Houzz Tour: Three Men and a Lady's DIY Paradise
One Handy Mom Takes Her Home from Blah and Beige to Bold and Beautiful
Michelle Hinckley took to blogging rather by accident. Her husband originally spearheaded their website, started to keep family and friends up to date on their life. Michelle would chime in now and again with projects she was working on, but that was about it. Needless to say, those occasional posts with great crafting ideas were hugely popular. Cut to now, and the Three Men and a Lady blog is solely focused on documenting all of Michelle's clever, low-cost home fix-ups.
The Lady of the blog was kind enough to answer a few questions for us and share a look inside her family's handmade home. Take a peek:
The Lady of the blog was kind enough to answer a few questions for us and share a look inside her family's handmade home. Take a peek:
"If I had to put a label on my style, I would say it's modern, vintage and eclectic. "I scour Craigslist at least 4 times a week, I love estate sales and thrift stores. I'm definitely not above hauling things I find curbside for trash pick-up either, to give it new life."
Michelle turned an old mirror into this pretty bulletin board. Directions for the project are here.
In the living room, Michelle created a sophisticated yet comfortable continuous space for entertaining guests and her growing family. Conversation can flow easily from the living room to the kitchen. The chairs heading up the dinner table are slip-covered salvaged office chairs that can easily transition anywhere in the house for additional seating.
Check out the FAQ section of her blog for the formula to her living room paint color.
Check out the FAQ section of her blog for the formula to her living room paint color.
Michelle says, "I am very budget-conscious, so most of my style comes from drooling over interior design magazines, then setting out to re-create a similar look." The ottoman in the living room is a Michelle original. It's covered in white vinyl, making it much easier to clean than leather, but with a similar look. Check out her tutorial to see how she did it.
The first major project Michelle took on in the home was the entryway. "It's sort of a funny space because it is really quite grand and spacious in comparison to the size of the house. I knew whatever I did had to match the grandeur of the entry."
Michelle and her husband decided on bold stripes to complement the space. What had been conceived as a weekend project ended up taking up bulk of their evenings for 3 full weeks!
As Michelle states, "Projects always take triple the time and triple the money you originally plan for. However, the time and effort are always worth it in the end."
One wall of the entryway is covered in chalkboard paint — the perfect spot to jot down a quick note or write a favorite quote.
One wall of the entryway is covered in chalkboard paint — the perfect spot to jot down a quick note or write a favorite quote.
The once bland master bedroom now feels like it could be in a boutique hotel, thanks to a sophisticated palette of gray and yellow.
That sunburst mirror? Another DIY by ingenious Michelle. The original small mirror at the center got a boost courtesy of a bag of barbecue skewers.
What was once an unfinished wood dresser now has sleek style.
The wingback chair was salvaged from a garage sale and re-upholstered in vinyl. Now it can be easily wiped down with a rag — another kid-friendly white piece of furniture!
One person's trash... you know the rest. Latex eggshell paint in that signature yellow pop of color (Disney's "Bee a Friend"), an air compressor, and updated hardware transformed this Craigslist find into a statement-making dresser. Michelle says, "My favorite pieces are the ones that I customize to make my own."
Michelle made the Joshua Tree painting above the dress for less than 5 bucks.
Michelle made the Joshua Tree painting above the dress for less than 5 bucks.
The guest bathroom got a dramatic facelift thanks to DIY details. Michelle painted the formerly gold mirror frame white, and went with a neutral wall color (Dutch Boy's Stonewall Jackson).
The stenciled ceiling was a labor of love by Michelle and her husband. They used Cutting Edge Stencil's Trellis Pattern.
A vintage cabinet with the door removed is used to neatly store bath necessities.
With her own take on the popular "Keep Calm & Carry On" prints, Michelle thoughtfully reminds her boys to keep clean.
Two of the three men in her life share this nautical-inspired room.
The nautical theme continues on the tidy shelves, providing a place for found treasures.
A bulletin board wrapped in burlap provides a place to hang art, awards, school schedules — whatever the boys want to display.
Michelle made sure that the personal touches of a boutique-style hotel carried through to the guest room as well.
Red adds a fun element of surprise in the otherwise brown, white and green room.
Thanks, Michelle!
See more of Michelle's clever DIY projects on her blog, Three Men and a Lady.
All photos by Michelle Rasmussen of Wondertime Photo.
More Houzz Tours:
Abbey's Aesthetic Outburst
Designs for Every Space from Atypical Type A
A Modern Renovation in Seattle
Next:
Thanks, Michelle!
See more of Michelle's clever DIY projects on her blog, Three Men and a Lady.
All photos by Michelle Rasmussen of Wondertime Photo.
More Houzz Tours:
Abbey's Aesthetic Outburst
Designs for Every Space from Atypical Type A
A Modern Renovation in Seattle
Next:
Above, the den/office.