Conquering fears and gaining confindence

24 May By
building_bedroom_cabinets @SawdustGirl.com

Kristy continues to make progress on her bedroom built-ins.  Kristy's stories make me laugh and smile every time I talk to her.  She is THE happiest, bubbliest, most resilient person I have ever met (virtually or otherwise).   When we started her bedroom built-ins  in January, she had never built anything before.  She's buying the tools she needs as we go and learning along the way and is growing in confidence and capabilities by the week.  Nothing makes me prouder than … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Kristy's Bedroom, Sawdust Diaries Tagged With: ,

Meet the fabulous Ronda from Batchelors Way

23 May By
Ronda of Batchelors Way

Hey all, I want you to meet Ronda (if you haven't already seen her fabulous creations and room makeovers all over the web)!  I've admired her style, her get-it-done approach and her sense of humor for quite some time and I'm thrilled to have Ronda as a regular Sawdust Girl contributor.  She has plenty of awesomeness to share...and that's what I want Sawdust Girl to be:  All Awesomeness!   Hi, I'm Ronda from Batchelors Way. I'm a mother of  6 great kids and wife to one … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Guest Posts, Reader's Projects, Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Photo shoots are fun and exhausting

22 May By
BHG photo shoot -sawdustgirl.com

Madison and I had an exciting and exhausting day yesterday with stylist and photographer for a feature in Better Homes and Gardens!  What?  When I first opened up the email I was thinking, "hmmmm, maybe they want to shoot my closet.....?"  But the room they were interested in was Madison's bedroom.  Surprising --  but totally cool! Last year we painted a world map on one wall and did a Subway Art sort of approach of throwing names of countries on the wall.  (We were in no way trying to … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: All About Me

How to install a tongue and groove plank wall

17 May By
master closet plank wall at SawdustGirl.com

  Installing a tongue and groove, wood plank wall is a super easy way to spruce up a boring wall.  Like the wall in my master closet that I just planked -- I hated that wall.   First of all, what are tongue and groove planks?  They are wood boards (planks) that have a groove cut into them along one side and the other side has a protruding strip (tongue) that fits into the groove of another plank.  These are 5/8" thick.  I've installed thinner ones but didn't like … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Moulding/Trim, Plans and Projects, projects and tutorials, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: ,

Master Closet Plank Wall

16 May By
master closet plank wall at SawdustGirl.com

I finished the plank wall in my master closet! What?  You didn't know I got distracted from my two current projects, the laundry room and office?   If you follow my on facebook you had a heads up (because I share gripping play by play updates as projects happen  ha!).   Last Thursday I had a day with no appointments and a wall that had been bugging me so I jumped into yet another project.  Yeah, that ONE project at a time rule is not only out the window but it's a mile … [Continue reading...]

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Living Room Office Progress – Kelly C. part 2

15 May By
building_built-ins @ sawdustgirl.com

Picking up where Kelly left off on her living room office story - part 1... This is how the work begins! From the amazing plan that she created for me,  Sandra broke it down into manageable pieces starting with four base units. I printed out my cut lists and headed to Home Depot to get started! Did you know that the big box home stores will do most of the cuts for you from huge sheets of MDF, plywood, etc.? I don’t have a table saw and never could have done this on my own. You could … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Kelly C's Living Room, Sawdust Diaries Tagged With:

Built-in closet progress – Ava’s closet- part 2

14 May By
Built in closet progress

It takes a LOT of work to take an empty (once you rip out the flimsy shelving) closet to a beautiful, totally custom built-in (to fit all the quirky angled walls) master closet.  Remember Ava's closet?  Well, she has made some good progress since her last update.     The Build Continues – Part II Not much gets done during the week with regards to the closet build.  But come Friday evenings and Saturdays I make up for the lost hours and I am a building maniac.  … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Ava's Closet, Sawdust Diaries, Uncategorized Tagged With:

