Porch Light Reading home tour. Our current home plus the projects we’ve completed in this military DIY, home. Come along and tour this DIY, lived in, dog friendly, home.
This was our first duty station where we finally became homeowners! After 8 years of renting on two different military installations, we were ready to paint the walls a non-approved color.
But not just that, to mow our own lawn, plant a flowerbed, work on the cars in OUR driveway, and not get changed an arm and a leg because we forgot to sweep out the cobwebs in the outdoor storage closet.
Or have a staff member from housing poke our 9 year old carpet in 17 different locations trying to find a pet stain. (She didn’t find one and even if she did, she couldn’t charge us for a carpet that old anyway!)
WELCOME HOME
The Natural State of Arkansas welcomed this military family in 2017, and since then we’ve done a few home improvement projects in between playing tourist with our kids.
When we aren’t floating the Buffalo River or exploring the bear caves at Petit Jean State Park, you can find us working on projects around the house.
Just this last year we decided to makeover our front garden while sticking to the budget. (17 Curb appeal Ideas on a budget)
We also made over our faded garage lights with only $5 worth of spray paint! (How to paint faded outdoor light fixtures)
Originally we called this house the ketchup and mustard house. The colors inside were NOT for us! In fact, we were so blinded by the colors that this house was not our first (or second) choice.
The yellow wasn’t that bad but mixed with the dark red dinning room? Well, you see why we called it ketchup and mustard.
It took a couple of years but eventually we painted the living room the color Jojoba by Behr and added our own shiplap accent wall to help separate the front entry from the living area. (How to install shiplap tongue and groove)
My very talented husband even made us a couple of slide under sofa tables to help save on space. (Slide under sofa table with magazine rack)
We haven’t done any work in the kitchen nook, aside from rearranging the furniture a few times. (Which is one of my favorite things to do!)
When we are not eating under the pergola you can find us crowded around this little glass table. Now why would I do that when we have a perfectly good dark red dining room?
Because every summer I turn our dining room into a playroom! (Turn your dining room into a playroom)
Originally I turned this into a playroom because of all the events in 2020. But now I really like having this summer area just for them. They are at the age where they still want to play near us but mom needs the mess contained! It’s a win win and we’ll bring the dining room back in time for Thanksgiving.
As for our bedroom, we haven’t done a lot of changes. Since I’m a, make it instead of buy it, girl. I did learn how to make the envelope pillow covers that are on display on our bed. (How to make envelope pillow covers)
We also painted our bedroom walls Tavern Taupe by Behr. It’s the perfect calming color mixed between grey, dark purple and brown. It is absolutely my favorite bedroom color and no matter where the military takes us, that color is coming.
And since we have spoiled puppies who love to sleep on our bed, check out my favorite tip for keeping a pretty (and clean) bed even with messy dogs. (How to protect your bedding from pets)
Our backyard is where we have done the majority of our projects.
Since moving in, we’ve stained our deck, built a pergola, bought a small Intex pool and swing set, planted a tree, put in a fire pit, added a planter box, and dug out the crabgrass one pain staking weed at a time. (How to build a pergola)
Although the inside screamed hot dog, the outside was all us. We love being outdoors! We love camping and hiking, and we love sipping our morning coffee, watching the hummingbirds chitter around the feeder. (9 Must have pergola accessories)
During warm summer nights we’ll set up the movie projector and watch family movies on a Saturday night and pig out on popcorn and Mike and Ikes. (101 Family movies from the 80’s and 90’s)
Our house is far from perfect and we have dog hair along most of the base boards. The kids are probably arguing in the playroom and someone most likely left yogurt on the kitchen counter.
We don’t have an endless budget to keep up with the Joneses’ light, bright, and airy home decor. But we’re real. We like to do what we can to make this house OUR home. One budget friendly DIY project at a time.
Oh, I guess I better show you where we do most of our projects. My husband’s man cave, AKA the garage. (Garage shelving and workbench DIY)
Here, my husband and I have in depth conversations and say the exact same thing in very different words. But this is where most of the projects take place.
It’s been such a rewarding experience turing this house into a home with this great man of mine. We might be here for a few more years or the military might have different plans for us. (Miter saw table DIY)
Either way we’ll bring you along through our traveling adventures, home projects on a budget and a few recipes. Because I’m the mom in charge of the meal memories and I love being in the kitchen with my children.
Thank you for showing your support to us. Every time you save a pin to Pinterest, follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram, it helps grow this small, military DIY lifestyle, blog. I hope that it’ll continue to bring you inspiration throughout your home and give you destination ideas along the places we’ve traveled.
Wishing you all the best,
Sara
