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2025 Home Renovation Project Recap: What I Built, What I Learned & Why It Mattered

Every New Year feels like a blank page. I love dreaming about what’s ahead: personal goals, home projects, new skills I want to learn. But just as much, I treasure the quiet ritual of looking back. Celebrating the small wins. Reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and what surprised me along the way. This 2025 […]

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I’m Allison.
Design obsessed and self-taught DIYer, I'm so excited to share my journey with you, and be a source of inspiration as well as a resource.
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hanging the wallpaper mural for the home office makeover

The home office renovation is officially humming along, and I’m thrilled with how the transformation is taking shape. The first half of this project focused on dialing in the architectural design, installing custom trim work, and prepping the room for a full spray-painted finish. In this back half of the project we’ll start to see […]

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picking a paint color for the home office makeover!

When it comes to picking a paint color for the home office, the decision carries more weight than you might think. This room isn’t just another space — it’s where ideas grow, projects come to life, and creativity needs the right environment to flourish. After weeks of designing and installing chair-rail and box trim, and […]

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learn how to measure cut and install crown molding in this tutorial for beginners

A funny thing about my 1989 brick colonial house: it has the traditional crown molding you’d expect to see in a home like this — but only in some rooms. It’s always puzzled me, and lately, it’s started to bug me. The entire upstairs has zero crown molding, while the downstairs rooms — the cozy […]

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click to see five home office wallpaper ideas that lean moody, traditional and vintage inspired.

We’re a few weeks into my home office renovation, and with all of the box molding, chair rail, and crown molding installed, it’s officially time to think about color. Which means one thing: wallpaper. While I still need to wood fill and caulk all of the trim, I’m finalizing the design plan and today I’m […]

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After tackling three different types of wall molding projects in my home—each a little more advanced than the last— I’m excited to take on my home office. This is now my fourth time installing picture frame molding, and like all the others, I know it’s going to completely transform the space. However, I remember the […]

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click to learn how to do your own diy paver and turf installation project

There’s something incredibly satisfying about transforming a tired space with your own two hands—especially when the “before” includes dying pine trees and a garden bed filled with dirty rocks and weeds. Earlier this summer, I had my front yard professionally landscaped, but the back pool area? Due to budget that’s been my DIY special. I […]

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click to read more about my home office makeover. photo of vintage eastlake dresser, vintage oil painting, antique lamp.

If you’ve been following along, you know I just wrapped up my primary bathroom renovation for the spring One Room Challenge. That project took me four months longer than expected—so I swore I wouldn’t sign up for the fall round. But old habits die hard. And here we are: I’m officially announcing that my next […]

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click to read how to diy marble countertops

When I started renovating my kitchen, one of the biggest pain points was the dark, speckled granite countertops. They felt dated, busy, and totally out of sync with the lighter, warmer aesthetic I wanted for my home. Real marble counters have always been on my dream list—but with my square footage I was looking at […]

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click to ready the DIY primary bathroom renovation progress update!

The past couple weeks were big for the DIY primary bathroom renovation—equal parts progress and problem-solving. Here’s where things stand, what’s finished, and what’s coming next. The Vanity: From Black to Walnut Beauty Remember when the countertop installers dripped something down the front of the black vanity drawers? Total mess. But it turned out to […]

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phase two of the exterior makeover

I know there’s great anticipation for the primary bathroom reveal, but I wouldn’t be a real DIYer if I wasn’t starting another project before finishing the current one, right? All jokes aside, the landscaping has been high on my to-do list for a long time now, so I’m excited to share the plans (or rough […]

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click to see my deadline for the primary bathroom renovation!

A much overdue update on an overdue project: the primary bathroom renovation. I’ll be the first to admit that my setback with the countertop company took the momentum out of this project, and if I’m being honest, I needed to step away from it for a little bit because it was making me quite sad. […]

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click-for-common-myths-about-color-drenching-and-how-to-do-it-right

When I decided to makeover my primary bedroom last summer, I knew I wanted to go green—but not just any green. I was looking for that perfect moody, soft-but-rich, earthy green that felt calm and cozy without turning too cold. I swatched no less than 12 different greens and finally narrowed it down to five […]

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click-for-primary-bathroom-renovation-week-8

The bathroom renovation hummed along this week and and I’m getting one step closer to finishing the custom wainscoting. This week it was all about the crown molding, as well as deciding on some of the remaining box sizes. I also dabbled in a little bit of electrical, which I’m quite proud of. Lets dive […]

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click-for-primary-bathroom-renovation-weeks-6-7

I think there are two types of people when it comes to design: those that have a design in their head and those that need to sketch everything out in advance. I’m of the former type, not the latter. In fact the main reason I create mood boards is to showcase my vision to all […]

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click-to-read-primary-bathroom-one-room-challenge-week-5

This week was a huge turning point for the primary bathroom renovation because I finally started to see some real changes. I gave you a little sneak peek in last week’s post, but a pallet (594 lbs!) of custom trim arrived and I could not wait to get it on my walls. As eager as […]

