After 7 years of teaching, I became a stay-at-home mom (now 15 years ago) which meant learning how to live on one income (sometimes as low as $30k a year). Although this was challenging, it taught me how to create beauty in my home by thrifting, shopping deals and renovating our home, with the help of my handy husband. I love intentional design with neutrals (function and beauty on a budget is my jam) and love helping others create a cozy home on a budget too.
Grab a paintbrush with me and let's do this!
I'm Amy. Wife. Mom of 4. Former high school teacher. Avid Thrifter and DIYer
mom +DIY designer
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What is the Found Cottage Mercantile? The Found Cottage Mercantile is an annual event held at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds featuring vendors from all around the United States. This happens to be just a half mile from my house which is incredibly convenient for me. I ended up meeting a fellow home DIY influencer, Maria, […]
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What is one way I have recently personalized our unfinished basement? Recently, I was #gifted a large wooden USA wall map from Enjoy the Wood which Mitch and I hung on our basement cement wall. I chose a United States map because we love to travel throughout the USA and visit national and state parks […]
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How do you save money decorating for spring? Budget friendly tip #1: Bring in a few new elements each season and use what you have from past years. This year, I received 3 spring prints from paperhouseprintshop I chose neutral and minimalist spring designs and sprinkled them throughout my home. I love this company […]
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I found this midcentury sideboard at Community Action Resale Holland Thrifts for $10 but it needed some TLC. The shape reminded me of the Arhaus Finnley sideboard that costs $2,999 which was WAY out of my budget but I had a vision to make this piece work in my home. So, I sent my husband […]
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This particular side table was only $20 @ditto. It took less than 1 1/2 hours to transform using my orbital sander and the tan wash method (you can watch the DIY end table highlight for the whole process). Here are the DIY steps: Sand with 60 to 80 grit sandpaper with an orbital sander […]
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I bought this antique kitchen table for $75 at a local thrift shop last fall and finally finished restoring it last weekend. It sold within a week on @FacebookMarketplace for $450. Woo hoo! That is a $375 profit! I was so excited because this was the first piece of furniture I specifically bought to refinish […]
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