Kids Picnic Table
Small kids picnic table (from Ana's plan)
Pa pop
Small kids picnic table (from Ana's plan)
Pa pop
We decided to make a helping tower for my little guy for Christmas after I saw it on Pinterest. The curves were not the easiest, but I think they turned out fine. He's just finally starting to use it more as a helping tool rather than a playing platform. Definitely happy that it keeps him from standing on the chairs.
Thank you so much for this plan. I love this site!
Sat, 07/14/2012 - 13:57
Beautiful! Love the colour too. I will be attempting this as a beginner project myself: fingers crossed!
Sat, 07/14/2012 - 13:58
Beautiful! Love the colour too. I will be attempting this as a beginner project myself: fingers crossed!
This project was one that I've been planning for about 18 months- I had to wait until we moved back into our home to start the build, so I had plenty of time to think about how to maximize my storage space in this small room with a slanted ceiling. My husband had some time off from work and offered to watch our toddler during the day time- so that was all the motivation I needed to start this big build!
Overall, it took about a week from beginning to end. The cost was between $400-$500 for everything- including hardware, paint, supplies etc. Still a huge savings over what it would have cost us to purchase desk and storage units to work in this room (I priced them out at about $2000-$2500 - WAAAAY out of our price range).
For the main desk unit I used the plans for the reclaimed look wood bedside table. I modified the height of the legs to 28" tall so that the sewing desk height was correct for when I'm sitting at my machine for hours on end. I also modified one of the units to be an open shelving unit, so that I could store my patterns and misc. sewing notions in baskets on the shelves.
The desk top was created by using six 1 x 4 whitewood boards joined with pocket holes. The corner joint is "woven" in a sense to give a unique look to the unit. I used 4 brackets in the corner (secured to the studs) to support the weight of the corner of the desk. I used Dark Walnut stain and then followed up with 3 coats of Poly (sanding in between each coat).
The two fabric/machine storage bins were made using the cubby bookcase plans as a base. Both plans were modified to maximize fabric storage with the small space- hence no face frame on each unit. The middle storage unit is one that was my first build a few years back, before I'd even heard of knock off wood- oh how it would have been so much easier if I'd known about this site back then. I added a plywood top with a piano hinge to fold out for a stand up cutting unit. For the legs, I simply went to the table/baluster aisle at my local hardware store and purchase some hardware to secure two balusters to the plywood top. Screwed them in on the outside of the window frame so I don't have to unscrew the legs every time I fold it up and away, cut the balusters down to the proper height and that was done!
The ribbon/wrapping paper storage was super easy- just used some of my left over 2 x 2 furring strips, along with 14 dowel rods and 1 /14 screw in hooks. I pre-drilled the holes for the screw in hooks as well as the 3" screws I used to mount it to the wall.
The thread holder was a previous build of mine as well- just cut out LOTS of dowels that fit into the peg board and glued them in place. Added a little decorative trim to finish it, and painted it white.
Overall I could not be more excited about how this build turned out...aside from wood working, sewing is my next favorite thing (I have a small Etsy shop and do local craft fairs for fun). Having the stand up cutting station is a HUGE relief, as after 10 or so years in the Army, my knees and back are shot (who would have ever thought that jumping out of airplanes wasn't good for you!) The fabric storage is great and allows me to see all of my different fabrics so I eliminate over-buying (which I obviously have a problem with) and purchasing doubles.
I can't thank Ana enough for her website- I grew up with a dad that builds everything, but was always a bit intimidated when it came to building stuff for myself. Her plans really break everything down to the simplest level of instruction and make the building process stress free. This was my first time building a cabinet unit and I was very worried about the drawers not working, but I just followed along on the instructions and they came out perfect.
Fri, 01/24/2014 - 10:23
Thanks Ana- I could have never done it without your website... I can't thank you enough for this resource!!
Fri, 01/24/2014 - 17:11
You did an amazing job, way to go! I love to sew too, and I think building is a lot like sewing...but with saws and hardware instead of scissors and a sewing machine!
Tue, 02/04/2014 - 09:51
Stephanie Dexter -
Can you give us more insight on the corner weave? Maybe an up close picture? Angles? Board lengths? Thanks!