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tap-for-primary-bathroom-renovation-week-4

Technically, from a calendar perspective, this is the bathroom renovation halfway point. But from an actual implementation standpoint maybe not so much. However, progress is progress, so I’m happy to share what I accomplished over this past week, as well as what I learned. I taught myself a crash course in how to skim coat […]

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click-for-the-primary-bathroom-design-plans

It’s week two of the Spring One Room Challenge and I can say without a doubt, this is my favorite week other than the reveal week! Why? Because it’s design week! I’m so excited to share the primary bathroom design plans with you today. Someone commented last week that the primary bathroom has “great bones.” […]

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click to see how I'm updating my primary bathroom

This week kicked off the 2025 Spring One Room Challenge and I’m so excited to be participating again! If you were here last year, you might remember I decided to renovate my kitchen for my first ever One Room Challenge. While it seemed like a lofty endeavor, especially before the holidays, I couldn’t be happier […]

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click-for-common-myths-about-color-drenching-and-how-to-do-it-right

Color drenching has been making waves in the interior design world, and for good reason. This bold, immersive technique—where walls, ceilings, trim, and even furniture are painted in the same hue—creates a cohesive, dramatic, and deeply atmospheric look. But despite its growing popularity, many people hesitate to try it, often due to common misconceptions.   Let’s […]

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all-about-my-new-motorized-shades-in-the-bedroom

Have you ever seen the movie The Holiday? It’s that one where Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz switch houses over the holidays, trying to escape from the reality of their love lives falling apart. There’s this one moment in the movie where Kate Winslet enters Cameron Diaz’s bedroom for the first time, and she notices […]

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learn-more-about-my-budget-friendly-kitchen-renovation

I’ve been dreaming of having the ability to write this post for what feels like years…so I’m SO excited to reveal my One Room Challenge Budget Friendly Kitchen Renovation with you today! I shared a video walk through shortly before Christmas, but I wanted to reset the space with fresh styling before snapping more photos. […]

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click-for-my-2024-project-recap

I remember sitting down last year to plan out my 2024 project list, and thinking to myself “this is unrealistic, but I’m going to write it down anyhow.” There were some big ticket items on that list, including a few I couldn’t manage without hiring out. Then by the time summer rolled around and I […]

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tap-to-learn-more-about-installing-soft-close-drawer-slides

While there’s still a long list of things to do in the budget friendly kitchen renovation, I’m one step closer to having the core of my kitchen back. After painting the counter tops to look like faux carrara marble (still can’t get over this transformation by the way! – this is the kit I used), […]

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transforming-my-granite-counters-to-a-faux-carrara-marble-finish

Recently I teased on socials that this kitchen is a vicious cycle of painting, sanding, cleaning and sawing. It was a joke but it’s really quite accurate! So naturally I’m back into a painting phase for week 6 of the budget friendly kitchen renovation: transforming the countertops. Yes that’s right, I’m aiming to DIY my […]

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click for budget friendly kitchen renovation wood paneling installation

The budget friendly kitchen renovation is humming right along and this week it was all about the backsplash. Well, technically last week was too (did you see the removal process?), but this week we’re making it pretty! The transformation is about to ramp up as we enter Week 5 of the One Room Challenge, but […]

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budget-friendly-kitchen-renovation-removing-tile-glass-backsplash

This is my first ever kitchen renovation and I think it’s fair to say that this week might have been the breaking point. While I had a little extra pep in my step last week from the new paint that went on the cabinet boxes, the wave of excitement came crashing down this week as […]

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click-for-budget-friendly-kitchen-renovation

We are two full weeks into the 2024 Fall One Room Challenge and this is the week where I finally felt I could see my vision taking shape. That’s the power of paint after all – it’s transformative! (did you see my exterior reveal? Say less.) But before we could get into the fun part, […]

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click-for-budget-friendly-kitchen-renovation-week-2-progress

It’s the end of week one of the fall 2024 One Room Challenge and I feel like I’ve already lived 5 months in 5 days. All kidding aside, I knew when I picked the kitchen for my renovation project, that it would be no easy task. These first few days getting started have reminded me […]

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budget-friendly-kitchen-renovation

Are you ready for the grand finale of 2024? We’re going out with a bang, and we’re doing it in good company as I join the 2024 Fall One Room Challenge. If you’re not already familiar, the One Room Challenge takes place twice a year and is a way for designers to collaborate and foster […]

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Not too long ago, a type of paint called “chalk paint” was all the rage. I don’t know if it was the look of the finish that attracted people, or the ease of application, but everywhere you turned, something was being refinished with chalk paint. As with most things, what comes around goes around and […]

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click-to-read-how-the-2024-project-list-is-going

Can you believe we’re nearing the end of July?! Me either! This year has truly flown by and I know (as always) it’s going to speed up as we get closer to the holidays. As I’ve had my head down and deep into projects, I thought it would be a great time for a 2024 […]

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click-to-learn-how-to-design-custom-trim

A couple months ago when I installed picture frame molding in the dining room, I had a sneaking suspicion that it was going to be addicting. I just didn’t know how addicting! All of a sudden, I wanted it in every room in the house. However, I’m a firm believer that there can be too […]

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click-to-learn-how-to-clean-copper

Copper! It’s the metal that adds warmth, character, and a touch of timeless elegance to our homes. From gleaming pots and pans to stunning hammered sinks, copper elevates everyday objects into design statements. Recently I found a beautiful copper wine cooler at an estate sale, but it definitely needed a little TLC. Being my first […]

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click-for-diy-picture-frame-molding

Although we’re in the month of April, I feel like it’s Christmas because I’m THAT excited to share the reveal of the DIY picture frame molding in the dining room. This is a project that is on the 2024 project list but has also been on my mind since I moved into this house. I […]

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click-to-learn-more-about-rub-n-buff-brass-options

Have you ever used Rub N Buff? If you’re not familiar, it’s a metallic paint used for arts, crafts and restoration. It can be used on anything from picture frames to furniture, and can help breathe new life into an old piece or customize something that’s not quite to your liking. The Rub N Buff […]

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click-for-painting-hacks

Planning a DIY project or a remodel? When it comes to interior painting these expert painting hacks, tips & tricks will help save you time, money, paint faster & get better results. Bookmark this page and thank me later! Expert Painting Hack #1: Baseboards If your baseboards don’t have quarter round, you should have a […]

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traditional-dining-room

Wallpaper is a powerful design tool, capable of injecting personality and drama into any space. After wallpapering four different spaces in my house (the dining room, back entry, powder room and toilet room) I have one main takeaway to share. Meticulous wall preparation is crucial. When done correctly, it will make your installation a breeze […]

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click-for-crisp-paint-lines

For me, the journey of transforming my house truly started with a paint brush. While I’ve been painting for decades at this point, it wasn’t until recently that I decided to paint the trim between the cozy room and back entry two different contrasting colors. With that decision, came learning how to get razor-sharp crisp […]

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click-for-back-entry-reveal

If you were following along with my 2024 project list, you’ll remember seeing the back entry on the short list. This is a tinier space, but I definitely underestimated its significance last year when I was updating the cozy tv room. A true bridge between the dark moody den and the bright white kitchen, this […]

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toilet-room-design-reveal

One of the best designs a primary bathroom can have is a separate toilet room and I’m lucky enough to have inherited one. While I immediately went to work renovating the primary bathroom within the first month of closing on the house, I’ll admit that the toilet room was an afterthought. Now with a few […]

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back-entry-mood-board

The first project I’m checking off the 2024 project list is the back entry! While this is a small area of the house, it’s the main entry point coming up from the garage and gets a lot of foot traffic. Sometimes it’s also the first impression of the house! While this space was not originally […]

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click-for-bathroom-before-and-after

Today we’re taking a jaunt down memory lane, as I share the one of the first things I decided to do after buying this house: a primary bathroom renovation. There’s nothing quite like biting off more than you can chew, and I can say I confidently achieved that by renovating the primary bathroom with little […]

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2024-project-list-kitchen

It’s funny how cyclical life can be sometimes. Every year, I get so excited about the holidays for many reasons, but deep down I think I’m welcoming a break from renovating and DIY-ing. I’ve always made myself stop house projects to enjoy the holidays with family, savor the holiday décor and get out of the […]

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how-to-clean-leather-furniture-before-after

Today I’m sharing something I wish I would have done years ago: protecting my leather sofa. My beautiful camel colored leather couch from West Elm was delivered the week I closed on my house and unfortunately there was so much chaos that I never got around to properly protecting it. Had I done so, I […]

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diy-autumn-centerpiece

With all the updates to the house this year, especially the floors and staircase, I decided this would be the year I would splurge on some new holiday garland. Ever since last year, I have been eyeing the Norfolk Pine garland and I finally decided to “add to cart” this holiday. I’ll admit, it was […]

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how-i-transformed-my-dining-room-table-from-black-to-wood-for-less-than-$100

The dining room flip has been one of my most exciting projects to date in this house, however I truly reached a sticking point when it came time to make decisions about the furniture. If you remember, I got a bit tripped up with the design plans for the dining room because of this black […]

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click to learn how to paint trim

Today, I’ve got a fantastic project that will instantly elevate the look of your space: painting interior trim. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY pro or just starting your home improvement journey, this step-by-step interior trim painting guide will help you achieve a polished and professional finish. Let’s dive in! Why Paint Your Interior Trim? Before […]

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click to learn how to paint a ceiling tips tricks

This one’s for my DIY enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into a topic that often gets overlooked in the world of home renovation and design: ceiling painting. Sure, we all love a beautifully painted wall, but what about the fifth wall—the ceiling? Trust me, it’s a game-changer when done right. So, grab your paintbrushes and let’s […]

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how to paint a wall

Are you ready to paint?! Follow along below as I guide you through how to paint a wall like a professional. Speaking of professionals, I’ll share the cost savings you can anticipate by choosing to DIY this project. Get excited – we’re about to transform your space! Getting Set Up After you’ve decided on your […]

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