The Redesign Habit

08/21/2026

08/20/2026

It started with a vase. My best friend Amy made the innocent mistake of moving one from her mantel.

Now, you might think moving a vase is a fairly straightforward activity. You pick it up. You carry it somewhere else. You put it down. Clearly, you are not a serial arranger. Because a moved vase creates a spot on the mantel where the vase used to be. That spot could not possibly remain empty. Action is required.

You dutifully find something to fill the void. Except the something came from somewhere. Now that spot is empty. You see the dilemma, right?

It started with a vase. My best friend Amy made the innocent mistake of moving one from her mantel. Now, you might think moving a vase is a fairly straightforward activity. You pick it up. You carry it somewhere else. You put it down. Clearly, you are not a serial arranger. Because a moved vase cre

08/14/2026

I found this large tray at Goodwill. It was a little worse for wear, but because it was solid wood I knew it would be a great redesign project. See the difference a little sanding and staining can make!

08/13/2026

Sometimes I bring home a thrift-store find because I know exactly what I'm going to do with it. And sometimes I bring something home because it's $10, has good bones, and apparently, I have absolutely no ability to walk away from that combination. This oversized collage frame fell squarely into category number two.

Read on to see what I came up with for this simple collage frame!

Sometimes I bring home a thrift-store find because I know exactly what I'm going to do with it. And sometimes I bring something home because it's $10, has good bones, and apparently, I have absolutely no ability to walk away from that combination. This oversized collage frame fell squarely into cate

08/06/2026

Sometimes the Best Ideas Aren’t the Ones You Start With
I wasn’t looking for botanical artwork project that day. I was simply doing what I usually do when I walk into a thrift store—looking for possibilities.
Tucked among the shelves were two square shadowbox-style frames. Though they were solid and came with mats and backing, their faux cherry finish had seen better days. However, they had potential (code for “This is probably going to take a lot longer than I’m telling Freddy.”)

Some projects begin with a detailed plan. Others begin with a thrift store find and a little curiosity.

Sometimes the Best Ideas Aren’t the Ones You Start With I wasn’t looking for botanical artwork project that day. I was simply doing what I usually do when I walk into a thrift store—looking for possibilities. Tucked among the shelves were two square shadowbox-style frames. Though they were sol...