Saving Etta: Laundry Room Update and a No Hands Light Switch About that Saving Etta laundry room, did you get a peek last week? If you missed it, I showed you how I installed the cement tile floor. We can all agree, the star of the laundry room is the floor. But, there's another … [Read more...]
How to Install Cement Tiles and Achieve Professional Results
How to Install Cement Tiles and Achieve Professional Results If you've been browsing Pinterest lately or flipping through the pages of your favorite home design magazine, you've probably seen (and likely fallen in love with) real cement tiles. Cement tiles are trending, so much … [Read more...]
How to Build a Window Pane Lattice Privacy Fence and Gate
How to Build a Window Pane Lattice Privacy Fence and Gate I should probably re-name this post How to Build a Window Pane Lattice Semi-Privacy Fence. But, honestly it's only semi-private because the lots in downtown Raleigh are so close together and the next door neighbor's … [Read more...]
Saving Etta: Front Yard Transformation
Saving Etta: Front Yard Transformation & Tips for Saving Money on Landscaping I hope you enjoyed the backyard transformation I shared on Monday. Like the backyard, the front has taken on quite the transformation of its own. One of the first things I knew I wanted to do at … [Read more...]
Saving Etta Update: The Backyard Transformation
Saving Etta Update: The Backyard Transformation This has to be one of the biggest transformations (besides the demolition and framing) at the Saving Etta project! The backyard was an unruly mess of vines, overgrown shrubs, and weeds. I resisted the urge to do any landscaping … [Read more...]
How to Build Flat Sawn Baluster Railings
Get ready for the tutorial I've been anxious to share with you. Ever since completing the Saving Etta front porch project, I find myself taking breaks to glance out the window at these gorgeous flat sawn baluster railings. Now I get to teach you how to make these decorative … [Read more...]
How to Install a USB Charging Outlet
Learn how you can make simple electrical upgrades to your home. Today I'll show you how to install an outlet that charges your USB devices and powers your appliances at the same time.How to Install a USB Charging Outlet I'm so excited to share this tutorial with you. … [Read more...]
Saving Etta: Kitchen Cabinet Decision and Install
Saving Etta: Kitchen Cabinet Decision and Install Oh my goodness, I just realized I never shared the Saving Etta kitchen mood board with you! Well, I guess it's a bit late for this, but here you go:Inspiration Sources: Kitchen Design Image from Regan Baker Design's Lake … [Read more...]
Saving Etta: Why I Couldn’t Save the Original 1900 Floors
Saving Etta: Why I Couldn't Save the Original 1900 Wood Floors The day I realized I couldn't save Etta's original wood floors was one of the roughest days during the demolition phase. By then we discovered that most of the flooring in the north bedroom was too water damaged to … [Read more...]
Saving Etta: Floor Tile Update
Saving Etta: Tile Flooring Update Welcome back to another Saving Etta update! If you're just joining, this is another progress report on my efforts to save a house built in 1900. The finish line is looming close, so be on the lookout for more updates to come. To get the back … [Read more...]
You’re Invited to the Saving Etta Open House
You're Invited to the Saving Etta Open House Do you live near Raleigh, North Carolina? If so, I'd love to invite you to the live open house tour of the Saving Etta project.Yes, I know, I need to get you all caught up on the progression of the house. It's been a whirlwind … [Read more...]
Saving Etta: Drywall Update + Reducing Sound in the Master Bedroom
Saving Etta: Drywall Update + Reducing Sound in the Master Bedroom One of the biggest progress milestones (besides the framing stage) in building a house happens at the drywall installation. This is the point where the structure starts to really feel like a house. This is also … [Read more...]
Saving Etta: Exterior Paint Choices
I'm so excited to show off the colors I chose for Etta's exterior! However, I'm equally excited to share with you a new paint line from Magnolia Paint by KILZ. (This post is a sponsored post for Magnolia Home Paint by KILZ.) When KILZ agreed to be a Saving Etta sponsor, I was … [Read more...]
Saving Etta: Side Porch Update
Saving Etta: Side Porch Update While there was a lot of progress on the exterior of the house, the side porch was built after the interior walls were framed and shortly before the exterior siding was put on. Truth be told, the side porch build started way back before the framing … [Read more...]
Saving Etta: Exterior Progress Update
Saving Etta: Exterior Progress Update Things moved quickly on the Saving Etta Project after the framing was completed. It was a mad rush to get the house dried in. All the rain we had while digging the foundation continued after the framing was complete. Although the roof and … [Read more...]
Saving Etta: Framing Progress
Saving Etta: Framing Progress Last week I shared the demolition process at Saving Etta. After getting over the initial shock of being left with nothing but studs and a wonky foundation under the original house, I pulled on my boots (rain boots that is) and got to work building … [Read more...]