How it began.

My name is Jadwiga, I'm a  mom of  two girls, Maia is 7 years old and Gabriella is 6 months old. I was born and raised in Poland,but 13 years ago Chicago became my home. My whole life I liked to make things. I know how to crochet, knit, all kind of hand stitches,  sewed.

  In late December 2010 after seeing more than 50 houses listed for sale,on north-west suburbs of Chicago- most of them bank owned, non occupied, and in need of love and care, we decide to make an offer. After almost 2 months, in February 2011 we signed all papers, and we became an owners of , three bedroom 1.5 bathroom two story, almost  1800 square feet house. Before we moved in, we demolished almost every wall on second floor, to change floor plan for  adding a walk-in closet and space for master bathroom, we also remove carpet and installed engineered hardwood floors. That was the time when I discovered diy, house decorating blog world. After seeing magic of change with can of paint, I decided to tackle first serious paint project- painting of kitchen cabinets. My husband was quite sceptical if it is a good idea, but since that was only my job to do, and we knew that on the long run we want to add harwood floor through out all first floor, and that mean new kitchen cabinets I started painting. After full month of prepping, painting and drying, I get old, dark brown stained oak cabinets painted in cream color. At this time I was very happy with my finish product. Now after 4 years of using I know that  proper paint selection, is crucial in obtaining the expected strength painted surface, especially on kitchen cabinets  which must be resistant to frequent cleaning. First big project was staircase, we want to have a thick oak stairs, steps in dark stain and white raisers, after check prices for steps, we decide to make steps by diy method which cost us $15 per step not +40$, and stainless steel railing made  from Ikea Tjusig clothes rack .  Our second big project was adding a second bathroom upstairs , which required change, and adding plumbing. I must say that my husband is very hard working man, who is handy and he knows how to make, and fix things around the house. So thanks to him I have my Master Bathroom. Then we moved washer and dryer from our back door area, so we could use this space as a mudroom, and a laundry we moved to mechanical room in the basement, for us it make more usable space. After that we added a electric fireplace in what we use as a playroom, finished a mudroom with built-in cabinets, we installed huge closet door from ikea in my husbands office, he also installed feature wall made from wood-looking floor panels, installed new back and front door. Meanwhile since we moved from two bedroom apartment we needed more furniture, and I'm too cheap for spending money for paper furniture I started at first craigslist hunting for wood furniture that could be painted, and then thrift shopping. Since then I painted red nighstand for Maia's room with red brocade top, two other nightstands sold  via craigslist, dresser with fabric panel and upholstery tacks, crib and dresser for Gabriella and shallow cabinet which I'm using by my dinning table. Now I'm working on navy dresser for my bedroom and ikea Rast nightstands with marble tops.
Thanks for stopping by.
  Jadwiga