Community Brag Posts

DIY Truss Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/04/2023 - 14:54

2x4 Truss bench with some alterations.
My first project completed with help of your plans.
Made from pine and painted using a walnut water based primer and varnish to try and match it to our existing table.

Catriona

Queen Loft Bed

Submitted by christy on Tue, 05/22/2012 - 07:54

I made this bed for my 6 year old daughter. I loved Anna's Loft Bed plans, but she wanted a bigger play area underneath. So I modified the twin loft bed plans to fit a queen mattress. I also added extra supports for the mattress, and I used PureBond plywood on top of the supports for the mattress to sit on.
That's the Farmhouse Toddler Bed underneath. My younger daughter inherited her big sister's twin bed, so the toddler bed was put to use in the new "playhouse."

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I sanded the wood and primed it. Then I sanded (lightly) again and painted it with Valspar latex enamel in Gloss Almond.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Neatha (not verified)

Mon, 08/20/2012 - 13:04

Do you have your modified plans still? I don't know where to begin with editing the originals. I am moving and we have limited space I need to place a desk under and queen sized bed but my ceilings are only 8ft.

Lindsay (not verified)

Sun, 09/02/2012 - 12:45

I think it's great that you modified it to a queen! I live a studio and NEED something like this. Could you share the modifications? It looks beautiful = )

christy

Sun, 09/02/2012 - 20:58

The changes I made were:
End planks cut to 63"
Top back guard and front and back rails cut to 87"
The top guard rails on ends cut to 66"
I measured for the mattress supports and the front guard rail after the rest was completed.
You should also measure for the bookcases after the rest is completed, but each of mine wound up being about 31" wide.

Everything else was pretty much the same.

Hope that helps.

dbai (not verified)

Thu, 11/01/2012 - 08:24

This is wonderful - I've been looking to make something like this for an urban efficiency (adult) apartment! Thanks so much for sharing your modifications!

gmur589

Mon, 07/29/2013 - 14:08

Will the height of the bed allow for adults to stand under it? If not what modifications should be made to make the height fit a standing adult? (the highest being 6'1" male) Thanks! =D

etb1999

Sun, 10/06/2013 - 08:23

Hello, about how much did it cost you to make this?
THANKS

NicoleLance0826

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 12:30

Hey Christy I was wondering if you could send the plans for upgrade to queen size. I cannot pull up the changes. Thank You. Im sure its not to many changes.

pretty-prima

Thu, 03/24/2016 - 16:52

Hello! I would like to build this queen sized bed, could you give me a cost estimate? I don't have any wooden planks sitting around so I would have to buy them all new.

Rugged Outdoor Table

Submitted by cdrum89 on Thu, 03/06/2014 - 06:05

Ok I decided to construct my very first project - a small outdoor table that would look a bit ancient mostly because the need for it in my house has been screaming since I could remember. I would selfish to say that I did it alone but I got a bit of help from my hussy. I'm happy that the kids love it and all struggle to have lunch on it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Coated with a transparent paint/thinner as I wanted to keep it a bit raw.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Modern Outdoor Sectional

I had been wanting a patio sofa for a long time and while googling prices for the 1,000th time I found a link to Ana White's wonderful website. I can't say how grateful I am to Ana White. The fact that she puts all of these plans online for free and asks nothing in return speaks to her character and what a kind and generous person she is. Helping people build things and helping them learn at the same time! Anyway, I followed the plans explicitly and purchased the cushions at Ikea.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshades Black Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Outdoor Chair from 2x4s and 2x6s with high backs.

Submitted by ihoppoet on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 23:02

I built these chairs with the plans Ana White shared on this site, they are sturdy and beautiful, but they are also heavy. Heavy is what I wanted though.

I used water putty for the screws and other blemishes, then I primed and painted them. when the Homedepot pillows arrived my wife decided she wanted higher backs, I used an idea shared on here, but that back used 2 2x6s, when I tried that I felt they were too high, so I altered it to one, and found they look and feel a lot better. the angle of the back is 15 degrees from 90 or 105 degrees.  I will be altering the loveseat plans to build a concrete top bbq coffee table to use with the chairs. 

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Exterior primer and paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Table for the little one

Submitted by Rennie82 on Fri, 05/25/2012 - 05:36

Got my new Kreg Jig, picked up a brand new master kit on craigslist for half the normal price! The table went together beautifully and the chairs were simple as well!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
about 25 dollars for all the lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar latex semi gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids Bunk Bed with Storage Stairs

My husband and I searched at least a hundred plans to find a simple bunk bed for our girls and Ana's Loft bed was a perfect base plan with a few changes. We wanted a lower bunk, top and bottom, since our girls are young (ages 5 and 2.5). The youngest just moved from the crib so by putting the bed lower we are able to skip the side rails. Overall we cut 10 inches off the height of the original loft bed plan and still have plenty of room in the lower bunk. I can sit up comfortably on the lower bunk and the youngest can even stand. We went with another 8 inch board for the top bunk rail, it was simpler then the rail with cap but achieved the same overall rail height. We knew we didn't want a ladder in their room because our 2 yr old is fearless. So for the stairs my husband just ended up winging it, loosely basing them on the Storage Stairs plan, creating basic cubes so we can still let light in and have storage. We also didn't want the steps to be high up in case the girls fall from them, which is more common then them falling off the top bunk. At 32 in. high (the bunk is 61 in) both of them can still climb in the top bunk without issue. At first the steps didn't have the tall "cube" at the back but the platform just wasn't that big so the long cube was an add on and gave it the perfect size and heft. We couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Thanks Ana for your awesome blog and the great plans that you post. My husband also built the original play kitchen and it is amazing! I'll have to do another post with pics of that.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar white primer and top coat in one in satin finish. Decorative paint is Martha Stewart craft paint, our 5 year old chose stencils, the 2.5 year preferred to free hand her art ;)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Cedar Planter Outdoor Speakers

Submitted by Hoosierdoc on Fri, 06/10/2016 - 10:53

We just put in a pool and I needed something to hide a pair of outdoor speakers. I used Klipsh AW-525 speakers.

Basically I raised the bottom of the planter enough to fit the speaker under and had to add a few framing pieces to secure the speaker mount to. The mount attaches to a vertical board and the weight rests on a horizontal board. The wiring comes up from below.

The front panel uses vinyl mesh from Sailrite.com to hide the speaker but allow sound out. Imm planning to hang it with magnets if it doesn't distort sound too much.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic X Console table with Live Edge Top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/28/2020 - 17:13

Made this with my son for his new home. The only deviation from the plan was a solid slab of sycamore for the top with dark Minwax stain. Base was painted and waxed with Annie Sloan Old White paint The toughest part was getting the angles right for the X pieces. Had to eye the line and cut with a band saw.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan Old White paint, clear wax. Minwax Early American stain and Minwax clear satin acrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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