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About six months ago, we moved into a new home after spending several sweet and sacred years in the one before. That house wasn’t just a roof over our heads—it was the safe landing place I needed after my divorce. It became one of the biggest blessings in my life.
Originally, I had planned to move in with my mom for a few months—she lived in the same neighborhood, which meant my kids wouldn’t have to change schools. I figured I’d take some time to catch my breath and figure out what was next. But when I told my kids the plan, they were devastated. They wanted stability, not more change.
With less than a week before I needed to be out, I called a realtor friend and said, “I need a rental. ASAP.” There were only two homes available in our neighborhood, which was non-negotiable for school reasons. We toured the first one and it felt like it was made for us—perched on the corner of a cul-de-sac with big windows in what would become my office, perfectly positioned to watch the kids playing outside. The second house we couldn’t even get access to. So the decision was easy. I signed the lease that day, and just a few days later, we moved in for a brand-new fresh start.
Over time, that house became home. We made wonderful memories. My daughter often told me how much she never wanted to leave. We built friendships with our neighbors who were kind, generous people who have become like family. So I secretly started the process of buying the house. At our annual Christmas party, I surprised everyone with the news: the house was officially ours. My daughter burst into tears and was so happy, relieved, and thrilled that we weren’t going anywhere.
That house gave me more than I ever expected. It introduced me to dear friends – friends who eventually introduced me to my wonderful husband.
After purchasing, I knew immediately that I wanted to begin making the home truly mine. In my previous marriage, I wasn’t able to make decisions about the house without asking for permission—both financially and visually. So being able to create a space I loved, with no approval required, was a powerful and healing experience for me.
Around the same time, I met my husband. We eventually married, and after many DIY projects, conversations, and life lived together in that home, we knew it was time to find a place of our own. So we made the leap and moved about six months ago.
But before closing the door on that chapter, I wanted to share some of my favorite projects we completed in that house – a small transformation that marked the start of something so much bigger.
The Hall Tree Makeover
This was our first DIY project in the home, and while small in size, it was the first space that really felt like mine. I hope it inspires you to pick up a paintbrush, a power drill, or even just a fresh vision – because you can create a space you love. You can do the hard stuff. And yes, power tools can be fun.
The Problem Spot
This little hallway nook came with a basic bench, but it was completely useless—no storage underneath, no functionality. Just a place to drop bags and clutter. I was a little worried the reason it was built that way was because something important was boxed in behind the wall, so step one was making a small hole in the sheetrock to check.
The Demo Begins
Once we confirmed it was all clear behind the wall, we got to work. And by “we,” I mostly mean my husband—he handled the heavy demo like a champ. After lots of banging and elbow grease, the old bench was out and we had a clean slate to work with.
Inspiration Time
Before I begin any project, I scroll. Pinterest, Instagram, blogs—I love gathering inspiration and then finding a way to make it my own. Sometimes I pull together a few ideas, and sometimes I find the one that’s just perfect. For this project, I landed on this inspiration that felt just perfect for this space.
Building the Base
The first step was building a box for the bottom of the hall tree. I wanted it to offer real storage—something my kids could actually use for shoes, backpacks, and all the seasonal stuff that tends to pile up. I spent hours one night in the garage building that base, and it felt so good to do it myself.
Painting + Prep
With the base built, I moved on to painting it and the trim that would frame the entire area. I used White Dove by Benjamin Moore—a soft, timeless white that I love and had already used in other parts of the home.
Shiplap & Structure
Once the base was installed, we started putting up the vertical shiplap on the wall behind it. It gave the space texture and character, and made the area feel much more custom and intentional.
Staining the Wood
While the shiplap went up, I stained the wood that would become both the shelf above and the seat of the bench. (I need to dig around and remember exactly what stain colors I used, but they gave just the right amount of warmth.)
Framing & Finishing Touches
We trimmed everything out to give it that polished, built-in look. Then came the final steps—adding the hooks, installing the shelf, placing the finished bench top, and adding a few decorative touches to make it feel complete.
The Final Result
All in all, this project took one weekend to complete and was surprisingly simple. The hardest part was removing the original bench—and my husband handled that part!
This was more than just a weekend project—it was the first space I got to create from scratch in my new season of life. It represented freedom, growth, and a home that reflected me. And now I want to remind you: you’re capable of creating beauty too. Start small. Start scared. Just start.
Products Used in this Makeover
Wall Hooks
Amazon
Basket
Amazon