Community Brag Posts

Laundry Dresser foling area and hanging shelf

Submitted by sandrabees on Tue, 06/19/2012 - 13:15

more details on my blog. I built 2 of the laundry dressers. adjusted the placement of my baskets due to restrictions in the overall height of my unit (I have a ironing board cabinet built into 1 wall that I still wanted to be able to open and use :) I used MDF, but it was a bear to work with and next time I would spend the extra $$ on birch. i painte the bottom in a semi gloss. and plan to add the doors (which will have a beadboard backing) they will be painted white with a dark walnut glaze. The top and shelf /brackets are all done in a distressed finish with ebony and mahogany stain mixed then 2 coats of poly very sturdy even filled!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
white semi gloss paint, (will be glazing with dark walnut as well),
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sherice

Tue, 07/15/2014 - 20:27

Very cool rendition of the original plans. I like the folding area, awesome job!

thewife

Fri, 06/26/2015 - 00:00

I have been wanting to make the laundry basket dresser but am holding off because we are moving. What color did you us on the walls, I love it.

Two-Tone X Desk with Drawer

Submitted by ethunberg on Mon, 07/20/2020 - 05:02

I'm a recent grad and made this desk during Covid-19 quarantine. Now I get to use it as my work from home desk as I enter the workforce. This was my first big project I made myself, and I had some trouble with the dimensions of the tops of the legs not matching the plans, but that could be just me. I used ball bearing slides because the drawer front was pretty heavy, but they were very difficult to install. I would recommend using the cheap slides as they give more room for error. Very happy with how it turned out! The horizontal support board between the legs makes a great footrest.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Don't ask
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Morado had 5 coats tung oil
Cherry had 3 coats danish oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Barnwood Frames

Submitted by moosmani on Mon, 11/05/2012 - 18:34

I can't believe I made these two picture frames thanks to wonderfully simple plans! We bought a painting in Italy 16 years ago and I was never able to find a ready-made frame beause of the unusual dimensions and I didn't want to pay for a large custom frame. Now I have one! The smaller frame accommodates an 8x10. Both frames are made out of the $0.89 furring strips at Home Depot.

Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

X - Farm House Table

I modified this plan just a little on the ends, and I can not tell you how pleased I am with it! I did run into some issues with lining the boards up properly due to imperfections (and not laying the boards out ahead of time in the store because I was rushing at closing time), but in the end, I decided to add a wood filler in between the boards and everyone just raves over it. I could not imagine it having come out better. I would not do it any other way. 

Thank you Ana!! 

PS... I have a wonderful idea for a loft bed, but the plans are not provided. I know you would do it justice.. how do I submit the photo????

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin, Custom mixed stain, stainable wood filler, sander.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

jeffross

Sun, 01/07/2018 - 07:22

My appologies if I'm missing it but are there build plans for this table.  I would really like to build this for a friend but I'm not sure my skills will enable me to free style this. Thanks in Advance.  Jeff

cjtrunk21

Fri, 05/29/2020 - 11:50

Did plans over get posted for this table? Love the design. Thanks.

Family command center

Submitted by Reader Submission (not verified) on Wed, 02/08/2017 - 18:37

Used the bathroom organizer plans from the knock off pottery look! LOVE how it turned out :-)

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American by miniwax. Sealed with a coat of poly in satin finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Camp Loft Bed Full size

Submitted by katjagest on Wed, 10/06/2021 - 05:05

Made this Loft bed for a full size mattress in 2019 and it is still strong. I added a stretcher on the bottom of bed across the length of the the bed added strength.

Comments

Daybed with Storage Trundle

Submitted by Crafty-Mom on Sat, 01/27/2018 - 10:38

This was my first project from Ana's website and I'm hooked! I'm a beginner, but thank goodness for my Dad's help because I have a lot of learning to do!

I wanted the drawer to be 1 drawer instead of 3. I feel like it looks cleaner (without having to adjust 3 drawers constantly to make it look good when you push them in). I was thinking the bed could actually be used as a trundle bed in the future too! I use this to store toys right now and it is Awesome!

I increased the bed size to fit a twin mattress and increased the height of the bed slightly so that the drawer would be a little bit deeper. We also added a back to the bed and carried around the trim to make all sides look the same. We added a bumper to the back and sides of the inside of the bed so the drawer is easy to push in and fits in snug. Finally we reinforced the bottom of the drawer with more 1x4 boards so that if a child does sleep in it, it would be more sturdy. I now have kids come over and jump into the drawer (literally) and I'm glad we reinforced it.

The changes we made did add to the cost and our time (as well as being newbies), but I think it's worth it and the bed turned out beautiful!

