How I Fell in Love with DIY (and Why I’ll Never Stop Learning)
If you’ve been hanging out with me here for a while, you know I love a good before-and-after. But what you might not know is how I even got started with DIY in the first place.
I’ve always been creative. Growing up, my happy place was anywhere I could sew, sketch, or build with fabric. I studied theater in college with a focus on costume design—meaning I was no stranger to a sewing machine, a good pair of scissors, and a deadline.
But while I loved working with fabric, I also loved watching my dad work with wood and other building materials. He could turn a pile of boards into something beautiful and functional, and I was endlessly fascinated by that. Below are photos of the dollhouse that my dad built for my sister and I for Christmas 1994. It was an amazing gift made with love by his hands. It’s now been passed down to my daughters and serves as a great memorial to honor his kindness and talent.
So, naturally, my first “real” DIY project was a mix of both worlds. My then-fiancé (now husband) had this… let’s just say “well-loved” thrifted couch. And I told him, “If we’re keeping this thing after we get married, it’s going to need an upgrade.” (Insert laugh and dramatic side-eye here.) That’s when I decided to reupholster it. I had no idea what I was doing at the time, but I figured it out as I went—and it actually turned out great. That project lit a spark I couldn’t put out.
From there, I started upcycling old furniture—finding treasures at thrift stores, flea markets, and even on the side of the road, and giving them a whole new life. Each piece taught me something new—how to strip paint, how to refinish wood, how to use products I’d never heard of before. And, slowly but surely, I started adding tools to my collection.
One day, I spotted some adorable pallet signs trending on Etsy and thought, I can make that. So I did. And then I made more. Then I made blanket ladders and custom headboards. And then I purchased one of my most favorite power tools EVER - THE SCROLL SAW! That allowed me to make more intricate signs and designs that I ultimately sold for a profit. It wasn’t long before my sales completely paid for my saw PLUS MORE!
Soon, I was building small tables from scratch, removing tile from stair risers to add farmhouse shiplap flair, building boxes as a way to learn and eventually build custom cabinets with soft-closing drawers, creating accent walls, and tackling bigger builds like a large oak bathroom vanity.
Before I knew it, I was gutting and renovating entire bathrooms and kitchens, tearing down existing and building new walls, rerouting AC ductwork, moving plumbing, and even running electrical. What started as one couch project turned into an entire lifestyle of building, creating, and improving.
Here’s the thing: I’ve never lost the desire to keep learning. Every project still teaches me something. Every mistake (and there have been plenty!) makes me a better DIYer. And my favorite part? I get to share what I’ve learned with my kids to encourage them to be creative and to make their environment more enjoyable for them. Another favorite aspect of what I do is teaching, encouraging, and cheering for you so your learning curve can be a whole lot shorter than mine was 13 years ago.
So, if you’re just getting started, know this—every expert was once a beginner. And if you’re ready to make your home more functional, practical, and beautiful, I’m here to cheer you on, give you the tips I wish I’d known, and remind you that you can do this.
Click here for a list of my favorite tools - including the tools that got me started!
Follow along, ask questions, and let’s make something amazing together.