Tue, 02/04/2014 - 09:51
Stephanie Dexter -
Can you give us more insight on the corner weave? Maybe an up close picture? Angles? Board lengths? Thanks!
Fri, 02/07/2014 - 13:09
I would also like to see your corners up close.
Was your decision to not use a leg(s) for the support (and instead used the brackets) for a reason? Was it just easier?
I love the desk that size, but since we are military we move every couple years...I want to use legs for easier breakdown for transportation instead of something as permanent as the brackets. Not sure how far apart to space the legs for the support...
I built this for my son using the fire truck loft and playhouse loft plans combined. I put tread on the stairs to add safety and enhance the realism. I was pleased with the instructions. The hardest part was painting it red. I hate painting anything red. Make sure you get a primer tinted to gray that works with the red you choose.
This little table and chairs were so simple to build. My little granddaughter just loved her Christmas present.
First timer here..your plans were great. Added some framing to the front of the bench. Will hide the gap with a cushion. Turns out are floors are rather sloped haha. Thanks!
Fannmann
Here's a small tutorial on how to add simple metal accents to furniture. We used something as simple as door knobs at your local home improvement store to make it happen!
Check out the tutorial here http://sawgrasshome.com/?p=1443
Wed, 03/25/2015 - 11:26
Hello,
I am very interested in this tutorial, "Add Metal Accents to Furniture", but it appears that the link provided, is a dead link. Do you happen to remember anything about this tutorial? Thank you!
Wed, 03/25/2015 - 11:25
Hello, I am very interested in this tutorial, "Add Metal Accents to Furniture", but it appears that the link provided, is a dead link. Can you please assist me in finding the direct link to this tutorial? Thank you!
Wed, 03/25/2015 - 11:25
You can email me at [email protected]
Mon, 12/14/2015 - 20:36
Wed, 06/02/2021 - 05:31
By the way, how do you do the initial analysis of the alloys to determine which metal is best to take?
I came across the Shanty Sideboard plan while looking around the site. I decided to make this my first build from the site. I modified it slightly by making overlay doors instead of inset. I found that this allowed me more room for adjustments to the doors to get the best look. I used Pure-Bond Birch Hardwood Plywood from Home Depot for the main build with Select Pine from Lowes as the trim. This was all put together using Kreg Pocket Holes and 1 1/4 inch screws.
I used Luane Plywood as the backing for the doors. I then finished it by painting it with an off-white from Olympic (at Lowes). I left the Luane plywood in its natural state. The doors were mounted with Blum style Face-Frame cabinet hinges. I then applied several coats of Water Based Ultimate Polyurethane from Rustoleum.
I have included a picture of the sideboard in the unfinished and finished state.
I will soon be building a Hutch to go one top. I will use the Shanty Hutch Plan as the basis and modify it from there.
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I recently completed the hutch for the sideboard. I used the Shanty Hutch plan as the beginning point and then modified it quite a bit. I made three sections and added drawers at the bottom of each section.
I then used the same Luane Plywood to make the backing. This brings it all together.
The total cost was around $550.00 and worth every penny. Much better than spending $3,000.00 at store.
Sun, 02/23/2014 - 12:50
I finally completed the Hutch for my Shanty Sideboard. It now looks completed. Check it out here.
Thanks
My office faux mantle came out awesome thanks to Ana White. The only changes we made was that we used dental crown molding and we added the base. Other than that everything else was exactly according to the plans.
We chose the Dream Dollhouse plan because all four grandchildren could play with it at the same time. We also wanted to make the dollhouse entirely by hand - including much of the decor. The original plan was expanded by raising each floor 2 inches (to allow for the repainted Susy oven cabinets); and an attic was added to allow all the third floor walls to be full height. Interior walls were increased (7, 9 and 12 inches) to accommodate Barbie-sized furniture. Eliminating the stairs and adding an elevator also increased usable floor space. The wallpaper was scaled from online wallpaper images or designed to coordinate with the space. All the bedding, rugs and the living room furniture were made by hand. Some plastic Barbie or Susy doll furniture was repainted. All the art and photos are specific to each grandchild. Both the fireplace and chandelier will light. The floors are cut from vinyl floor tiles. The shingles are cut from jumbo craft sticks. The completed house took 2.5 months with some very long days as we were on a Christmas deadline! We intend to make a 2-car garage topped by a deck (and maybe a pool) that can sit next to the house this summer.
