Taking the house my mom grew up in, the farm my grandparents shared for over fifty years and making it a home for us to grow old in.

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RECENT POSTS

The Little House: Wood working DIY mahogany counter tops out of plywood!

- May 29 2017
How to install a mahogany plywood counter tops do it yourself with plywood, poly acyrlic, sanding and a skill saw, beautiful diy inexpensive wood kitchen countertops!

This is a tutorial on how I built the mahogany counter tops in the little house out of plywood. I was in a real pickle when it came to what I wanted to do with the counters in the little house. Normally I probably would have just run to Menards (or Lowes or Home Depot) and purchased stock laminate counter tops that they have on hand. But because I chose to put cabinets back to back I had a span of 48×60 inches to cover so if we wanted laminate counter tops they would have to be custom ordered and thus: too much a splurge for this little house. A big part of me wanted to just use barnwood like I did for the kitchen backsplash but I knew my mom would hate that and if she ever lived here she deserves the flattest smoothest counter that she could ever want. So, I was in a pickle. … read the rest of the post »

Stunning inspiration via Pinterest: Bathrooms to get lost in

- May 26 2017
Stunning bathroom inspiration via pinterest, tubs to got lost in, bathrooms that will make your heart soar, that you want to stay in all day

For those of you that follow me via Pinterest my very favorite board is my DIY Inspiration Board. This is the one where I let myself pin literally whatever I love when it comes to rooms. This is the board where all of the pins (at least for me) come right out of my dreams, like places from a fairy tale. My own home is a little less frilly, a little less boho, a little more subtle as I simply do not yet have the salt to be quite so bold. However, I am getting there, for every gorgeous place I pin, I am definitely becoming more bold and reaching for the true beauty of places like these that make my heart sing. … read the rest of the post »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #37)

- May 24 2017
This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage.

Well the weather here has proven once again that we do, indeed, live in northern Minnesota. The frosts, sleeting and nightmare wind we’ve been having has left my little seedlings in my garden looking incredibly sad and me incredibly guilty for getting them outside too soon. Life is always such a learning process and I had known I was taking a risk but I have lots of seeds so I can always replant! Welcome to the To Grandma’s House we go Link Party! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. … read the rest of the post »

The Little House: Covering up a very ugly ceiling with Styrofoam ceiling tiles

- May 22 2017
Easy to install Styrofoam do it yourself ceiling tiles over an ugly ceiling, how to

After you got past the horrific glare of the very pink foam insulation covered walls (and that EVERY THING was covered in spray foam) the next worst was probably the ceiling in the main room. This old place at one point was sheetrocked and professionally taped and mudded – the problem is they did not sheet rock the ceiling. Nope, that’s not sheet rock, its some kind of very old particle wood. After it was taped and mudded then acoustic ceiling tiles were stapled to the ceiling. I will never forget my sister-in-law telling me the story of how they went to the basement one night (to go to bed when they lived here over a decade ago) when a tremendous crash and insanity happened above them. Was it a break in? Did a tornado come through? What on earth could have made so much noise?! … read the rest of the post »

Free House Plan: Little Lake Cabin!

- May 19 2017
Free house plan of a 1,000 square foot small cabin home with two bedrooms and two bathrooms and an enormous living space with a huge country kitchen.

When it comes to my specific spot on the map in Minnesota when folks talk about going “up north” or to their “lake cabin” or up “to the woods” well, that’s where we live. There really isn’t any “going up to the cabin” for Joe and I, that would just be silly, we literally live where a lot of people think of as a “vacation destination” of course it rarely feels like that! But, it is the truth, everywhere from us and north is pretty much it tourist central and national forests. We live close to a little town of only about 3,000 people but, in the summertime, it is estimated our population here explodes to over 10,000!! A lot of folks don’t live here year around and we even have a certain amount of businesses here that aren’t even OPEN year around. A lot of people who work in “the cities” dream of moving up to where we are someday and that’s what this little free house plan is devoted to: The Lake Cabin! … read the rest of the post »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #36)

- May 17 2017
This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage.

