Community Brag Posts

Modern Subway Tile Bookcase

Submitted by handymommy on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 05:39

I had to adjust the height and width of this project to fit on my wall in this corner. But I just LOVE how it came out. It's one of my favorite pieces of furniture in my whole house!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Mix of ebony and walnut stains with poly top coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tall TV Cabinet Built-in and Fireplace Board and Batten

Submitted by anb80 on Tue, 03/31/2015 - 12:00

See the before/after pic for the difference.    My daughter was pulling everything off our open TV stand so it had to go!  I designed this to give us the toy storage we need as well.  The niche was over two feet deep so I wanted something to utilize all the space.  I also wanted the fireplace to stand out so added the board and batten treatment.

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

Comments

American Girl Doll Closet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/03/2017 - 09:18

This was fun and easy. I had some of the wood already so I didn't spend that much. My girls painted it to add a personal touch. I would consider adding a magnet to help the doors stay closed a little better. Its been a couple of years and they are still enjoying this. At the time I had no idea how to make a star. Now I know it woudl be easy with a jig saw. 

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

custom desk

Custom sized desk to fit between a radiator and wall. Combination of cubby desk with added lower shelving and upper hutch with shelf unit.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Desk top surface: 2 coats Minwax cherry stain plus finishing paste.
All other pieces:
1. one coat Kilz primer
2. two coats Behr off white satin
3. distressed with 220 grit sandpaper
4. Minwax cherry stain
5. one coat Minwax satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Birthday Doll House for Granddaughter

Submitted by projectman on Sun, 05/12/2013 - 18:45

Thank you for your doll house plans!

This was a gift for my granddaughters 5th birthday. I altered the stair design a bit to provide a little more durability.

The only part I struggled with was the wallpaper.

All-in-all the project was a success and she LOVED it!

Estimated Cost
$200.00
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Spolitte

Fri, 12/19/2014 - 16:02

My husband is currently building this dollhouse for our own granddaughter. We are loving the way you designed your stairs. Can you tell us how you did this? The doll house is beautiful! Thanks.

Spolitte

Fri, 12/19/2014 - 16:07

My husband is currently building this dollhouse for our own granddaughter. We are loving the way you designed your stairs. Can you tell us how you did this? The doll house is beautiful! Thanks.

Orange Side Street Bunk Beds

This is my first large project and I'm very happy with the result.  Since I knew we were using regular (thick) mattresses instead of thin bunk-style mattresses, I built the guard rails taller than in the plans.  The bunk beds are painted Benjamin Moore Citrus Orange http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-ca/paint-color/citrusorange.  The walls are Benjamin Moore Waterfall http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-ca/paint-color/waterfall.

Helpful Hint:  IKEA's LONSET slatted bed base fits perfectly instead of needing to cut your own bed slats.  http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80278715/#/30278732

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore ADVANCE waterborne interior alkyd paint (http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/paint-products/advance-waterborne-interior-alkyd-paint).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Custom grandy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/06/2017 - 06:26

Custom 130" grandy With pocket doors. 

Estimated Cost
475
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farm table for my sister

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 14:09

So my sister moved back to Southern California from New York. She found a great place but needed a table. I made one table and one bench. My sister then found two chairs for the other side. This is the second or third thing I have made/built from Ana’s site. Thank you for making me feel more manly with great instruction. I also built this pre Covid-19 when lumber was not so expensive.

Comments

Adorable Rustic Bench

Submitted by beingbrook on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 12:34

Love the rustic bench! This project took my husband about an hour or two to build and then a little primer and paint and it was ready to use. It was a pretty easy build and we didn’t modify the plans at all. We liked the bench so much that we made another one! My biggest tip is to always read the comments on the plans because people leave great feedback about their experience as well as any tips that they used. It cost us less than $30 to build two benches. Sanded really well and then filled screw holes with wood fill. Primed and painted with Behr’s powdered blush.

 

Pin For Later!

Adorable Rustic Bench

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15-20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
A coat of primer followed by a coat of Behr's Powdered Blush.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Upholstered Bench w/ Slatted Shelf

Submitted by scokenour on Tue, 05/14/2013 - 21:17

I had a client who requested a bench like the Caden Leather Bench by Pottery Barn, except she wanted it longer. I didn't bevel the legs because I used 2x3's instead of 2x2's and wanted to make it as sturdy as possible to accommodate the additional length. Needless to say, she was VERY happy with the bench and I am getting ready to work on one for our home now!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Client provided the fabric and most wood was re-purposed, so biggest expense was foam and batting.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
special walnut stain, then finished with a clear paste wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

scokenour

Thu, 02/06/2014 - 17:35

Sorry - didn't have plans for this one and I really stink at using the software Ana uses to make plans. I did loosely follow the Cayden Nailhead Stool plans, but, of course, modified in my attempt to duplicate the Pottery Barn bench the client wanted to match. I would be happy to help in any way I can, but you definitely need to be comfortable to work without plans. I used my Kreg jig quite a bit for this project and the little piece of wood that protrudes from the legs is faux - just cut a 1/2" piece and glued and nailed with my brad nailer.

Train and Activity table

Submitted by mamrotu73 on Sun, 04/05/2015 - 11:06

With a few modifications, I made this table into an actovity table for my son. 

I made the lid out of 1/4" plywood so it would be lighter, painted one side in chalkboard paint and glued down lego base plates to the other.

Instead of a shelf underneath, I added sliders to hold storage bins.

