Last night marked the end of an era in my home.
Nearly a decade ago, when I first began sharing my house online, I moved into a builder‑beige starter home with very little left over for decorating. It was the tail end of the recession, I had just lost my job, and our budget for furnishing the house was almost nonexistent. With a one‑year‑old in tow and plenty of time for projects, I embraced affordable, creative decorating—right as the farmhouse trend began to climb.
Pallet projects were everywhere then—I remember finding pallets on the curb and turning them into furniture and accents for years. Farmhouse style became popular in part because it was accessible: low cost, simple materials, and a cozy, handmade look that resonated when budgets were tight.
One of my very first projects was a DIY farmhouse table. I had received a circular saw for my birthday, saved for a Kreg Jig, and convinced my husband that I could build a sturdy, beautiful table for roughly $100 plus tools. That first build was a success and it launched a long season of DIY furniture and décor for our home.
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From that single table came more projects: a matching bench and a media console among them. Building gave me confidence that a few tools and some lumber could transform a house into a warm, personal home. Creating and sharing those projects grew into this blog, which now supports our family—an outcome I’m incredibly grateful for. Thank you for being part of this community.
When we moved into our present home, I realized the farmhouse pieces no longer suited the architecture. I believe in listening to a house and decorating in a way that respects its character. Our current home, built in the 1990s, has a traditional Cape Cod feel—plenty of trim, classic proportions, and a different aesthetic than the rustic farmhouse look.
Last night I sold the farmhouse table and bench to a dear friend whose home is a better match for that style. It felt right to pass them on to someone who will love and use them. Before they left, I set one final spring tablescape to honor the nine and a half years this table shaped my creative journey.
That table carried so many moments—family meals, holiday gatherings, projects staged for photos, and the quiet work of learning to build and style a home. It’s comforting to know it will continue to be part of family life elsewhere.
While this closes one chapter, it opens another. Over the past year I’ve been learning how to decorate our new house in a way that honors its original character. I’ve enjoyed the rise of the “grandmillennial” style, which leans into classic, layered interiors—pattern, traditional furniture, and thoughtful antiques—and feels right for a 1990s home that once showcased wallpaper and detailed trim.
Many of the walls here once wore wallpaper; most have been painted over now, but we’re gradually restoring a layered, traditional look that feels true to the house’s roots. Expect more posts soon showing how I’ve adapted traditional elements and family heirlooms to create a welcoming, updated take on classic style.
For now, I’m taking a quiet moment to acknowledge the table that started it all. It helped me build skills, a voice, and a community. Thank you for following along, for supporting the blog, and for sharing in the joy of making a house into a home.
I’m excited to show how the dining room evolves in the coming months as I lean into traditional and grandmillennial touches—layered textiles, polished table settings, and heirloom pieces that tell a story.
Dining Room Sources:
Crystal Glasses – my great‑grandmother’s | Woven Chargers | Gold Flatware | Cloth Napkins | Linen Table Runner | Speckled Decorative Eggs | Ceramic Egg Crate | X‑Back Dining Chairs | Entryway Hooks | Round Mirror (not available) | DIY Table Tutorial | DIY Bench Tutorial | DIY Buffet Tutorial | Grecian Bust Planter | Faux Potted Mini Orchids | Antique Plates on the Wall | Local Faux Flowers | Blue Block Pattern Pillows | Pink Windowpane Throw Blanket
More Posts You Will Love:
- Traditional Dining Room Reveal
- 17 Beautiful Dining Room Chandeliers
- Gold & Greenery Christmas Dining Room