Happy Mother’s day to all you mom’s out there of both the human and fur-baby kind! My mom and I spent all of Monday together playing hooky from work and walking through modular homes just for the fun of it! Welcome to the To Grandma’s House we go Link Party! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. … read the rest of the post »

The Little House: When a remodel timeline meets with reality

- May 15 2017
When a remodel plan meets reality during the little house renovation and remodeling, diy, do it yourself, how to organize and work through problems

On April 10th I got up and, for the the first time in a VERY long time, I did not put on my “nice” clothes and head to my day job. Instead, I dug out my “work” clothes (torn up and stained jeans etc.) and, after a cup of coffee, I didn’t even have to get in my car to go to “work” that day, I just walked over to The Little House to begin the remodel. To quote my last post about this (to bring you up to speed on the place): “On the lot beside us this little place (all of 500 square feet) has gone through many “renovations” since my Grandpa built it. It was built for my Grandpa’s dad and then it also housed my Grandma’s dad for awhile. Way back then it didn’t have running water and was as simple as you can imagine: just a 300 square foot box with a dirt floor basement beneath it. Literally decades later my dad and brother dug a septic, a well and added a bathroom, a closet and a bedroom, insulated it, sheet rocked it and gave it new siding and shingles and added a little kitchen. They also poured concrete in the basement and carpeted the floor down there to increase the living space. … read the rest of the post »

Planting and spring on the farm in northern Minnesota

- May 12 2017
Spring in northern MN planting the garden, receiving flowers for no reason, loving each other

A long long long time ago I was dating someone who sent me flowers one day when I was at work. A friend/co-worker came by (who knew the whole story) and said, “Oh what lovely I’m-sorry-I-was-an-ass-flowers!” And I remember thinking in that moment (as I threw those roses in the trash) that not only was I now a fully single gal but also that I had no interest in getting flowers ever again in my life for that reason. I wanted to get flowers for no reason other then I had someone who loved me. All of these things went through my mind last week when a dozen roses showed up and a note from Joe that simply said, “I love you.” Yup, No-reason-except-that-I-thought-of-you-flowers is absolutely how I roll and, fortunately, it is also how my husband rolls 🙂 … read the rest of the post »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #35)

- May 10 2017
This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage.

I don’t know about you guys but we have finally welcomed some very lovely and sunny weather and the real truth that spring has come with summer not far behind! Finally got my garden planted now I just hope my seedlings survive lol Welcome to the To Grandma’s House we go Link Party! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. … read the rest of the post »

The Little House: A remodel plan and timeline, getting organized

- May 08 2017
A remodel checklist and timeline, getting organized and getting everything before I start the work.

If you’ve been hanging out here over the last couple of weeks then you know that my mom hired me to tackle the remodel of “the little house”. On the lot beside us this little place (all of 500 square feet) has gone through many “renovations” since my Grandpa built it. It was built for my Grandpa’s dad and then it also housed my Grandma’s dad for awhile. Way back then it didn’t have running water and was as simple as you can imagine: just a 300 square foot box with a dirt floor basement beneath it. Literally decades later my dad and brother dug a septic, a well and added a bathroom, a closet and a bedroom, insulated it, sheet rocked it and gave it new siding and shingles and added a little kitchen. They also poured concrete in the basement and carpeted the floor down there to increase the living space. I remember several friends and family living here on and off over the years (including my brother when he was first married) and then my dad lived here for the last ten years after my folks’ divorced. … read the rest of the post »

Hometalk: Green recipes you have to try right now!

- May 05 2017
Natural and green recipes for those places around our homes that we all struggle with! Weed killer, mosquito repellent, surface spray, bug, degreaser

Many a time in trying to live a more natural life I have run into instances where the “natural” way might not even work at all. Do we live with the mosquito bites or do we slather our bodies in toxic chemicals? Do we live with pulling weeds the old fashioned way forever and forever or do we give in and finally just buy some round up for a couple of places in our yards? Oftentimes “convenience” is one very tempting mistress no matter how terrible we know it may be for us and the environment so here are a few (tried and true!) natural and green recipes for those places around our homes that we all struggle with! … read the rest of the post »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #34)

- May 03 2017
This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage.

