We built our redwood deck a few years ago and the stain and sealer faded and chipped almost immediately. It was time for a new deck finish! Watch and see how to refinish and restore a wood deck using an oil finish instead of a stain and sealer. Back when we bought our Birch House […]
Pro Tips for DIY Sod Installation
Wondering how to lay your own sod? Follow these Pro tips for DIY sod installation for a high-quality lawn on a do-it-yourself budget! The yard was a big selling point for our current house (and also for us buying the house next door as well!) but we had a big garden area that we just […]
DIY Giant Lighted Star for Outdoor Christmas Light Display
Looking for something different this year for your outdoor holiday light display? We’ve got something for you today… and it’s not a little something. We’re talking a BIG something: a giant lighted star. And when we say giant, we mean GIANT: 16 feet tall! We’ve done this for a couple years now and we love […]
How to Build a Garden Arbor for a Backyard Wedding Arch
Build a budget-friendly garden arbor from 2x4s and other inexpensive structural lumber following our easy building plan. This classic wood arbor is beautiful for a backyard wedding arch or just everyday backyard decor! A few years back, my sister asked me to build a garden arbor for her backyard wedding. So I got to work […]
Simple Modern DIY Deck Pergola Plans
Follow these simple DIY deck pergola plans to build your own easy wood pergola to hang lights or planters. This modern design is easy to install, simple to customize to your deck size, and cheap to build. We’ve also restained our deck with oil and built an outdoor coffee table with drink coolers to make […]
Outdoor Sectional Sofa Reveal
On Presidents’ Day weekend I had the privilege to go to the St George parade of homes. The weather was beautiful, and when I came back north, the weather was gorgeous it was in the 60s. I breathed a huge sigh of relief, I was finally like “Yes winter is over!” We’ve had a lot […]
Yardzee Yard Dice Game Tutorial + Printables
It is summer time and BRING IT ON already! Are you guys ready to play some Yardzee? I am so ready! Ready for family game time outside, neighborhood barbecues, NO school and our amazing flood irrigation parties – seriously the best perk about this old house!!! It is funny how much joy there is […]
Walnut Golfing
You guys, my heart LOVES fall. All the beautiful fall leaf goodness? Makes me want to sing, and there is something else. The leaves around here haven’t quite started to fall, but something else has. Like golden little nuggets from the sky (wait, that sounds bad…) Anyway, our walnuts are ready!! Hallelujah! I think I’ve […]
Our Deck Clean Up!
Last summer we did what any normal new house buyers would do. We bought a super fixer upper, then we completely ignored the interior of our house and built a deck…(because that is normal) It actually felt totally natural at the time. I fell in LOVE with this house mostly because of the yard, […]
Staining A Deck
Well, we have a new house. I know, it still feels a little weird to me too. We have a TON of work to do. I think we might move in by 2017 at the soonest… or at least that is what it feels like! I would REALLY love to have you follow along with […]