Estimated Cost
$180
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Marquee (I'll have to find the name of the white color we used). We almost went with chalk paint, but after talking to the HD guy, he talked me into this paint and I'm glad we used it! So much cheaper and turned out beautiful.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Nisssc

Mon, 10/12/2020 - 07:51

This looks great! Any suggestion if I want cubbies instead of a trundle? Also, cubbies only on side as bed would be against the wall. Thanks for the inspiration!
Sandy

Traditional Toddler Bed with a few changes

Submitted by GhostLake on Mon, 07/22/2013 - 10:26

This was basically my first ever wood working project. It didn't turn out perfect but I had fun doing it and my daughter likes it too! It isn't done yet, still need to figure out the color of paint I'm going to use.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~35 for lumber, Kreg jig, screws, paint additional
Finish Used
Not finished yet.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Small Chicken Coop with Planter, Clean Out Tray and Nesting Box

Submitted by Reader Submission (not verified) on Sat, 05/07/2022 - 07:29

My husband and I had so much fun building this for our ladies! We had some material leftover from the build of our house so we made a few adjustments. I’ve included progress pics because we found others very helpful during our build. We also added hardware wire and brick at the base to predator proof (not pictured).

Comments

Simple Outdoor Table

Submitted by Kingsamui on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 17:24

Modifications to the simple outdoor table plan thanks to Finn’s dad. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200 -Found a place that had Cedar shorts “B quality”, but very few knots for an unbelievably cheap price. I ran all to boards through a planer to start and saved a bundle.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
3coats Spar Urethane. I’ve heard the Spar doesn’t hold up well, so would have used something rlse if I knew that at the beginning.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Double Inset Bookshelf Doors

Submitted by dholubar on Wed, 08/21/2013 - 07:08

You made this project look so simple that I just had to try it. However, to suit my needs I had to make a few alterations to the plans. I had a set of bi-fold doors that were in need of replacement and I thought inset bookshelf doors would be the perfect way to replace them. This project was easy enough for me to do it myself and I am really new to the DIY game but I did have some help. I really love the way they turned out. You can read all about my my adventure at http://heresalittletmi.blogspot.com/2013/08/bookshelf-doors.html

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120.00
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Patio Chairs/Love Sear

Submitted by Reader Submission (not verified) on Sun, 09/25/2022 - 15:57

Super easy and fun project! We altered the original plans to build a loveseat and had zero issues. We did add some extra support below.
I did not find 25”x25” cushions within our price range so I settled for 25”x22.5” and they work but ultimately 25x25 works best.

Outdoor sectional couch with reclined back

I designed and built this sectional for some friends, and then wrote a how-to about the process! There are free plans for it, and a time-lapse video of it being built at http://www.iliketomakestuff.com/outdoor-sectional/

Estimated Cost
$150 in Lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Will be painted once the wood has time to dry out
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sewing & Craft Table

Using Ana's plan for a simple sewing table, I modified it to meet the needs of my daughter.

I only used 1 wing instead of two and made a brace that folds away under the leaf. On second thought I added a safety leg and foot to keep the table from tipping when the sewing machine is on top of the leaf.

I trimmed out everything but the leaf with 1 x 2 pine.

The top (with leaf raised) is 31 x 46 inches of work space. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White satin paint ( 1 1/2 quarts) applied with a roller and a sprayer
Water based polyurethane on the top only, applied with a brush.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Style Kitchen Island

Submitted by Reader Submission (not verified) on Sun, 11/20/2016 - 04:27

Dear Ana, 

Thank you for inspiring my friend Erik to build your farmhouse style table.  I was inspired by him, so I decided to build your farmhouse style kitchen island. It was not an easy DIY project for a first time DIY. However, I'm thankful that your plans are easy to follow and that there are plenty of Kregjig tutorials on YouTube! This project took 15 hours, but in the end- the time spent didn't matter. I love the finished product, finally a space to prep and cook. Thank you for inspiring all of us. Not perfect, but beautiful. Used Minwax Golden Pecan Wood Finish and 2 coats semi gloss.  Thanks again! -Leo C. @1LeoChen Instagram & Twitter 

Estimated Cost
$100 for wood & stain /semi gloss ; $20 screws this is assuming you have all the tools .
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Golden Pecan - wipe it on with towel, dispose of towel properly. May be flammable or cause fire.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor Furniture Set

Submitted by Reader Submission (not verified) on Sun, 11/08/2020 - 16:56

This set was the first thing I've built. I did it completely by myself and am so proud! I started with the coffee table to get a hang of the tools the. Moved on and made the sofa, love seat, and two chairs. I had a little trouble finding cushions but eventually found some at Lowe's. The cushions are just so expensive. I didn't love the color of the stain on the coffee table and the plan was to sand it and retain after staining the rest but I actually like how it stands out. It took a long time to finish because I had to work on it whenever I had spare time but a motivated individual with some building experience could do this all in a weekend or two. Coat of wood and screws for the whole project was $350. All the cushions were $518.

Estimated Cost
$875
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday
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