DIY Rustic Sideboard
I worked on this project over the course of a few months, and I absolutely love the result! I posted all the info at my blog: http://www.designatedspacedesign.com/2017/10/01/a-rustic-sideboard/
I worked on this project over the course of a few months, and I absolutely love the result! I posted all the info at my blog: http://www.designatedspacedesign.com/2017/10/01/a-rustic-sideboard/
We too you’re 2x4 shelving unit with some small tweaking of measurements and added a barn door!
I built these bookshelves with the help of my husband for our daughter's nursery. They were so simple to build, the finishing work is what took the most amount of time. They're very sturdy, and we get tons and tons of compliments on the 'feel' that they add to the nursery!
I pretty much followed the plans to the T. I did use 3/4" plywood for the middle shelf instead of the suggested wood. The hardware was the hardest part and mostly followed the previously posted DIY from Jamie's website with a few modifications.
I had no experience building furniture prior to this project but I wanted a 12 ft outdoor table and could not find one. This tables center section is 8 ft and was built roughly following the plans for the farmhouse table. I added two 2 ft extensions at each end making the overall table 12 ft. The extensions included aprons so when installed they look to be part of the table. The extensions just plug into the end apron of the center section with 2x4 oak braces which engage in the apron and under the table approximately 2 ft from end. There is no visual sagging of the extensions. I finished the table with Sikkens DEK finish.
Cedar Planters!
My husband and I moved in to our new house last fall and we needed a dining table that would seat at least 8. We picked this plan from Ana's site because I love the look of the 4x4 beams. I used Adobe Illustrator and my math skills to modify the size and scale to fit our dining room with exact spacing all the way around. We had difficulty finding untreated 4x4 beams but were able to special order some for a reasonable price from a local lumber company. It is more expensive than combing 2x4s but I did not like the pieced together look of the 2x4s. We stained with Rustoleum Dark Walnut and Matte Poly just like the blog post from Ana's site. We also used the Kreg Jig HD which is SO AWESOME! We love the table. Now we just need to decide: chairs vs. benches. I hate to block the beautiful truss design of the base. Its so gorgeous!
Mon, 08/31/2015 - 14:18
I love this table. The finish came out great by the looks. My wife and I are moving into a house soon and I think this is going to be the design for our table as well.
Mon, 09/07/2015 - 06:21
What a beautiful table! Is this table square? We are also looking to build a table to sit 8 and love the look of yours. Could you share your cut list or dimensions?
Mon, 08/29/2016 - 06:08
Thank you for all the kind comments! I did not know that I had gotten any and had not checked back over the past year. The jump drive with my dimensions on it got damaged last year shortly after the build and I lost all of my home decor files including the AI with my cut list and dimensions. I know it had been a while since several of your comments but I will see if my husband can help me measure the table and figure out what the dimensions are and post them on here for you. Happy Woodworking!
Tue, 11/15/2016 - 18:01
This table really looks great! I'm about to start making one and would love to know the dimensions you used. I also noticed that you didnt use the bread boards on either end. How many people does this table fit?
Thanks!
Mon, 02/27/2017 - 08:51
No, we did not use bread boards. It seats 8 with plenty of room.
I used 1 x 10s to make the bookcase a little shallower, and left the back open. Thanks for the great plan.
Spaced out the boards to allow airflow; did a sliding barn door and metal roof. Thanks for the plans!
Wed, 10/19/2022 - 08:23
This is totally awesome, way to think outside the box! Thanks for sharing.
I have been dreaming of this project for YEARS! I used shelfhelp to design the shelf size and the open bottom mudroom plans with matching hutch and the plan with lift up boot storage for inspiration. I still need to add trim but I'm so excited I couldn't wait to say THANK YOU for all the inspiration and help! We absolutely LOVE it!!
Sun, 11/20/2022 - 12:36
Love the color choice, and the build is phenomenal! Thank you so much for sharing.
I recently built the Parson Tower Desk (which I see is no longer here on the site). I built it up 3 tiers vs. 2 tiers as the plan called for. Using the Kreg Jig this desk came together like a charm. It was the first piece of furniture I've ever built. Following Ana's plans was so simple. The part that took me the longest was painting it.
My husband and I worked together to build this spice rack with the plan from ana-white.com. The instructions were very clear and easy to follow.
As you can see from the photo, we haven't hung it on the wall just yet. We have a narrow galley kitchen in an apartment, and I won't be able to get a good photo of it once it's hung.
Thank you, Ana, for inspiring us! We have picked out several more plans to build.
Sarah Hughes
I built this in a full size. Took some time to adjust all the measurements. I used cheap lumber since I was painting it and it cost a little over $350. Then I spent another $75 because I screwed up measurements. :). This was only the 3rd thing I ever built, so I think I did alright. The plans were great! Watched several videos on YouTube about squaring drawers and that helped.
It was simple, I did exactly what Ana White's Plans told me and I got it done in one full Saturday.
Still need to stain but this was my very first project and it turned out well! The directions are very easy to follow and I am very happy with it!
I love this table! On cool winter mornings we fill it with warm water. The built in umbrella stand will be essential once the Texas sun comes out.
Hopefully it buys me some free time to finish some projects!
I already have lots of requests to build more of these for friends and family. I have some edits in mind to make it a little faster and easier next time.
Many thanks to Ana and all the contributers for all the inspiration and tips!
I followed the instructions on the Ana White website, and followed a few of the commenters ideas to reduce the size slightly to minimize the wood costs. I used pocket holes wherever I could to try and reduce the amount of visible screw heads. The cushions were purchased at Big Lots and the cedar was purchased at the big home improvement store. My 5 year old and I worked on this and are so proud of how it turned out.
My husband and boys made a beautiful enclosed raised bed using your plans. It was modified to include exterior raised beds for flowers.
I made a pair of Adirondack chairs for my nephew and his fiancé. I use the old Home Depot plans (not sure if they're still online). I used treated 2x4's and cedar 1x4's.
Sat, 06/24/2023 - 19:16
I'm sure they love them, well done! Thanks for sharing.
Made my table 4 feet on accident (forgot to cut the 1x10 boards down to 36" before attaching everything) but I kinda like the extra length. I also ended up making the matching side table.
Fri, 04/10/2020 - 21:07
If I wanted to make this taller like 3×6ft what size wood would do I need? I want to make this stand for my daughters urn area. She passed away last month and I'm trying to make this perfect. The sooner the better.. Thanks! Love all your work..
Aiden's Clubhouse.
I can't even believe I was able to build this! Everyone thought I was crazy for undertaking such a huge project. I made it a queen size because my son would always sleep in my bed anyways... so I just gave it to him. The bed took 4 weeks because I could only work on it on Saturday afternoons. The first week, I made a frame with cleats on the wall. The second week I built the house and stairs. The third week I built the slide and did some of the painting. Today, I finished painting and trim.
I did modify the plans and merged the plan for the slide into my plan, which was a last minute addition. As such, I had to "measure-and-cut-as-you-go" build this bed. I would highly recommend to anyone considering such a task, don't do that. Make a plan, cut all your wood, paint before assembly, and stick to the plan. My stairs all lift up, and under the top landing there is also a cut out inside Aiden's clubhouse-you can see it behind him in the picture below. Also under the slide is a cut out for storage. I have not done anything with the inside of the clubhouse yet. Someday...
I designed the bed specifically so that I could take it apart if we ever move... we live in an apartment. The stairs/stairwell are only connected to the rest of the bed with a single screw. The other wall is a bit more difficult to remove, but not impossible.
I learned a few things doing this, that I want to share with you all..
1. The Kreg-Jig is the best thing ever.
2. I LOVE LOVE LOVE power tools.
3. 4x4 sheets of MDF are difficult to carry upstairs by myself.
4. I can do anything.
I hope you all like it. This was my son's 4th birthday present and he really loves it.
It isn't finished yet though. The far wall in the room is about 2 ft away from the bed, and I haven't decided what to do with that side of the bed, so it's still plain. I would love some ideas! What do you think?
Sat, 03/10/2012 - 21:56
This is awesome. I love the way the slide goes across the front. It looks so compact and functional.
Sun, 03/11/2012 - 06:30
I did make a couple mistakes with the slide. I made it too narrow. Right now it is 1 foot wide. Next time I would do 1 1/2 feet wide. I also would make the landing at the top bigger. I like the angle of the slide now at 45 degrees, but my son did have to learn how to slide down it without falling foward at the bottom. So, a more well designed slide would be less steep, wider, and with a bigger landing at the top. Another tip... for the top of the stairs, take extra care to make sure they swing straight and are about 1/2 inch less wide than the space so they don't scrape the side of the stairwell walls.
Sun, 03/11/2012 - 06:32
Technically, I did finish the ten dollar ledge above his bed earlier this week, before I completed the bed, but it was all part of the same project! :) The only other thing I've built is 2x4s slapped together to hold aquariums. My other hobby is breeding fish. :)
Mon, 03/12/2012 - 11:29
Yes I actually made a whole frame. Basically just studs - on the walls they are just screwed into studs in the wall, then the other two sides are supported by the walls of the house and a vertical frame piece also. There are two stud slats connected to that, so that bed isn't going anywhere. This is the same method I use for supporting 1500 pound aquariums. I have a bunch of 1x3 slats in there as well...
So, if I want to move the bed, I would remove the side with the stairs (~62 inches)- that whole side is one unit, secured to the frame with one screw, and secured to the other wall by about 5 finish nails and one screw. The longer wall (~85 inches) is secured to the frame by 6 screws.
Queen mattresses are HEAVY. :) I learned that too.
Sun, 01/06/2013 - 08:21
we're making the Playhouse Loft Bed for a queen bed as well. Maybe you can answer a question for me. Are the dimensions to fit a queen size bed as written, or do we need to convert them. A queen mattress is 75 x 80 and it looks like that's what this is made to fit, but I don't wanna find out i'm wrong after I already have that thing hoisted up over my head :) Thanks for any advice you can offer!