Meet Michelle + Steph

We’re Michelle and Steph, a mother-daughter duo with a combined 63 years of experience in home renovation and design. Growing up, we learned from the best: our parents. Before diving into any project, we invest time in research and planning to help you avoid common pitfalls. Often we’re called on to share our advice and tips. And we’re passionate about helping you create a beautiful, functional home on a budget.

We specialize in:

  • Budget-friendly home improvement ideas and tips
  • DIY home decor projects
  • Furniture refinishing and upcycling
  • Organization tips and home maintenance
  • Gardening
  • Family favorite recipes

Let us help you turn your house into a home you love.

Michelle Dickson

I have always had a passion for transforming spaces and creating organized, functional homes. Even as a child, I loved rearranging furniture and decorating my childhood home. In fact my dad would comment he was afraid to come home from work and sit, for fear the furniture would be rearranged. I enjoy the challenge of turning ordinary items into extraordinary pieces, whether it’s a piece of furniture or an entire room. My creativity and attention to detail drive me to find unique ways to breathe new life into any space.

As a wife (to a supportive and patient husband, Steve), mother of three, and grandmother of five, I balance my love for home improvement with family life. I enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, and exploring nature. I also frequent yard sales, thrift stores, and vintage markets, always on the lookout for my next project.

Visit my home tour and check out our DIY projects.

Stephanie Hofer

I’m a DIY enthusiast at heart—after all it’s in my DNA, thanks to my parents and grandparents who are avid DIYers. I’m also a devoted wife and mother of three amazing kids who keep me on my toes. My DIY journey began after my husband, Dan and I bought our first home. With high-end taste and a tight budget, I was determined to transform our builder-grade space with creativity and minimal cost. There’s nothing more satisfying than taking something unwanted and making it into a cherished piece, whether I’m restoring a vintage dresser or upcycling everyday finds.

I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learned along the way and helping others create beautiful spaces without breaking the bank! When I’m not hunting for new DIY projects, I love spending time outdoors with my family, hiking, snowshoeing, and traveling.

Visit our home tour and check out our DIY projects.

Layton, Utah

Location

Layton, Utah

Mexican

Ethnic food

Mexican

Grandma’s Cherry Cheesecake

Dessert

Peanut Butter Brownies

American Dreamer

Fav movie

Leap Year

New Zealand

Dream vacation

New Zealand (it’s like we’re related or something!)

Christmas

Holiday

Christmas

Black

Fav color

Blue (navy, aqua, denim, chambray… all the shades)

Mints

Gum or mints

Gum

French Country – Cottage Core

Design style

Modern Coastal Farmhouse

Nail gun

Fav tool

Miter saw

Michelle

Location

Layton, Utah

Ethnic Food

Mexican

Dessert

Grandma’s Cherry Cheesecake

Fav movie

American Dreamer

Dream vacation

New Zealand

Holiday

Christmas

Fav color

Black

Gum or mints

Mints

Design style

French Country – Cottage Core

Fav tool

Nail gun

Stephanie

Location

Layton, Utah

Ethnic Food

Mexican

Dessert

Peanut Butter Brownies

Fav movie

Leap Year

Dream vacation

New Zealand (it’s like we’re related or something!)

Holiday

Christmas

Fav color

Blue (navy, aqua, denim, chambray… all the shades)

Gum or mints

Gum

Design style

Modern Coastal Farmhouse

Fav tool

Miter saw

Take a look at what our readers are loving!

From fun DIY projects to home design ideas that will change the way you look at your spaces, be sure to check out some of my audience’s favorite topics below.

Our goal is to empower you to transform your home into a reflection of your personal style. We believe that every space has potential, and with a little creativity and know-how, you can achieve stunning results without breaking the bank.

Our Plans

Modern Deer Fence PDF Plans
Cover image for Custom Closet Organizer PDF Plans. Measured drawings and complete instructions.
Drawing of a cedar planter box with a red umbrella. PDF building plans.

Build with confidence using our premium woodworking plans. Each printable PDF includes a material list, cut list, tool list, and detailed 3D diagrams to guide you through every step. Additional resources such as blog posts and video tutorials are also provided when available.

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