By day, I work behind a desk, typically crunching numbers. By night, you can find me in a garage. My wife and I purchased a builder-grade home in Texas not too long ago – a quick close without costly bells and whistles. In 2021, we started customizing each room at our own pace, investing into our home as our family grew.
Having lived in a few homes, my passion emerged from spending time with my dad and mom (DIY addicts). Limited by budget, we embraced weekend warrior home projects, often frequenting the local hardware store, reading DIY manuals at the library, or sourcing materials for a discount. No expensive tools or formal training, just basic carpentry, careful planning, and problem solving.
We built a storage shed, enhanced our patio, remodeled a bath, repaired drywall, roofs and so on. The most valuable lesson from my dad: patience. Plan the work and work the plan.
The garage became a natural habitat. My first build: a shoe rack, constructed from scraps, screws, and hand tools. It took an entire day, but surprisingly stood tall for a solid 25 years!
The internet happened, so my life took a different path; meanwhile living vicariously through This Old House, The American Woodshop, and HGTV. Not until a decade ago that I rediscovered a passion lost while stepping foot into a thrift store – a goldmine for salvaging old furniture.
The hunt was on – taking a chance, I crammed as much as possible into my sedan, rehabbing furniture weekend after weekend in hopes of furnishing my parent’s new house. My new motto: strip, sand, stain, and poly. With elbow grease, anything could be possible!
Delighted, my mom suggested a custom project for her patio: a pair of benches. Challenge accepted. From gaining confidence in using a table saw to broadening my understanding of materials, this introduced me to a whole new world.
It’s amazing how much of a little push can be so rewarding. Meeting my wife confirmed what I had always believed – surround yourself with encouragement.
As we create an inviting home of our own, there are endless possibilities to build. Welcoming my baby boy compels me to share this tradition of learning, encouraging, and building not just with him, but with you – to spread your wings and flourish.
Become a part of our family and follow the journey. I promise it will be worthwhile.
