Random Trivia and favorite DIY Projects from the blogger behind Abbotts At Home!
Stephanie Abbott is the blogger behind Abbotts At Home. Her blogging adventures started in late 2016. But, she has been DIY’ing “all the things” for over 30 years. Stephanie shares new DIY projects, furniture builds, woodworking plans, home remodels, and crafts every week. Get the full blogger story below and scroll down for her top DIY projects and woodworking posts.
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Blogger Story
I started off as a craft-loving kid in Cincinnati with a dad that owns an HVAC company and builds custom homes now and then. So, I grew up visiting job sites and in a home that had constant DIY projects happening. As a teen, I helped paint and assist with lots of projects. We had to do things like paint our own rooms and install duct work as part of a grounding, which I’m sure I deserved. 😉
I guess I picked up a few skills from my dad and the decades of watching This Old House with him probably helped too. Thanks Dad (and Bob Vila, wherever you are)!
In my 20’s, I did some furniture remodeling for my apartment, then flipped a few homes while working full-time as a Software Developer. But got tired of basically having 2 full-time jobs and put all my tools in storage for a while.
Then in 2009, I moved from Cincinnati to Orlando with the plan to spend my life there. Yes, I’m a huge WDW fan. After just 6 months my boyfriend, who was living and working in Egypt at the time, changed all that. He proposed to me in front of the pyramids at Giza. Who could have ever imagined that?? It was a big surprise and a wonderful proposal that changed my whole life.
A year later, we married in Orlando and I was off to Cairo to live without a job or any idea when I’d be moving away from Egypt. But this was just as the revolution was starting in Egypt and things were changing in Cairo. We decided to move to the US just a year later. I was happy to be home and ready to start a family here.
Now, I am a SAHM and wife to a smart, funny and devastatingly handsome Englishman (that should earn me some points, right). We currently live in Houston, Texas with our beautiful, amazing boys. When I get a few minutes away from the kids and constant cleaning (kidding, not at all kidding), I work on remodeling our home and the hundreds of other DIY projects I dream up.
Top 3 Home Improvement Projects
Here are my most popular home improvement projects on my blog or YouTube page.
The DIY Steps for How to Restain a Front Door without removing it or stripping are always popular! Check out how much it improved my door!
This YouTube video is number one on my channel because it shows the easy DIY to Whiten Tile Grout. Actually, you can pick from 30+ colors for this DIY and this Grout Renew product seals your grout from future stains too. 🙂
And, this DIY for how to clean car seats at home is a GAME CHANGER. Be sure to check out that crazy before and after. You can also watch that video here.
Top 3 Home Decor Projects
If you love DIY Home Decor and DIY Furniture Painting Projects, check out the DIY Home Decor project gallery here.
This DIY Paint Pouring Project is a fun DIY wall art project anyone can do.
For my woodworking friends, check out this DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art.
And, I love this DIY Gray Chalk Paint Makeover. It adds so much character to any piece of furniture.
I’m loving how this turned out. It’s added so much style to this room already.
See my full DIY Project list now. And, don’t forget to sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest DIY projects in your inbox.
Debbie
Saturday 19th of March 2022
Hi Stephanie,
I loved your project where you made your own chalk paint using latex paint. There is no sanding or stripping when using regular chalk paint, is this the case when using “homemade” chalk paint? Thanks much
Stephanie
Thursday 24th of March 2022
Hi Debbie. Thanks! Homemade chalk paint still works just like the store bought chalk paint. Most of the professional furniture painters still clean the furniture with TSP first, then lightly "scuff sand" the surface with 120-grit or similar grit sanding sponges. It just gives the paint a better grip to the surface. Good luck with your project. :)
Natalie Clark
Thursday 13th of January 2022
Enjoy your blog and your great tips and projects! Thanks!
Stephanie
Thursday 13th of January 2022
Thanks!!
Dan Anderson
Sunday 26th of July 2020
Help please with getting the pdf and cut list for the washer dryer folding table. Have joined your Email list and responded to your email. Can’t find the links. Thanks, Dan
Stephanie
Monday 27th of July 2020
Hi Dan, I just sent you an email about this. :)
Jason
Sunday 26th of July 2020
Stephanie,
Thanks for the blog and posting to Pinterest. I really loved your 41” table. My family and I live in Kingwood (now part of Houston). Your work is inspiring!
Stephanie
Monday 27th of July 2020
Thanks so much, Jason. That's so nice of you to take time to leave this comment! I love sharing my ideas and seeing how other people build on them and create their own designs. :)
Tami Kagy
Friday 24th of July 2020
Hi, Stephanie. I'm just a hop, skip and a jump from you (Austin, TX), and I can relate to your background (working in tech, flipping houses, wanting to DIY everything, etc.). I have a 3-year-old, and with a full-time job, I have zero time to fix up this 25-year-old house we live in, but I'm determined to carve out some time! I look forward to reading your posts!
Stephanie
Saturday 25th of July 2020
Hi Tami! Thanks so much for the nice message. I'm so glad you like my projects. I swear there is something about people in the tech field that also makes them likely to love DIY and woodworking too. I guess we just love all of the problem-solving and following big projects step-by-step. I think it's just another form of the puzzles I loved as a kid. Hopefully, you'll get time one day to fix up your home too. :)