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Abby, your journey as a single mom and DIY creator is truly inspiring — what first sparked your passion for home improvement and design?
I’ve always had a love for good design and a good project, which probably started as a kid just redecorating my bedroom. This interest lead me to get a degree in interior design. I gained a lot of my hands-on skills like tiling and carpentry through the program I was in. Then I worked for an interior designer! When I purchased our fixer upper a few years ago, I set out on a mission to make our home beautiful without spending a lot of money, so that’s what I did!
You describe yourself as a “Girl Carpenter.” What does that title mean to you, and how has it shaped your creative identity?
A girl carpenter is a powerhouse!!! Creatively, logistically, etc. I think it’s been super empowering to learn to do all these carpentry skills that usually are saved for husbands and other men. I don’t have to convince anyone of my vision, or wait until they’re ready to do the project. I can just come up with something beautiful and make it happen. I love showing my kids by doing it myself that they don’t have to fit into a specific mold that society has pushed on everyone. We can learn how to do anything and I want them to know that!
Being featured as a Forbes Top Creator is a huge milestone — what does this recognition mean for you and your DIY journey?
Honestly, it was so wild and I felt so honored to end up in Forbes! I’m still not over it. It was like, wow, people really see what I’m doing and my hard work is getting noticed. It’s easy to feel like an imposter in a space with so many talented and creative people. I really struggled for a long time with feeling like I deserved a space in the DIY and design community because of my perfectionism and how hard I am on myself. Like a lot of creatives, I have a fear of failure, letting people down, disapproval, and harsh criticism. It was very validating to end up in Forbes, especially because I didn’t feel like people took my career seriously for a long time and kind of judged me for just chasing my dream.
My main focus in doing DIY has always been “How can I creatively inspire my audience? How can I empower and teach?” I wanted to help people do whatever they want to express themselves in their spaces. Being named by Forbes was a huge milestone, knowing that all my hard work and funky creative projects have value in the design and DIY world. It’s also super affirming to me as a single mom that I’ve kind of succeeded in providing for my family through doing what I love.
Many people find DIY intimidating — what advice would you give to beginners who want to start creating their own home projects?
You just have to jump in and start. You might not blow things out of the park on your first project, and that’s okay! I didn’t, but you have to start somewhere. So pick something small like adding wall trim or sanding and refinishing a piece of furniture and try it out! There are loads of great resources out there to help you learn, from picking your local hardware store employees’ brains to watching videos on instagram and youtube. I recommend people start small and build their confidence by completing manageable projects, and then moving on to bigger things. It’s okay to do things scared, I actually recommend it! I’m a big fan of the saying, “If it feels uncomfortable at first, its probably worth doing.”
For someone starting their first DIY project, what basic tools do you recommend every beginner should own?
I’d say, a nail gun, a circular saw, a battery operated multitool, and a Kreg jig cut guide! You can do so much with these and they’re not too hard to learn to use!
What are the most common mistakes people make when tackling DIY home projects — and how can they avoid them?
I think the most common DIY mistakes people make are these.
- People think projects will take less time than they do. I always recommend budgeting for extra time!
- Not allocating extra money for materials. Always plan for extra expenses!
- Getting overwhelmed and discouraged when things aren’t going how you plan. I recommend writing down all the steps when this happens or saying things outloud! This will help you get your head around what needs to be done.
- The classic, measure twice, cut once! It’ll save you time, money, and materials!
It’s important to remember that mistakes are part of the learning and will happen! There will always be teaching moments and room for growth. Embrace it!
How do you plan and budget for a renovation or DIY makeover to avoid Overspending?
- Research first what other people have spent on the project
- Figure out if your budget it realistic for the DIY project you’re doing through research!
- Plan ahead so you can source things at their best prices.
- Take inventory of what you already have
- Allocate extra money in the budget for mistakes or unexpected needs.
- People often go over budget because they rush their timeline, so budgeting enough time is important too!
What are your go-to materials or finishes that are affordable yet give a high-end Look?
- PVC trim
- White oak plywood
- If painting cabinets, enamel paint (I use Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel)
How can small-space homeowners make their interiors look more open and functional using DIY ideas?
This totally depends on your space! I’d say it’s important to stay open minded and creative! One of the biggest things is brainstorming what exactly is keeping your space from being functional and open. What are your biggest space wasters? One thing is to make sure your furniture is to scale for the room. A sofa or bed that’s too big will swallow up a space. When you know what is causing your space issue, you’ll be able to come up with solutions. DIY projects that have helped me reclaim space in my home usually have an element of built-ins or furniture that doubles as storage. Mirrors and proper lighting also word wonders to make a space feel bigger!