2013 San Francisco Decorator Showcase House

13 May By
SF_design_house_15_thumb.jpg

Even multimillion dollar mansions can use an update now and then.  This 114 year old Herbst Manor got a MAJOR makeover for this year's SF Decorator Showcase! Designer showcases are always over the top and include lots of impractical and wacky design choices (indoor living wall = spider hotel if you ask me), but the point is to inspire, and inspire it does! I love the mix of modern furniture, graphic rugs, luxurious textiles, dramatic art and painted moldings.  Rather than be constrained by … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Decorating, Uncategorized Tagged With:

Cool Faux Molding Idea Done with Markers

11 May By
Faux_Molding_Idea

As you know, I believe that molding is one of the best ways to add awesomeness to a space, but can it can be a big investment in time and money. Here’s a great idea from Studio Alta via the Huffington Post for creating a whimsical faux molding treatment that you could probably do in a day. This would be great for a child’s space, an area where you want to add a quirky vibe, or a temporary space. The possibilities are endless, think of colors, arches, and all of the faux architectural details … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Decorating, Decorating, DIY, Moulding/Trim Tagged With:

Living Room Office Plan – Kelly C’s project part 1

9 May By
built-in_design_ideas_sawdustgirl.com

Hi! My name is Kelly. I am a DIY wanna-be and a contributor over at the blog Making Lemonade. I am so excited to be here working with Sandra! I’ve been a long time follower of Sandra’s blog, so when she announced that she was starting a “DIY Coach” service, I JUMPED onto email and begged her to take me on as a client. What a dream come true! You see, I do not work well by myself. I have the best of intentions when projects are concerned, but what I really need is some serious … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

Laundry room counter, sink and faucet

8 May By
pullout faucet

In addition to installing lights in the office this weekend, Wes and I also got the laundry room countertop, sink and faucet installed.  Woohoo!  I was super excited to have the countertop in there so I could fold laundry -- but the finish still stinks so I haven't used it yet.     The countertop is 2x stock.  I bought it and brought it in the house weeks before I built the countertop so it could dry out.  I used a bunch of different colors of stain and finished the … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Laundry Room, Work in Progress

Built-in Double Office – TV Room (Cara’s office Part 2)

7 May By
building office cabinets

Today Cara is sharing an update on her Built-in Office.  Last time you heard from her, she had just finished building her very first cabinet box ever.  Look at her now, she's a regular cabinet building machine!     April 27th, 2013 Today got off to a great start. We covered the floor and prepared to start priming all of the cabinets.     The priming went smoothly, but it was a bit tiring on the ol’arm. I have to admit, after being so scared of … [Continue reading...]

6 Comments

Filed Under: Cara's Office, DIY, Sawdust Diaries

Office paint and lighting

6 May By
recessed lights in office

I'm so excited about my (Wes AND my) new office.  It's coming together quickly -- now that the dang skim coating is done.  Hate that job! I got the walls painted on Friday and I LOVE the color.   (Sherwin Williams --  Light French Grey)  I still need to bulk up the trim around the window and doors.  I wasn't careful with the paint on the ceiling because we're doing a plank ceiling and adding crown moulding.  AND yes, I absolutely CAN sleep at night knowing that I slopped the paint up … [Continue reading...]

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making progress (And link party)

3 May By
diy_wood_countertop_tung_oil

Things are coming together and I'm making progress in both rooms that are under way right now.   (Every time I say, "I'm making progress" a song from one of Madison's TV shows pops into my head.   Brownie points if you know what show and song I'm talking about.  Hint is in my post title!) ANYWAY -- office walls are skim-coated, sanded and primed and the laundry room sink is curing with it's last coat of Tung Oil.   I build the countertop for my laundry room and … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Link Party Tagged With:

Double Daybed Design – sawdust extravaganza winner

1 May By
Double Daybed with Trundle- sawdustgirl.com

I'm excited about a new coaching project I'll be starting soon.  It's a double daybed with a trundle that is going to provide lots of giggly sleepless nights for ...   ... the Sawdust Extravaganza winners.  Jenn D.  and family.  Congrats D. family! In case you don't remember -- this is what Jen won.  :-) After the winner was chosen, emails were exchanged, video consults were held and a plan was devised. Jenn and I will be working together on a room her … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Jenn's Girl's Bedroom, Sawdust Diaries Tagged With: ,

Reality Check

30 Apr By
DIY reality

Hey there!  I thought it might be interesting for you to see what my house looks like RIGHT NOW, in the middle of two big projects.   We've been living like this for a while now.  I built my countertop and even cut out the sink hole and then left the whole laundry room project to collect dust...       ...while I get some kind of office built.  I got my walls nice and smooth.   I got as far as purchasing a new fan and can lights this … [Continue reading...]

23 Comments

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Work in Progress

Informative Tidbit: what is hardboard?

27 Apr By
Hardboard

A very important part of cabinet building is squaring up.  It's difficult to KEEP a cabinet square if you don't put a back on after you square up.  When I build a cabinet that has hidden sides, I just staple the cabinet back directly ON the back.   This is what I do and it's what I have my clients do.  If I'm painting the cabinet, I use 1/4" hardboard.  Funny thing,  almost every single client has come back with the same response to my cut list:  "What the heck is … [Continue reading...]

17 Comments

Filed Under: Cabinet Making

How to get rid of ugly wall texture – Skim Coating

26 Apr By
how to skim coat your walls

  If you keep up with me on facebook, you know I've been skim coating my walls.  Since Tuesday!  I'm seriously so sick of mudding I could scream!  But I can't build my office before I take care of the walls.  I detest the texture.  It's a personal thing.   I have two methods for skim coating and I've shared them both with you in the video at the end of the post.  It's something you have to SHOW not explain.   I use premixed joint compound.  It costs about … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: DIY, Drywall, projects and tutorials Tagged With: , ,

Buffet update (you chose it- she built it)

25 Apr By
dining room buffet Built-in option 3

Remember Val's dining room buffet?  Well Val has been hard at work in the appropriate Sawdust Girl attire.  PJ's!  LOL And she is making good progress.  Bases are done.   Countertop is done.   When it came time to build the book cases we had a design dilemma.  Remember that?  Val agreed to let me ask for your opinions and you all spoke up. This is Val's take on the whole thing...and what she decided.   :-)     The original … [Continue reading...]

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Built-in Office Plans for Cara

24 Apr By
Built-in Office Plans

I'm not the only one wanting to get organized and make use of every inch of wasted space.  New Sawdust Diary client, Cara is taking charge of this room in her house.   Cara and family just moved into their new home about a month ago and they were ready to jump in feet first to get this space ready to use as an office and TV room.  You walk through those French doors to the pool so the middle of the room is left open so there is a nice walkway but the sofa will sit against the … [Continue reading...]

8 Comments

Filed Under: Cara's Office, Sawdust Diaries Tagged With: , ,

My Office — the fun begins!

22 Apr By
Current office

This is my current office. This is where I sit for all my video chats and consults. It's where I plan all my clients' awesome built-ins. It's where I try to keep all my projects organized.  That is NOT working out well at all! So right before I left for Utah (last week) we decided -- going against ALL our promises to each other to work on  ONE project at a time-- to start on our office.   This is Madison's OLD room.  Before we created her new World Map … [Continue reading...]

22 Comments

Filed Under: Office, Office, Work in Progress

Silhouette Portrait Winner

22 Apr By

And the winner of the Silhouette Portrait is... Angela Yeremenko   If you don't win, don't be too disappointed.  Silhouette is having a crazy AWESOME promotion through April 26 on these bundles AND 25% off all vinyl!   Use the Promo Code: Sawdust, to get the promotion pricing.   Disclosure:  This post is an Silhouette affiliate post.  … [Continue reading...]

2 Comments

Filed Under: Uncategorized

When it all starts coming together –Kristy’s bedroom update

19 Apr By
Small bedroom solutions - built-ins

I think Kristy deserves "most dedicated builder" award.  She has had a few bumps and bruises--a kind of major bump actually.  I told her she needs to take a video of herself explaining it because she's flippin hilarious telling it.  She's OK though.  It's only funny now that I know she's good to go, like 3 weeks later.  Don't get worried that power tools were involved, it had NOTHING to do with power tools.  It's her story to tell though, so I'll say no more... on to Kristy's update.  … [Continue reading...]

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Silhouette Portrait Giveaway and Promotion

18 Apr By
Silhouette giveaway

I'm in UT, hanging out with friends, learning, laughing and taking a BREAK from designing, planning or anything related to tearing out or building up or any other manual laborious chore that I call my life.  WOOT!   I'm don't generally slather on the giveaways so thick, but when I have a chance to give one of my readers a product that I think is awesome -- why would I NOT? So I am!   Winner:  Angela Yeremenko   One lucky winner will be receiving a … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

How to remove baseboard and trim without damaging your wall or moulding

15 Apr By
How to remove moulding without damaging wall or trim

Removing baseboards or other trim is a fairly simple task if you do it right.  If not, you might end up damaging your wall or trim piece.   In the last week, I've had three clients ask me for tips for removing baseboard.  I tried to locate a post I did on the very subject a couple years ago but apparently it was lost with dozens of others in "The Great Blog Break".    Luckily, I needed to remove some baseboard this weekend so ... I've redone the tutorial --  bigger and … [Continue reading...]

14 Comments

Filed Under: Demolition, DIY

Built-in project ideas and possibilities

14 Apr By
Built in possibilities

As I watch the entries grow for my Big Giveaway, I wonder about the fantastic projects people are dreaming of building in their homes.   And JUST in case anyone is in need of a little inspiration -- I thought I'd give you a few ideas.    Ohh the possibilities of what we could build. (IL house library )     (TN house library)   (IL house Craft Room) (Beckie's Craft Room) (Studio Built-ins) (TN Workshop)     (IL living … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

Sawdust Extravaganza Giveaway! – $1850.00 value

12 Apr By
Sawdust Extravaganza Giveaway

I'm so excited about how awesome Malisa's Entry Lockers and Becky's studio built-ins turned out! Becky just showcased her complete studio. Did you see it? It's beautiful. Check it out.   I'm so excited, in fact, that I decided to have a super duper, SAWDUST extravaganza giveaway and let ONE lucky winner join in Sawdust Diary history by teaming up with me to build something awesome. I have this inkling of a feeling that Beckie is super happy to be done and pass the baton on to someone … [Continue reading...]

Filed Under: Giveaway, Uncategorized Tagged With:

Ava’s Amazing Closet Remodel

9 Apr By
Ava's closet design (Wall 1)

I think the resounding response was that you like to see what's being worked on when it's being worked on and you like a little suspense...so here's a new Client project that's going on behind the scenes.   Ava is building a Master closet.  This is only one wall of the design.  It's a fairly big closet and it's all for "her".  "He" has his own side too.   Ooh-la-la! Ava installed beautiful hard wood floors a couple weeks before we started the build and she's been building … [Continue reading...]

5 Comments

Filed Under: Ava's Closet, Building Stuff, DIY, Sawdust Diaries

Spring Building Countertops

8 Apr By
Building countertops

I'm building counter-tops for the laundry room.  It's an experiment.  I'm gluing up 2x6s.  I'll let you know when I'm done if I think it's a good route to take or not.   But hey, what a beautiful day to build!  Spring building!  I pulled out my saws and cut everything outside in the shade, with a slight breeze blowing in my hair...  JK,  I always have my hair in a pony or bun when I use my saws.  Safety police!     I cut the edges off each 2x6 so … [Continue reading...]

18 Comments

Filed Under: Building Stuff, DIY, Laundry Room, Uncategorized

Matrix tool review & Sawdust Throwdown Link party

5 Apr By
Black & Decker Matrix review

Black & Decker Matrix review and Sawdust Throwdown Monthly link party.   I received the 20V Black and Decker Matrix a few months back to test out.  It's basically six tools in one.  What?  You can switch out the drill/driver for 5 other different attachments.  When I first tried it out, I tested it as I would the individual tool that each attachment represented.   In the past several months, I've  grabbed it for use on two different projects and found that it is … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Tools Tagged With:
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