I think I’m going to risk it and say: Spring is here! Maybe… hopefully… I really think so! So this will be the third time I’ve declared that spring is here and (hopefully) this won’t be the third time I’ve been proven wrong by snow 😉 This is also the third time I’ve said that I’m planting my garden this weekend lol! But they do say that the third time is the charm! Welcome to the To Grandma’s House we go Link Party! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. … read the rest of the post »

How to DIY Build a small garden with railroad ties & the dangers of creosote.

- May 01 2017
A new vegetable garden made of railroad ties and how I made the gate and put a fence around it. Balancing the choice of toxic railroad ties for a garden.

I’m going to jump right in here and talk about creosote and the dangers of railroad ties immediately because I know that’s going to be the center of the conversation because just about everyone has heard that railroad ties are toxic. But how toxic? And at what extent is what we’re hearing fear mongering and panic? And why, on earth, if there is any question at all, did I choose to use them around my vegetable garden? You all know me and know that I ere on the side of caution when it comes to our health. (Milk could actually be bad for us? I’m never bringing it in our home again. Possible toxic substances in dryer sheets? Never using them again.) The list for me goes on and on and on. Our health ALWAYS holds priority for me. So, why did I choose to use possibly toxic railroad ties around our vegetable garden? … read the rest of the post »

Spring is here! Oh… wait, no its snowing … oh spring is back! … its snowing again

- Apr 28 2017
Project to-do lists, finishing a garden, expanding the horse pasture, finished a raised garden planter and planning PVC pipe gutters and then it snowed

Something I think everyone notices when they live in a true “four seasons” environment is that when spring does get here it is accompanied by lots and lots of plans. We all wait for winter to end like hibernating bears and then when summer does finally get here we’re all so busy I think the majority of us feel like we don’t have the time to enjoy it. Though I will heartily complain about the snow on the ground outside right now I am also very aware that we have already been able to begin hacking away at our spring/summer projects at least a month a head of when we would have expected to. (I have been reminded by at least three people now that it is not a strange thing for it to snow here in May!) … read the rest of the post »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #33)

- Apr 26 2017
This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage.

So, with highs here hitting the 60s I was all prepared (and VERY excited) to get my garden planted and then: IT SNOWED! So, it is officially going to be a couple more weeks before I can plant my seedlings 🙁 I have to keep reminding myself that spring came nearly a month early for us this year and I need to have some patience! Welcome to the To Grandma’s House we go Link Party! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. (Grab the featured button following the features.) … read the rest of the post »

DIY Fabulous Face Scrub recipe for incredibly smooth skin!

- Apr 24 2017
A wonderful face scrub wash recipe made out of baking soda, coconut oil and any essential oils you would like to add! A moisturizer and scrub all in one!

So, a few years back, I was your average girl. I washed my face at least once a day (like everyone told me to) and I struggled with my share of acne and even used ProActive when I couldn’t stand it any more. I had a whole bunch of special products from face wash to moisturizer etc. I even visited Acne.org and started purchasing the same ingredients for way less money on Amazon instead of dealing with the ProActive subscription headache. I still have those bottles and, on the rare instance when I do break out, use them maybe once or twice a year. So, what changed? Why do I no longer need my hard core acne cream, lotions and such? … read the rest of the post »

Free House Plan: A two story single family country home.

- Apr 21 2017
Free house plan of a single family, two story country home with a fantastic master bedroom, lots of storage and an open floor plan

This plan pushed me out of the themes I’d been focusing on in the past. I decided to try a slightly large plan with two stories that would fit a small family better then the retired couple I had been designing for in my head. Still though, like all of my plans, this one boasts an incredible master suite with a huge walk through closet and a shower and separate soaker tub in a spacious master bathroom. At nearly 1,400 square feet this is definitely a larger free house plan than those I have been doing that also includes a cute front porch and a massive breezeway that runs down the entire length of the garage and home. … read the rest of the post »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #32)

- Apr 19 2017
This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage.

