type stuff. Pretty tragic, really, since most of the stuff sits exposed to the elements year round. Anyway, I make sure my Tetanus shot is up-to-date, throw a few tools in my jacket, and go digging. I've scored a few times there. If you're near Battle Ground, WA let me know and I'll give you directions and the name of the dog that guards the joint in case you happen upon him.

In reply to by east fork spring

Martha Jones DW

Sat, 01/21/2012 - 19:26

Luky!Only other place i would have to go home to the Bronx and find this item in one of the junk stores.

Thank you for the kind offer, unfortunately I'm in Maryland. Only good thing comes out of this is the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival the weekend of mothers day in May.

Ninja Turtle Bed

This project was a blast to build!!!! I modified the fire truck loft bed by changing a few of the exterior accent pieces. I also built it to fit a full mattress in stead of the planned twin. I did this by adding additional slates for support. I just recently was able to finish it completely when i found someone who could make the decals. Hope you all enjoy and feel free to ask any questions. Also I used cabnet grade plywood so mine cost was a lot more expensive.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I think total it was around $ 600 -700.
I used all cabinet grade pine and that was the reason for the cost.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Bayer paint and primer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cottage Playhouse loft bed

Submitted by bhoppy on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 05:50

I built this bed a while ago but I am finally getting around to submitting a brag post.

It is the largest thing I have ever built and it was a huge labor of love. I made it by myself in the evenings after work and weekends over the course of a few weeks.  I modified the plans only slightly.  I added an extra 1x6 board which makes the overall height 76 inches tall. 

I also changed how the windows were framed and added flower boxes. I got a bit OCD and filled all the pocket holes because I didn’t like the way they looked even though it was quite tedious, I am happy with the way it turned out.

At first, I put the play kitchen I built from Ana’s plans underneath, but that was later replaced with a little tv stand that I made to fit perfectly under the playhouse.  I didn’t use any plans for that but it was just a simple bookshelf.  I measured the space, cut the wood as I went and used beadboard on the back of the shelf with cutouts for cords.  I used leftover paint from the playhouse for the tv stand.    

Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
kilz primer sprayed on followed by valspar paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Simple Play Kitchen

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/04/2023 - 13:03

I made this play kitchen as a Christmas present for my kids, and it’s been a big hit! It’s built mostly from leftover hardwood plywood, and a couple of 1x12 pine boards. The oven knobs and faucet were cut from redwood scraps and attached with 1/2” dowels to freely rotate. The vertical surfaces were painted with leftover house paint and sealed with water-based polycrylic. It was a fun build, and I learned some new skills (like installing hinges)! Thanks for the plans!

Comments