Community Brag Posts

Modern Rustic Outdoor Sofa Inspired by RH Merida

Submitted by susanshamp on Sun, 04/01/2018 - 14:19

I was in love with the RH Merida set because of its clean lines and modern style. Also, the plan seemed simple enough that I could re-create it without a pattern. The only thing that I did not like about it is the lack of arms. I really like to have a place to put my arm or my beverage :) - so I added arms to the design.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Natural
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

bogle

Wed, 05/20/2020 - 10:45

This is Awesome. I'm halfway in the middle as i thought I could complete without plans. Do you have any plans could share. Please....

Double Double Loungers

Submitted by Gimbler on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 15:10

I had an idea in my head of what I wanted for deck seating/lounging in my mind but just couldn't seem to get to the "nitty gritty" of creating workable plans. Then, while googling through images of double loungers I stumbled onto Ana's site. Wow! I felt like a fish that had just found the water! With the detailed plans generously provided for a double lounger I was able to create my "vision" with just slight modifications. The loungers are actually two chairs and two ottomans that fit together or come apart depending on how much "togetherness" the situation calls for. And best of all - almost all the materials were left overs and cut pieces from another deck and fencing project. For cushions (not in this photo) I used two inexpensive "Hide A Mats" folding beds from Costco that I covered with waterproof duck fabric. I can't thank you enough, Ana, for taking the time to share your talent so freely. I'm truly grateful. As is Jake, the Redbone Coonhound, who insisted on being in the photo!

Estimated Cost
About $150 for hardware and cushions - lumber was scrap and leftovers from another project.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic semi transparent deck stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Gimbler

Tue, 10/11/2011 - 06:34

We really enjoyed these over the summer - and if Buck is anything like Jake I'm sure he'll take advantage of any available "creature comforts". :o)

Murphy bed with shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/20/2016 - 21:14

This is the murphy bed I made using ana's plans and making the bed legs when it's down and a shelf when it's up!  This was to keep the bed off the floor.  Thanks again Ana

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

ypowell

Wed, 11/30/2016 - 19:04

Hi, I am hanging my bed off the floor too. Can you tell me what kind of hinge you used and a photo of how you attached them? Mine is not turning out right. Thank you

cayoder

Sun, 02/12/2017 - 06:05

Hi Ana!  I love the Murphy bed and feel like it is just what I need for my new home.  I have sold my family home of 30 years and am moving closer to the grandchildren.  Looking at buying a 1905 home that is less than 1/2 the size of my old home.  I am 63 and most of my friends are in the same age range.  If they come to visit, I need a bed that's a little higher off the floor.  I don't really want to hang the bed off the floor as shown in some of these, but instead like the look of a cabinet.  However, I was thinking of putting doors on it so we could pull the bed down with fold out legs of some sort.  Any suggestions?

Kid's Playhouse

My son's school asked me to build a playhouse for their annual auction and after looking around online for a few days finally found a plan I liked. I modified it a little and did not do the cedar so we could paint it. Turned out great and more pictures on the blog, www.atouchofarkansas.com

Estimated Cost
$800
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

jcmcclure77

Wed, 04/16/2014 - 12:33

I got the plans off of woodcraft.com, they were $8 think and the specific plans were Playhouse, Plan No. 881. Not as detailed and easy as Ana makes it on us, but overall not too hard to figure out.

Cedar planter boxes

Submitted by JavaJoe on Fri, 06/06/2014 - 20:00

I used the main plan for ideas, but opted to use 3.5 inch pickets instead, which allowed for a smaller planter that wasn't as big. Also chose to miter 1x3s for the top which I think really finishes it off. Sanded everything with a belt sander to 220 grit. Used min wax golden pecan plus three coats of poly inside and out. Finished size was about 17x17. Tile spacers work great to keep the gaps even!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Min wax golden pecan
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Simple 2x4 Bench

Submitted by jennibee on Sun, 09/14/2014 - 17:03

I made this in an afternoon. Loved this project. It is made with 2x4's using a Kregs Jig and mitre saw (plus additional tools like a drill and square).  This was my frist time using the Kregs Jig and I am sold!!

The free plans were taken from another website. They are very detailed and there is even a video (I recommend it as he gives a great tip for making sure the back stays equal/level to each other before putting the back on). Even though you can build this by yourself, I did have help for the heavier sides once they were assembled.  I plan to build the additional side table soon and finish them both with sanding and staining when the weather seems less iffy for rain.

If you are looking for a good beginner project that doesn't take forever or have complicated steps, this is your project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around $50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Handmade Soap Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/11/2024 - 16:41

My wife loves handcrafting soap, potery, weaving, etc. She needed a solution to cure her soap and she found your plan. We made a deal : I'll do the project but I'll (finally!) buy a brad nailer. It turned out to be a great project to do for her. The plan is very well explained and the design optimizes the usage of wood. Thank you so much Ana for the idea and the plan! - Martin

Comments

campblsoupgrl

Fri, 01/10/2025 - 13:57

I *just* saw the vegetable rack plans, measured my soaps, and saved them to make it into a soap rack. Then saw your pic. It's awesome!

Seasonal And Holiday

Picnic Table for Two

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/07/2025 - 08:36

I bought Lumber for a 2 Person Picnic Table and left it sitting for a few months. Then my Grandson visited with his family of 5 great grand kids aged 10 and down to 1 year. The grandson and the oldest great grandson cut and assembled the table. It turned out really nice and went to my daughter's house. Now I need to make a couple more of these for me. - John Hill, Cut and Assembled by Ben and Joshua Johnson.

My take on "Lady Goats" cedar shed

Submitted by donbay91 on Sun, 03/14/2021 - 19:02

I absolutely loved these plans for this shed. I'm new to the site but I've been using your plans for things here at home... love it. I went with just one door to give me more places for shelves and I also went with a clear corrugated roof since it's shaded on that side of our house.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300ish
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish yet. I haven't made up my mind
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Doggy loft bed!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/03/2017 - 17:31

My dog loves to people watch all day while I'm at work and she needed a new bed so I took the plans for the lower platform and modified them so it would stand alone. Took the platform and put it on the bottom so that her bed would sit inside instead of on top where she could more easily fall off.

I tried building without PH screws at first and all I ended up with was a lot of cracked and wasted lumber. Got the PH jig and finished the whole build myself in 2 hours. Sanding, staining, and sealing tomorrow but I'm just so excited about it I had to post now!

Estimated Cost
With the two sets of lumber, having to buy the jig, hardware, stain, and electric sander it cost me about $130
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

wooden cooler stand

Submitted by stealth517 on Sat, 04/18/2015 - 20:48

This is the cooler stand presented by Jenny from Birdsandsaoap. Very easy to build and always ends up with someone asking to buy it or have you make them one.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax gloss polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Garage Shelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/24/2018 - 08:43

This was a pretty easy project, but I had to adjust the vertical legs to accommodate the sloping garage floor. I drew a  horizontal line for the top edge then measured to the floor at the spacing I wanted the vertical legs. I used these measurements to cut the three vertical legs. It’s level and straight, even though my garage is sloped. 

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Garage shelving
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Easy Build Fence Picket Planters

Submitted by vendo on Thu, 05/11/2023 - 12:14

I've been wanting to build this plan for quite some time! Took me about 2 hours to build and 1 hour to finish. Giving these as gifts for Mother's Day! Total cost was about $15 per planter. I scaled down the design after I found the plants I wanted to put in them. Ana has the best and easiest plans!

 

 

Seasonal And Holiday

Rustic Queen Sized Wall Bed

Submitted by ldo2626 on Wed, 06/25/2014 - 09:09

Expecting our second child, my wife and I decided to do away with our guest bedroom and combine it with our office. The only problem was our queen bed took up way too much space and it didn't get enough use to justify the sacrifice. We looked at the wall bed options available for purchase and decided they were way too blah and very expensive. I then found the "A MURPHY BED YOU CAN BUILD, AND AFFORD TO BUILD" post on Ana's website (thanks for the inspiration)! 

 Using cheap pine boards, plywood, door hinges, vinyl upholstery and stain I constructed the wall bed you see here. It really wasn't that difficult but facing it took the most time. To give the boards a more rustic look I used a utility knife to shave off the edges/corners and stained them with the Minwax American Walnut water based stain and the Minwax White Wash Pickling. When this started we thought we were going to have to settle for something unattractive and less than desirable. Seeing it in our office now, we love our new bed and actually think it makes the room look much better!  I didn't keep track of costs, but it couldn't have been more than $150.

 

Estimated Cost
I didn't keep track of costs, but it couldn't have been more than $150.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax American Walnut water based stain and Minwax White Wash Pickling
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jwm816

Tue, 07/08/2014 - 08:08

Looks great! May I ask what the final outside dimensions were? Curious to see if this would work for me.

Thanks!

ldo2626

Wed, 08/06/2014 - 09:23

I would have to measure it when I get home... at work currently. Looking back, I think the best approach is to take the measurements from the plan, find the difference between standard mattress and queen mattress dimensions (check wikipedia for standard sizes), then add that difference back to the plan. I cut it real close on mine and could use a little more space. It would be nice to make it a bit deeper and with some head room to store comforters and pillows.

lopixy

Sun, 11/30/2014 - 18:10

I love this!  Could you give more details about how you did the facing?  Are the pine boards just nailed onto the plywood? 

chefrgk

Sun, 12/28/2014 - 12:59

I am dying to get started on this wall bed project. I keep getting this message when trying to open the Plans.

The page you are looking for is temporarily unavailable.
Please try again later.
can someone help me find them.

chefrgk

Sun, 12/28/2014 - 12:59

I am dying to get started on this wall bed project. I keep getting this message when trying to open the Plans.

The page you are looking for is temporarily unavailable.
Please try again later.
can someone help me find them.

nicolanala

Tue, 08/09/2016 - 15:24

Hi. I would love to try this. Looking to build in the next month before parents in law come over. Is there any working links to the plans??

josheli

Thu, 01/25/2018 - 13:06

click on the bed picture above and it will take you to the plans

 

Under Fort Sandbox Cover

Submitted by millerhero on Tue, 07/29/2014 - 06:47

Thanks to inspiration from Ana's post on the Sand Box with Built-in seats, I've retrofit our Jungle Fort (http://www.detailedplay.com/Jungle-Fort-Swingset.htm) with the sandbox cover/bench system. I've upgraded the lumber dimensions to 2x4s and 2x6 to accommodate the increased 67.5" span.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Drop down murphy bar

Submitted by nick_h on Tue, 12/06/2016 - 10:54

My attempt at the murphy bar featured on this site. Still have to add the sash locks. Added pallet crossmembers at the back, an x in the leg, and a french cleat to mount to the wall. 

Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Special Walnut Minwax on the bar top and shelves, crisp linen matte latex and dry brushed casual gray for accents/aging. 2 coats of polycrylic for protection. If built again would pre stain and base coat all the wood before build time, then assemble, add accent brushing and spray the polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

zannej

Tue, 12/31/2019 - 11:49

This looks awesome! I want to help my friend build this for his kitchen. I've looked at the plans in the link & I'm wondering what modifications you made for the X pattern-- how much did it alter the material & cut list?

Would you please share your material & cut list for this?

Carooky

Wed, 04/16/2025 - 10:05

Your link takes you to another page where the PDF instructions don't load anything.

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/29/2020 - 08:17

This was the very first project that my husband and I have ever built and it came out exactly as planned. We followed the instructions exactly as written and I’m in love with this table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Top: Varathane Kona gel stain (one coat) followed by three coats of MinWax Polycrylic

Bottom: Primed all of the knots first with BIN stain blocker (to prevent sap bleed through) and then did 2 coats of Bulls Eye 123 water based primer. Once the primer was dry, we painted with one coat of SW Bohemian Lace Latex Satin and topped with 3 coats of polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Small cedar shed part- re deux

Submitted by Kyleelou on Mon, 08/31/2020 - 12:06

I really needed somewhere to park my rototiller and mower during the summer and ended up modifying the plans to include a lean-too/over hang area. This required flipping the shed to extend the roof line. I continued the 15• roofline and also then had to create and cover the soffits. I also reduced it to one door and placed it on a skid foundation so that technically it would be considered a temporary structure, no permits needed. I first used a semi transparent stain that looked much darker and grayer in the store but looked very blue and terribly streaky on the shed, see back wall area. I then restrained it with a solid stain, which I think looks much better and covered the streaky stain. Because I extended the roof and stained it twice, this really increased the cost, but I think it was well worth it. I can store all my yard and garden tools underneath and inside.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$430
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr premium solid stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Daffodil Yellow Potting Bench

Submitted by CathyS on Sun, 10/27/2013 - 18:53

I'm so happy to have found your site! I've been wanting a potting bench for a while. Today the Hubs and I built this one in Daffodil Yellow! It is only partially painted, but I already love it! The hubs wants to build a modified one for his heavy electronics equipment. Thanks a Bunch!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Daffodil Yellow paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sturdy Workbench - made larger size for custom wall space

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/12/2020 - 09:52

This is the perfect workbench for my garage here in South Florida. I modified the plans using 2x4 actual dimensions so that the outside dimensions were 60" wide x 40" height x 30" deep. I designed it for my husband and he is 6'4" so I wanted it to be taller for him. I used 3 sheets of plywood (3/4" thick each layer) for the top and it is super sturdy. For the bottom shelf, I left one 2x4 off so that it wouldn't hit our shins while standing at the front. I was concerned at first that the wider bench (60") may need an additional bottom shelf support in the middle. It did not need this extra support. The shelf can hold a lot of weight with no concern. See all the tools that are on that shelf in my pic. Thank you Ana White for these great plans - it was my first workbench that I have built. I am looking forward to more woodworking projects.

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
I used a spray on wood sealer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids Tree Fort

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/31/2020 - 09:27

Built a fort for the boys with two climbing walls, a spot for their toys, and added some hammock swings

Estimated Cost
~$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
No stain, left natural
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced