Two Years of Transformation: A Sawdust Girl’s Journey Through Home Renovation

Two years. It’s been two years since we first stepped through the doors of this house, a blank canvas brimming with potential and, let’s be honest, an overwhelming list of projects. There are days when I glance around, seeing only the seemingly endless tasks that still lie ahead, making it feel as if I haven’t accomplished a single thing. Yet, the truth is, I’ve poured countless hours, sweat, and sawdust into these walls. It’s time to pause, take a deep breath, and truly take stock of the monumental progress made during this incredible home renovation journey. This isn’t just a house; it’s a testament to dedication, creativity, and the power of DIY.

The Foundational First Step: The Master Closet Overhaul

Our adventure began, perhaps unconventionally, with the master closet. Moving into the house meant living out of wardrobe packing boxes, a frustrating reality born from the complete lack of functional storage. The existing master closet, while generously sized, was a design disaster – devoid of shelves and hanging rods, with poorly designed “cabinets” crafted from the flimsiest plywood imaginable. There was only one solution: rip it all out. The Master Closet became my inaugural, ambitious project in this new chapter.

Master Closet Before: A space crying out for organization and quality.

This initial undertaking, crucial for our daily living, consumed a full four months of my time. In hindsight, perhaps a more strategic approach would have been to first build my workshop and establish some semblance of organization. Every other day became a scavenger hunt, forcing me to unpack boxes in the garage just to locate a specific tool. Without a proper place to store anything, tools and materials inevitably ended up back in boxes or strewn across the floor, in a constant, futile effort to maintain order. But I was singularly focused, like a horse with blinders on, driven by the desire to complete the closet so we could finally put our clothes away and reclaim some normalcy. The vision of a perfectly organized closet fueled my relentless pursuit.

The nearly completed Executive Master Closet, a testament to custom craftsmanship.

Even after four months, the closet isn’t entirely finished – a common theme in the world of home renovation! My ambitious plans include a dedicated shoe wall, but that particular addition hinges on a larger decision: whether to reconfigure the wall it’s destined for, a choice that won’t be made until I embark on the master bathroom redo. In the meantime, I sneak in small, instantly gratifying projects here and there, adding custom touches whenever a spare day or two allows. One such project was the stunning plank wall, adding texture and character to the space.

Adding unique style with the Master Closet Plank Wall.

Collaborative Efforts and Essential Detours: Porch, Workshop, and Laundry Room

Amidst my solo endeavors, Wes and I carved out time for collaborative projects on weekends. One notable achievement was screening in the porch, transforming it into a comfortable, bug-free outdoor living area. We also made the smart decision to hire out a couple of tasks, having the deck stained and the porch painted professionally. It’s always a victory to know when to delegate, especially when tackling such a comprehensive home transformation.

The Completed Screened-in Porch: A perfect spot for relaxation.

During the intensive closet build, the disorganization in the garage became unbearable. Digging through endless boxes for tools wasn’t just inefficient; it was demoralizing. This frustration led to a crucial detour: building cabinets for my workshop. This step, while delaying the closet, was absolutely essential for future efficiency and maintaining my sanity. Establishing a dedicated and organized workspace is truly the backbone of any successful DIY home renovation.

While still perfecting the Workshop, my parents paid a visit. My Dad, always eager for a project, joined forces with me to install a pocket door in the Laundry Room, a small but impactful upgrade for space efficiency.

With renewed focus, I then prioritized finishing my workshop cabinets, driven by the critical need to achieve a functional level of organization before embarking on any further substantial projects. This strategic pause was invaluable, laying the groundwork for more efficient and enjoyable work ahead.

My finished Garage Workshop, finally organized and ready for action.

The Heart of the Home: A Daring Living Area Transformation

Once the workshop was functional, my attention turned to the main living area. Its inefficient layout and dated features were driving me absolutely crazy! My vision involved tearing out a bulky library wall and a truly gigantic, space-wasting coat closet. This wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about maximizing functionality and flow in the heart of our home.

Initial planning for the Living Room, envisioning open space and new possibilities.

However, as with many old houses, a surprise awaited me. Before blindly ripping things out, I carefully explored what lay behind the walls. To my astonishment, I discovered the master bathroom’s bathtub was actually pushing *into* the living room space. What on earth?! This unexpected revelation meant my “simple” wall removal project was about to become significantly more complex, requiring a partial bathroom renovation even before I touched the main living area.

So, the demolition began. I carefully tore out the intrusive walls and the problematic tub/shower unit. For safety and compliance, I wisely hired a skilled plumber to properly terminate the plumbing lines and assist with the removal of the old shower. This unexpected turn underscored a key lesson in home renovation: always be prepared for the unforeseen, and don’t hesitate to call in professional help when necessary.

The extent of the structural revelation after removing the tub wall.

With the structural issues addressed, I moved on to the meticulous process of rebuilding. This involved framing new walls, installing drywall, expertly mudding, priming, and finally, painting. Each step, though laborious, brought us closer to the vision of a beautiful, functional living space. The transformation from raw studs to smooth, painted walls was incredibly rewarding.

The living room walls, freshly drywalled and mudded, moving towards completion.

Next, it was time to bring functionality and aesthetic appeal to this newly defined room. My goal was to create a refined, inviting atmosphere, moving beyond the bare bones of construction.

The living room before its dramatic transformation into a custom library.

And there it is! The culmination of careful planning, hard work, and a touch of daring. The living room has been dramatically transformed, losing its awkward bulk and gaining elegant, custom built-ins that now define the space. The once-wasted area is now a functional, beautiful focal point, a true home library that blends storage with sophisticated design.

Elegant custom built-ins and wainscoting elevating the living room design.

The Transformed Library: A stunning and functional centerpiece.

Personal Touches and Current Projects: Madison’s Room & Powder Room Progress

After the intensity of the living room, I took a delightful detour to create a special haven for Madison. Every home needs a retreat, and I wanted her to have a room where she could escape the ongoing chaos of the rest of the house. Whether that room always remains a “calm from the chaos” is, of course, debatable, but the intention was certainly there to craft a space just for her.

Madison’s World Art Bedroom Reveal: A personalized retreat.

Then, it was back to business, resuming work on the Laundry Room, a space vital for daily household operations. Every project has its own pace, and the laundry room is steadily progressing towards its final, organized state.

Enhancing functionality with custom pull-out storage in the Laundry Room.

However, in true DIY fashion, I got a little ahead of myself. I ordered a toilet and vanity for the Powder Room. Staring at them sitting in the living room became a daily reminder, prompting yet another detour. I’ve decided to push through and finish the powder room project before fully re-engaging with the laundry room. It’s all about momentum and tackling what feels most pressing (or most visually intrusive!) at the moment.

The distinctive Powder Room Floors, showcasing custom design.

Evolving Brand, New Ventures: Sawdust Girl and The Sawdust Diaries

This past year also marked a significant evolution for my brand. I proudly rebranded my blog from Sawdust and Paper Scraps to the more focused and resonant Sawdust Girl. Simultaneously, I launched The Sawdust Diaries, an exciting new venture where I design custom plans and provide coaching to others, empowering them to build their own amazing creations. This new direction, while incredibly fulfilling and cool, is also immensely time-consuming. It’s the primary reason I’ve had to slow down significantly on my personal home projects. In fact, I’m not taking on any more clients this year until I can catch up on my own house and complete the fantastic client projects currently underway. It’s a delicate balance, but one that allows me to share my passion and expertise with a wider audience.

Looking Ahead: The Dream of a Finished Home

Seeing all these projects laid out on a single page, it truly does feel like a substantial amount of progress for one person over two years. Yet, the constant cycle of renovation, the inevitable dust, and the feeling of a perpetually “under construction” home have taken their toll. I’m ready for this house to be *done*. I need to seriously consider hiring some additional help to push us across the finish line.

My ultimate goal is to have the kitchen completed before Christmas. I’m realistically afraid that might be an overly optimistic timeline, given the scope and complexity of a kitchen remodel. But I’ll keep my hopes up, because if there’s one thing everyone knows about me, it’s that I’m a BIG dreamer. This two-year journey has been a marathon of learning, building, and transforming, and I’m excited for the day when every corner of this house reflects the dream it was always meant to be.