Meet Georgina. Secretary desks aren’t exactly rare—but finding one that still feels this good is a different story. There was just enough detail—and just enough potential—to make me think twice about how I approached it. An antique secretary isn’t just another dresser or cabinet. It has presence. It has purpose. And it has just enough… Continue reading This Antique Secretary Was Too Good to Ignore
I was so sure it was tiger oak. Not in a casual way—more like that quiet confidence you get when you’ve seen enough pieces to recognize something good when it shows up. The grain had that movement. That depth. The kind of pattern that makes you pause a second longer before scrolling past or walking… Continue reading Is it real tiger oak? Here’s what I found.
One of my favorite parts of thrifting is spotting the pieces most people would walk right past — and imagining what they could be with just a little creativity. On my summer thrift store visits, I grabbed these 5 items for less than the cost of lunch and came home with a handful of gems… Continue reading Before & After: Thrift Store Makeovers You’ll Love
My friend’s bedroom was in desperate need of a refresh. The walls were tan, the bed felt lost without a headboard, and the space was so large that everything seemed to just float. She admitted she didn’t even know what her style was, which made it tricky to know where to start. At first she… Continue reading Budget Bedroom Makeover: Blank to Beautiful
My patio was in dire need of an upgrade. The cushions were falling apart, the metal seats had broken slats, and the whole space just looked sad. I originally planned to just replace the disintegrating cushions, but I fell in love with a new look with more modern, neutral chairs with texture and a couch… Continue reading My Back Patio: Sad to Fab!
We've all been there: the thrill of the hunt at the thrift store, a potential treasure catches your eye – a vintage armchair, a charming side table. Visions of weekend DIY projects and a perfectly restored piece dance in your head. But hold on, there's one crucial step before you race to the checkout with… Continue reading Thrifting this weekend? Do the shake test.
I hijacked Christmas this year. At almost 1 am, I donned my boots & coat and hauled the wrapped gifts that traditionally get placed beneath our Christmas tree in the living room to a smaller tree all the way out in my soul shed. Two nights ago I felt a little twinge of something missing.… Continue reading The night I hijacked Christmas…
This was so ironic! My dear friend asked me to redo a hutch she found on Marketplace, and it was almost identical to the donation project I did for my local Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. See that amazing makeover in gray here. She and her husband drove it up, and we chatted online about color,… Continue reading A 2nd Hutch – New Look
Wow, this is something I now wish I did long ago. After really giving some design thought to my dreary and uninviting front porch, I can't believe what a difference small changes made! I'm making the front porch over in stages, and today I'm sharing the first two that have been completed. After all, we've… Continue reading Giving Life to My Front Porch
I don't dislike mid-century modern furniture, but it's not my first choice. I'm just naturally drawn to vintage styles that have more curves, moldings, details that excite me. Maybe it's the romantic in me or that tie to long-ago history that I feel is being lost. Despite my tendencies for chunky or curvy legs, MCM… Continue reading An MCM Makeover: Not My 1st Choice
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