As much as I love putting my house together, I also love LIVING in my house. We’ve taken full advantage of the huge kitchen, making everything from chipolte shrimp quesadillas to blueberry bread to marinated NY strips (we also got a new grill that ROCKS). One dish that’s been requested more than the others is …
Melanie Hooyenga
I Present the Kitchen!
Hey, remember how over a month ago I bought a house and promised pictures of the renovations? Yeah, well it turns out that renovating takes a lot out of a person. I’m sorry I haven’t posted more frequently, but lucky for you (yes, YOU) I took pictures! Here I present the kitchen, as it appeared …
More Photos Coming Soon
Whose idea was it to relaunch their blog in the middle of a move? Silly Hoo… I’ve been taking pictures every step of the way and promise I’ll be sharing everything in the very near future. In the meantime, this is what happened in Hooville last night.
Two Weeks In…
And I’ve already knocked a few things off the list! installing a vanity* lots of painting (including a huge design in the unfinished basement) staining the back deck and fence (aka Owen’s paradise) tearing down a makeshift fort in the garage** refinishing the kitchen counter more painting resealing the hardwood floors mowing the lawn*** and …
The Fastest Way to Make a House Your Home
Paint! I’ve always loved color — that’s probably the designer in me — and during the years I lived in apartments where I wasn’t allowed to paint, I slowly crafted my ideal home. NOW I HAVE IT!! We started with the main rooms (kitchen, living room, bedroom, and two bathrooms) and will tackle the others …
Paint By Number
I spent nearly 14 hours painting this past weekend and have lots of before and after pictures to share. BUT, since painting took precedence over my freelance work, right now I only have time to share the colors. You’ll have to imagine what the rest of me looked like. Let’s just say I didn’t wash …
One Step Closer to Achieving a Goal
I bought a lawn mower! This is the Brill 78371 Razorcut 38 15-Inch Reel Push Lawn Mower. My coworker has a similar model (same brand) and has shared all the pros and cons. The biggest pro: it’s quiet and eco-friendly. The biggest con: it doesn’t cut the grass super short and you have grass droppings. …
Facing My Fears
One thing you may not know about me is I am a big fat chicken. I do NOT like being scared. I don’t watch scary movies, hate roller coasters, and have zero desire to visit a haunted house. So it goes without saying that dark, cobwebby basements are not my favorite. With that in mind, …
The Hunt for Hooville
I have news! I bought a house! (see below) I’ve also revamped my website! Since I have a website for my design business, Ink Slinger Designs, I’m dedicating this site to writing. Well, not JUST writing. I am scatterbrained, after all. I’ve decided to document my adventures as a first-time homeowner here, where the entire …
730 Days
Welcome back! I’ve been busy the past two months, but first I’d like to say WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?!? I moved back to the US from Mexico 730 days ago (more commonly known as two years) and wow how things have changed. I’ve gone from a job I hated to a job I absolutely …