Community Brag Posts

Adult Slingback Chair

I originally started making this for a friend, but I think I may decide to keep it! I didn't purchase any wood or paint for this project - I had a lot left over from a previous project and was able to rip down other boards to 1x2s. The fabric was another left-over... I bought WAY too much to make cushions for the outdoor sofa as I decided I didn't need so many sofa pieces in the end. The only elements I purchased for this chair were the hardware and 1 can of primer... so it turned out to be under $10!

Estimated Cost
Under $10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primed with Killz spray primer and used less than a bottle of Rustoleum dark grey spray paint. (I ran out before doing the adjustable height piece, so I just used some old black I had sitting around.)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Slat Closet for Soldier

Slat closet.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 - $150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My work bench

Submitted by jsmithfoto on Sun, 03/04/2018 - 12:11

Awsome work bench. After I fininished with the table, I decided to add to it. I put on a pegboard with 2x4's on the back. Then a dowel rod on the side for clamps. Santa hooked me up with a shop light so I used scrap 2x4's to add a support arm for it, That called for a power stip on the back. I now have 3 power stips mounted and two bottle openers on the front. Next up is led lights for the bottom shelf.

Estimated Cost
$100.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I didn't paint it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Adirondack chairs and table. Ready for the summer.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/21/2022 - 12:11

Thanks for the plans Ana.

Comments

Hailey's Bed - Avery's Edition:)

Submitted by brguad on Thu, 06/09/2011 - 17:54

My wife and I had another baby girl and Avery was moving out of her crib into a big girl bed. Definitely didn't want to buy cheap so after seeing some amazing plans on Ana-White.com, I had to build it myself. I loved the storage this bed had to offer and the simple look of the large headboard and footboard. I got started, and because of my scheduling i had this built in two weekends but total of about 10-12 hours. Very glad I did it. My daughter loves it, wife was impressed and now one crib free for little baby Vida!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
120 grit Sand paper, Wood filler, primer, White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Amber R. (not verified)

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 21:37

I've been begging my husband to help me make these beds for my daughters :( Your wife and daughter are lucky

brguad

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 22:13

Thanks again Ana! I think I'm the lucky one. My wife has been supportive of me doing little projects and my daughter loves the bed. So, I built the bed but haven't found an applique like on Hailey's bed that is appropriate for a 2 1/2 year old or one that I like. I thought about different things to spice up the headboard but don't want it to look tacky. Any ideas?

Amber R. (not verified)

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 22:18

Hmm not sure I could suggest anything specific but personally I think it should be something the child won't grow out of. I have a 2yo and a 3yo and they like a different character color etc almost every day. So make sure its something your daughter won't grow out of too quickly.

redhead_61

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 20:52

I am about to paint my daughters storage bed. I too designed and added a footboard and hope the headboard she has looks ok. Yours turned out great. Good job!

brguad

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 22:08

You're too nice. Thanks for the feedback. I read some posts prior to building and added 3 inches to the footboard to keep the mattress from sliding off as easily. Hope to see your bed on here soon. I'm looking forward to it.

slsmith (not verified)

Sat, 03/03/2012 - 14:34

We were thinking about putting a cork board on there so that our daughter could pin her work on there. It probably wouldn't happen until much later, but it's definitely an option. Maybe some vinyl letters?

Company 5 Fire Truck Bed

Submitted by Fire Jeep5 on Thu, 07/25/2013 - 18:48

Just added my own twist to awesome project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Worth every penny!
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Window Bench with Drawers

I made a window seat, it was fun.  It has these 27 Inch soft close drawers , a custom extended vent, and an outlet port with usb on the right end.  It was fun thank you (and my wife loves it!  (Still waiting for our seat pad for it)

by Glen

Built from Plan(s)

Marlee's Table and Chairs

Submitted by Laura Fama on Sun, 06/12/2011 - 20:46

I modified the Clara table and a few of the chair plans to come up with Marlee's new set. I had scrap 2x2s, 1x6s and 1x3s from the Lydia Toddler Bed and so I modified the dimensions a bit and used 3 boards 1x6 and 2 1x3 to make up the table top. The chairs are a combination of the Four Dollar Stackable Chair and the Classic Chairs Made Simple. I kept splitting the wood on the legs for the Four Dollar chair, so I modified the plan to have the legs 2x2 like the table and bed. It was a lot of trial and error but I finally got it right... The only thing was I had already cut the seat slats to size so I used them as the seat supports and so I only had to purchase two 2x3x6, other wise every thing else was scrap.

She was so excited to see it... we already had 3 tea parties!! Thanks to you Ana for your inspiration. I so can't wait to start the doll high chair for Marlee's next surprise!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Only spent $12.
Finish Used
3 coats of paint and 3 coats of poly. Pink is Sherwin Williams Azalea Flower, Green is Sherwin Williams Rye Grass. The same colors on her walls.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Fancy X Desk with Breadboard top

Submitted by petesveen on Sun, 07/28/2013 - 17:16

When I saw this project on Ana's site I had to make it. It turned out great and get's compliments from all my friends.

The only modifications I made were to the top. I used 2x6 boards and did breadboards on each end.

I documented my build with photos and did a 10 minute video tutorial showing the whole process of building Ana's table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$55 For Lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Walnut Stain with 3 Coats of Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Michael K

Mon, 02/09/2015 - 02:57

I really like the stain you chose and the overall project! The breadboard ends adds a little something more...I may do the same when I get around to making this desk!

Box Sofa

Fun easy project.  I built it for my wifes classroom.  We used 4 2 x 10 instead of 3 and I used a kreg Pocket Jig instead of biscuit joiner and l brackets. Very easy fun project.

Estimated Cost
50 - 100 Cost really depends on the cushion you use and if you apply a finish.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tufted Bench

I have been dreaming of getting a tufted bench that I could place at the foot of my bed for years now.  The only problem it was always ridiculously priced out of my range. Home decorations may just might be the most expensive part of home ownership, Hahaha.  Inspired by all of the fabulous plans provided by Ana White I set out to develop plans of my own using the principles I learned in her book The Handbuilt Home. This is one of my favorite DIY projects to date.  Here’s how I did it.

STEP 1. CUT THE PIECES TO SIZE.

For this, I actually did a lot of the cutting as I went along.  To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t entirely sure I had measured the bottom shelf and storage areas correctly.  To reduce the likelihood of mismeasurements, I measured liked 3 to 4 times before cutting every piece.

 

How to Build A DIY Tufted Bench - Toolbox Divas 1

STEP 2. ATTACH THE LEDGES TO THE UPPER AND LOWER RAILS OR APRONS.

I used square wooden dowels for the ledges because I didn’t have to worry about ensuring that the boards were straight. Also I didn’t want to go through and make a ton of repetitive cuts on my circular saw or miter.  You can easily use scrap wood for the ledges as long as its straight and creates a flat even surface for the boards to rest on.  I didn’t cut the ledge the entire length of the rails.  It’s just important that there is enough support to hold the plywood base in place as you secure it to the rails or aprons to the legs.

 

Click here for more details and the complete Free plans and Cut list. 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Childs Adirondack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/22/2022 - 08:33

I thought I would make one just for fun.. now I don't know who to give it to.. But I did have fun making it

Comments

A "Kitchen Island" For our Deck

Submitted by LinzFritz on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 16:49

We needed a prep area for our BBQ, so I decided to use the plans for the Simple Kitchen Island. I made it a little bit narrower (20 inches rather than 24), and added drawer pulls to hang up our BBQ tools. It's coming in very handy!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mildew resistant stain (natural colour), and 3 coats of polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modified changing table

Submitted by LErwin on Tue, 07/30/2013 - 19:41

I used Ana's changing table plans to build this for my new granddaughter. I modified it to be more like a dresser that she will be able to use for many years.

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Mission Style Bed

Submitted by pde00311 on Fri, 08/14/2015 - 11:34

We have a small extra bedroom in our basement for out-of-town guests that needed furniture. This plan was perfect. For the time being, Clarence the Dog will keep the bed warm.

Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Mermaid Treasure with Minwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Dining room table and bench!

Submitted by kah55830 on Thu, 03/15/2018 - 15:17

This project was so fun! I am a beginner in the DIY world and so excited with how this turned out.  the plans were super easy to follow (thank you for the video too)! Lowes cut all the lumber for me so I really only needed the drill to put it all together. To put the table together it only took us an afternoon but in total it took us several days, once it was put together, to get everything sanded, primed, painted, and stained-overall VERY VERY pleased!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax pre-stain wood conditioner
minwax dark walnut bottom coat
minwax classic grey top coat
minwax waterbased polyurethane over everything (3 coats as recommended in the directions on the can)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Parson's bookshelves in white

This is our first project! My Husband did most of the work but was a team effort in places. We wanted shelves that we could easily make with the very limited selection of cuts available in Botswana (really only construction lumber around). We modified the width of the shelves to what was available, increased the height a bit so more of a console and shortened it to get the best use of timber. I did not want it looking too modern so went with white and distressed edges to keep it comfortable. Construction did not take very long but finishing took a while due to 3 coats needed.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We started by staining whole shelves but then decided it coloured paint too much so applied stain to edges of shelves and legs only. Painted with pure white acrylic water based paint (3 coats) and then lightly sanded edges of legs and shelves to distress.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Magic Tree House

We adapted these plans to build our tree house, I hope it's not too much of a stretch for brag posts! Every kid seems to have two wishes: a fort or tree house and a secret passage way. Or is it just my kids? Turns out we live in the desert and trees are hard to come by. Our solution? Build a tree house in the house. Why not!? Our magic tree house is well used and well loved. This is one of those projects that simmered and in my mind trying to think of the perfect way to build the thing. The stuff our parents built and played in was a hodge podge of left over wood and their own creations, crooked construction and messy paint. So, I set the perfect aside and dove in. The only things our tree house really needs to be is safe and fun. Most families try to find indoor activities for the winter, but in the desert it is so blazing hot we need indoor retreats in the summer. This tree house is the solution a gagillion times over! Thank you Ana!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate