Community Brag Posts

Mini farmhouse nightstand

Submitted by Carmenh on Mon, 04/14/2014 - 12:07

You can do this!
This mini farmhouse nightstand was my first building project. Of course Ana's easy to follow PDF's made it doable but check the tips above for cuts on your 2x2's. One rookie mistake I made was forgetting to double check my pieces. My 1x2's were actually thicker than 1" so they protrude from the side of my piece a bit. A sander could fix that. All in all so proud! Thanks to Ana and to everyone else for your brags.

P.S. A mini keg jig kit is SO worth the investment. I used standard wood-cost of about $20 including $4 for my drawer handle hardware. Kreg jig kit plus pocket hole screws were an additional $30 but I have plenty left for my next project;)

posted by Carmenh | on Mon, 2014-04-14 13:45 EDITREPLY

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer and good quality cabinet paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Alex's Toy Storage

Submitted by bobrombach on Tue, 07/12/2016 - 08:55

Super fun, and easy, to build this toy storage bin from Ana's plan. I took your advice, Ana, and made the top rail a little taller than a 1x4 and it's working great! I also used a prefinished (white) wainscotting panel for the back. I really like the way that turned out.

I bought the prefinished (white) letters at Hobby Lobby. 

This bin is a fun, and functional, addition to our home.

Thanks again for the great resources, Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Gloss paint and high gloss acrylic finish. Tip - don't apply finish in high humidity! Yuck... took forever to dry.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack chairs and table

Submitted by BrookR on Thu, 05/07/2020 - 04:09

I loved this plan for sturdy, yet economical Adirondack chairs. They were exactly what I needed for one of our Airbnbs. I liked the look of smaller back and seat boards, so I used 1x4s in place of 1x10s. The seat spacing worked out on the seat but on the back I had to rip one of the boards on the back down to 2.5 inches or so for it all to to fit. If I make them again, I’d probably just add a 2 inches or so to the length of the back 2x4s so the back board spacing would work out.

Thanks again, Ana, for proving such great plans for us all.

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior paint. Painting took longer than the building!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse Toddler Bed

I was way overdue on building this toddler bed for my son. He really motivated me when he started repeatedly climbing out of his crib. The bed was very easy to make. The three things I would recommend are:

1. Do not use pocket holes on the footboard, so you don't have to fill all the holes. The nails worked great on the footboard and it is very sturdy.

2. Attach the side rails to the end board on the outside, not the inside. I found this out the hard way and had to take it apart and fix it.

3. Listen to Ana White and measure your mattress first. My son's fits, but I have to squeeze it in a little.

Great plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Minwax Dark Walnut, #2716; I rubbed it in with a rag. I followed with 2 coats of Minwax Fast Drying Clear Satin Polyurethane. I love how it turned out. It can’t dry fast enough :)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

shortermama (not verified)

Mon, 08/13/2012 - 17:34

Did you use a plan for your bed rail? Do you find that it's large enough? I feel like my little man will roll right out. He's an active sleeper just like I was as a kid. Though miraculously when I rolled out of bed (even when hitting a wood platform floor when camping with girl scouts) I never woke up. This guy will.

Pallet rack modified

I changed it alittle by not having three posts and some I added a top shelf and cut holes for shot glasses. I also added wine glass holders to the bottoms cutting out a circle and slot.....Use t-molding mush easier and faster.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stains and varnish. Used 220 sand paper on some and rustic ones 80 grit.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

$18 Star Shaped Clothes Drying Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/15/2016 - 19:54

Make a beautiful star shaped clothes drying rack that magically expands, using very simple tools and materials! Detailed tutorial and free building plans.

Estimated Cost
$18
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Stair Railing

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/03/2024 - 08:44

We built our house 5 years ago and I’ve disliked our stairs since then. They were never finished and were big and bulky compared to the rest of the house. These plans were the perfect fit. We switched the top 2x4 for an actual handrail, purchased from a big box store. We used pocket holes to install it and I couldn’t be happier. It’s now my favorite thing in the house. We plan on adding a loft and will use these plans for the railing.

@livingsmallerintheholler

 

Medicine Cabinet

Submitted by beansurfin on Mon, 07/02/2012 - 18:12

I found this project on I different site (sorry) but really wanted to make it for our quest bathroom. It was not to difficult and it really helps to finish off our quest bathroom since it was missing a medicine cabinet.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rolling Cubby Bench topped w/fabric

Submitted by dhynd on Fri, 04/18/2014 - 20:26

Super easy to make this cubby bench! Used fabric to cover the the bottom shelf, and cut an extra piece of lumber to make an additional top. Will add 3 inch casters.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Glidden Mint Paint in EggShell
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Loft Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:33

I took the junior hight bed and made it 75 inches tall (floor to top of bed). I also reduced the side measurements by 3 1/2 inches so that it fit an IKEA twin mattress and added some 1x2 boards on the front for looks and support of the safety rail. I used a slatted base of 1x4 boards. These adjustments were to make the bed fit our room and mattress. I didn't do the platform stairs as we had no space for it. I added height so that I can walk under the bed and so that I could put a nursery under. Our space is a tiny 8x9 foot bedroom. I plan on making this a bunk bed as the baby grows. The big sister is in love with her new bed. Thanks for the plans ANA!! Oh, and the color I chose for the bed is Theresa's Green by farrow and ball. Color can be matched in both Lowes and home depot. Total cost for me was $82 for everything.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint, Theresa's Green by Farrow & Ball
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Twin farmhouse bed with cubby bookshelf

Submitted by Natalieeh on Mon, 05/11/2020 - 12:51

My friend needed a bed for her son... she described what she was looking for but couldn’t find in her price range... so I told her it would be cheaper for me to build it... around $280 I built this bed.... it took me a week but I didn’t work on it everyday. All in all, I could probably do it in 3 days. I am a Slow builder though

Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DIY Linen Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/08/2024 - 10:07

My husband and I built the Hemnes Linen Cabinet for our daughter and it turned out beautifully! Thanks for the plan, Ana.

Cheryl

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Round X Base Coffee Table

Submitted by jlmcgruder on Thu, 07/05/2012 - 17:56

I modified this design to fit the specifications I wanted for a coffee table. I think it worked out perfectly for what I wanted. I made the base completely out of scrap I had laying around, and I bought a 36" round top from my local Lowe's store.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
The base is behr white gloss paint and the top is walnut stain with gloss poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

silver202

Tue, 01/05/2016 - 17:31

do you think i could get the modified peramiters from you? It looks amazing and i really like this table design but its too big for what im looking for. Do you think you could help me out?

Hand Made by: Rusty Pine

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/22/2016 - 09:27

I made this in 1 day from the plans here on Ana White what a fun project it was and fairly simple to build 

for such a beautiful piece..www.facebook.com/groups/ozaofwc/ 

Estimated Cost
it cost me roughly 49.00 to build materials got at home depot here in florida..
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We used Varathane Dark walnut stain..
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Toy Box

Submitted by Abby721 on Tue, 05/12/2020 - 17:58

Super simple build with fabulous results! I have been using as a coffee table and it looks awesome and is functional for lots of toy storage as well. It would also work so great to house extra blankets and throw pillows. I added a lid support so it does not slam shut on little hands. This would also be a perfect addition to any playroom for some nice looking toy storage!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
For the legs I used Rustoleum Canyon Black paint and for the rest I first used Minwax Weathered Oak with Minwax Early American over the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Birdfeeder

Submitted by beansurfin on Sat, 07/07/2012 - 07:30

Decided to use some scrap pieces of wood to make this for our backyard. Only difference I did was use 1x6 instead of 1x8 since that is what I had around. Thanks for the plans.

Estimated Cost
$0; had the wood lying aroung
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

laundry organizer

Submitted by oldman357 on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 14:28

found these plans online and threw them together slightly modified for my wife since she is the main laundry person in our house right now since I'm working two jobs. she was thrilled and posted this picture online now i'm signed up to build three more for single moms we know!

Estimated Cost
30$ maybe
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
no time to finish, wife demanded i install and secure to stud right away.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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