If you’ve been following us on Instagram, you might have already caught a glimpse of the most exciting project unfolding in our family’s life: the construction of our new dream home! This summer marks the beginning of an incredible journey, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share every step with you. I’ve teamed up with our incredibly talented dad, Tim, affectionately known as Bapa, to bring this vision to life. This isn’t Bapa’s first rodeo; he built Whitney’s beautiful home a few years back, and the results were absolutely stunning. His expertise is invaluable, and I’m incredibly fortunate to be learning the ropes of general contracting directly from him. Every day brings new knowledge, new challenges, and a deeper understanding of the intricate process of home construction. I’ve already absorbed so much, and the excitement for what’s yet to come is truly boundless.
Embarking on a home-building project is more than just erecting walls and a roof; it’s about crafting a space where memories will be made, where comfort resides, and where personal style shines through every detail. Our goal with this new series is to demystify the home-building process and make it accessible to everyone. We want to show you that building or renovating your home doesn’t have to be intimidating. By documenting our journey, we aim to provide inspiration, practical advice, and actionable steps that you can apply to your own projects, big or small. From the initial blueprints to the final touches, we’ll be pulling back the curtain and sharing everything we learn along the way, empowering you to tackle your own home aspirations with confidence.
Curating Our Home: DIY-Friendly Products for Every Budget
A cornerstone of this home-building series is our commitment to showcasing products for the “finish-out” phase that are readily available and accessible to you, our incredible community of DIY enthusiasts. We believe that creating a beautiful, personalized home shouldn’t require an exclusive designer budget or hard-to-find materials. Instead, we’re meticulously sourcing and utilizing a myriad of fantastic products and partnering with amazing companies whose offerings you can easily find at your local home improvement stores or online. We’ve already discovered a treasure trove of awesome finds, from stylish fixtures and durable flooring to innovative paint solutions and clever storage options, and I absolutely cannot wait to start sharing these discoveries with you. Each product we select is chosen not just for its aesthetic appeal and quality, but also for its practicality and ease of installation for the average DIYer.
Whether you’re planning a full-scale renovation, a simple room refresh, or just looking for creative ways to update elements in your current home, this series is designed specifically with you in mind. We’ll delve into everything from selecting the perfect paint colors and choosing the most functional lighting, to installing gorgeous hardware and finding unique decorative accents. Our aim is to provide comprehensive insights, honest reviews, and step-by-step guidance on how to incorporate these accessible products into your own living spaces, transforming them into areas you truly love. So, if you’ve been yearning to update things in your home but felt overwhelmed by the choices or the perceived complexity, consider this your ultimate guide and inspiration. Stay tuned – this is the series that will empower you to create the home of your dreams, one achievable project at a time.
Crafting Comfort: Building Our Own Furniture, Piece by Piece
Beyond the structural elements of the house, another incredibly exciting aspect of this journey is the opportunity to furnish our new home from the ground up. In a move that truly embraces the DIY spirit of Shanty2Chic, I made the decision to sell nearly all of our furniture from our last house. This intentional blank slate allows us the incredible freedom and creative license to design and build countless custom pieces that will perfectly fit our new space and reflect our unique style. Imagine the possibilities: custom dining tables, bespoke shelving units, unique bedroom pieces, and innovative storage solutions – all crafted with our own hands! This isn’t just about saving money; it’s about infusing every corner of our home with personal touches, a sense of accomplishment, and truly one-of-a-kind furniture that tells a story.
And of course, in true Shanty2Chic fashion, I will be meticulously documenting every single furniture-building project. You can expect detailed, easy-to-follow tutorials that break down each build into manageable steps, complete with material lists, tool recommendations, and helpful tips and tricks. Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker or a complete beginner, our goal is to provide you with the confidence and instruction you need to build your own beautiful and functional furniture. From selecting the right wood to mastering various joinery techniques, we’ll cover it all, making custom furniture accessible to everyone. This means you won’t just see our finished pieces; you’ll understand *how* they came to be, and you’ll be equipped to create similar masterpieces for your own home. Get ready for a generous dose of inspiration and practical knowledge that will transform your home decor and empower your inner builder. WAHOO!
Laying the Foundation: Progress on Our New Home & What’s Next
The pace of construction is truly invigorating, and we’re already witnessing significant progress. One of the most recent and exciting milestones has been getting our forms set! For those unfamiliar with construction terminology, “forms” refer to the temporary molds that hold wet concrete in place until it cures and hardens. This crucial step typically pertains to laying the foundation, creating footings, or forming walls, signifying that the very bedrock of our new home is being established. It’s a monumental moment, transitioning from abstract plans on paper to tangible elements taking shape on the land. Seeing these forms in place fills us with immense excitement and anticipation, as it means our dream home is quite literally rising from the ground up. This initial structural work is vital for the stability and longevity of the entire house, and we’re incredibly grateful for the precision and hard work involved in this foundational stage.
As the walls begin to ascend and the framework takes shape, we are eager to continue sharing every update, every new project we tackle, and every exciting product discovery with you. Our commitment is to provide a comprehensive, transparent, and inspiring look into the entire home-building process. From framing and roofing to electrical and plumbing, and eventually all the beautiful interior finishes, we’ll be your guide through it all. We’ll offer insights into decision-making, tackle challenges head-on, and celebrate every small victory. Whether you’re considering building your own home, undertaking a significant renovation, or simply love following along with home improvement journeys, there will be something here for everyone. We promise to keep the content engaging, educational, and packed with practical takeaways. So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for an amazing ride! Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes peeks, helpful tutorials, and plenty of inspiration as we transform this construction site into our cherished family home.
~Ashley