Built by Jessie

Transforming a house into a home and showing you how.

Categories: Home Improvement, Woodworking

DIY GRAY AND WHITE DINING ROOM

I find inspiration all over – this room is a mix of classic, traditional, and modern. So basically it is an eclectic space that we call the dining room. Here we gather, as a family, for meals and funny conversations.

Boy oh, boy! Did this room get an update?!? We lived with these walls as they were the day we moved in for 5 to 6 years. We take our time when it comes to updates.

Finally, finding inspiration and guidance/tips from bloggers and builders, I bit the bullet and took action! I added board and batten along with crown molding to this room. I painted the walls a dramatic grey to help the architectural features pop. I take a lot of pleasure and pride in knowing I made this room into what it is all by myself (with the help of some handy tools, of course). I refinished the furniture using chalk paint to give it new life. And added a pop of color to make it a little more fun – no need to be so serious. 

  • gray and white dining room
  • gray and white dining room

When designing a space I want something that enables me to use what I already have (to keep the costs down), build something with my hands (because #agirlsgottabuild), and splurge on some things we’ve saved for.

“something coral”

This room has a lot of #somethingnew and a lot of #somethingold. There is no #somethingblue, but certainly something coral ;).

And because I’m sure you’ll enjoy a before and after… Here are a few before and during the renovation process. Things get real ugly before they get any better.

Categories: Woodworking

HOW TO MAKE A HANDMADE WOODEN SIGN

I was recently invited to a baby shower. This baby who would be named Emma was going to be loved so much. She was the first grandchild. That said, I wanted to make something personal for Emma – something that could be in her room. Something that can grow with her and perhaps even , one day, be on a gallary wall down when her parents start to collect her works of art.

I took wood I had reclaimed from a pallet I dismantled some time ago. I attached the planks to one another with pocket hole joinery. I used chalk paint powder and mixed my own chalk paint from a sample-size paint jars. I stained the wood using a faux stain technique using brown chalk paint. I painted both the frame (which are 1 by 2s) and her name with starts with pink chalk paint. Once I was done, I used wax to sealed the entire thing.

The handmade gift was quite a success at the baby shower. I’m so happy. I hope it brings joy to Emma.