Community Brag Posts

Emma's Secret Library Shelves

These shelves were absolutely perfect for hiding behind my daughter's bedroom door. Space is tight in her little room, and that 27-inch stretch of wall was not being utilized.

These shelves were so simple and took no time at all. I think total cutting and assembly time was about an hour for all four.

I put them together using pocket holes, so the order of assembly was a bit different than the original plan. I screwed the sides to the bottom, then added the front beam, and attached the back last, using pocket holes and filling them with spackle.

I can't wait to find more nooks and crannies to build creative storage from plans on this site.

THANKS!
Anna

More pics and details on the blog post:
http://lassothemoon.typepad.com/lasso_the_moon/2013/07/emmas-secret-lib…

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
30
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
behr paint in "Honey Bear" yellow. sanded at the corners, then rubbed with "early american" wood stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Big boy bed and steps

Submitted by kds199 on Sat, 07/25/2015 - 07:32

We wanted to transition our two year old out of the crib and skip the toddler bed and this worked perfectly. 

I made the cuts over a lunch hour and assembled in one night. 

If you have never used a pocket jig, just practice on a piece of scrap. Also make sure you consider how you will attach the rails before beginning. Depending on what you use you may want to make the headboard more narrow to accommodate for the rails not being flush with the insides of the posts. 

 

I made steps out of the scraps from the outer rails and the slats. Our little guy loves it!

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
The same gallon of stain we use on everything. :)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse King Headboard/Barn Door

I found a barn door headboard in a rustic furniture store years ago. They wanted $2700 for a Queen size....no thank you! I followed the plans for the Farmhouse King Bed and added cross pieces for barn door look using instructions from the Brookstone Headboard. I cut the legs at 56” to add some height and I set the bottom of the back panel at 18” above the floor to make sure no gap is seen with our thinner, memory foam mattress. I couldn’t be happier with our headboard and the total cost, including screws & stain, was about $150! Boom! Thank you Ana White for sharing plans! I’m working on the Mini Farmhouse Bedside Table now & feel like I can build anything! I would highly recommend Power Pro Premium Interior screws (no splitting or stripped heads, no pre-drilling & they counter-sink great in soft wood). For the 4x4 posts I used GRK UberGrade R4 multi-purpose 4” screws, which had the same quality, all from Lowe’s.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used wood conditioner, as recommended. Then 2 coats of Minwax Special Walnut with light sanding in between. I chose 2 coats of clear satin polyurethane, lightly sanding in between for a great rustic finish that’s not too glossy. I did beat up the wood and sanded off all square edges prior to applying any finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Phenomenal Family Room Built-Ins

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/05/2022 - 22:55

We had an awkward family room with a second front door which rendered the layout less functional than it could have been. My sister mused, "I wonder what would happen if you took out the second entry and added built ins?," and this project was born. With a 4 year old and a 2 year old and limited tools and workshop space, we were excited to find ShelfHelp, which allowed us to create custom built ins at a fraction of the cost and time they otherwise would have required (utilizing the "Frameless Built-Ins, All in One Method" plan) . Including the custom soapstone top that we had made from a local shop that was advertising remnants, the project came in under $1000, and we were thrilled with the results. SO MUCH TOY STORAGE, an unobtrusive TV, and a much more functional layout. Thank you, Ana White!

Comments

Deck Chairs

Submitted by melaniesue on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 10:46

These were so simple, and SO FUN to build! These were done all while having a schools out party, and an evening outdoor movie with kids running wild! I really liked building them, and can't handle how cute they are! I used pocketholes and also brads and glue. Pretty sturdy, but I think I will use harder wood for them next time. We went to a cabin over Memorial Day, and we ended up leaving them for the owner because we thought they were so cute on her deck! My finish was super easy and fast because I wanted them finished so I stained, and dry painted then set them in the front to dry out in the sun, sealed with poly and TADA, DECK CHAIRS!!

Estimated Cost
15.00, maybe?? Including the fabric for both chairs.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Oops paint, and Minwax Dark Walnut. Distressing, it was a super simple finish. I got the fabric at JoAnns and used my coupon 40% off.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic X Console Table with Minwax Gel Stain in Red Elm

Submitted by pbookman on Sun, 07/21/2013 - 12:22

For this project we needed a piece quite a bit smaller than the original plan called for. We ended up keeping it simple by only altering the width. We kept the height and depth the same in order for the x's to keep their angles. So we shortened the width and only did one shelf section instead of two! Vwala...our first project-complete!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Gel Stain in Red Elm
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Smith Media Wall Build

Submitted by rbgreene04 on Mon, 07/27/2015 - 21:19

After moving to our new home, we needed an entertainment center to house our TV. I had build a DVD/Bookcase several years ago and I wanted the entertainment center to match design-wise. I was amazed how similar the Smith Media Wall is to the bookcase I built years ago--simple, clean lines with the moulding along the top.

I adjusted the plan to fit our TV and went with one cabinet door on each side instead of two. I also used some leftover beadboard for the cabinet panel inserts. I broke the first rule of carpentry and in a rush to finish, mismeasured the side hutch in comparison to the side base cabinet. (I actually had the correct measurements, I just made a calculation error when reading the plans I quickly drew up. Usually, I'm meticulous with plans, but with so many projects to do, I rushed these plans and hopefully learned from my mistake)

Estimated Cost
It probably cost just under $200 to build. I'm horrible at keeping track of project costs because I try to use scraps from other projects when possible.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
To finish, I used Rustoleum Ebony Stain followed by several coats of lacquer.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Linda7

Tue, 07/28/2015 - 16:43

This is a beautiful build, and if you hadn't mentioned the measuring error, I doubt if I would have noticed it. Good job!

