Community Brag Posts

Awesome Kid's Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/25/2016 - 05:35

As soon as I saw these plans I knew we had to build it.  We have six grandkids (all 2 and under) and they have a playroom at our house so I wanted something that they could sit on if they are watching TV and also something they could sleep on when they stay the night.  This definitely fits the bill!  This is our second build from Ana's website and it was pretty easy. 

We followed the plans exactly.  The only thing we added was a middle board to the back and the arms of the sofa.  I didn't want them to get stuck between the top rails and and the mattress.  We used dowels instead of screws to attach the slats to make it easier to move.  We did not screw the two couches together.  Since the room it is in has thick carpet, it is not moving at all.  The kids love it and it is so sturdy.  They could jump on it or off of it (which they have already done) and we don't have to worry about it breaking. 

I sewed the crib sheets and I bought 5 standard sized pillows and some pillow cases.  I so love this sectional!

Estimated Cost
65.00 - wood
85.00 - 2 crib mattresses
20.00 - fabric for the sheets
40.00 - pillows and pillow cases

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I intend to paint it. I will be using some leftover Behr paint I have at the house.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Yard Wagon

Submitted by MichaelDH on Fri, 08/14/2020 - 14:25

This is my second yard wagon, a little bigger and cleaner looking than the original. Made from 2x3 lumber for the frame and hitch, 1/2” OSB for the floor area, and various 1x lumber for the rest.

Because I detest seeing screw heads in anything I build, the side boards are assembled with plenty of 1.25” brad nails and Titebond glue. It is thoroughly sealed with Thompson’s before being assembled. You could paint or finish this anyway you want.

The rear railing lifts out to help you in emptying it.
The tires were bought at Menards for about $15 each.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson water seal
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pallet board coffee table

This project started with the pallet coffee cart plan and morphed into what we called "a little blood adds to the flavor" as we did lose a little in those darn nails from the removal of the pallets....however my hubby lovingly slapped some duct tape on my wound and we continued on til we wound up with our version of the pallet cart table....total cost...$70.00 for those pesky all metal roller caster wheels...we did modify and using extra 1x2 as supports on the underside...just cause I think he likes to really mess with drills and such!! I did rust out some rosehead nails I had that we used to secure the woods together...kept with the antique theme.

I chose to bri-wax the table....which by the way I need to polish it up again...its been a year since its been completed and as you know here in Alaska you use summer to work and build and winter to clean and build....at least in my house...the end tables are almost completed...same type format...just need to make a few adjustments regarding those grooves and then I need to find that pesky bri-wax and burnishing brush I put away last year....and of course cant find....lol please ignore foil and tacky blue moving blanket...cats love to lay on microfiber chair and shed....sorry!

our next project...well it was a 10 foot grim reaper for halloween...which was a diy project from another site...will be placed on our front deck tonite/tomorrow probably for the haunters that never come...

future projects are: pallet board mini sofa/loveseat from ana trip to georgia for my living room to go with the tables and a pallet board ladder type stand for our optima projecter and all the wiring I wish to hide....think primitive stepladder with glass shelves and lots of discount leafy things to hide the wires....on to wood work and more blood to spill!! thanks for the originals I love that it only cost me 70 bucks vs 1000 that I saw in a spendy place back in the lower 48....

Estimated Cost
$70.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
sand with 60 grit, used drano/water solution to open up the wood...
sand with 120 grit, wipe with damp cloth, let dry...
I did not fill the old pallet board nail holes..nor did I fill any cracks or crevices I left the defects holes and all...thats what I like...
finished with bri-wax natural with burnishing brush...of course that means you have to wax more than you want!! but water stains go away!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

closetofcrud

Wed, 10/24/2012 - 22:21

would someone please take a look....LOL I fought with the computer for 2 hours to get this on here to brag!!! I am so at HD when Ana gets there....I in charge of getting a book for my daughter in Ohio who has completed three projects from this site and has many in progress!! Dont we all?? LOL

Crib Mattress Porch Swing

This is s porch swing I made to go in my front sitting room. I re-purposed my sons old crib mattress. It definitely gives the front room the "wow" factor.

Estimated Cost
$40.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean by Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

REASMOM

Fri, 08/15/2014 - 16:09

I love it! I had never thought of re-using a crib mattress, might have to give this a try :)

Easiest Upholstered bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/28/2016 - 23:28

Thank you so much for this so easy plan!  This was perfect!  I shortened the overall length to 48" to fit our entryway.  I got to make use of my Kreg Jig & was able to make use of upholstery fabric samples I had collecting dust.  Used 3" foam covered with 2 layers batting, then put together the several samples into a color block setting.  Stitched with french seams & squared off the corners before nailing down to the base.  I didn't have a guide other than my eyes for the nailheads & chose to spread the 128 nails out every inch rather than closer...served to hide any waivering off & I preferred the look.  I also found out that using a 2-sided tape like binding tape or Wonder tape for the cover was very helpful in keeping everything straight.  The base is stained a dark walnut & finished with 2 coats of clear semi-gloss Varathane.  The seat bottom is 5/8 MDF.

Tools used:

Circular saw

Sander

Pockethole Jig

Sewing machine & serger

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $65 - $85 (not including the upholstery material)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane wood stain - dark walnut. Rubbed on & wiped off excess. Let dry for 24 hrs.
Varathane Prefessional clear finish - semi-gloss - oil based - brushed on. Waited 24 hrs before light sanding & applying second coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Themed Adirondack Chairs

I created one chair as a proof of concept and stained after it was put together. I then create the other two frames and then stained and varnished (4 coats) the frames and the seat pieces before connecting them. I then added the vinyl emblems to two of the chairs and applied a final coat of varnish over the emblems. Very comfortable and we love how they look.

Estimated Cost
$150 for three (includes the vanish and stain)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane tintable base - Navy
Varathane tintable base - White
Halacyon rugged gloss varnish
Oracal Vinyl 651
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Flip Top Storage Bench

Submitted by lphair on Mon, 10/29/2012 - 15:11

My first build! Very simple and straightforward. I chose to not have the bench raised off the ground; however, the legs were cut at the same length as the plans, so my shoe storage is a little taller than the plans, giving me more room for boots.

If I was to do it again, I would not use 1x3's for the lower cross boards, instead I would use 1x4's to match the upper cross boards so there's some symmetry, since it just sits on the floor rather than being raised up.

The build itself took me about 3 hours, which seems like a lot for something this simple, but again, it was my first build, first time using the Kreg Jig (love it!!), and it took me a while to deal with my less-than-perfect boards.

The hardest (and longest) part of this project was the painting! I have alway just used wood stain when I have refinished furniture, but I decided to go with white Rustoleum primer followed with 2 coats of Rustoleum paint, and finished off with a coat of Rustoleum lacquer. The paint was very thick and even with a $20 paint brush it did not go on evenly--it was a huge source of irritation! I also decided to use decorative hinges on the exterior rather than slim hinges on the inside.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum Primer (white)
Rust-oleum latex paint (flat white)
Rust-oleum lacquer (clear gloss)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

m.livingston (not verified)

Wed, 01/16/2013 - 12:16

This looks awesome! I am about to start building this as my first project and I bought a Kreg Jig too! Hope mine turns out as good as yours! Thanks for sharing your photos!

lphair

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 19:50

Thanks! I have no doubt yours will turn out amazing--it's funny how getting used to a tool (like the Kreg Jig) can instill confidence! I've since built a frame (easy) and 2 farmhouse tables and am working on a triple pedestal farmhouse table...I'm so glad I started with this bench because I learned a LOT from it. Good luck on your project(s)!

Jake

Wed, 01/16/2013 - 17:56

Lots of posts recently with first projects. You learn very quickly that it isn't the length of time that it takes you to build the box but the care you put into accurate measurements and cutting and checking for square constantly. I still take a long time to build even the most simple project. Then you find that it is the finishing that really takes a long time. Just take your time and you will end up with great results. By the way I add a tiny bit of water to latex paint to help eliminate brush strokes and use a foam brush for the final coat. Also I use spray paint for small projects.

lphair

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 19:46

Jake--thanks for the tips, I appreciate it! I've discovered I LOVE building, but it's quite the learning process, so I'm thankful for any feedback I can get :)

Backpack and Homework Center

Submitted by efmolly on Sun, 08/17/2014 - 16:09

I needed a solution for my kids backpacks and disorganized papers. I was able to come up with organizer using a quarter-sheet of plywood, a fence board, and a 4' hobby board. It involves ripping the plywood into smaller strips, so I table saw would be helpful, but the project is totally do-able with just a skill saw.

You basically notch 3 divider boards, attach it to a piece of plywood and build a box for each cubbies. I added lag screws and washers for decoration, and some small coat hooks for storage.

Estimated Cost
$35 - with hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
oxidizing solution and clear, matte lacquer.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse side desk

Submitted by vprice on Mon, 08/17/2020 - 16:28

This is a modified farmhouse desk we built. It is 60” and it doesn’t have the crossbars on the backside. We put this to the side of my desk.

Fanxy X Table

Submitted by joyride805 on Fri, 11/02/2012 - 14:05

Our fancy x table and bench

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Small table and ledges for Baby's room

After making the Kendal dresser for my cousin, she ask me to build her the small farmhouse table to put next to her glider. I had to make it smaller to fit her space but the plans were so easy to follow and just as easy to make the adjustments. Ana's plans are user friendly like that.
I also made the $10.00 ledges so the little guy can have a place for his stuffed animals and books.
The stain I used was the same as the Kendal dresser so it all matched beautifully in the room. I think this is about the 40th piece I've made from Ana's website since discovering it in January of this year. Am I hooked? I'd say so! Great plans!
My next project will be the toddler seats painted like animals from Killer B Designs that were featured today. I love them!

Estimated Cost
used left over material but probably around $40.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
ZAR wood stain in Moorish Teak and ZAR finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Hand Made Loft Bed

I have not done any wood working since high school some 30 years ago. I inherited a table saw, found these plans and thought 'why not?' I took my time with measuring, cutting etc. and the matress support pieces have a LOT of screws. This bed is SOLID. It holds my son and granddaughter easily. It disassembles and reassembles for moving so we had no trouble moving from the apartment to my son's new house. Do I need to say that I'm the hero grandpa for making this bed? My granddaughter has used this bed for a year and it's still as solid as day 1.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350-$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor Privacy Wall

I built this wall to give us a little privacy when our family wants to lay out and go swimming. Also, to hide our neighbor’s ugly fence! The length for all pieces are 8’ long for no cutting and the widths are 1x2, 1x6, 4x4 with 3/4” spacing and about 100 or so deck screws. I modified the pattern from a photo of a fence I seen on HomeDepots YouTube.

Estimated Cost
140
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson Waterseal - Semi Transparent - Autumn Brown
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Clothesline Frame

Submitted by lphair on Sun, 11/04/2012 - 21:55

I loved the simplicity of this project. I scaled down the original size, to make the 1x3's 33 inches high by 22 inches wide. I also went with my kreg jig set at 1/2" and used 1" screws. I did this because I cracked the first board without even blinking when the kreg jig was set to a depth of 3/4", using 1 1/4" screws.

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Express Finish in Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Adirondack Stool or End Table

First Ana White build

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Legs were painted pure white & top was painted tan with ebony glaze.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Farm table for 12

A modification of the plans from Shanty2Chic - built to fit the space. I eliminated the curves brackets - I wasn't able to pull those off without a bandsaw. Instead, the legs have black steele straps that will match hardware on the beams in the house.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax - mixture of Provincial, Weathered Wood, and Classic Grey
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoors Simple Modern Chair (dining size)

Submitted by Joella C on Sun, 08/23/2020 - 11:47

Finally the 3 rd piece made for the COVID-19 Birthday Celebration outdoors for my husband and his twin! “ all together but socially distant” I made the Oudoor Simple Modern Chair (dining size) for the ends of the 2 tables! Again...I’m a nurse never having touched Power tools, let alone knowing what they were called! Ana made it possible for me to create these to celebrate outdoors my husband and his twin for their birthday during a Pandemic!

Estimated Cost
$100 for 4
Finish Used
Matching deck stain and poly all in one Varathane Natural

Camp Loft BEd

Submitted by Anna H on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 17:09

My son has a very small room so this bed is perfect! It gives him much need play space. He loves it! It was super easy to build. I added a support across the back to make it even more sturdy. Thanks Ana for another great plan!

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Black Cherry Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Chris' version Pedastal Table

Submitted by mydoc17 on Fri, 08/29/2014 - 05:26

This is my version of the pedastal table.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut and polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic Rope console table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/14/2016 - 12:38

We took the plan from Ana and instead of the wood X's on the sides, we changed it to rope. We stained it a dark brown so this just gave it some more dimension... we love it!!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax gel stain in hickory, top coat was miniwax polyacrylic in satin so there wasn't a gloss or color change. Spray painted the hardware in a matte black dorm rustoleum.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner