Community Brag Posts

A Pair of Twin Headboards

Submitted by ChrisHobbs on Mon, 09/05/2011 - 12:00

I built two of these headboards over Labor Day weekend for my girls.

Estimated Cost
$100 for 2 Headboards
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat of semi-gloss white paint. Was going to put a second coat on, but wife loked seeing the wood peeking through, so we left it with only one coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

denny Shortt (not verified)

Mon, 11/26/2012 - 21:46

Your mattress look a little low be careful that your girls do not get their heads stuck between the top of mattress and bottom of headboard

My first project - headboard

After looking through the Handbuilt Home longingly many times, I took the plunge with this simple headboard. I've never built anything from wood, but my main hobby is sewing so I'm good at following directions. I followed the plans exactly and I love how this came out! I used a nailer and glue for all the construction. I recommend this project for beginners! I chose to paint my headboard black to blend with my other furniture.
Now I'm already onto my next project, with a Kreg Jig in hand, the modern craft table from Ana's book. Thank you, Ana for sharing your plans and inspiring people to try building! I feel my skills and confidence increasing with each project!

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Black paint with a coat of polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

mom of 4

Wed, 09/25/2013 - 11:06

I've got the wood in my garage, marked for cutting this project out! Yours looks fantastic. You will love your Kreg Jig! It's one of my all-time favorite tools.

Channing Bookcase

Submitted by plumbguy on Mon, 12/07/2015 - 14:40

I'm a better plumber than a carpenter.

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

X Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/28/2019 - 08:10

Easy to follow instructions.  Thanks!!

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wood Sideboard

I decided to make this planked sideboard in early Nov. I just finished the build last week, working a few hours here and there in my basement. 
The plan is excellent and easy to follow. I’m a fine artist and graphic designer by trade so I am used to precise measuring, I strongly believe in the mantra of “measure three times cut once.” Follow the plan measurements to the 1/8” and your build will be spot on. I never have used pocket screw assembly before (I’m not really an active woodworker... my last build was a rustic farm table 17 years ago) 
so I invested in several Kreg jigs and practiced on some scrap pieces and was encouraged by the ease and accuracy!
This sideboard is a beast... so you will have to assemble the unit in its final resting place. 
I can’t imagine what this thing actually weighs fully assembled. I opted to use Blum concealed hinges for the doors, Promark full extension soft close drawer slides. The knobs and pulls are from the Top Knobs Dakota Collection in patina rouge finish.
My one remaining task is what color finish to apply... I am pouring through color charts trying to decide. I know it has to be a water based low VOC product since the sideboard is in our living space and we don’t want fumes. Building this piece of furniture was a great experience, and knowing that I saved upwards of $2,500. on a similar store bought version makes it even sweeter.
Built from Plan(s)

My New Farm House Table

I ran across Anas website in search for the perfect table, My boyfriend and I just moved in together and have gotten kinda excited about making his home our home. I thought about building a table that would be big enough for the whole family (my children and his)I wanted it to be special and mean something to us as it would be our first peice of furniture together. I was searching the web and run across this website with the exactly what I was looking for, rustic, homey, used and special... I got home showed Steve and we went right to the store to buy supplies, He had this table build within 1 hour and I went to work with the finishing touches. WE BOTH LOVE IT!!! we since collected 6 old chairs (not matching of course) and I am in love with our dining area! Thanks Ana for this wonderful website you so graciously share with us! Now we are planning our bed. It will be a farm house bed ofcourse!!! Cannot wait! Pictures will follow!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
golden oak and eggshell turqouise paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 09/09/2011 - 18:28

I have been wanting to build this table. Yours turned out gorgeous! Love the color of the legs/frame! Beautiful job!

Guest (not verified)

Sun, 09/11/2011 - 18:32

Love your table, did you modify the plan, I don't see the brace at the ends?

Ruthie (not verified)

Thu, 10/06/2011 - 17:54

What is the exact name of the color on the legs? I love the color, I tried using a turqouise on a bench and it doesn't look like this one....Thank you:)

Colonial Maple Bar Stools

My sixteen-year old son took this on as a summer project and built four bar stools. He did a great job! We lowered them by 4 inches from the plan specs to fit under the counter. He used a Miniwax Colonial Maple finish. This project took a lot of Kreg Jig screws and plugs - almost 100 of each. They are very comfortable and beautiful.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65.00 for wood for four, $20.00 for other supplies
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Wood Conditioner, Miniwax Colonial Maple oil-based stain, and 3 coats of polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sofa Table

This is the first piece of furniture we've ever built and we are hooked.  We used a 2x12x6 for the top and 1.5x1.5 for all the support.  We just measured the height of our couch and away we went.  This table is so sturdy and fills a need in our home. My husband and I enjoyed spending the afternoon putting this together.  I did a color wash on the wood instead of stain.  We came in well over the price point, but that is due to where we live.  

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Color wash
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

LOVE!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/03/2019 - 12:58

This project was simple and my husband didn’t have any issues following the plan. We did have to use an extra 2x4, because we didn’t cut the long pieces first. Cut the long pieces first, use the end pieces to make the smaller ones. :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
35
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY farmhouse table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/28/2022 - 16:05

A farmhouse table I built based on one of your inspiration projects! All by hand and chiseled myself 😍

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Laundry Basket Dresser/Kids Dresser

Submitted by MamaPepper on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 14:50

I was reading a book called "ADD Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life", and one thing that stood out to me is that people struggling with ADD RARELY are able to fold and put away their laundry. Well, with 3 little boys (ages 5, 4 and 2)and being a single mama, this is amplified for me. One of the suggestions the book had was to give up the though of folding clothes and get colorful baskets to throw the clothes into once they came out of the drier. . . I immediately remembered seeing these, and I thought, "PERFECT!!!!"

I've made for 2 out of the three boys, but will make for myself and the youngest soon. The older boys now have their own dresser; shirts on top, pants in the middle, socks and underwear on the bottom. Now all I have to do is sort straight into the baskets and put away! Problem solved!

I didn't put the backs on these, mainly because I was being cheap, and they seemed sturdy enough without. I may add backs at a later date if needed.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Oooops paint and spray laquer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Distressed Rustic x console

Submitted by Brad Wills on Sun, 09/29/2013 - 18:50

Really like the plan for this table, just not enough space. So I decided to shrink the overall length to 45 1/2 and then just adjusted from there. Stained the entire project and painted the base. After some sanding to distress, I poly coated the entire project. Staining the top and the X's to match was my wife's idea. It came out great. This was only the second thing I have ever built, and I have to say the Kreg Jig made it fun, rather than frustrating and stressful. My first project was from the adirondack table plan, it came out great too. So glad I found your site!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain with flat paint overlay poly for final coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

bullitt453

Mon, 09/30/2013 - 09:29

The finish on this is absolutely perfect. I built the workbench console table for my dining area a few months ago. Really like how it turned out, but have been considering selling it and building this to go in its place. This may push me in that direction again. Excellent job.

Brad Wills

Tue, 10/08/2013 - 17:33

I used varythane dark walnut stain on the entire project and then painted over with glidden flat in a sage green. Once I 220 sanded the entire project, which aged the green, and took the paint down to stain in areas, I coated twice with varythane polycrylic.

Modular Doll House Painted

A joint effort between my dad, my husband and I!  I love the way it turned out!  The painting was a little time consuming but totally worth it.  Cannot wait for my daughter to see this on Christmas morning.  My dad even made a little crib and highchair, which are just adorable!

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

Bedside table with phone charger

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/09/2019 - 06:03

Adjusted the dimensions to make it smaller. I used scrap plywood and mdf for the base. I used oak for the top. I routed the top instead of using edge trim. I added a USB charging outlet on the table top that plugs into an outlet.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100-$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin white on base. Kona color stain on top. Two coats of furniture wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tall farm table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 08:21

I built this tall farm table for his new home. They love it and now need to get more furniture which I will over time build for him. Therefore, more to come.... I love your plans and keep them coming.

Comments

beach hut bed

Submitted by knb on Tue, 09/20/2011 - 21:05

Please forgive me for this for being a bit long....but i am excited!
Our daughter picked this beach hut bed to be her new bed that she would be getting for her 3rd birthday. Her older sister has a loft bed and was always climbing up so we liked the idea of it being lower for her. I had saved some pics from other sites and then showed them to her, she didnt want the girly house one's :( no she wanted the one i had actually saved for her brother. lol...
Anyway then i went hunting and could not believe my luck when i came across this site with this bed and plans!
My husband...ye of little faith didnt think we could do it but was willing to follow my lead and have a go!
This was our 1st ever time for builing ANYTHING!
And what a undertaking, however it all came together very smoothly and we are both so very proud of what we have been able to achieve.
Things we did a little different...
We altered the ladder on an angle to make it easier for her to climb (alas also for her 20mth old brother as well), also made the ladder upright supports x3 instead of x2, so the ladder now supports both our weights.(see pic) We made little window sills on each of the windows, added a book shelf inside as she is an avid 'reader' screwed in a light from you will know where. :) On the other 'open doorway' side which is against the wall we screwed on 2 x cross beams using 1x2 pine just for our own sakes to know that she cant fall from that side. We also added some dowell fixed with some saddle clips to hang the material from across the open section.
She has been using this bed for 2 weeks now with no problem.
You have made our daughter a very happy little girl,and parents (she is having day sleeps again now:)) because without your site we would not have known where to start. Thankyou very much.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
AU $300 - $400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
To finish I sanded the whole thing, rounding of corners where needed, ie: ladder, window sills, cross bracings, etc. Then prime 1 coat and 2 coats of chosen colour, which is Dulux, Antique White USA. We used a semi as we didnt want a shiny finish.
I would recommend to anybody going to build this bed is to undercoat/prime all side lining wood before nailing into place as painting in between ALL THOSE GAPS took ALONG time!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Wed, 09/21/2011 - 09:27

Great job on your first build! We're in the process of picking a first bed for our daughter and this one is definitely in the running. It looks great!

Cindy from Indiana

knb

Wed, 09/21/2011 - 21:39

Thankyou for your lovely comments. We are so very proud of how it turned out. Even better than we thought. Every time i look at it i think "wow, did we really do that" And yes it was our very 1st build. We now think that if we have done this as a 1st build then we can pretty much do anything....lol...and my to do list is filling up fast.

Marisol

Thu, 09/22/2011 - 10:26

AMAZING!!!
I have been eyeing these plans for a very long time, unfortunately my kids are too small for this bed, I contemplated on making it for outside, as part of a tree house of some sort, but never got around to it. You did such an amazing job, I am truly jealous and hope one day I can have this at my house! Love it!!!!

knb

Fri, 09/30/2011 - 05:11

Thankyou for your kind comments, little Madison is still loving her bed, sitting up in there during the day playing with her dolls and reading her books, and yes still having a day sleep...loving it....we are in the middle of a teenager loft bed with a mini robe walk-in underneath for one of our other daughters. Not as cute as this but will post pics when done. :)

reno queen (not verified)

Sun, 10/02/2011 - 04:33

What a nice job, i am jealous. Looking at the job you have done and you say it's your first job is unreal. Looking at your children please send me your husband and i will look after him. lol you are one lucky gal

Janelle (not verified)

Tue, 10/04/2011 - 03:35

Yes i agree with reno queen. Send me your hubby i will pay more haha.Where do i find one like that ? They don't make them anymore haha .What a nice job. This is the best i have seen so far. Would you build and send to New Zealand? How much? i am willing to pay freight etc. Regards Janelle

mandy framme (not verified)

Sat, 10/08/2011 - 02:56

Great job and yes i second that, send him to me ,if he is the one in the pic he is rugged .lol top job

knb

Thu, 10/13/2011 - 15:25

Yes ladies that is my husband in the pic and yes our children are simply gorgous....As far as builing this bed for you Janelle, customs would not allow it because of the wood. We sometimes race jet boats in NZ and the boats can not have 1 speck of mud, dirt or any natural by product on it anywhere. Yes they can spray it with chemicals but would you really want your child sleeping in it then?? So sorry about that. It really wasnt to hard, my hubby just followed my lead (re:I told him what to do! lol) at the time we only had very basic tools, and we managed great. It was more the hours it took, but also having said that we could only work after kids were in bed or weekends.

Guest (not verified)

Wed, 11/30/2011 - 10:41

How seriously cute is that! I love it!

Guest (not verified)

Sun, 02/26/2012 - 18:11

Hi my husband and I are about ready to start building. Our daughter is turning 6 in a few months- and saw someone made this 3 year old. We have 8 ft ceilings - but we are adding a slide out the one side (for fun) and would like to make the height of the loft bed a bit higher - anyone do that ?
How will plan change much?

Guest (not verified)

Sun, 02/26/2012 - 18:11

Hi my husband and I are about ready to start building. Our daughter is turning 6 in a few months- and saw someone made this 3 year old. We have 8 ft ceilings - but we are adding a slide out the one side (for fun) and would like to make the height of the loft bed a bit higher - anyone do that ?
How will plan change much?

Lola459

Thu, 04/26/2012 - 13:11

Hello. I have printed out the plans for this beach hut and I plan on starting this weekend. This will be my first build. Something in the plans doesn't make sense to me. In Step 2, it shows the floor supports for each side of the hut being 20" long, but then in Step 3, it shows the length of the pieces for the windows as only 18" long. Wouldn't they need to be the same width?

Yayyyyyyy it's soooooo cute!!!!

This was my first in not just painting but actually building what I was about to craft!!!! I messed up a few times but had a blast and have already started my next build :)

Estimated Cost
50 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Ebony with a lacquer in it
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Great plans!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 18:59

All pine stock from Home Depot. I had to mill some ofvthec2 x 6s to get straight edges for the top. Dark walnut stain. 3 coats varathane. Came out great! Thanks for the plans Ana!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane water based
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Entryway Hall Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/11/2023 - 04:01

I modified the plans for the farmhouse hall tree to build this for our entryway. The farmhouse hall tree was a perfect base plan for this project! We went from a mess of jammed in jackets and piles of shoes to a clean and organized entrance! Thank you so much for providing the original plans! We love this!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Kids Adirondack Chair

Submitted by Radcrafter on Tue, 09/27/2011 - 14:46

The Kids Adirondack Chair. I love these little chairs! Simple and easy to build. This one was a birthday present for my niece's daughter. Read more about this project on my blog.. Thanks Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
under $20
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Deck Stain in semi-transparent Sand Beige
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner