Series

Saving Etta

The “Saving Etta” house was built in 1900 near downtown Raleigh, NC. Despite being listed on the Registry of Historic Places, the house was one step away from being condemned and bulldozed. Not to be deterred, Brittany worked for over a year to save the original house, all while preserving many of the original features. This is a “must see it to believe it” house rehabilitation adventure!

painting, Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Paint Colors + Home Tour Guide

Saving Etta: Paint Colors + Home Tour Guide Now that all the rooms have been revealed in the Saving Etta house, I thought you'd like one post to refer to all the paint colors used inside and outside the home. This will also be a great starting…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Upstairs Room Reveals

Saving Etta: Upstairs Room Reveals We've come to the end of the Saving Etta room reveals. It's been fun, but it's time to move on to a new project. If you were here for the last Saving Etta reveal, you saw my announcement that I've purchased…

living room, Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Living Room Reveal

Saving Etta: Living Room Reveal I know it's been a while since you received a Saving Etta update. And, there's a good reason for the delay. Not only did I renovate two bathrooms for our local Habitat for Humanity this past week, but I also…

bathroom, Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Upstairs Bathroom Reveal

Saving Etta: Upstairs Bathroom Reveal Today I'm revealing the last bathroom in the Saving Etta house. This bathroom is a departure from the more modern master bathroom and the shared downstairs bathroom. In the upstairs bathroom, I pushed the…

bathroom, Home Decor, Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Downstairs Shared Bathroom Reveal

Saving Etta: Downstairs Shared Bathroom Reveal The downstairs shared bathroom in the Saving Etta house was designed to function as an en suite bathroom to one of the bedrooms, but also to have a second door opening to the main hallway for guests…

Before and After, DIY, ReNew, renovation, Saving Etta, Video

How to Install Privacy Film on Windows

How to Install Privacy Film on Windows Do you have a window in your house that puts you on full display? Or maybe your neighbor’s house is very close to your’s and you feel like they can see in your window (especially a bathroom or bedroom…

bathroom, Before and After, Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Master Bathroom Reveal

Saving Etta: Master Bathroom Reveal This is a master bathroom reveal I've been dying to share with you. The master bathroom in the Saving Etta house acted as a room I could experiment in and test some ideas for my own personal bathroom (that…

Before and After, Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Revealing the Downstairs Bedrooms

Saving Etta: Revealing the Downstairs Bedrooms I'm thrilled to be able to reveal the downstairs bedrooms to you today. If there were two rooms that get me emotional in the Saving Etta house, it would be these two front bedrooms. They make…

Build It, Saving Etta, Video

How to Build a Reclaimed Wood Sliding Barn Door

Earlier this week when I showed you the master bedroom in the Saving Etta house, you probably noticed the sliding barn door. I am in love with that door and especially excited that I was able to salvage the old beadboard and repurpose it…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Master Bedroom Reveal

Saving Etta: Master Bedroom Reveal I'm so happy with how the Saving Etta Master Bedroom looks and can't wait to show you the reveal. As you can probably tell, I took a bit of a risk with the paint color in this room and I'm so glad I did. Before…

Mudroom, Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Mudroom Reveal

Saving Etta: Mudroom Reveal Is it bizarre to say that the Saving Etta mudroom might be one of the favorite spots in the Saving Etta house? I'm not sure if it's because this room has so many salvaged items. Or maybe it's because this space gets…

Home & Auto Maintenance, Home Decor, Saving Etta, Video

How to Drill New Door Knob Holes

How to Drill New Holes for Door Knobs Every once in a while, you might find yourself with a new (or old) door that needs a hole drilled into it for a door knob (or a deadbolt). Today I have the perfect tutorial to ease your mind and help you…

Before and After, Door, Fix It, hole filling, hole repair, Home & Auto Maintenance, Home Maintenance, Saving Etta

How to Fix Cracks in Door Panels without Taking the Door Apart

How to Fix Cracks in Door Panels without Taking the Door Apart Wooden doors will develop cracks over time, especially if the panels aren't free to expand and contract. Most of the time, years of paint or caulking the seams around the panels…

Decorating, kitchen, Kitchen Renovation, renovation, Saving Etta

Saving Etta: The Long Awaited Kitchen Reveal

Saving Etta: The Long Awaited Kitchen Reveal Thank you all so much for your patience with me as I put together the final Saving Etta updates. I have more to come, but for now I know you're anxious to see the Saving Etta kitchen reveal. Get…

renovation, Saving Etta, Tile

Saving Etta: Installing the Tile Backsplash & a Mistake I’ll Never Make Again

Saving Etta: Installing the Tile Backsplash & a Mistake I'll Never Make Again Last week you got to see how the range hood was installed (and how I averted disaster during the installation.) Today I'm sharing more kitchen updates. We're…

Build It, Decorating, kitchen, Kitchen Renovation, Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Kitchen Update & Installing the Range Hood

Saving Etta: Kitchen Update & Installing the Range Hood This kitchen was a big deal for me. It was one of those projects I knew would make or break this house. It was also the first time I've taken the reins on kitchen design and installed…

Electrical, Saving Etta, Video

Saving Etta: Laundry Room Update and a No Hands Light Switch

Saving Etta: Laundry Room Update and a No Hands Light Switch About that Saving Etta laundry room, did you get a peek last week? If you missed it, I showed you how I installed the cement tile floor. We can all agree, the star of the laundry…

Avington Black & White Cement Tiles from TheBuilderDepot.com

Before and After, Decorating, DIY, Home Decor, Kitchen Renovation, laundry room, renovation, Saving Etta, Video

How to Install Cement Tiles and Achieve Professional Results

How to Install Cement Tiles and Achieve Professional Results If you've been browsing Pinterest lately or flipping through the pages of your favorite home design magazine, you've probably seen (and likely fallen in love with) real cement tiles.…

Build It, Landscaping, Landscaping & Gardening, Saving Etta

How to Build a Window Pane Lattice Privacy Fence and Gate

How to Build a Window Pane Lattice Privacy Fence and Gate I should probably re-name this post How to Build a Window Pane Lattice Semi-Privacy Fence. But, honestly it's only semi-private because the lots in downtown Raleigh are so close together…

Landscaping, Landscaping & Gardening, Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Front Yard Transformation

Saving Etta: Front Yard Transformation & Tips for Saving Money on Landscaping I hope you enjoyed the backyard transformation I shared on Monday. Like the backyard, the front has taken on quite the transformation of its own. One of the first…

adirondack chairs around fire pit on old shed concrete pad

Before and After, Landscaping & Gardening, power tools, Saving Etta

Saving Etta Update: The Backyard Transformation

Saving Etta Update: The Backyard Transformation This has to be one of the biggest transformations (besides the demolition and framing) at the Saving Etta project! The backyard was an unruly mess of vines, overgrown shrubs, and weeds. I resisted…

Build It, Saving Etta

How to Build Flat Sawn Baluster Railings

Get ready for the tutorial I've been anxious to share with you. Ever since completing the Saving Etta front porch project, I find myself taking breaks to glance out the window at these gorgeous flat sawn baluster railings. Now I get to teach…

iphone charging by bedside usb charging outlet

Electrical, Saving Etta

How to Install a USB Charging Outlet

Learn how you can make simple electrical upgrades to your home. Today I'll show you how to install an outlet that charges your USB devices and powers your appliances at the same time. How to Install a USB Charging Outlet I'm so excited…

cabinet, Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Kitchen Cabinet Decision and Install

Saving Etta: Kitchen Cabinet Decision and Install Oh my goodness, I just realized I never shared the Saving Etta kitchen mood board with you! Well, I guess it's a bit late for this, but here you go: Inspiration Sources: Kitchen Design…

flooring, Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Why I Couldn’t Save the Original 1900 Floors

Saving Etta: Why I Couldn't Save the Original 1900 Wood Floors The day I realized I couldn't save Etta's original wood floors was one of the roughest days during the demolition phase. By then we discovered that most of the flooring in the north…

The Builder Depot Carrara Venato Hexagon Nero Strip Marble Mosaic Tile installed on bathroom floor

Saving Etta, Tile

Saving Etta: Floor Tile Update

Saving Etta: Tile Flooring Update Welcome back to another Saving Etta update! If you're just joining, this is another progress report on my efforts to save a house built in 1900. The finish line is looming close, so be on the lookout for…

Saving Etta

You’re Invited to the Saving Etta Open House

You're Invited to the Saving Etta Open House Do you live near Raleigh, North Carolina? If so, I'd love to invite you to the live open house tour of the Saving Etta project. Yes, I know, I need to get you all caught up on the progression…

drywall repair, Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Drywall Update + Reducing Sound in the Master Bedroom

Saving Etta: Drywall Update + Reducing Sound in the Master Bedroom One of the biggest progress milestones (besides the framing stage) in building a house happens at the drywall installation. This is the point where the structure starts to…

Off white farmhouse exterior house color, green door

painting, Painting & Antiquing Techniques, Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Exterior Paint Choices

I'm so excited to show off the colors I chose for Etta's exterior! However, I'm equally excited to share with you a new paint line from Magnolia Paint by KILZ. (This post is a sponsored post for Magnolia Home Paint by KILZ.) When KILZ…

Build It, Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Side Porch Update

Saving Etta: Side Porch Update While there was a lot of progress on the exterior of the house, the side porch was built after the interior walls were framed and shortly before the exterior siding was put on. Truth be told, the side porch…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Exterior Progress Update

Saving Etta: Exterior Progress Update Things moved quickly on the Saving Etta Project after the framing was completed. It was a mad rush to get the house dried in. All the rain we had while digging the foundation continued after the framing…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Framing Progress

Saving Etta: Framing Progress Last week I shared the demolition process at Saving Etta. After getting over the initial shock of being left with nothing but studs and a wonky foundation under the original house, I pulled on my boots (rain…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Demolition Update

Saving Etta: Demolition Update Thank you so much for your comments on my last Saving Etta chapter. I might have mislead many of you into believing I wasn't going to give you updates on the project. I will definitely be sharing updates and…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 20: Just Like Me

Saving Etta: Chapter 20 – Just Like Me This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from being…

Build It, Home & Auto Maintenance, renovation, Saving Etta

How to Install a New Window

Installing new windows on your home isn’t rocket science, but it is recommended that you have some construction experience before tackling this project. If you have the skills, the install should only take an hour or less. Today I'll show…

Home & Auto Maintenance, Saving Etta

Do You Need New Windows? Things to Consider Before You Buy

You've decided it's time to replace your windows (or you are building a house and need to order new windows.) Deciding which windows to purchase can be an overwhelming process. I'm here to help. Do You Need New Windows? Things to Consider Before…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 19: Peeling Back the Layers

Saving Etta: Chapter 19 – Peeling Back the Layers This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home…

bathroom, Home Decor, Saving Etta

Downstairs Bathroom Plans at Saving Etta

Downstairs Bathroom Plans at Saving Etta Thank you so much for your feedback and comments on the master bathroom mood board for Saving Etta. While preparing for the plumbing, I had to start picking out all the fixtures. If you've been following…

bathroom, Decorating, Saving Etta

Master Bathroom Design Plans for Saving Etta

Master Bathroom Design Plans It's hard to believe I need to start thinking about all the materials and fixtures I'm using inside the master bathroom of my flip house. We are just finishing up framing this week and I have my plumber and HVAC…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 18: The Plumber

Saving Etta: Chapter 18 – Good Neighbors This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from being…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 17: Good Neighbors

Saving Etta: Chapter 17 – Good Neighbors This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from being…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 16 – More Surprises

Saving Etta: Chapter 16 – More Surprises This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from being…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 15 – What Lies Beneath

Saving Etta: Chapter 15 – What Lies Beneath This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from…

ettas backyard dumpster and port a potty

Saving Etta

Saving Etta – Chapter 14 – Etta’s Yard

Saving Etta: Chapter 14 - This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from being bulldozed. I…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 13: The Truth

Saving Etta: Chapter 13 - The Truth This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from being bulldozed.…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 12: Discoveries

Saving Etta: Chapter 12 – Discoveries This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from being…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 11 – The Final Haul

Saving Etta: Chapter 11 - The Final Haul This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from being…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 10: The Freezer

Saving Etta: Chapter 10: The Freezer This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 9: Life Changing Moments

Saving Etta: Chapter 9: Life Changing Moments This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from being…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 8: Old Trucks and Old Houses

Saving Etta: Chapter 8: Old Trucks and Old Houses This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 7: The Chandelier

Saving Etta: Chapter 7: The Chandelier This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from being bulldozed.…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 6: Mold and More

This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from being bulldozed. I hope you’ll follow along…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 5: The Inspection

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 4: The Door

Saving Etta: Chapter 4: The Door This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from being bulldozed.…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 3: The Offer

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 2: The Vision

Saving Etta: Chapter 2: The Vision This is the true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It’s also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home from being bulldozed.…

Saving Etta

Saving Etta: Chapter 1: At First Glance

Saving Etta: Chapter 1: At First Glance This is the beginning of a true story about a house built in 1900 that is in serious disrepair. It's also the story about my journey toward becoming a general contractor and my attempt to save a home…

Millie is a 1957 brick ranch house in a quaint neighborhood in Raleigh, NC only minutes from downtown. She had good bones but was in need of some serious remodeling magic. Follow along as Brittany works her magic by adding a second bathroom and bringing back the mid-century modern vibe in this classic one-story ranch.

kitchen, Kitchen Renovation, Millie's Remodel

Millie’s Remodel: Revealing the Ugly Ranch to Mid-Century Modern Dream House

It took me six months to renovate the three bedroom Millie's Remodel house, but it's taken me much longer to share the reveal with you. Today is the day, I'm taking you inside for a full tour! Are you ready for this amazing transformation? Millie's…

Before and After, Build It, Furniture, Millie's Remodel

Turning a Mid-Century Modern Dresser into a Bathroom Vanity

Do you love the mid-century modern style, but find the selection for bathroom vanities severely lacking? Today I'll show you how to turn a modern dresser into a vanity including how to alter those drawers to work around the plumbing. Turning…

Millies Remodel: Tiling Main Bathroom using tile profiles for caulk free shower tub

Millie's Remodel, Tile

Millie’s Remodel: How to Tile a Shower/Tub Surround and Never Replace Caulk Again

I'm back with another Millie's Remodel update. This time we'll be tiling, and I'll share how to tile so you'll never have to caulk around your tub ever again! Millie's Remodel: Main Bathroom Tiling with No Maintenance Profiles How are…

Build It, Millie's Remodel

Millie’s Remodel: Super Strong Floating Shelves with LED Lighting

Millie's Remodel is almost done. Today I want to teach you how to build and install the strongest floating shelves. Then make them even better with hidden LED under lighting. Let's learn how to build these Super Strong Floating Shelves with…

Build It, Millie's Remodel

How to Build Custom Wood Shutters – Simple DIY

It’s time to reveal how to build custom wood shutters! I designed these easy to build wood shutters for the Millie's Remodel project and now I can't wait to share the tutorial with you! It's a super simple DIY project. How to Build Custom…

Millie's Remodel, wood floor refinishing, wood grain

Millie’s Remodel: Can We Save These Wood Floors?

I have a new update for you on Millie's Remodel. Join me as I uncover the damaged wood floors and ask the question: Can We Save these Wood Floors? Millie's Remodel: Can We Save These Wood Floors? I know it's been a minute since you got…

Millie's Remodel

Millie’s Remodel: Major Setback and Some Progress

In this Millie's Remodel update, I'll show you how to create a coat hook area in the smallest of spots. I'm also bringing you along to go countertop shopping with me. And finally come see what the major setback is this time. Millie's Remodel:…

kitchen, Kitchen Renovation, Millie's Remodel

Millie’s Remodel: Installing the Kitchen Cabinets

Join me today as I share this Millie's Remodel Update where I'm installing the kitchen cabinets (mostly by myself!) Millie's Remodel: Installing the Kitchen Cabinets Hey all you Millie's Remodel fans! Today we'll be hanging out in the…

light fixture, Millie's Remodel

Millie’s Remodel: Lighting & Fan Reveal

This is by far my favorite phase in any home renovation! In my mind, the lighting install is like adding jewelry to complete the outfit! And you have to admit some of this lighting is drool-worthy bling! Today, I'm excited to share with you…

Build It, Home Maintenance, Millie's Remodel

Millie’s Remodel Update: The Easiest & Cheapest Way to Move a Shed

You might remember the ugly Frankenshed behind the Millie's Remodel house. It's finally time to try to move this ugly monster. Whether we're successful or not, I'll share the Easiest & Cheapest Way to Move a Shed! Millie's Remodel:…

Home & Auto Maintenance, Home Maintenance, Landscaping, Landscaping & Gardening, Millie's Remodel

Millie’s Remodel Update: Exterior Front Reveal

Get a load of this transformation! See Millie's Remodel and her exterior front reveal. Plus, I'm sharing tips to help you keep your home protected from termites when landscaping. Millie's Remodel Update: Exterior Front Reveal This update…

Millie's Remodel

Millie’s Remodel Update: Exterior Paint Decision Made

Thanks for all your votes and comments on the siding and brick paint color. I'm excited to finally show you the exterior paint decision for Millie's Remodel! Millie's Remodel Update: Exterior Paint Decision Made Thank you all for your…

Millie's Remodel, painting

Millie’s Remodel: Exterior Paint Colors – Need Help Deciding

The time has come to pick paint colors for the exterior of the Millie's Remodel house. The majority of the house is brick so I have to choose a paint that is safe for exterior brick. If I'm not careful paint can cause the bricks to deteriorate…

bathroom, Millie's Remodel, Tile

Millie’s Remodel: Cement Tiles in the Bathrooms

I'm definitely tired of using a port-a-potty at the Millie's Remodel house. It's high time we get the bathroom floors tiled so my plumber can install a toilet! Come along with me today as I install the cement tile floors in the bathrooms. Millie's…

drywall repair, Millie's Remodel, renovation

Millie’s Remodel: Drywall Update & Critters

I know you've all been patiently awaiting another Millie's Remodel update and today I have just that for you! Come see the drywall installation (one of my favorite phases in construction) and find out how I'm dealing with critters in the attic. Millie's…

DIY, Millie's Remodel, renovation, Tile

11 Must See Tips for Professional Looking Tile Floors

If you want professional-looking tile floors (regardless if you want to do it yourself or hire someone), you must read this article to find out what tiles to buy, how to avoid cracked tiles, and risk a finished tile floor that is less than professional-looking. 11…

Build It, Home Maintenance, Millie's Remodel, repair, Tile, Tutorial

How to Waterproof Floors in Any Room

Today we're prepping to tile in the kitchen and bathrooms. Having seen firsthand how much damage water can cause to a home, I want to show you this tutorial for How to Waterproof Floors! Waterproofing Floors in Any Room Renovations are finally…

Build It, Millie's Remodel, renovation, repair

Tips & Tricks to Self-Level a Floor at Millie’s Remodel

After demolition, I realized several water leaks left some low spots in the kitchen floor at Millie's Remodel. Today I’m going show you how to use self-leveler to fix a sagging floor. I’ll also show you a few tools you’ll find helpful…

decor, Decorating, designer, Electrical, light fixture, Millie's Remodel

Mid-Century Modern Lighting Options for Millie’s Remodel

Mid-Century Modern design is a trend that is sweeping the design world by storm. While researching lighting options for Millie's Remodel, I curated a list of possible light fixtures. Here are some of my favorite mid-century modern lighting options. Mid-Century…

Decorating, designer, kitchen, Kitchen Renovation, Millie's Remodel