I also mounted a curtain rod on one end to hold a roll of art paper and cut slots in the end trim pieces to feed it through.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalk paint with furniture wax for the main body. Chalkboard paint on the lid. Felt lining the inner train area.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Fancy X table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/14/2017 - 00:16

Great table and easy to follow plans/ directions! First time trying something like this and couldn't be happier. Kept debating if I should by the Kreg pocket hole jig, couldn't have done this project without it. What a difference it make! Can't wait to start the next build. 

Estimated Cost
Under $200 to build both the table and 6 chairs. Including all lumber, screws, paint/ stains ect.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Pro Series multi-surface wiping stain and Minwax Spar urethane. Paint is HGTV by Sherwin-Williams weathershield
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Planter Boxes

I wanted to build a planter box by our front door, which is not exposed to the weather. I based the design on the video I saw on YouTube for the “Easy Build DIY Planter Box” made from cedar and painted white.. Being based in Australia I amended the dimensions to metric, and used plywood rather than cedar. I am delighted with the finished product. So many thanks, Ana, for your part in making this planter box on the other side of the world.
Cheers Noel

Comments

Farmhouse doll bed

Submitted by heidikuz on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 14:07

I am in the process of making my own queen size farmhouse bed but this one came along a lot quicker and my daughter loves it. :) She recently got zebra and hot pink bedding so we made a blanket to match.

Estimated Cost
Less than $10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Double Lounger

Submitted by Celeste808 on Sun, 05/19/2013 - 07:47

Super easy project! Love it and made it in a weekend (taking breaks of course). Did paint all the pieces before assembly to make it easier, and added little pieces to the sides to make it resemble the West Elm Double lounger. Total cost for the wood and hinges was $50! Compared to buying it at $549... Im in love with what I made! Thanks again Ana for an amazing plan. Now to work on the cushion <3

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Outdoor White Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Tue, 05/21/2013 - 04:41

Want to build one of these for sure. Question, especially since it's double width.........will those 1" width legs hold all of that weight? They look so thin.

In reply to by spiceylg

Celeste808

Tue, 05/21/2013 - 16:19

I thought so too! But its really solid. Looking at the West Elm version it has the same size legs. I might beef them up though just to give me more piece of mind! But so far so good.

spiceylg

Wed, 05/22/2013 - 03:17

Cool, but then I thought the West Elm version's looked so thin, too, lol! When we built the outdoor sectional, we used 2x4s because several people we know, well let's just say extra support was needed! Be sure to post the pics of it with the cushion. Will you be making it?

In reply to by spiceylg

Celeste808

Wed, 05/22/2013 - 17:49

Ill be making the cushion here soon, I found its really not hard at all and then you can get exactly what you want. I plan on using the same fabric will all of my DIY outdoor furniture. Will post once its done ;)

Seasonal And Holiday

Reclaimed console table

This reclaimed console was not build from one of Ana's plan but I did want to share it to inspire others to work with reclaimed wood.  I used reclaimed pallet wood for this build, except for the drawer, I used MDF. For the finish I used an oil based poly. 

Estimated Cost
$0.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

tracygator

Wed, 04/08/2015 - 13:54

This is awesome! I have wanted to make a coffee table similar to this and was inspired by west elm Emerson collection. Can I ask how you cut your boards so the top and sides meet seamlessly? Thank you!

tracygator

Wed, 04/08/2015 - 19:38

It looks just like west elm. Did you lay the boards on plywood first? It looks like there are a few pieces per row on the side if that makes sense. Seriously I love this

dthomas

Sat, 07/30/2016 - 16:51

Do you have any building plans for the pieces you make? I'm a beginner to intermediate in my skill level and sometimes need specific instructions. I really liked your one drawer console and your reclaimed unique TV stand.

Thanks

Modified junior loft bed

Submitted by rfjjd on Thu, 07/20/2017 - 19:32

Modifications to Ana's original plan:

  • 4x4 posts instead of 2x4. 
  • Crossbars attached to 4x4s with biscuits and pocket holes for added strength. 
  • Modular build for easy disassembly, moving, and reassembly: 2x6 and 2x4 rails attached to end assemblies with knock-down bed hardware. Deck hung on 4x4 posts with angle iron. Bed breaks down easily into separate components (stairs, deck, 2 large end assemblies, 6 rails, slats and plywood mattress support).
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax espresso stain and 3 coats of satin wipe-on polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Clothes rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 16:21

Simple beginner project. Would have preferred a more durable wood, but still a fun and quick project.

Comments

entryway bench and shelf

This was a little more difficult than we anticipated but totally worth it. We shortened the width to fit our space, and kept the sides straight instead of angled, just for simplicity's sake. The Kreg jig really came in handy here. We anchored the shelf with cabinet screws and will be adding small L brackets at the top into the studs. With a tall toddler at home we are being extra careful.

Estimated Cost
~$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Kona Brown (not spray) in semigloss, rolled with foam roller. Used a white primer underneath-not sure if really necessary.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Brookstone King Size Headboard

Submitted by RenoRustic on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 22:20

I built this headboard to coordinate with the nightstand, tv console and blanket ladder I had previously built. We recently purchased a King size bed and found ourselves in desparate need of a furniture makeover. I modified the plans to fit our bed, and wanted a beefier look so I used a combination of twelve 1x6s and three 1x4s as opposed to only using 1x4s for the panel back. I also used 1x6s for the trim as well. Legs were made of 1x4s, doubled up at the bottom for additional support. I built it so that the legs could bolt to the bedframe using lag bolts. I also wanted it to be a bit taller so I increased the height to 56" tall.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I stained the headboard with Minwax Special Walnut and then hand painted 3 coats of Pittsburgh Paint, which is very thick. I let everything dry and then antiqued it using a combination of 120 grit sandpaper and steel wool pads.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments