Community Brag Posts

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

Pine End Table

Submitted by fishbulb80 on Wed, 08/19/2015 - 15:35

Original plan modified slightly:  Length reduced from 42" to 25"... select pine used and seamless table tops used instead of separate boards.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
40$
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax: Red Mahagony, Pickled Oak, Semi Gloss Varathane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Casual 2x4 Desk

Submitted by Fanatacysm on Sat, 03/24/2018 - 16:25

Nice, fun project!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
ebony stain, polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Captain Lydia!

Submitted by kikicraig on Wed, 06/22/2011 - 19:31

Bed based of Ana's Lydia plan.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Satin paint with 3 coats of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

ohiomomma

Fri, 06/24/2011 - 06:32

What a great job! Did you build the drawer unit as a separate piece? I was recently asked to build a big girl bed for my niece who has a storage limited bedroom, so this could be a great solution for her...

In reply to by ohiomomma

kikicraig

Sat, 06/25/2011 - 08:27

I actually bought the under bed storage unit on craigslist as I didn't want to mess up all the places I could have not getting it square. But, yes, it is a complete separate unit that then I build the head/foot boards.

Outdoor seating area from outdoor sectional plan -with a twist!

Submitted by elsa4008 on Sat, 08/03/2013 - 16:08

It started out as 6 pallets and I wrapped it in plywood but couldn't think of a way to make a back/armrests. Then I stumbled across Ana's plan for the outdoor sectional, and I ended up with a hybrid of sorts!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
350 including cushions, fabric and paint
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Outdoor paint and primer in one.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Put Away Those Plans!

Submitted by Johnnie8 on Mon, 08/24/2015 - 04:11

Hi Ana,

 Just wanted to take a minute to show off a few of my finished projects. I started doing this about a year ago when I found your site and downloaded the $55 fancy x desk plans. Well I've since put those plans away and am making my own! I use all new lumber from the big box stores and have discovered a few techniques to achieve the finishes on these. Thanks for looking and I'm about to post some more!

Johnnie

 
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
My own technique of stain, paint, wax and a poly sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse table - pocket hole plans

This table was made for large gatherings. It will seat 12 and is 9' X 4' I had to add another let in the middle and I couldn't find 4X4 so I paired 2 2'X4's. The friend I made it for is very happy with it, and so am I.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane - Kona
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

For the Dogs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/24/2022 - 10:14

I took the farmhouse desks and turned it into dog dishes.

by Katherine

Built from Plan(s)