DIY at The Pear Tree Cottage

Meet:  Becky from

Becky and her husband are DIYers who are on a mission to change their 1990s home into something they can be proud of.  

Beautiful Dining Room Transformation

This is what their house looked at the first time they saw it with the realtor:

Here is the amazing transformation...

Yes, the open doorway has been changed!  See all of the details here. Walls were knocked down, doorways were patched, new flooring and beautiful cottage decor.  Great job, Becky!

The boy's room got an awesome makeover too!

Before (previous owner's things)

After (chalkboard tutorial here) with more to come!

 

That chalkboard says it all! F~U~N!

And one last thing then you'll have to visit The Pear Tree Cottage to see more!

Fireplace Before and After

Before...

Gorgeous after...

Wait! That can't be the same room, can it?  It's magazine-worthy beautiful!  See the fireplace how-to for more details.

Hurray, Becky! You're doing an amazing job and creating a lovely home!  

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Just a reminder about I <3 thrifting day.  Get the details here!

For Whom The Bell Told to DIY....

DIY Show Off reader, meet:  Katie from For Whom The Bell Told.  "My husband is an accountant and I am a social work major turned stay-at-home mom....not great recommendations for buying a 100+ old house that has seen better years. It breaks down to my husband doing all of the math and me doing all of the painting, and trying to trick blogger into turning my pictures right side up...."

I love the character in old homes!  Let's take a peek at what Katie's been doing:

I'd LOVE to have French doors opening to a sun room (two sets!).  This space is going to be beautiful when it's finished!

Sun room before:

I love all of the windows and the plank walls!

Sun room in progress, after the painted floor...

Lots more to come as Katie's been collecting furniture including a pedestal table and day bed and decor for warmer temps.   What a lovely area to snuggle up with a good book or munch on a delicious breakfast, to start the day.

A little sprucing up in the kitchen (while 9-months-pregnant)....

Kitchen in progress

See the full kitchen post HERE (details of Katie's obstacles and more pictures).

Kitchen now...

Progress in the laundry room...

I love all of the charm - those walls!

And a peek at her beautiful, rustic dining room:

You have a gorgeous home, Katie! All of the beautiful trim and French doors.  So much pretty character!  I can't wait to see more!  You're doing a beautiful job!  I just love your old home and look forward to your updates!  Good luck!

DIY Project Parade Highlights

My goal the next week or so is to have yard sale items sorted, priced, boxed and ready to go for the first free weather-friendly weekend.  So I spent the day cleaning.  Actually that translates to playing doll house and re-arranging.  Decorating is so distracting and a great procrastination tool.  Does that happen to you?  

I'm loving all of the DIY inspiration linked up this week!  Sometimes I look at the links and just want to add one of everything into my 'shopping cart'! Please click the link to see the details, tutorial and more pictures by the original blogger....

PB Inspired Spring Mantel 

at 

A Creative Beginning

There's a PB Egan Inspired Mirror Tutorial too!

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Family Room Makeover

Recaptured Charm

I love Lisa's eclectic style.

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Shabby, Chic & Charming

This vintage suitcase table is beautiful!

Before it was this...

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Dining Room Re-do at

The Blooming Hydrangea

Before...

Now...lovely!

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Red Hen Home

I share her addiction to numbering (and labeling) things. 

Look at these bar stools before:

and now - numbered in French!

MORE numbered bar stools at Red Hen Home!

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See how Deanna made a Vintage Locker Inspired Basket 

at It's Just Me...

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Cottage Hill

Ballard Bird Knock-Offs (with printable pattern)

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Have you linked up your DIY project yet?

Transform My Home

Meet:  Dave from Transform My Home (update:  links have been removed.  Dave is no longer blogger due to more important priorities). He is new to the blogging world but loves to fix up his home.  A self taught DIYer and novice (he's a little humble) furniture maker, he enjoys sharing his project to teach and inspire others.  I'm honored to 'show off' a few of his DIY accomplishments:

The kitchen before was so dark...

Now, it's a beautiful bright farmhouse kitchen.  I love the details! .

The dining room before...

has so much farmhouse charm now!  Check it out... 

Fabulous furniture - DIY! Wow.   He claims he's not a master furniture maker but...well, I'll let you judge for yourself:

Farmhouse Table using reclaimed wood

Pie Safe Shoe Storage!

Wood Top Kitchen Island

Awesome Pantry

WOW!  Dave, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home and amazing furniture!  I've enjoyed looking through your blog and seeing your creativity and hard work!  Thanks for sharing! :)

Get Motivated!

I got this sweet letter from Fawn of Fawndear...One Dream at a Time:

"I'm a recovering hoarder, and mom to six kids. I'm reclaiming my home one room at a time with the help of a very dear friend. Everything I've done is Do-It-Yourself, and I'm amazed at how many new projects I've been able to complete that I've never tried before. Maybe my journey can help inspire others as yours has helped me?"

Here are a few of Fawn's DIY success stories:

The Nightmare (Hoarding) Room Before…

And After…

Want to see more before and after of her beautiful bedroom and her DIY-talent? 

Nightmare No More

Her dining room was much of the same honest story with a very happy ending...

before

and amazing after...

See all of the details and more before/after pictures at her original post...Someone Pinch Me!

I am so proud of you, Fawn.  You're doing a beautiful job at de-cluttering.  It's spring cleaning at it's best and I know it has to feel so good!  Keep up the good work!  You are an encouragement and inspiration to others.  Amidst our kitchen remodel, our home office has taken on a similar look to your before pictures. It's the space where everything gets thrown and hidden.  Fawn, you are my inspiration today. Thank you for sharing your hard work!

What about you, do you have a room that needs 'tackling'?  Does Fawn's determination motivate you to spring clean - really pitch and purge and start fresh?  I'm heading to that office disaster of ours. If I don't return for the DIY Project Parade tomorrow evening, you know my office swallowed me!  ;)

Nesting Nest Nested ~ DIY Kitchen and Dining Room

Emily from

is doing a beautiful job - all DIY work and details at making her home just her style. It's beautiful and her DIY projects are amazing!

Here is her kitchen and dining area before:

And here is what she's done! Wow!

• Painted, glazed and added crown moulding to the upper cabinets.
• Raised the cabinet above the microwave.
• Tiled the backsplash.
• Switched out florescent lighting with can lights.
• Framed the window. 
• New cabinet hardware.
• Added beaded glass to three cabinet doors.
• Made a plate rack!

She's still deciding on the countertops and color for the bottom cabinets. I love that she's considering something different than the glazed creamy on top.  

Her dining room is just as beautiful now with $80 dining room table and chairs getting a new look, textured wallpaper with chair rail and a beautiful new chandelier - DIY painted, of course.  I also loved her framed plate wall art.

I love what you've done so far, Emily and I look forward to seeing more!  Thank you so much for showing off!

See more of Emily's creative DIY ideas and hard work at 

Here's just a sneak peek of some of the FUN you'll see...

Cool Dr. Suess Room

Awesome Boys' Closet

DIY Tile Installation Tutorial

Great tips for Painting/Glazing Cabinets and more!