Community Brag Posts

Platform Bed with Headboard

Submitted by vkaylee on Mon, 11/23/2015 - 17:29

So appreciative for the plans. This was one of the bigger projects I've taken on but I had so much fun with it. A client of mine actually sent these plans to me because she wanted this exact bed with headboard. I was a little apprehensive at first because I haven't normally done a lot of custom work but it was a lot of fun. 

Estimated Cost
$70 for everything
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished. This project was to be completed by the client.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X Kitchen Island - Double

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/14/2019 - 01:54

I followed the plans except for the top, I used a 2x12, 2x4 and 2x12 pocket holes together.

 

Burnt the wood with a torch and stained over.

Thanks for the plans!

 

Questions? [email protected]

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200$
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax provincial and topcoat polyurethane and mineral spirits 75/25 mix
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Hall tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/31/2022 - 14:53

Had fun making this one! Kept it rustic and added something other than white. Thanks for the great plan!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

hanging bed

I saw this bed and just had to have it for my daughter. She loves it so much and it looks great in her room. It was easy to make, but very heavy. We were very meticulous to hang, we might have spent more time hanging it than building it :) There is more info on my blog.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
35, but we had some extra lumber and screws we used
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
primed then painted
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Closet shelves

Submitted by mom of 4 on Thu, 09/19/2013 - 22:12

I needed to use my small coat closet more efficiently (observe the disaster in the before picture!), so I installed built-in shelves along a side wall for all our board games. Not a plan really, but just a simple solution. Measure the height you want your shelves to be, install a 1X3 at that height on either side wall, making sure they are level and secured to studs or anchored (Mine are 1 foot apart up to 5 feet). Then install plywood or solid wood shelves across the supports. Screw in to secure and you've got functional, inexpensive shelving, built to fit your unique space.

Estimated Cost
Scraps or the cost of 1 sheet plywood and 1 1X3 or 1X4.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
It's all just bare wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our scrap wood storage bed

Submitted by c_paigew on Thu, 11/26/2015 - 09:00

Our version of the Brandy Storage Bed in king size.  Added a headboard made from from weathered wood leftover from building our house.  The "scrap wood" pieces used to cover the bottom are a mixture of rough cedar, old wood from a grain bin and general 1X scraps.

 

Thanks so much for the plans Ana, we love our new bed!! 

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Love this table!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/17/2019 - 14:37

Fell in love with this table! Couldn't wait to build it. Found a great mill that had raw stock of a variety of woods. I chose White Ash  because if the hardness and beautiful grain. They planed it to 1-3/4" thickness. Modifed the width to 50" and turned the truss supports underneath to add extra support for the table top due to the weight of the White Ash. Finished with provincial stain and 6 coats of hand rubbed poly. Used wood bleach on the 4x4's to take the red tint out before staining. Worked great!

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

Picture Ledge for Cutting Board Display

Submitted by vendo on Fri, 11/18/2022 - 10:19

My sophomore daughter built a cutting board in woodworking class. She did a beautiful job, so I wanted to display it. Took me about 10 minutes to build this little shelf. Can be used on the counter, or attached to a wall or pantry shelf. I decided to attach to the side of my DIY freestanding pantry that I built using Ana's Shelf Help service. I'm happy the whole family is able to enjoy her beautiful cutting board and this makes it easy to use and put up when not in use. 

Built from Plan(s)

Extra Tall Upholstered Bar Stool

Submitted by LinzFritz on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 21:26

My sister needed an extra tall stool for the bar her husband built, so I adjusted the Parson Chair plans to make them fit. I included the Sketchup model that I used in my blog post.

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

Comments

moosmani

Mon, 10/29/2012 - 14:15

I love this! I want to make 3 just like this, after I get a little better at the wood-working stuff!

The perfect sewing table!

I have been looking at sewing furniture for years, but the prices always made my jaw drop. I have a small craft room, so I needed a table that could also triple as a cutting table and fabric storage. Thank you so much to Ana White for this plan! I built exactly to the plan in The Handbuilt Home, and it's the PERFECT size.

So the sewing machine can sit flush with the top, making working on big sewing projects way easier, I traced the outline of my machine on the MDF and cut it out with a jig saw. Then I built a small shelf using a 1x12 scrap and 2 1x3 scraps. Putting the 1x3s on top of the 1x12 made the shelf 3.75 inches deep, which is exactly the depth I needed. I attached it to the underside of the tabetop using a pockethole jig and screws.

I built 2 boxes using 1/4 inch plywood, and installed drawer pulls on them, giving the illusion that the table has 2 drawers built in. This is where I keep my ugly stuff--interfacing and fabric scraps.

I got the color scheme for the table from the entryway console plan in The Handbuilt Home. In order to make the MDF top look like it had a wood grain, I applied mahogany gel stain with an old washcloth in very thick strokes that spanned the length of the tabletop. It soaked in and lost the "grain" look in some places, but the majority still looks like wood. I did have to apply several coats of polyurathane over the stain; the MDF has a prickly texture that grabs fabric and makes it hard to feed through the sewing machine.

My only complaint is that I didn't quite think through the fact that seating is bar height and I'm 5'7". It's a little difficult to reach my sewing machine pedal. I may build a small stool for the pedal to sit on so I don't have to half sit/stand to sew.

This is the first woodworking project I've done alone from start to finish: from going to Lowe's and picking out the wood, to cutting the wood with a circular saw, assembly, and finishing. (My fiance did carry it up the stairs for me. :) )

I'm so in love with this table! And now to finish the quilt I started 6 months ago....

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used 2 coats of Valspar Signature paint in Laguna Beach, and Minwax mahogany gel stain on the MDF tabletop.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

MissMehndi

Mon, 09/23/2013 - 15:22

I love this idea!! I too have wanted a sewing table for a long time but the prices of them take my breath away. I may have to make myself one! Thanks for the inspiration!!

Christmas Tree Shelf with Lights

I made this Christmas tree shelf using the plans here.

 

I modified it by adding on two shelves so that it could accommodate the 6 hooks I needed for my family's stockings.  I also hot glued a string of lights to the perimeter.  This is serving as our Christmas tree due to space constraints, so I wanted it to be "fancier" and more like an actual tree.

I think I did ok for my first real build and my family seems to really like it.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Sage Green spray paint in Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Table for Generations to come

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 09:37

I used the basic plan as described on the website. I did differ on the tabletop and the legs. I used 3 slabs of 300+ year old cypress grown and milled locally here in Mississippi. I also kept the live edge on the outside boards. I bought my legs from 59Design. They were identical in everyway but about $15 cheaper per leg. :) 

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Picture ledge

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/30/2022 - 17:08

I used my router and router Ed the edges. Love this!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

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