Community Brag Posts

Love your plans!! Tv show please!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/27/2020 - 07:59

Your plans are awesome!! Your YouTube videos rock!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)

Comments

Superman Stool

This stool is a gift for my nephew's 4th birthday!! The hardest thing about this stool is trying to get all the legs put together without having enough room to get the drill at the right angle. This time, we used an extender piece on the drill bit (duh!) and it was MUCH easier than the other stools we have built.

I used a projector to put the trace the Superman symbol, then painted it.

I hope he likes it!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Blue is spray paint, the yellow is some pre-mixed paint I used for my picnic table, and the red is acrylic paint. All the finishes are different, so that's probably not good. I sprayed a clear coat on at the end.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Turned Leg Farmhouse Table

Submitted by pde00311 on Mon, 02/24/2014 - 22:39

After I found these awesome walnut chairs on craigslist, I did by best to match the stain and build a kitchen table on the cheap for our new house. As you can see, I modified the design into a square to fit the space. I also attempted to create a unique design by making diagonal cuts with the miter saw and connecting everything in the underbelly with my Kreg Jig. My one regret is that after my palm sander broke, instead of buying a replacement, I got a little hyperactive with my belt sander. It ended up making a unique swirl design over the grain. A part of me thinks it looks cool and the other part thinks it looks ridiculous. The moral of the story is never use a belt sander on something you intend to stain.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Old masters American walnut with 3 layers high-gloss polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DogDoc25

Sat, 03/08/2014 - 16:33

I've accidentally done the same thing with the sander on pieces of my furniture too. I don't think yours looks ridiculous at all- it is a really beautiful table!!

pde00311

Fri, 04/25/2014 - 07:04

It was a fun build, and despite a few marks on top, we love the table!

Mimi's Faux Mantle with bookshelves

Submitted by JoshuawG09 on Wed, 05/25/2016 - 18:15

Made from the modified Mimi's Faux Mantle design from another brag post.

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used Valspar furniture paint. However, I will never buy it or use it again. It's just over priced paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

laurenwalker

Tue, 12/19/2017 - 22:01

Are you able to tell me how wide this is from the end of one bookcase to the other? I'm trying to find out if it will fit in my living room. Thanks!

Outdoor sofa and coffee table

Submitted by 14ermom on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 14:27

We LOVE our new patio set!  Total cost of 2 sofas, coffee table and cushions: $530

Cushions B&G Retro Diamonds Deep Seat cushion set purchased from Walmart.

Thanks for sharing the plans!  

Estimated Cost
175 wood & screws
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Elite - American Chestnut - semi-transparent
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Kids Storage Table & Stools

I built a storage table and stools for my son's school class project and my wife wanted a set for her mom to give to her on Mother's Day.

Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Kona Stain, Poly satin finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Sat, 10/20/2012 - 10:25

Beautiful build. Is that the 36" round project panel? I don't the 32" size she refers to in any store.

Monster mash activity table

Submitted by monster on Wed, 02/26/2014 - 19:20

This was a really easy and inexpensive project. As I don't have a table saw and I'm scared to death of my circular saw, I had the laminated MDF cut to size and edged. Assembly and painting was really quick. This little man will road test it for me!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Enamel paint for the red trim
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern media console - walnut slab

Submitted by jvtoomey on Sat, 03/14/2020 - 14:02

Built mainly from the Modern Media Console plan, modified in a few ways.  Aside from the obvious part being the walnut slab on top, I modified the doors to be inset hinges for looks, and it’s slightly longer than the original plans.  The other main modification was using the base from the Emersen Console or Buffet plan with the addition of the adjustable height leveling legs. 

Estimated Cost
750
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stained with American walnut to bring the hue of the walnut and maple to be similar, then finished with a light coating of clear satin polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Disney inspired SeeSaw

Submitted by Anne in AL on Mon, 03/03/2014 - 11:51

Our 2 year old granddaughter loves seesaws, so my husband built this one for her. We had just been to Disney World and decided to make the seat Mickey shaped for a little extra fun. He used his bandsaw to cut the seat.

The seesaw is plenty stable enough for us to go on it with her and has been a BIG hit with the neighborhood kids.

More pictures on our blog: http://yearoflivingdisney.wordpress.com/2014/03/03/disney-ride-at-home/

Thank you, Ana, for these plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
wood was minimal cost, the paint was the expense!
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
exterior semigloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fancy X Desk Success!

Submitted by mrcleland on Thu, 06/02/2016 - 06:07

Started this project out of boredom. I had some time and some extra wood laying around. Some was from pallets I took apart, some from a salvage house, and some from an old barn. I built the table in a few hours and worked through any misshaped boards as best as possible. It was a relativley easy project and fun to see the legs turn out with each step. I plan to use cables and turnbuckles for the cross braces on the back and will update the pic when I do. I just need to find a home for it now.

Estimated Cost
Free since all wood was salvaged or scrap.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Card catalog shoe cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/25/2020 - 15:43

I built the shoe cabinet but added card catalog handles. Also used deck railing toppers for the feet

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore advanced

Geo Dresser

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/04/2023 - 14:44

Bedroom dresser made from Ana White’s plans! Absolutely love it and it was easy to build!

Kristen Kobeszko

Double Farmhouse Beds with Trundle Bed

Submitted by Kirk on Mon, 05/21/2012 - 23:25

These were my first builds. I am so pleased with how it all turned out! My sister in law introduced me to Ana's page and I was off! We have twin, 5 year old girls with their own rooms. They both needed new furniture and I fell in love with the Farmhouse Bed Plans. I used a little of the Mom's Fancy Farmhouse Bed Plans and the Queen Farmhouse Bed Plans. I wanted to use our existing mattresses with box springs, so I put a cleat on the inside edge, running the length of the side rails. Another modification, being that I wanted to use mortised bed locks on the side rails to allow for quick connects to the head and foot boards. I used these from LV: http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/page.aspx?p=67916&cat=3,40842,4126… I routered them in using a guide. I strongly recommend them if you are able. You can paint the bed pieces independently and assemble very easily. No building in the room! The other modification I made was that I made the actual side rails higher in order to fashion a trundle bed underneath. The trundle is a double as well, rolls on stationary castors, and on carpet too. I have a single mattress in it and it can be pulled out on either side. One side is for the bed and the other can be used as storage etc. My girls can easily pull it out and put it back in place. Great for sleep overs and extra company! It is technically unattached from the bed, but there are small stationary castors that run the inside length of the head and foot boards on their sides to act as guides for the trundle. I have attached pictures to show what I mean. I did not want it banging around underneath, and the castors are great little guides. I have more detailed pictures, but am having difficulty including them as their file size is too large. Since making the beds, I have also made the farmhouse side tables, and am in the midst of making the Madison Dressers to match! It is all coming together nicely. It took me about 2 months to complete the beds, but that was a few hours here, and a few hours there. I didn't think that was too bad, as I made two of them and it was my first project! Either way, I am very excited and have the builders itch now! So many things to create. Thanks for a great site, and so many ideas.

Estimated Cost
$250 per double bed and double trundle
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
All pieces were primed and painted with an air spray gun, and the colour is Benjamin Moore "Cloud White". If you can do it, I suggest spraying. It makes the paint go a lot further than if you were to brush or roll it on!! Way more affordable.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Abby K (not verified)

Wed, 07/11/2012 - 17:35

I absolutely LOVE these beds you made! This is *exactly* what I have been thinking about for my spare bedroom...a mix of the farmhouse bed, farmhouse storage bed, and mom's fancy farmhouse bed! I wanted to have the option of a trundle beneath our spare bed as we frequently have overnight guests that have children, but I thought the storage would be awesome, too! Your modifications are perfect!! I would love to know more and see more pictures...and pick your brain about all you changed/did with yours! Thank you so much fro sharing!

Kirk

Wed, 07/18/2012 - 12:22

Thank you for commenting. I am very proud of these, I still go and look at them! Haha! I do have more pictures, they were just too big to put in this post. There is a MB size limit. If you'd like me to send them, just leave me an email addy to send it to. I am afraid I will be of little help as far as the measurements go. It was a learning project, but in the end it went well. I can help, but I went by measurements from their existing mattresses and heights, and what I conjured from other plans from this wonderful site! If you do not have one, I strongly suggest getting a Kregg Jig. I did not have one for the beds, but now have one for the nightstands and Dressers. IT MAKES LIFE WAY BETTER!! It is an investment, but worthwhile! You will also need some clamps, but like I say, worth it! Happy building!

8 Foot long Book Shelves

We recently created a Dr. Seuss themed reading nook on our upper level. We have one large book shelf near it, but have also wanted a way to display children's books. These ledge shelves make the books easy to access while also creating a beautiful piece artwork at the top of our stairs. Now, instead of have a long blank wall in the hallway between doors on the little landing we have a beautiful library. I have loved how they have turned out and wanted to share with others!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
After screwing them all together we painted them white. It gives a elegant look!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Simple vanity

Submitted by jlrd13 on Sat, 06/04/2016 - 19:57

My husband and I built a house doing all the work that we could. When we started the project, I told the men in my life they were going to build the kitchen cabinets. They were pretty adamant they weren't.  I started visiting with experienced cabinet makers. One kept repeating, "It's just a box. It's not that hard to build a box."  With that encouragement, I found Ana's website and set about learning woodworking. First I built a step stool for my grandson, next I built some shelves for the shop, then I built this vanity. After I finally got it finished, I called an experienced woodworker to build my kitchen cabinets. Ha! I will say though, when the appraiser came out, he commented on what a nice vanity it was! Thank you, Ana, for opening up a new world to me!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I had to buy an additional piece of oak as I made a wrong cut. It also took me a lot longer than someone with more experience, but it is doable for a beginner.
Finish Used
Custom stain. 24 oz mission oak, 24 oz paint thinner, 12 oz English chestnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Stinctly Made Crib

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 10:15

While I found the plans a little difficult to follow as there were steps left out, missing measurements, and misinformation, it was an easy project and I'm so glad I made it. Even at 21 weeks pregnant it was totally doable alone. The only thing I needed my husband for was to hold the side rails at the correct height.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Kona by Varathane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modular Desk System

deskMy home office remodel was inspired by a post from Ana White a few years ago. For this project I ended up using IKEA bookshelves and cutting the tops off and flipping them upside down. I used some crown mounding to cover the base of the cabinets on the tops. The desk top bases are file cabinets I found at the office supply store and the desk tops are edge glue pine. Overall I think I only had to make 8 cuts for the entire project. Saving me a ton of time and money. Thank you Ana for all of the wonderful post!

Mark Danreiter on Facebook

King size platform bed and headboard

Submitted by Rgb057 on Sun, 03/09/2014 - 11:25

I converted the plans to king size and used oak for the headboard and the platform edge on the bed. The oak added to the cost as it is almost 10x the cost as construction lumber.
I made the headboard frame with pocket holes and attached it to the plywood with screws from behind. I also used pocket screws to assemble the bed frame.

Estimated Cost
500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

CreativeChaos

Sun, 04/20/2014 - 06:54

I've been waiting to see if anyone would modify this for a king size. Would you mind sharing the dimensions you used for your headboard? I love your fabric and the oak gives it such a quality appearance. Nice job!

Back