It’s DONE!!!  I don’t know if I am more happy that my work is done or that I am finally enjoying it!
No this one is not mine!  This one is actually around $3,000 when you factor in shipping and decor!
This is mine!  Total cost for this piece is $300 including decor!
How did I do it?  Well, let me first start off by saying that I am NOT a carpenter and I have never built a piece of furniture from scratch!  I learned as I went with this piece thanks to Ana over at Knock Off WoodShe has a ton of plans offered on her site, free of charge, so that people like us (practicle DIYers that drool over name brand furniture in the catalogs but would never spend a penny on the over-priced manufactured wood) can build them ourselves to enjoy in our homes!  This was a huge undertaking for me but I accomplished it from beginning to end all with my own two hands!!!!  If I can do this, so can you!  I challenge all of you to check out Ana’s site and pick a project!  She has so many to choose from and you can start out with something as small as an end table or a chair! 
The last two weeks, I have focused on decorating and personalizing my storage wall! 
I started out by purchasing these super cute Closet Maid fabric drawers at Target!  They were on sale last week at 2 for $10!  I bought 8 navy, 4 chocolate and 4 dark khaki.  Total for 16 was around $90.
How I personalized!
This is set-up just like the one in the picture.  Ana designed her own plans to add a hutch over the TV so of course I couldn’t leave that piece out!
Here she is with the hutch
I just couldn’t leave well enough alone!  I had to personalize it just a tad more so…
I purchased this foam crown moulding at Lowe’s!  The corner pieces allow for no miter installation.  I purchased a 12′ piece of crown for $34 and the corner pieces for $6 each.  This foam stuff is soooo cool!  Our grandfather actually installed it in his home and you would NOT even know it is foam!  It has some type of primer on the front so it paints very well!  It is also very dense and feels durable!  Best part is that it is sooo much cheaper than wood moulding.  I would have spent twice as much on wood crown that is identical to this stuff!
 
This stuff is so light weight that I just used several finishing nails to hold it up!
 
It really makes a statement in the room now!
My favorite part about this system is the storage!!!  I am so OCD (no joke) so the storage this wall offers really makes my heart skip!!!  Yes, I am a nerd!  My fellow OCDers, these pics are for you!  Everyone else please bear with me:)
 
Everything organized and in it’s place and the best part about it is….
it’s HIDDEN!
I owe a big thank you to Ana!  I would not have this beautiful, fully functional piece of furniture that I built with my own 2 hands if she had not created the plans to begin with!  I have always drooled over this piece in the catalogs and online but I knew that I would never purchase it from the retailer.  Even if I could afford it, I could not justify the price tag!  I spent 10% building it myself and I was able to personalize it with Leapfrog by Behr and moulding!  Thanks so much Ana!  I can’t wait to move on to my next project!
If you would like the step by steps that I took to build this piece, here are the links in the order I went!  There are links to Ana’s plans in each post as well!
If you take it one step at a time it is VERY managable!  I did one part per week and only needed wood glue and a drill!  The building part was the most fun!  Painting was my least favorite ~ it took an entire gallon of paint but the fruits of my labor make it all worth it!!!  The family loves it and I get such joy looking at it knowing that I actually made it!!!  Thanks so much for following me on this journey!!
~Ashley
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119 Comments

  1. Ashley, we need to crown you the queen today, because you are amazing! And can I say, much, much better than the original!

    Congrats! Ana

  2. W.O.W. I just spent the last 30 mins catching up on all the steps. I am TOTALLY going to make this!! How easy and cheap! I LOVE Pottery Barn but live in Alaska so that adds $500 to the already crazy prices and shipping. You make it look so easy!

  3. This project is insane! In a good way of course. I've yet to build something from total scratch to this magnitude so I bow down to your courage!!

    Amazing. Really. You deserve a crown for this too. 🙂

    Donna

  4. I will be the first to tell you that you did an amazing job. If I didn’t know you made it, I would assume you paid a BUNDLE for this. I love how well the cowboy’s colors and the green go together. Wonderful job!

  5. I am so utterly and completely impressed! I am now a blog buddy and left you a comment on Facebook. Talk about being inspired!!!

  6. wow – it really turned out amazing!! I love it! great work- you must feel SO accomplished!! 🙂 I have been wanting to try out Ana's plans but I don't have a garage to work in or the tools necessary at the moment. Maybe someday! 🙂

  7. I am so impressed! I can hardly believe that just anyone could make this! I may have to get brave and try one of the projects. Thanks for sharing, I am giddy for you. Marla

  8. that is AMAZING! I love the color, the crown, the bins, the drawers! You did a great job!! You should be VERY VERY proud of yourself!!!! Love love love it!

  9. Wow! I am so impressed you made this. I've been following her site for a while but have yet to pick my first project. I love the added touch of fun color and moulding. great job!

  10. you have done an amazing job. I love the color and the crown is just the touch I'd use too. Great job!!!! I am getting up my nerve to try it building myself.

  11. It's beautiful. You did an amazing job. I love the totes too and the color is amazing. I love her site, but haven't tackled any of her plans yet. Great inspiration!

  12. it looks awesome!! If I never had to look at a DVD case, game controller, etc. ever again, I would be so, so happy.

  13. This looks amazing! Love the color combo. We are hoping to do this in our future playroom!

    Great job. Hope you and your family enjoy your hard work!

  14. Holy cow…that looks SO good!! You do deserve a crown 🙂

    I'm still drooling over the Pottery Barn Kids and Land of Nod catalogs. You've convinced me. I'm going to visit Ana. Thanks for the inspiration!