Hey guys, I hope you had a wonderful Easter and even managed to squeeze in a little bit of relaxation time! Welcome to the To Grandma’s House we go Link Party! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. (Grab the featured button following the features.) … read the rest of the post »

How I organize my blog and why you need Dropbox right now

- Apr 17 2017
Blog organization, link parties, submit places, how and why you need to start using Dropbox for your blog

This post is in answer to the many questions I received about how I organize my blog after publishing my post: 15,000 Pageviews a month: How I did it in 1 year & how I do it every day! In that post I detailed my nitty gritty day to day schedule on how I promote this blog. But, like all schedules, mine keeps evolving with me, my time and what works best for me. For example: in that post I talked about how I was putting together posts that would then literally publish that very day. I don’t do that anymore. Now I am finishing posts and scheduling them at least two weeks before they go live on the blog. This has lessened my stress level considerably! I am no longer frantically putting posts together the day I want them to go live! … read the rest of the post »

Spring is truly here and I have begun remodeling “The Little House”

- Apr 14 2017
A veggie garden with railroad ties, some mystery seeds, new flower boxes and a new remodel project called the little house!

Oh my gosh you guys I am just bursting at the seems to tell you all about my next project! The Little House! Ok, some back story first. This little 500 square foot place was initially built around 60 years ago by my grandpa for his dad and then my grandma’s dad lived there for awhile too! Since then its gone through several remodels and renovations. Decades after it sat empty my dad and brother added a slab foundation to the back of it that contained a tiny bedroom/closet and bathroom, a well and a septic tank. They also insulated it, sheet rocked it and gave it new shingles and siding. They also poured the basement floor (it was dirt before) and also carpeted it to increase the living space. So many members of my family and friends have called this place home off and on throughout the years and the last ten years my dad lived there after my folks’ divorced. This little place is literally not 200 yards from my front door. … read the rest of the post »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #31)

- Apr 12 2017
This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage.

Welcome to the To Grandma’s House we go Link Party! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. (Grab the featured button following the features.) … read the rest of the post »

No green house? No problem! My unconventional solution that worked great!

- Apr 10 2017
Inexpensive way to create mini green houses to start your own seedlings! Plant and grow your own vegetables by starting them from seed, easy and frugal!

It occurred to me last year when I purchased a few bell pepper plants at a local green house that if I was going to give this gardening thing a real shot then I was going to need to start my own seeds. (The cost of buying plants being a little too high for my frugal self.) However, I had two major obstacles in my way, firstly I don’t have a green house so I had to start my seedlings indoors and secondly I don’t have a good south facing area in my home for decent sunlight. I tackled the first problem by going to my drawing board because the second problem isn’t going to be changing anytime soon. It came to me when I was at Walmart and I stumbled upon the perfect mini green houses. “Disposable” roaster pans with clear plastic lids! … read the rest of the post »

Hometalk: For you book lovers out there!

- Apr 07 2017
An inspiration board of six projects from Hometalk that are totally devoted to books. Book knife blog, book coat rack, floating book shelves.

If you’ve ever checked out my Pinterest account then you know I have one board totally devoted to books and everything having to do with books. I’m a writer, an avid reader and a book designer, to say that I love books is putting it very mildly. At one point when I was younger I was convinced that I was going to make my living designing books and book covers, and though I am not “making my living” I am still designing 2-3 books a year and it is one of my very favorite side jobs. So I thought it was about time I devoted one of my Inspiration Board posts to a few of the fabulous projects I’ve spotted over on Hometalk that are entirely devoted to books! … read the rest of the post »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #30)

- Apr 05 2017
This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage.

I am so excited to report that my seedlings have sprouted!! Oh my gosh I didn’t kill them! Or… at least I haven’t killed them yet lol I just can’t wait to plant them here in a couple of weeks and get my hands dirty 🙂 Welcome to the To Grandma’s House we go Link Party! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. (Grab the featured button following the features.) … read the rest of the post »

DIY wood working Ice fishing rod rack with a shelf for tip ups

- Apr 03 2017
How to build an ice fishing rod rack with a shelf for tip ups out of barn wood and 2x2s, wood working, work shop, diy, do it yourself, how to, tutorials

When my husband asked me to build him an ice fishing rod rack I got really excited and realized that that makes me either a rather awesome wife (at least to Joe) or weird as hell. Either way, I was stoked to actually be able to build and do something for him! Joe keeps the majority of his tools and toys in a storage unit throughout the year until he needs them and then he needs somewhere handy to keep them in the garage. I was just plain old excited to work on something that was A: not one of my own hair brained ideas and B: kind of like he was my client! I ran him through twenty questions, doing a bit of sketching as we went. I mulled the plan over in my head for a couple of weeks when he made a change: He also wanted a shelf along the bottom of it for enough head room for all of his tip ups. … read the rest of the post »

Free House Plan: A sweet little cottage that smartly utilizes its 1,100 square feet

- Mar 31 2017
A sweet little cottage that utilizes its 1,100 square foot one story design to create an open layout with plenty of storage and a big country kitchen!

If you guys have seen any of my house designs in the past you know that I focus hard on keeping the square footage as low possible, keeping an open design and really giving them the most amazing kitchens I possibly can. I love the older style kitchens that always included a huge gathering table in the middle of them. Not everyone utilizes dining rooms any more so why not just put it in the middle of a big spacious kitchen? I love love this kitchen so much, this is really close to what my “dream” kitchen would be! The other really cool thing about this house design is it big walk through storage/laundry room that connects the kitchen to the garage. What a great place to drop your shoes and coats at the end of the day! … read the rest of the post »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #29)

- Mar 28 2017
This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage.

I am so excited to report that my seedlings have sprouted!! Oh my gosh I didn’t kill them! Or… at least I haven’t killed them yet lol I just can’t wait to plant them here in a couple of weeks and get my hands dirty 🙂 Welcome to the To Grandma’s House we go Link Party! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. (Grab the featured button following the features.) … read the rest of the post »

Pinterest Strategy: What I wish I had known and implemented when I started blogging.

- Mar 27 2017
Pinterest Strategy: What I wish I had known and implemented when I started blogging. Using BoarBooster, how to increase your Pinterest numbers over night!

There are so many instances now that I’ve been blogging for a year and half that I look back and think, “Oh I wish I had known that then!” Of course hind sight is always a b*tch but it doesn’t have to be for everyone. So, here is my entire Pinterest strategy, everything I’m doing right now on Pinterst and wish I would have done since the moment I started this blog. Right now I’m hitting around 20,000 page views a month and over half of those are from Pinterest and I’m getting nearly 100 new followers a day on my Pinterest profile. But I really feel like if I had implemented everything I know now at the beginning those numbers would probably be double that! I started using BoardBooster/implementing this strategy in July of 2016 and the numbers don’t lie, just look at what it did to my Pinterest Profile! … read the rest of the post »

I’ve started my seedlings and you know what that means: SPRING IS ALMOST HERE!

- Mar 24 2017
Spring is here in northern MN, I started my seedlings, I donated to the monarchs for milkweed and cold started them and I have myself a new rocking chair!

Hey guys, it is so wonderful to finally be able to say that spring is finally coming to our northern home in Minnesota! According to the calendar the official first day of spring has come and gone of course but being this far north means that that isn’t exactly translating to the actual outside temperature. Regardless, spring IS coming and we’re seeing temperatures now above freezing almost every single day. Could we still have a snow storm and see ridiculous cold? Of course we could! But we probably won’t. On average last frost for us will either be May 1st or June 1st so I’m a little early with starting my seedlings but that won’t stop me! … read the rest of the post »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #28)

- Mar 22 2017
This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage.

Hey guys! Well, spring is almost here for us in northern MN! It is official (at least for me) when I plant and get my seedlings started like I did last week – can’t wait to see them start growing! I’m sure I’m not the only Minnesotan right now who is just desperate to see something green. Welcome to the To Grandma’s House we go Link Party! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. (Grab the featured button following the features.) … read the rest of the post »

Heating your home with a wood stove: the good, the bad and the ashes

- Mar 20 2017
Heating your home with wood all of the tips and information you need to decide whether or not you want to heat your house with a wood stove

We are just concluding our second winter living in my grandparents’ 100 year old farm house. When we gutted the home we removed the old fuel oil burning furnace in the basement and all of the old corresponding duct work. Then it was the question on how we wanted to heat our home. My plan initially was to have a small wood stove in the kitchen to support electric off peak heat. Within a month of subzero temperatures though we knew we would never be willing to afford the electric heat… oh my gosh expensive! So, we kept our little wood stove burning hot all of the time and found out real quick a “little” stove was not going to cut it against a northern Minnesota winter! … read the rest of the post »

Hometalk: Repurposes that you have to see to believe!

- Mar 17 2017
Innovative repurposes of furniture that you have to see to believe! Creative Hometalk ideas, transforming a piece of furniture into something else entirely!

There are many words and phrases used throughout the DIY community for repurposing. Sometimes we call it upcycling, sometimes we call it reinventing. Whatever you call it, taking a piece of furniture that was meant for one job and totally transforming it to make it useful for another takes ingenuity and some very creative thinking! I haunt Hometalk a lot these days because so many bloggers (and some folks that aren’t bloggers at all!) share some truly amazing ideas every day. Here are six of my very favorite repurposing projects all of which I want to try someday! … read the rest of the post »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #27)

- Mar 15 2017
This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage.

Hey guys I am so excited to announce that Kate and I have welcomed a new host to our party! Allow me to introduce Stephanie from Abbott’s At Home!! Oh my gosh have you seen her Kitchen Remodel? Now that’s what I call pinworthy 😉 Welcome to the To Granmdma’s House we go Link Party! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. (Grab the featured button following the features.) … read the rest of the post »

Home Tour: Master bedroom refresh! Sweet country meets Hollywood glam!

- Mar 13 2017
Master bedroom refresh country, hollywood regency makeover, white tufted headboard, glass lamp and hardware, black painted furniture, dark hardwood floors

Several times in the past couple of months I’ve hinted at showing your guys our master bedroom refresh! It all started when we decided to move the head of our bed from under the south facing windows to the east wall. It opened up the room so much – we can dance up here now! But it left me with a couple of issues, the first big one was that I could no longer use my washstand as my bedside table (not enough room any more) and neither could Joe as he had been using his dresser. So, on I went thrifting on the search for bedside tables, their makeover was a fun and easy one, check it out here. … read the rest of the post »

Free House Plan: Dream Retirement Design

- Mar 10 2017
A dream small cottage design for a retired couple or child free couple, free floor plan, free home design, free house plan, one story

Though this 1,000 square foot cottage would work fine for a small family, in my mind, it was always one of the very best designs I had ever done for a couple in retirement or for a child free couple. What makes it ideal is the position of the master bedroom set entirely (privately) away from the extra bedroom, essentially giving whoever owns and lives in this home their own real escape if they ever do have a guest (or maybe grand kids?) visiting. With two bathrooms any guests staying would essentially have their own bathroom as well. Though this is certainly a small home I think it works well when it comes to flow, fully pulling the outdoors in and utilizing all east, west and southern facing walls with a ton of windows for light. (Because I live in Minnesota I most definitely keep the windows to a minimum on the north wall because of winter winds.) … read the rest of the post »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #26)

- Mar 08 2017
This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage.

Well spring was here for about five minutes with temperatures hitting 55 degrees and then we have today: full on snow storm and wind gusts up to 45 mph. Wow. But, it is March, and that means we really are almost done with winter no matter what it looks like outside! Welcome to the To Grandma’s House we go Link Party #26! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. … read the rest of the post »

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