Good morning! I’m participating in the Summer tour of homes hosted by Gina of The Shabby Creek Cottage.
If you’re new here, welcome. I’m Sandra. I tear out walls and build new ones. I design and build custom cabinetry. I do most everything myself because: 1. I like to save $$$ 2. I like things the way I like them and 3. I want things done right.
So the tour started on Monday and I visited every house…and then I pretty much had an anxiety attack about being a part of this tour.
Crap! 90% of my house is under construction or housing all the stuff that should be in the rooms that ARE under construction so pretty much all of my house looks like this right now.
I do have a few rooms that are mostly done so I’ll show you those. You’ll have to put on blindfolds while we walk through all the crap in the rest of the house!
Master closet
I started with this wacky space and then spent 4 LONG months tearing out the ugly and building awesome.
I just recently put in a plank wall
…and of course we added some clothes to bring in a pop of color! Hahahha! It does look pretty with a little color added, don’t you think?
This fun photo was taken by the amazing Jennifer Lawrence of Jennifer Lawrence Photography in Nashville. She is incredible!
Screened in porch
When we bought the house it was all pine. We hired out the painting, Wes and I put in the screens…
and then a year later we bought some furniture. Now It’s a lovely place to have a cup o’ coffee on a brisk morning!
Madison’s bedroom
(If it’s unclear, my blog used to be Sawdust and Paper Scraps.)
I built her storage benches and little hanging shelf that holds the chalk and markers for her vinyl chalkboard wall.
Her mirror was a builder’s mirror I ripped out of a bathroom, cut down and framed.
Library
Another room that looks good with a pop of color after styling.
…and my workshop is getting there.
It is not still empty but it’s such a mess I can’t safely get in there to take new pictures.
The rest of the house is a wreck!
I’m currently working on my Laundry Room and have some cool storage features in store.
…which is a series of halfway finished projects. (Pantry style pull out cabinet tutorial.)
I’m also working on my office because I’m currently working in my kitchen which is not working. 
This house is still a work in progress. 4 rooms kinda’ down — 10 to go. Hoping to finish and stay put for a while. We move a lot. I finished remodeling my last house in IL just in time to move.
In case you start feeling like your home is inadequately decorated or finished because of all the beauty shots around the web…just come back and visit me again and you’ll feel all better! 🙂
Kim says
Finished or not, the spaces that are done are over the top. I had to pick my mouth up that dropped open and the fabulous carpentry you can do. My husband and I are DIYers, too and did a lot of the work on our home when we built it, but he does not build cabinets. Can’t wait to see your finished projects.
Stacey says
Let me just say, Oh. My. Gosh!! You are very talented. All of that carpentry just knocks me off my feet. I want to plank a room right now and can’t bring myself to do it alone. I’m going to have to spend some time here. You are very inspiring.
Cathy Lane says
It’s the fact you’re “real” that inspires me to build! Thanks for all the info and inspiration. Keep it up.
Gina @ The Shabby Creek Cottage says
Now I love you even more. If that is even possible! I love the pretty pictures, but the real pictures tug at my heart. Seriously amazing work on your home, my friend!
Thanks for joining the tour!
Pam says
love that you “keep it real”!! Wonderful ideas, inspiration and reality!! Thanks!!
Lisa~ says
Girl you are a rock star in my book. I love that picture of you curled up in a cube of the closet. That should be on the back of your future book jacket. I so enjoy you and your blog and your hard work. It’s all perfection! Lisa~ (P.S. you weren’t the only one having anxiety attacks over being in this home tour!)
Nicole says
I LOVED your closet!! (Sorry for shouting 🙂 The rest of your home has such amazing potential, as well, but that closet was wonderful!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Um, gorgeous, girl! I love it all! It looks fantastic. Can I come live in your master closet? It’s on our list. I love your approach to shelving. We’re trying to add more to our home, because It’s the best way to keep it all together! LOVE it all.
Stacy Risenmay says
I love it all! You are talented lady 🙂 Seriously.
Funky Junk Interiors says
Hahaha! Oh man you crack me up! Most honest home tour out there yet! 🙂 Sandra, your home is spectacular! The spaces appear so generous, making for some show stopping features! You sure know how to utilize your space! Your closet is to DIE for. I cannot WAIT to see what you continue to work on… such as that craft room… jaw drop… Lovely tour! Now get to work! 🙂
Courtney @ A Dash of Coco says
WOW! That master closet….to die for!
Miss Charming says
I first discovered your blog while you were transforming your last home and was blown away by your mad building skills. (Love me some built-ins!) Your master closet in your current home is absolutely incredible. (My shoes and I want to move in!) You are so talented and fearless. Keep on doing what you’re doing!
Laura says
Wow Sandra! You’ve done so much since I was there a year ago! Everything looks great.
Marie@InteriorFrugalista says
Love your humour Sandra! Okay, that master closet is to die for…hello!!! Love the Library wall too – so pretty. You are very talented! Thanks for the tour 🙂
Vivienne @ The V Spot says
I love you, man! It’s all fabulous!
ingrid@nowathomemom says
So beautiful!, your house looks amazing! everything you work on turns out beautiful!
Angela says
I am in total AWE!! I wish I could build something 1/10th of what you do!! Absolutely fabulous!!! And I love how you kept it all real!! Have a great day….you made mine!!~~Angela
Camille says
Sandra, I follow you daily and love it, but to see it all in one spot…WOW!!! Love your sense of humor and SO glad your house isn’t perfect! I feel so inadequate most days! lol lol
Karen Watson says
I’d say it’s all pretty darned amazing!! I just pinned your closet and your library, I’m pretty sure I’ve pinned them before, but they are so good they deserve to be pinned multiple times! Can’t wait to see your studio space once it’s all done, it’s looking pretty fantastic now actually!
Debbie refresh restyle says
Amazing makeovers! I wish I had your skills!
Debbie
Jackie Sorich says
Your home is gorgeous and your hard work is stunning. Great photos & great job!
Jackie
Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl says
You’ve gotten a lot done on the house since I visited last! Love the porch and Madison’s room and especially the library. I also love the slant of your tour. I was feeling a little inadequate too after seeing all the gorgeous homes on the tour. xxxoo
Feral Turtle says
Excellent tour Sandra! And as always, amazing work!!!! Just gorgeous! Cheers.
Ann Nell says
WOW ! I just found you via Shabby Creek Cottage ! I’m stunned by all of the gorgeous projects you’ve made. You’ve been blessed with a great talent.
Jenny Lynn says
I am sure that I don’t have to tell you how amazing your home is looking. It is totally worth the mess and hard work you are putting into it. Really hope you don’t have to move again once it is all done. You are very talented.
Heather @ Beyond the Aisle says
I love your screened porch, and that closet looks heavenly!
jessica Ibarguen says
um.WOW!!!!seriously, my jaw actually dropped with the first pic of that closet you did. GORGEOUS. you are one talented lady! Besides the building. How did you paint all that? Seriously, what kind of paint? a sprayer?? thanks. the distracted designer.com
jen says
Sandra —
It was so fun to see your home. You are CRAZY talented. I am just amazed at the things you build. And I adore you. Thanks for sharing your home with all of us!!
xoxo
Katie & Jon says
Oh Sandra, we love your home tour (even if your home IS a 1/3 of the way complete)! Your custom library and all your custom rooms are amazing! Keep on doing your thing!
Amy says
Love it all!!! I am going to use your screened in porch for inspiration around here but I NEED the black desk/hutch in Madison’s room. Where did you get it? Or did you make that too?
Sandra says
I bought it at the Pottery Barn outlet years ago. It was damaged (which I knew I could repair) so it was severely discounted. I should draw up some plans for it!
Amy says
Thanks for the response! Plans would be awesome! 🙂
Linda @ Calling it Home says
I always thought that library was your Chicago home. Now, I get it.
Sandra says
I built a similar library in IL but it had doors on the bottom and didn’t go all the way to the ceiling. 🙂
Brooke @ Inside-Out Design says
I’m brand new to your blog and loved seeing your house! The construction zones had me chuckling but wow is all the work ever worth it- I’m swooning over all the built-in storage you have everywhere! What you are doing with your house is pretty much my dream to do with our house (once we finally have one of our own again). Your house is amazing and so are you! So glad to have found your blog!
Joy says
that CLOSET. that LIBRARY. *dreamy sigh*
sharonna misha says
excellent job on the millwork! extremely impressed indeed!! i’ve pinned your video for your master closet- i really enjoyed watching your superpowers; the music was perfection…
xoxo, sharonna misha
Neptune Pigors says
I love your masters closet, and the library wall. Im currently rebuilding my house and I thank you for some idea.
LORREL CLAY says
What are the measurement of the room and the closets