Kentwood Nightstand
Bonnie Jerry
We just love your work and detailed plans!
Hubby and I built the Console Unit and plan to add on the base units and hutches. We built the unit only 30" tall vs. the 34-1/2" height from the plans. We used oak plywood and oak trim and finished it with a Fruitwood Stain and Polyurethane Seal. We shortened the height of the upper shelf, adding two shallow drawers and a pull-out tray for setting our cable modem on and hooking up our laptop to view movies and You Tube videos on our television, when desired. My hubby loves to make You Tube videos and made one of our work and posted it at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JuQ4N-jUq4
Keep up the great work and we plan to posted more pics!
i love the farmhouse look and decided to start changing the furniture in my bedroom. I went shopping and everything I liked was very expensive. I looked online and found DIY plans on Ana’s website. They were an awesome start. I tweaked a few things and absolutely love the end product.
I decided to buy a metal frame and put the mattress on plywood. It’s as solid as a rock!!
Fri, 01/17/2020 - 21:03
Sorry that some of the pictures are sideways. I don’t know how to change them.
Modified Essential Adirondack Chair
I modified the basic design by making the seat 3 inches higher and 1 inch wider to better accommodate my senior body.
I also used cedar fence boards for the seat and back instead of 1x10s, and added clunky cup holders.
I used Barn Red stain and Thompson's Water Seal for the finish.
Brad Tom
This is the second project I have made from this website, which I LOVE! I needed some sort of table to use with a large sectional sofa because I refused to give up my huge ottoman for a coffee table! This is perfect. I loved the brag post with the shelf added so I used that idea also.
When it came to decoration, I used some apple barrel craft paint and found some scrapbook paper I really liked. This was my first use of modge podge so it was not as flawless as I hoped but I still think it turned out well. And best of all it will be used often!
FYI - by saving money on the particleboard shelf, I ended up spending a lot of time applying wood filler.
Instead of using 1x3's for the legs we used two 2x4's for the outside legs and then used 1x4's for the fillers. We also used 1x4's for the ladder. We will be adding shelving against the wall and we have a desk top that has been painted with dry erase surface which will give it a whole new dynamic. Project one of many is done :)
I built this farmtable using old fashioned methods of tongue and groove, biscuits, etc. It was a true labor of love but it came out great. The stain I made using vinegar, steel wool and water. I the protected it with spar urethane. Next project is the chairs and benches. Thanks Ana for the inspiration.
Made this for my Son and His Wife. They love it.
Directly from plan. Fun to make. Kreg and glue attachements.
This site features the queen size version of this headboard, I decided to build the King and use more elaborate molding pieces, which increased the cost. I stained the wood to a very close match although my mobile photos don't do justice to this claim. It took me about a week to complete with nights and weekend availability.
Wed, 02/26/2014 - 17:42
I love the way your headboard turned out. I would like the details on the wood used and measurements to make the king size version.
Thu, 03/12/2015 - 13:37
looks great. Did you use pine? Which stain did you use? I would like to be able to closely match the stained version of pottery barns addison too. Thanks!
Wanted a builtin hutch change the plans a little for depth and height. I used tempered glass instead of lexan for the last ability as lexan discolor and looks a little cheap. Mostly red oak plywood, but choose hard wood for shelves so they wouldn't sag and small desk drawers and doors because it was easier to buy it cut and cost effective. Wish I would have done the drawer faces hardwood also. I used maple on the bottom and decided I wanted more grainy look so finished the desk and top with redoak. Matches bottom trim which was red oak. Special ordered old style secretary desk hinges. I had them played $60 for both. I liked the look and they are stable. Time consuming building but impressive when done. Don't know why photos alway turn up sideways, tried flipping them and saving them same result...