 

Adirondack chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/10/2022 - 14:17

Starting the slow process of creating a backyard oasis. Was looking at Adirondack chairs, and plastic ones seemed to have issues with breaking, and don’t want to spend $150 per chair or more for wood. Found this post, and just completed my first chair. I used some of my wood decking that I just replaced, so probably $30 per chair, so really happy. Very comfortable as well, so thank you for the time to figure out things.

Comments

Toy Box

Submitted by Marisol on Sun, 06/05/2011 - 15:51

I have been wanting a toy box for my kids, for a while...problem is... I didn't print the plan, still love it though!!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
left over material from Apothecary project- free
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Melanie Rust (not verified)

Mon, 08/13/2012 - 19:48

Do you have plans posted for this particular toy box? Maybe I'm missing it? I like this one because it sits right now the floor. Thanks.

[email protected]

Sun, 06/30/2013 - 08:43

Wow, that was very fast to make that! I made one similar out of Northern Red Oak and it took me about 80 hours. I spent more than two hours just driving and selecting my wood. Very nice!

American Girl Doll Bed

My daughter and I made this bed together for her cousin. She helped me every step of the way with the exception of the cutting. It was her first time sanding, drilling and painting (well at least painting furniture). I also let her pick out the paint color which she put a tremendous amount of thought into.

I truly enjoyed my time making this project and especially since it allowed my daughter and I to work together to make someone else very happy.

Her cousin seemed to love the bed, and my daughter definitely loved working on it and bringing it out to her.

Thank you so much for the plans and making this experience so easy!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I first primed the wood, and then bought a little paint sample of Rasberry Sorbet at Lowes to paint it with. I think the sample was a couple dollars and there is still plenty left for another bed.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Annie Casselman

Sat, 03/07/2015 - 17:32

This is a very confusing website, +I cannot get the plans for the doll bed+ I would like to build with my daughter. I guess i have to give up.

Rustic X Console

Submitted by aelliott on Fri, 03/02/2018 - 09:24

Had a blast doing this project! Wife was skeptical at first but it's found a great spot in our home as an entry way table! Thanks for the plans!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

File Cabinet based on Eco Office File Base Plans

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/21/2022 - 08:22

I got tired of wrestling with my old filing cabinet and decided to build one that would stand up to regular use. Based on the AW plan noted, I build this out of 3/4" plywood. The drawer faces are 1/2" birch plywood and the hardware is salvaged from old kitchen cabinets. Overall dimensions are slightly modified to fit my space. Painted the cabinet box flat black and because the birch faces have such an interesting swirl, I used clear poly for the drawers. Fun project that works well and looks great.

Comments

Whitney's Farmhouse Bench

I built this bench way back in the winter (which really has barely ended) and finally today got it outside for a photo shoot! Notching out the legs was a new thing for me but turned out wonderfully. I look forward to making some for my mother for her gaggle of grandchildren.

Oh and best of all, mine was free to make since I had nasty ol' 2x4's on hand! PERFECT!

Estimated Cost
Mine was FREE!
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sand all, distress top, lightly sand again.
Black on bottom, Dark Walnut stain on top (two coats each)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 02/03/2012 - 15:45

cool i love is great work

Table that hubby love :)

Submitted by mrszee on Thu, 07/25/2013 - 13:07

I wanna replace the wobbly coffee table that we just bought a couple years ago. I hate factory made furnitures because they don't last long plus they are so expensive and poorly made. For a military wife that just graduated, saving money is a big deal for me. Hubby don't have any clue that I wanted to buy a rustic sturdy coffee table. I ask my friend to give me a lift to go to the store since I don't have my own car. And bought stuff that I needed after I researched and came across this website. Hubby came home with a finished product and he was so happy with it. Its very sturdy and now he requested to have a kitchen table with a matching hutch or china cabinet. Thank you Ana for giving us plans that can help us save money and high-end looking furnitures! God bless you and your family.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
3 coats of Rust-oleum Early American
2 coats of Minwax Polyurethane Clear Semi-Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Playhouse Loft Bed

This project was well worth the time and money invested. It is very sturdy. I expect that it will last for many years.

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

Comments

Farm House Queen Bed

Made this bed using 4x4's and 2x4's from some large pallets we acquired. The rest of the wood I had to buy. I had to make some adjustments as our mattress was not a true queen. I loved making this project. This is a great plan.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Adult Beach Chair

Submitted by lkey on Sun, 06/12/2011 - 15:21

This chair is the best. We went to a specialty lumber store and picked up some Ipe wood. It was fairly expensive (about $100 for the wood alone) but well worth it! Looks awesome and is really comfortable. We also tested it out and it is very sturdy, however, we did use 2x2 for the frame. We plan on making at least one more matching one soon. Thanks for all the plans!!!

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Benchmark media console

Submitted by venus_xyz on Sun, 07/28/2013 - 16:32

The plans were totally wonderful! 

This was the first major build since building the clara table and chair. So I am pretty much a novice. Toughest part was keeping things square. Even though it is far from perfect, we just totally love it. 

I left the top shelf open for media requiring remotes and changed the doors to look like apothecary doors. 

I ended up having to make the doors twice because the first time I used 3/4" plywood with 1/2" strips for the faux doors. The door was so thick - I couldn't find hinges anywhere that would work. So I redid the doors with 1/2" plywood and 1/4" strips. Used the same hinges Ana suggests. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250 including paint
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Home made chalk paint from Behr Baked earth, Glaze using Martha Stewart tintable glaze mixed with black acrylic paint, Johnson's paste wax.
Table top - Rustoleum Kona with Minwax poly in semi gloss.
Knobs are from Hobby lobby.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments