Transforming Our Home: A DIY Journey with Thrift Store Finds & Creative Wall Decor

Welcome to another chapter of our ongoing home transformation! Like many homeowners, we find ourselves in a perpetual cycle of projects, often initiated by a self-imposed challenge we affectionately call the “Dude Get On That Already” initiative. This isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a mission to liberate forgotten treasures from storage and integrate them into our living spaces, turning neglected corners into points of pride. Sometimes, it feels like the universe is playfully challenging our tendency to collect charming, quirky pieces, especially when they start to pile up in the playroom. Yet, the satisfaction of seeing these items finally find their rightful place on our walls, truly becoming part of our home’s story, is immeasurable. It’s a joy that far outweighs the initial procrastination.

This week, we achieved a double victory, bringing two unique thrift store finds — a stately goose and a charming iron horse — from our “to-do” list to our “done” list. These pieces, acquired from here and here over a year ago, have patiently awaited their moment in the spotlight. The best part? No painting was required, allowing their natural beauty and timeworn character to shine through immediately. Finally getting these up on the wall felt like a significant milestone, especially as we continue to infuse personality and warmth into every room, mindful of those pieces that become cherished memories, like our dear friend Ramsey.

The Genius Painter’s Tape Hack: Hanging Art Perfectly Every Time

One of the most frustrating parts of hanging art is getting it level and in the perfect spot without putting a dozen holes in your wall. We’ve all been there, holding a picture up, stepping back, moving it slightly, and repeating the process, often resulting in a Swiss cheese wall and mounting frustration. But we’ve discovered a simple, ingenious trick using painter’s tape that guarantees precision and saves your sanity (and your walls!). This method is particularly useful for items with tricky hanging mechanisms, like our thrifted goose, which had two specific hooks.

Step-by-Step Guide to Flawless Art Hanging:

First, grab your piece of art and some painter’s tape. We opted for our trusty goose, a lightweight piece that didn’t require heavy-duty anchors or screws, just simple nails. The goal is to create a precise template that transfers the exact hanging points from your art piece directly to the wall.

Step 1: Create Your Template.

Start by placing strips of painter’s tape across the back of your art piece, ensuring the sticky side faces outwards. Make sure the tape covers the entire area where the hanging hooks or wires are located. Once the tape is securely in place, carefully poke holes through the tape precisely where the hanging hardware (like D-rings or picture wire loops) aligns. A pen or a sharp pencil works perfectly for this, creating clear markers for your nails.

Step 2: Position Your Art (with Template Attached).

With your tape template ready, gently hold the art piece against the wall, about an inch away, and experiment with its placement. This is where teamwork comes in handy! One person holds the art, moving it around, while the other steps back (about 8 feet is ideal) to assess the aesthetic. Consider factors like eye level, balance with surrounding decor, and how it interacts with the room’s architecture. Once you’ve found the perfect spot, carefully press the art firmly against the wall, allowing the sticky side of the painter’s tape to adhere.

Step 3: Secure the Template.

Once the art is pressed against the wall, take a moment to firmly press the tape around the back of the piece, especially around the edges. This ensures the template is fully transferred and stays put when you remove the artwork. The goal is to leave a perfect, sticky blueprint on your wall, showing exactly where your nails need to go.

Step 4: Reveal Your Template.

Carefully pull the art piece away from the wall. Voilà! The painter’s tape, with its pre-poked holes, will now be perfectly stuck to the wall, serving as an exact guide. You’ll see the precise spots where your nails need to be inserted, at the correct angle and distance, ensuring your art hangs perfectly level and centered on the first try.

Step 5: Hang Your Art!

Now, simply hammer your nails into the marked spots. Because our goose was lightweight, we didn’t need any complex hardware – just a couple of small nails did the trick. Once the nails are securely in place, carefully peel off the painter’s tape. With the template gone, your wall is ready for your artwork. Then, all that’s left is to hang your piece and admire your perfectly positioned masterpiece!

The Dining Room’s New Wingman: Sir Duck (or Goose!)

Behold the magnificence of our thrift store find, now proudly displayed!

Our magnificent duck, affectionately dubbed Sir Duck, has found his home above a concrete greyhound statue – an old Valentine’s Day gift from my husband back in 2008. Yes, it’s true, I might have a slight obsession with incorporating animal-themed decor into our home, but each piece tells a story and adds a layer of unique personality that we absolutely adore.

Seriously, how striking is this piece? We love that he appears to be soaring gracefully towards our front door, creating a dynamic visual flow in the dining room. The dark wood tone of the duck beautifully echoes the rich, chunky dining table nearby, creating a cohesive and inviting aesthetic. While we can’t reveal more wide-angle shots of the dining room just yet (due to some ongoing “secret book projects”), we are incredibly excited for the day we can share the full transformation. This room is slowly but surely coming together, with each curated piece adding to its charm.

An Equestrian Touch: The Iron Horse Bathroom Hook

Next on our “Dude Get On That Already” list was our charming iron horse. From the moment we spotted this equestrian delight at a Delaware thrift store for a mere $7 over a year ago, we envisioned him gracing our hall bathroom, ready to hold a hand towel with rustic elegance. And finally, that vision has come to life! Currently, the bathroom is still a “big white box,” awaiting its own comprehensive makeover, so our iron horse might appear a bit understated. However, we have grand plans for this space, and once we tackle painting, new fixtures, and other updates, we anticipate he’ll look absolutely dapper, serving as both a functional towel hook and a stylish statement piece.

Embracing Natural Patina: A Design Philosophy

It was a refreshing change to keep both these pieces in their original, natural state. When we first acquired them, the idea of painting them crossed our minds – after all, a spray paint can is often our first resort for transforming thrift finds. However, we’re increasingly drawn to appreciating the inherent texture and timeworn “patina” that comes with age. There’s a certain authenticity and character that an original finish, with all its imperfections, brings to a space. It tells a story. While we’re still firm believers in the power of a fresh coat of paint for many projects, we’re also learning to embrace the beauty of “as-is” when it truly enhances the piece. It’s a delightful 50/50 split – you never quite know if we’ll reach for the spray paint or decide to let a treasure stand on its own!

It’s almost unbelievable that for the past year, our main guest bathroom, used by all our visitors, lacked a proper hand towel hook. The towel often ended up in a sad heap next to the sink – a minor detail, perhaps, but one that always bugged us. Now, thanks to our iron horse, the towel has presence, pizzazz, and an undeniable animal magnetism! It’s incredible how such a small upgrade can make a significant difference in both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

In summary: our bathroom might have 99 problems, but a stylish, functional towel hook definitely isn’t one of them anymore!

The Never-Ending Agenda: Our Future Home Improvement Projects

While celebrating these small victories, our minds are already buzzing with the next set of home improvement endeavors. I’ve been dedicating a lot of thought to the myriad upgrades we envision for this very bathroom, hinting that it might just be next on our agenda, right after we finally conquer the seemingly never-ending kitchen makeover. For those who wonder if we’ll ever run out of projects once the kitchen is done (a hilarious thought!), rest assured, our list is robust and ever-growing. Here’s just a glimpse into the bigger transformations we dream of undertaking, alongside a million smaller updates that happen along the way:

Bathroom Renovations: We have not one, not two, but three full bathrooms that remain untouched, yearning for complete upgrades and modern refreshes. Each presents a unique opportunity for design and functionality improvements.
Sunroom Transformation: Our sunroom has been largely neglected since move-in day, serving as a haphazard storage space for random old furniture. We envision transforming it into a vibrant, inviting area, perfect for relaxation or entertaining.
Playroom Redesign: The current playroom, a mishmash of pillows, fabric, more animal decor (of course!), and various forgotten items, is slated for a major overhaul. Our goal is to convert it into a highly functional and inspiring kids’ bedroom/playroom, maximizing space and creativity.
Carport to Garage Conversion: A significant structural project involves converting our existing carport into a fully enclosed, functional garage, adding both utility and value to our home.
Walk-Out Deck Construction: We plan to build a beautiful, major walk-out deck, creating an expansive outdoor living area that will seamlessly connect with our interior spaces and offer stunning views.
Front Porch Makeover: Our front porch is due for a comprehensive facelift. This includes painting, removing outdated scallops, staining the concrete, and boxing out the columns to achieve a fresher, more contemporary curb appeal.
Crown Molding Installation: Adding elegant crown molding to several rooms that currently lack this finishing touch will significantly elevate their aesthetic and architectural sophistication.
Hallway Wainscoting: We’re planning to install wainscoting in the hallway leading to the three secondary bedrooms (not the main frame hallway), adding texture, character, and a touch of classic charm.
Wood Floor Refinishing: Our beautiful wood floors are due for refinishing, restoring their original luster and enhancing the warmth and elegance throughout our home.
Completing Partially Finished Rooms: Many rooms, including the living room, our bedroom, the guest room, and the dining room, are currently 30-60% complete. A key objective is to bring these spaces to their full potential, ensuring every detail is thoughtfully curated.
Extensive Yard Makeover: A full-blown transformation of our front, side, and backyard is on the agenda. We prefer to tackle these outdoor projects slowly and deliberately, much like we did at our first house, creating a cohesive and beautiful landscape.
Outdoor Entertainment for Beansie: For our beloved “Beansie,” we dream of building outdoor entertainment, possibly in the form of a sandbox, a charming playhouse, or a complete playset, fostering outdoor fun and imagination.
Double-Sided Fireplace Enhancement: We envision enhancing the fireplace between the kitchen and the living room by making it double-sided, creating a seamless focal point and spreading warmth and ambiance to both key living areas.
Roofline Modification: We even daydream about more ambitious structural projects, such as altering the roofline to add architectural peaks to the front of the house, harmonizing them with the existing peaks added during a 1970s addition to the back.

So yes, there’s certainly no shortage of exciting projects on the horizon! Our home is a canvas, and we’re continually adding brushstrokes, big and small, to create a space that truly reflects us. It’s a journey of creativity, problem-solving, and a healthy dose of humor about our ever-growing collection of unique finds. After all, what’s a home without a little personality and a few beloved animal-themed treasures?

Have you tackled any long-overdue home projects recently? What hidden gems have you discovered or transformed to bring new life to your space? Share your stories and let’s inspire each other on this wonderful journey of home transformation!