Community Brag Posts
Toy Workbench
This was a really simple and easy project. I modified the design to fit the scrap wood that I had on hand to lower the cost. This bench is for my 2 year old and is the perfect height for a 2-5 year old. I used chalkboard paint on the work surface and peg board to add another interesting dimension to the piece.
Extra long storage bench
We needed a long bench to cover up our chords and outlets against a fairly large wall. My husband cut holes in the back of the bench so that chords could pass through and we could hide a cable box inside the bench.
It turned out perfect!
Planter box's
The great plans to follow for this project made it much easier.
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Loft Bed
We have a small house. Okay, a TINY house. We just added a new baby to the mix, had a 5th birthday and Christmas, and suddenly, every room seems more cramped. We knew we needed more storage in our oldest son's room, and this seemed like the best solution!
We used the plans for the bed to a T, and then did the bookshelf on the end to match. We then created a custom plan for shelves underneath, just the right size to accommodate the blue and green fabric bins you see. We also left some spaces for bigger toys, and added a hamper to keep taller toys (swords and such) organized.
We loved the look of the bed painted white in the picture, and since his walls were already practically the same color blue (and a green accent wall), we decided not to stray far from the original design.
Our son loves the bed, and we are thrilled with all the space he has in there now!
We estimated about $350 on the bed, that included the wood, screws, 2 gals Valspar paint, paint accessories, and the fabric bins and hamper.
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Tryde console table in oak
I altered the plan to make the table work as an end table. Due to the table being made of oak, I was not able to add the leg bacing at the bottom. I am going to purchase a pocket hole jig to try to attach the bracing that way. Both tables have 21 inch legs, one table I left the original length, the other I shortened by 12 inches to better fit in the corner of the room.
Round X Base Table
Decided to get creative with the table top. It actually looked like marble when it was completed from a distance. I used a router and jig to make the round table top.
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54" Bench with Cross Bracing
54" Bench with Cross Bracing, used the plans on this site, plans were great, easy to follow. I used a 2 x 12 for the bench top to give it more heft. I think it looks better than a 1 x 12.
On to the next plan.
Put 3 coats of General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Satin
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Farmhouse Table
Calling myself an amateur builder is a colossal overstatement. I’ve never actually built anything, by hand, using wood. I’m quite crafty and very good at hacking things inspired by others {thank you all other bloggers and Pinterest for your continued inspiration}, but to actually build something from the ground up just hasn’t been added to the curriculum vitae…until now.
I actually hail from a family of handy builders. My grandpa used to build everything, from decorative shelves and stools to more utilitarian items, like bookcases and kitchen cabinets. My father, too, is quite handy; he’s the build-a-back-deck weekend warrior type.
This was my first Weekend Warrior project. My deadline: Thanksgiving dinner! I had no other table option. I either built this table or my friends and family were eating on the floor.
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Thu, 01/10/2013 - 12:56
thank you for the inspiration
Just wanted to say (apart from "i love the table") that your story has inspired me to finally jump in. i too am like you, never physically built anything with wood, but have done some revamps and have done a ton of other crafts (i too would like to thank pinterest). reading what you said has just given me that finally push!!! Thanku
Thu, 01/10/2013 - 17:14
:)
Hi Juanita! Yay, I'm so glad. It really was a fun and empowering project. I can't tell you how many people looked at me like I was crazy, but a little patience and elbow grease can go a long, long way! Good luck and I can't wait to see the finished project.
Fri, 01/11/2013 - 08:37
You did a great job! I'll bet
You did a great job! I'll bet your friends and family were impressed!
Sat, 01/19/2013 - 04:53
Beautiful!
You did a great job! I love the finish you chose. Isn't it amazing when you think you can't do something and then when you finish it, you're like wow I did that! Ana's site has inspired me so much and I love to see that she has inspired so many others and to see the beautiful things they are making with their own two hands. Again awesome job and beautiful table!
My sawhorse desk
This was a fun and relatively easy project. I'd been looking for a compact desk for my tiny office, and decided on this one when I found it. The angles aren't that tricky, and I didn't have a really hard time with cutting the corners on the shelves. This would be a hard one to tackle without a miter saw, so I wouldn't recommend it. But with a miter saw, it's pretty easy and only took me about 2-3 hours to put together! I haven't stained it yet...I was originally planning on a maple color, but I'm liking the lighter look of the unstained wood, so I'll probably end up going with a light golden oak color eventually. Fun project, thanks Ana and Shanty!
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Squatty Potty
Really no words needed :) It's a Squatty Potty. Don't judge until you've tried it!
Large Porch Bench with X Backs to highlight feature wall
Using the Ana White plans of Large porch Bench with X backs I was able to create this amazing area in the entrance way of our home. The bench was part of a larger project where I added the modeling and shelves to the wall. The plans were great, I just made the bench a bit smaller, as the original size was a bit overwhelming inside the home.
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Tue, 11/10/2020 - 09:06
Love the smaller size for indoors
And the red pop, love it! It looks great against that wall:)
Swedish Country Doll Beds
I made two little doll beds, complete with bedding, for my two little granddaughters and decorated to suggest 'Swedish Country'. I had such fun making them. I'm going to post them with the rails disassembled so they can be easily rescrewed together.
I reused lots of bits and pieces of wood I had on hand to make the bed. I also used paint and small pieces of fabric I had on hand for the bedding.
The girls are only 20 months and 4 years old and they both play with baby dolls constantly. The four year old has only just started to get interested in American Girl Dolls. I made the beds, thinking of the baby dolls, but big enough for 18 inch dolls, later on.
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Fri, 01/11/2013 - 17:03
SO cute love what you did
SO cute love what you did with colors and the fabric!!!! Thank you for sharing, made my day!
Mantel Moulding Headboard with Teal Accent
Used the smaller Dentil crown, and the blue accent that will match the accents on the end table that i will also put up when finished
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cabin bunk system
this project was pretty easy over all, I had a little trouble getting the drawers level, but that was about it. I did have to change the measurements to make it a full size bed but it came out fitting perfectly!!
Simple Writing Desk with Drawer for my Office
I needed an additional desk at work to organize all my paperwork and files. I couldn't find anything that I liked on Office Depot and Amazon in my budget range, then decided to search Ana's site for plans to make my own and at the same time, get to try out my new Kreg Rip-Cut Circular Saw Edge Guide. I purchased lumber from the local big box (note: disappointed to only find 2x2's out of furring strip wood). Anyhow, I followed Ana's plans and couldn't be more happier with the end result! I love the fact that I'll now have a nice big drawer at work!
Cheap & simple entryway table
This was a great project to begin with. I used pocket holes instead of finishing nails. I also added another shelf and trim work.
Fancy X Desk
This is the second X desk I have built. For this one I used a pre-done aspen piece for the top that I got from Lowes for $40.00. That was the only modification.
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Sliding Door Console
overall pretty easy porject took me about 8 hours to build/paint I sized it down a little made it only 32" tall and about 64" wide but keeping the depth to the plans. The barn door hardware I ended up building myself. I took 4 1" pulleys bolted those to the doors and the track I built using some angle iron and 3/8" metal dowel. The stain is 'golden oak' from min wax and I just used a simple white paint two coats.
Hailey Platform Bed Frame with aMiter
We have built this plan twice for our two daughters (Full size mattresses). A similar bed frame at Pottery Barn Teen would have easily set us back about $1500 so these bed plans are truly a blessing! After no luck with a Wayfair wrought iron knockoff bed frame (loud and squeaky!!) we decided to give an Ana White plan a go. So glad we did! We did modify the plans slightly. We mitered all corners and stained all components with a Varathane Golden Oak before final assembly. Although I own and use a Kreg Jig, we wanted the frame to be easily disassembled. We opted for corner braces secured with 6, 1" cap head wood screws per corner (3 per side). Keep in mind miter corners can be a bit tricky but definitely possible with a little patience. PLEASE NOTE: when cutting miters, you will need to account for an additional 4" OD from Ana's written plans. Each 90 degree angle is approximately 2" long. So, if cutting the 75" length( for the mattress length) the miters will be 2" long on each end making the OD length 79". Whether you are going with Miters or butt joints, I would also highly recommend a right angle clamp (Top/Bottom) used during assembly. It is extra expense but so worth the investment!
Stool Makeover - Vintage Drink Labels
Our new place has a kitchen island, so we needed stools. We had been searching the internet for vintage drafting stools, but could not justify spending over $200 a stool. We stopped at the local Goodwill and found two stools for $7 a piece. To make it even better they were on sale. We spent under $10 for the two.
Check out my blog for more photos of the process.