Community Brag Posts

Double Loft Bed

I saw the idea for this bed on Pinterest originally. It linked to a blog that had the step by step plan (http://www.thehandmadehome.net/2011/08/how-to-build-a-loft/). However, I would have never even approached the idea or project without a few of Ana's plans under my belt first. I have gained so much confidence in my building on this site, and will always be a HUGE fan here :) Thank you Ana for all the fantastic plans you continue to share!

I still want to finish out and make the under bed area more fun and creative with curtains and such, but we LOVE having the full floor in the room for our play area. My boys absolutely love their bed!!

Estimated Cost
Less than $150 (a little higher than usual because of where I live)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
The hardest part about this project was lifting the bed platform up onto the legs in order to secure them in place. We built it with very little room to spare against the wall, and it made it very tricky to get up into place with some of the window frames and such. Be sure to have friendly neighbors or friends helping out when you get to that part, and lift with your legs...not your back ;)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

sgilly

Wed, 10/02/2013 - 13:07

I'll bet the boys are thrilled with this. It's great to have that extra play room!
I am curious, though, how the center of the loft bed is supported.

In reply to by sgilly

exuma_momma

Wed, 10/02/2013 - 18:38

Hey Sue, I went and found the old link to the plans for this and added it to the brag post. Or here it is also: http://www.thehandmadehome.net/2011/08/how-to-build-a-loft/ Underneath is a bunch of 2x4's spaced to support the platform, but the big 2x8's are the main strength. They are monsters! We've had a bunch of kids and adults up there for story time, and never once has it felt unstable or wobbly. Hopefully the link will help. It has way more photos that I have here.

bhoppy

Thu, 10/03/2013 - 16:24

Reminds me of the bed my dad made for my sis and I when we were little:-) SO sweet!

Ramholmes

Thu, 07/28/2016 - 15:47

I am going to attempt to make this bed in a couple of weeks for my daughters. The handmade home directions only show the rope ladder. We want to make the ladder similar to your pictures above. Could you tell me how you made yours please and thank you?

Trimmed and ready for Christmas - Dollhouse

Built this from Ana's plan. Made a few small floor changes and added casing, baseboard, trim and cedar shake shingles.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ana White Admin

Tue, 12/22/2015 - 11:11

You knocked this out of the park, so excited for the recipient! Thanks for sharing:)

shanebernskoetter

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 15:07

Thank you for the kind comments. I really appreciate your work putting the plans out there for others to follow, Ana! My father is a high end custom homebuilder and made a house for my 3 sisters 20 years ago for Christmas.  I thought if I'm going to do this, I might as well go all in and try to make something grandpa would be proud of. It is for my 2 girls, ages 8 and 11. The 11 year old still plays with dolls. I'm trying to hold onto her youth as long as I can! Again, many thanks.  -Shane

shanebernskoetter

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 15:12

Thank you for the kind comments. My father is a high end custom home builder and made a house for my 3 sisters 20 years ago for Christmas. I thought that if I was going to make a house I should go all in on something to make grandpa proud. I am very grateful, Ana, for your posting of the plans on the web for others to imitate! The house is for my 8 and 11 year old daughters. The 11 year old still plays with dolls and we are trying to hold on to her youth as long as we can. With thanks and gratitude, Shane

Bookshelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/12/2019 - 11:54

Bookcase followed plans exactly, finished in rustoleum white, varathane carbon gray stain for back paneling. 

Finished with satin oil based poly to add some protection.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Floating bed

I built a floating bed using Ana's plans. In my case, I built a twin size bed which now my daughter enjoys every night. The bed turned out beautiful and very sturdy.

Comments

Clara table and $4 chair

Submitted by newtowood on Mon, 09/26/2011 - 15:44

This was a gift to my good friends son. She said he needed a desk for his homework, but I hear he's using it as a dinner table. :) It was a fun project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15-$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanded, primer, paint, stenciled
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Rustic Bench

Submitted by cassiet717 on Wed, 10/02/2013 - 14:14

I have always loved benches at the dining table. They are so practical for cleaning, kids, and for cramming extra people at a table! We are (mostly) happy with our current table, but I was so sick of 6 clunky chairs floating around my kitchen, and these benches were the perfect solution. They were very simple to make and are exactly what I wanted!

I mixed my own color of stain for the top board from two Cabot colors (Golden Oak and Walnut) to create a color that break up all the oak in the room, while still fitting in. I painted the bases of the benches a creamy ivory for the same reason, to break up all the oak, and distressed the edges lightly.

I omitted the "x" feature in the plans because I was happy with the look of just the board along the bottom.

Estimated Cost
about $40 for 2, plus left over paint and stain
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot wood stain in Golden Oak and Walnut (mixed), and Valspar latex paint in Crisp Linen
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Lego Table

Submitted by aclayton on Wed, 12/23/2015 - 10:35

I decided to build the art table and use it as a lego table instead. I had a piece of 3/4" maple plywood left over from a previous project, so the only thing that I had to buy were the 1x4's and lego plates.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I spent about $30 at Lowe's for the 1x4's and $24 on ebay for some generic lego plates. I already had the plywood, screws, and stain on hand.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax "Red Mahogany" stain and a coat of polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modified to fit Wine fridge

Submitted by slbgunner1 on Mon, 02/18/2019 - 07:15

Used Maple on top with pine for the frame. Thanks Ana-White!

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modern Farmhouse railing on a deck

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/13/2023 - 09:07

Inspired by the modern farmhouse railing we decided to install the same style on our deck. Our old railing was aged an deteriorated. The project took about two weekends, one to treat the metal with black magic, another to build the actual railing. We love how it looks!

Comments

Barn Beam Shelf

Submitted by amym on Sun, 10/02/2011 - 12:01

These shelves were easy to make and are sturdy also. I haven't gotten frames for my pictures yet - I was so excited to hang up my shelf.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic x console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/26/2015 - 20:48

One of my first projects and I really felt like I had good cuts, however it was still a real challenge for me. I ended up doing the bottom in white to hide some of the errors. In the end I am happy with the resultes. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint, honey mini wax poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern outdoor sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/25/2019 - 19:56

I built it from pine 2x4s. I bought outdoor chair cushions and they work great.

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

dresser turned bathroom vanity

Submitted by leahrush4 on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 08:23

We looked high and low for a sturdy dresser we could convert to a vanity for our kid's bathroom. We could find nothing for under $500 so we decided to make it. We used solid hickory for the top and bottom and hickory vaneer for the rest. Only the middle drawers are useable, the side ones have a faux front to leave room for the sink plumbing behind. My husband also reinforced the bottom compartments by making them three separate compartments instead of one solid one. We ordered the sinks from overstock.com and the faucets are from Lowes.

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

catee (not verified)

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 16:39

My kids have been bugging for years for double sinks. I LOVE this. I was thinking along the same line but never got past the thinking part. This is GORGEOUS!

cathrobi (not verified)

Mon, 11/21/2011 - 10:52

Wow, this is stunning! You did an awesome job! The only thing I can't figure out is how you were able to attach the plumbing? Did your husband have to crawl underneath to reach the pipes?

Toddler Closet Cubby

Solid wood is an amazing material because it can be cut, re-shaped, extended, filled, sanded, stained, painted, and essentially re-used almost endlessly.

Last week, I took old cabinet doors (from when we gutted the mouse-hole kitchen cabinets that used to be in our apartment before we moved in) and turn them into a free cubby for my daughter's closet. :)

Estimated Cost
$0, with new purchases, $20 estimate
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
3 coats Olympic No-VOC semi-glass straight from the paint can.
Small paint brush for cut-ins, foam roller for surface coverage. Allow recommended dry time between re-coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Mon, 10/07/2013 - 19:43

Beautiful Cubby from old doors! The trim adds elegance with the white color and it fits perfectly. Looks adorable! :)

My First Project

Submitted by cshandyman on Mon, 12/28/2015 - 15:10

I used Poplar for the top and Pine for everyting else.  Only took about two hours from start to finish.  This is my first project using a Kreg Jig and now I don't know why I didn't get one of these years ago! 

Estimated Cost
Total cost was $175. Can be done for less, but I upgraded the top to Poplar which cost more.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Golden Oak Stain and MInwax Gloss Poly. Satin finish interior white paint for the remainder. I applied two coats of stain and paint and three coats of Poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adapted to Printer Stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/05/2019 - 05:30

I adapted the plan to make a stand for our printer and shredder.  Except for one board, I was able to use scraps so my total out of pocket was $9!  I did plane the 2x material to 1 1/4”, and also used 2x material for the base to add a little strength to hold the shredder.  Thank you Ana White, for generously sharing your plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$9
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Top - mixed brown and gray rustoleum stains. Finished with poly acrylic
Base - latex eggshell trim paint (custom mix leftover)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Twin Farmhouse Bed

This was made with the Farmhouse Bed Plan.
Woodworking runs in my family, but this is my first item built from scratch.

We decided to leave it bare for a while. It looks beautiful as is.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Right around $100 for all wood and screws needed. Mattress was $200 and bedding was $60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jbayer80

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 07:24

I will be building this with modifications to the headboard. I'm going to put baseball bats in-between the 4x4's as the header.

Hannah Canopy Bed

Submitted by FSTASFCK on Wed, 10/09/2013 - 18:48

Utilizing the Hannah Canopy Bed plans, I made 2 changes that I am really glad I made. First, I added bead board to the headboard to give it a little style instead of the flat plywood. Second, I used 2x4's on all 4 corners because I could not find any 2x3's that were anywhere close to being straight. Overall I love the final project! It was nice, simple, and quick to get it all put together!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted white
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner