Community Brag Posts
DIY Sofa - Storage Sectional
Basically I took Ana's plan and tweaked it to create a diy sofa, a love seat, and a corner piece to make a sectional. All 3 pieces have the same basic design and function (they all have a storage compartment), although the corner piece, because of its placement and the thickness of the seating cushions, doesn't open unless the couch is opened first. We purchased custom cut, 6" thick foam cushions for the seats (we bought the XL-38 foam from https://www.buyfoam.com/, but if we had to do it again, we'd go with the XL-28 as the 38 is VERY firm). We also used upholstery fabric instead of a paint drop-cloth to cover the couches. The foam and upholstery fabric upped the overall cost significantly. Other changes from Ana's plan, I used 15/32" OSB because the 1/4" plywood just felt too flimsy (I'm a large guy). I also added I bolts to the underside of the seat before the foam and upholstery so I could add a stress relief rope to prevent the kids from opening the top and dropping it and ripping out the hinges. I used piano hinges as they seemed to me to provide the most support. Finally, I ended up using 1x2s for the base trim since I couldn't find any 2x2s that were straight and finish-ready, then I added router detailing to provide some visual interest. I used 3" pieces of 4x6 for the feet and added matching router detail. Additionally, I used T-Nuts and bolts to make the feet and base trim completely removable.
Comments
Mon, 08/17/2020 - 07:46
Good
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Murphy bed
So I've always wanted to build a Murphy bed. And by always I mean since I first came across plans here that made it look so simple. It ended up taking me a while to do because my job has me working 6 days a week so I was only able to work on it for short chunks of time.
I ended up utilizing a few different plans and mashed them together to build a full size murphy bed. The shelves are the support legs when the bed is down. The "hinge" mechanism are heavy duty 360 degree seat swivels.
All-in-all it turned out WAY better than I expected with only some minor issues throughout the construction process.
Next up is a twin xl Murphy bed with a murphy desk attachment that will serve as a craft table when up.
3 - 1x2x8 to wrap the frame ($2-3 each)
1 pack Door Hinge pins to serve as the pins to hold the bed upright ($3-5)
1 pint stain
1 pint shellac
2 - Heavy Duty 360 degree seat swivels ($20)
Screws/nails/etc.
All told, this project probably cost around $200
Comments
Full size loft
Built a full size loft bed for my kids but wanted something safer than having them climb up and down a ladder so used the Camp Loft Bed plans to add the platform and stairs. It is much easier for the kids. Going to finish by covering the platform and stairs with carpet.
Comments
Wed, 10/02/2019 - 09:51
I really like how the…
I really like how the platform is only half way so the stairs are inset, this is very smart and good use of space.
twin over full bunkbed
This project was so much easier than I thought it would be when we started. If you follow ana's plans your bunkbed will be much stronger than anything you can buy for a fraction of the price. I would never do it but I honestly think I could park my truck on these beds. The finish is red mahogany stain with a couple coats of polyurethane over it. They say not to use dark stain over pine because of the uneven coat but i like the way it striped the grain. Not everyone's cup of tea but we love it.
We've all heard the saying "give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for life. Thank You Ana for teaching me to fish. This was the first, but will not be the last project i do from your site.
Comments
Mon, 10/27/2014 - 12:43
Slats for mattress supports
What materials did you use for your matress supports (size, spacing, attaching)?
Outdoor Cedar Higher Chair
I used cedar deck boards and rails to make this chair - A little more costly, but definitely worth it!
The seat and back rest were made using 5/4 x 6" boards. I cut them 1/2" to 3/4" longer so that they would overhang the supports - for a more finished look. The 2x2 rails came with an angled cut, so I decided to use that to my advantage on the back supports - I made them a bit longer so they would sit higher on the back rest, and I think the angled cut looks a little more "friendly". All screws were left exposed, since this is an outdoor cedar chair.
The table in the photo is an original picnic table from the 1920's, complete with the original paint. It folds flat for storage. I hope to measure it someday and make a plan to build a reproduction - If that ever happens, I will post it on Ana's site.
Thanks Ana for the great plans!
Comments
In reply to Just beautiful! by dananryan
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 11:48
Thanks So Much! :)
Thanks So Much! :)
In reply to Thanks So Much! :) by Tea Granny
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 11:50
Modifications
Thanks So Much! :)
Fri, 03/08/2013 - 19:43
The chair looks beautiful!
The chair looks beautiful! You did a great job! I love the contrast of the outdoor table and this chair! Thanks for your post!
In reply to The chair looks beautiful! by Ana White
Sun, 03/10/2013 - 14:48
Thank You, Ana!
Oh My Goodness!! Thank you, Ana!! I'm sure you're very busy and I'm honoured by the fact that you took the time to comment on my chair! You've made my day!
Fri, 05/17/2013 - 00:48
Hey,Wow the chair structure
Hey,Wow the chair structure is so cool .Really good work done .
unique wedding favors
In reply to Hey,Wow the chair structure by EdmonsonWilliam
Mon, 05/20/2013 - 10:06
Thanks Very Much!
Ana has the greatest plans, doesn't she?
L Shaped Patio Couch
One day project with hubby! Wanted a wood set, but couldn’t find a reasonable price. Bought tools, wood, supplies, and cushions for under the cost of one online!
DIY Chicken Coop
As a first time chicken farmer, I have four chickens now fully grown. It was 29 degrees in Iowa this morning, wondering if I should wrap the lower portion of the coop on three sides with visqueen, and should the roost windows be covered? I have straw bales to roost on and add where needed . I don’t plan to heat the coop . Any help will be appreciated.
Sturdy Workbench Sink
Used sturdy workbench plans with 2x6 cedar top for outdoor sink. Turned out much better than I expected!!
Comments
Tue, 05/02/2023 - 07:09
This is so great!
Way to go, it is beautiful and functional! Thanks for sharing.
Farmhouse Railing Upgrade - by Sara and Chris
Amazing stair railing upgrade shared by Sara and Chris!
Sandbox with built-in seats
I modified this a tad from the original plans to suit my needs. I will eventually be adding a platform with attached slide and swing set.
Plans were easy to follow. My store didn't have 1x8's so I stacked 1x4's and used my Kreg jig to join them together and then I added extra bracing.
I had seen this on Pinterest a couple years ago and thought it was the coolest thing! Io excited I was able to build it myself!
Miter Stand and Rolling Storage Carts
I'm so happy that I found the plans for Ana's miter stand and rolling carts! It was just what I needed for my garage shop... so everything can be organized and stored compactly but things can pull open and expand when I have a project (which is all the time, actually).
The actual miter stand was super easy to build - the carts took a few days working non-stop (when the kids permitted).
I made a few obvious changes from the plans:
-made deeper shelves on one of the carts
-added drawers on one of the carts
-added ped board on the end caps of miter stand
Something I didn't consider before building this was the slope of our garage floor. There's a 3" difference from one end of the legs to the other so I had to use riser blocks to get everything perfectly level. Unfortunately there's no way to level the carts as they aren't stationary but they slide in/out just fine.
I'd recommend this build to everyone! Check Home Depot clearance often for deals on plywood!
Comments
Wed, 02/07/2018 - 11:35
I cannot find the plans
Would you be able to share the original plans? It seems that once the contest ended, the links to the plans stopped working.
Sandbox with Cover
The cover is a tonneau cover for a pickup truck. It's for a 6.5' truck bed so if you notice, I had to ad a 2x4 and one more picket on top to accommodate the extra length.
The cover would add a ridiculous amount of money to the project but it was repurposed. I found it on a truck that was in an accident and going to the scrap yard. I think it it came out great and my grandson loves it.
John
Chicken Run with Turkey House
My daughter helped me build this enclosure. We used Ana's chicken run plan, but just made it taller so we could walk in easily. We added an overhang to store food and pellets under, for the supports we used Ana's easy shelves angle support plan, and finally we used the playhouse base plan for the base of turkeys house. All plans used are linked below. We ran the chicken wire out under the structure and still need to bring in some large rocks or pavers, but so far no issues with predators. Turkey was getting too big to fit in the smaller coop, so we decided to have fun with his house and used cedar fence pickets and some treated 2x4's, built a box and jig sawed the shape of a turkey. As you can see in the first photo the ladder for turkey wasn't big enough, all the other chickens were in his house, lol. So I beefed up the ladder and he happily can put himself up at night now:) Overall a super successful project, I wasn't sure what to do with the top and just at that point, the neighbor walked over and offered the metal, talk about a huge win and the perfect solution! We attached the run to the previous smaller structure and now they have so much more room and are laying like crazy:) Finally, I think this would make a great dog kennel as well...
6'x6' Box
I found these plans online and was just waiting for the kids' grandpa to come out and build it. Could be built in one afternoon (depending on how many trips to your local Home Depot, and availability of the correct tools)
Modifications from original plan:
6x6 instead of 4x4
Brackets to hold patio umbrella for shade
Added seat gussets for additional support
Added "wooden flange" around bottom of box to run lawnmower on
One additional center back support on each bench
One centered handle (instead of a handle on each end)
Stapled landscape weed barrier fabric onto the bottom
Sanded all exposed edges
Materials:
4@2x10x8'
12@1x6x6'
2@2x6x12'
8 hinges
2 handles
3 1/2" decking screws (for attaching 2"x boards)
1 5/8" decking screws (for attaching 1"x boards)
2+ 1 1/4" 2-hole straps for metal conduit (for attaching patio umbrella*)
*Our patio umbrella pole was 1 1/2" diameter, but 1 1/2" straps had too much play, so we used 1 1/4" straps and misc flat washers to adjust the snugness to the pole
Cut lengths:
2@2x10 cut to 72" (long sides of the box)
2@2x10 cut to 69" (short sides of the box)
Cut one each of the following out of a 12 footer:
2@2x6 cut to 75" (long side "flange")
2@2x6 cut to 64" (short side "flange")
No cuts were made to the 12 1x6's
Used one leftover 2' from the 2x8x10's ripped in half cut to 11.5" for arm rests
Used two leftover 2' sections from the 2x8x10's ripped in half cut to 21" for back supports
Used the last 2' cutoff to make two seat gussets (cut about 9 1/2" off and then ripped it at 45 degrees)
Used the remaining piece (ripped in half length-ways) to attach to the center of the backrest for additional support and as the attachment point for our handles
We decided to do one handle in the center of the backrest so one reasonably strong adult could open the lid
The bottom "flange" was assembled with the box upside down. Basically a 2x6 screwed to the bottom edge of the box allowing 1 1/2" overhang all the way around
After making cuts, but before assembly, we recommend using a quarter-sheet pad sander (or similar) with 60 grit paper to break all of the edges and round over any ends or corners that will be in contact with sandbox users
Followed other general assembly instructions
Fall Inspired Privacy Planter
Love this privacy planter and how easy it is to switch up between the seasons. I build a false bottom to make it easy to just set plants on it.
Privacy planter
It's a take off of your privacy fence planter. But I added water to make it a water wall also.
Comments
Great Plan for Garage Shelf!
This was an easy project to complete in an afternoon that does not require any advance woodworking skills
Comments
Wed, 11/26/2014 - 12:19
This project looks even
This project looks even better than mine! I love look with paint! Well done!
Wed, 12/10/2014 - 09:41
Thanks Ana!
This is my second completed project with plans and ideas from your website. Thanks for your good work!
Modern Farmhouse Bed Frame
I love how this bed frame turned out! Everywhere that has stain is cedar and the rest is all scrap spruce. Thanks for another great plan Ana!
Comments
outdoor patio furniture
Well this was first project my hubby and I tackled together. He actually let me use the power tools. The plans were great! Loved having a shopping list! I made the cushion s myself. I have to say, I wish I had made the couch and chairs the size of cushions available at Lowes . AFt e r you buy foam batting fabric and chording I found set at lowes for a lot less but I am so happy how it all turned out . Thks for providing plNz!
Comments
modern outdoor lounge chair
Just finished this beauty, entirely made with 2x4, plans were modify to match our outdoor sofa and coffee table. I think our best looking project so far ;) Thank you for inspiring me to build !!!
Comments
In reply to Very nice! by Ana White Admin
Tue, 03/01/2016 - 18:13
Thank you Ana
Little by little I am transforming my ugly concrete patio with no view in Zen garden...
Tue, 03/01/2016 - 18:15
Thank you Ana
Little by little I am transforming my ugly concrete patio with no view in a Zen garden...
Tue, 03/01/2016 - 18:16
Thank you Ana
Little by little I am transforming my ugly concrete patio with no view in a Zen garden...