Our TeamSarah Rae Smith

Sarah Rae Smith

About Me

Sarah Rae Smith has lived all across the Midwest and currently calls the bratwurst-laden city of Sheboygan home. She seeks out kitchens that make the best pie and farmers with fresh eggs.


Latest Stories

The Best Stackable Washer and Dryers You Can Buy Right Now
Shopping
These laundry systems are a small-space dream.
Dec 14, 2023
5 Ways to Remove Halloween Face Paint or Makeup
Any one of these methods should do the trick to remove a face full of paint or makeup.
Sep 29, 2023
15 Adult PiƱata Ideas to Elevate Your Next Gathering
Yes, we include booze in here.
Sep 1, 2023
5 Things I Never Did to a Rental But Probably Should Have
In the many rentals I’ve lived in over the years, I’ve never looked at any of them as permanent homes. I didn’t plan on staying in any of them for more than a year or two, so there are many things I never did, which is a shame because taking time to upgrade your rental can definitely increase your level of happiness and peace within the home.
Nov 18, 2022
5 Tips for Living Life Without a Dryer
Although the idea of living without a dryer might sound itchy and scratchy — for many, it’s just a way of life. My husband and I don’t currently have a dryer in our home and aren’t big on drying things at the laundromat. Here are a few tips we’ve picked up along the way to end up with clothes that dry quickly and end up super soft! And guess what? Follow these suggestions, and your clothes can be hang dried and still soft, too!
Oct 3, 2022
Read This Before You Paint Your Old, Peeling Radiator
You might just be wasting your time.
Sep 8, 2022
5 Ways To Use A Coat Rack (Other Than The Obvious)
Yesterday we talked about 12 different ways to use a bookcase in your home. Did you miss it? Check it out for sure as they’re one of the most versatile furniture pieces you can own. Today we’re back with a few more suggestions, but this time for the entryway staple: the coat rack.1. In The Bedroom: The harder we work to keep our closet items paired down the easier it can be to put a coat rack to use as a closet (especially if you use a small bookcase for folded items).
Jul 17, 2020
Before & After: Old Fence Posts Transformed With String
It’s been raining buckets throughout much of the Midwest for the better part of the weekend and it seems as though my galoshes have never seen so much use! Although I’ve previously mentioned using a baking sheet as a quick boot tray, check out this DIY that all started as a scrap pile of used fence posts!
Jul 17, 2020
Weekend Assignment: How To Clean Your Cleaning Tools
We’ve shared before our opinion of the top most common cleaning tools you should keep around. Though these handy items help you maintain a healthy home, are you doing the best job you can do to keep your tools clean and working efficiently? We’ve rounded up the best ways to clean the most common cleaning tools you have around the house. It could be the perfect task for any extra time you’ve got this weekend! Here are a few of the tools we use on a daily basis.
Jul 16, 2020
5 Tips for Better, Longer Lasting Cut Flowers
For the most part, I think we can all agree that cut flowers are beautiful and liven up most any space. That said, many of us are convinced that they aren’t worth our time because we’ll just kill them within the day. Here are 5 tips to keep them lasting longer and looking better, even when you swear your thumb isn’t green.1.
Jul 16, 2020
30 Ways To Repair, Restore, Or Redo Any Piece Of Furniture
Not all furniture we find is attractive. It might be picked up from an online listing or passed on from relatives. Over the years we’ve spent a great deal of time focusing on these shabby pieces in efforts to make them chic once again. Check out these 30 tips, tricks and ideas for your next furniture flip!
Jul 15, 2020
8 Ways To Use a Bowl In Your Home
Cambria has recently mentioned her affinity for bowls in the home and I have to wholeheartedly agree. They’re perfect for use all around your space, not just for a bowl of cereal! Here are a few suggestions on how to get more from your bowls:Now admittedly the bowls in the photo above aren’t the greenest of nature but they still convey the point we’re looking to illustrate below. See where else you can put them to use (besides your tool chest) from the tips below!1.
Jul 15, 2020
5 Things To Do With Extra Sofa Pillows
The small pillows that came with my sofa upon purchase didn’t really accent anything as their name might suggest. I wanted something a little brighter and jazzier. Instead of keeping those pillows shoved in the back corner of the linen closet, try putting them to use with one of these 5 ideas:1. Remove The Covers: By removing the pillow covers, you can switch them out to be any color, pattern or style you want. It seems obvious, but is an easy one to forget.2.
Jul 15, 2020
5 Things You Might Not Know About Watering Plants
Not many around these parts are new to the idea of gardening or the growing of plants. Even though we’ve all been around the block a time or two, we thought it was a good time to brush up on some quick tips and facts about keeping things watered properly. Do you know the best time to water your plants is? This answer and more after the jump!1.
Jun 14, 2020
5 Things To Do 10 Minutes Before You Go To Bed
I’ve started a new routine of taking 10 minutes each night, to tackle 5 things that have since made a world of difference in the overall upkeep of our home. It makes mornings easier and nights more calming… 1. Do The Dishes – It’s a proven fact that we’re more likely to eat at home and make dinner ourselves if the area in which food preparation happens is clean.
Jan 9, 2020
DIY Home Decor: How To Make a Sliding Door for Under $40
Do you know what kind of looks you get when you go to the hardware store and tell the clerk you want to DIY a sliding door? When they point in the direction of “Doors & Windows,” you know it’s time to take matters into your own hands. I needed a door for a lofted space above our living room, and wanted the sliding effect. However, since it was a temporary solution, its construction needed to be simple and easy to do.
Dec 19, 2019
Elijah & Tuli’s Second And Third Story
Name: Elijah & Tuli DastrupAge: 5 & 3Location: Kansas City, Missouri A few months ago we had a chance to tour the home of Crissy and Justin Dastrup. They have an old Four-Square style home that’s quite full of personality and fun design choices. It’s a 3 story home and the children have bedrooms on the second and third floors. There might be only 2 kids, but there’s five beds and although you’ve seen bits and pieces, we’d like to show you the whole thing!
Dec 2, 2019
The 3 Kitchen Essentials You Need to Have On Hand at Every Picnic
I’ve spent many years of my life living in and loving the city of Chicago, where interior spaces are relatively small and people can’t wait for the warmer months (40 below, no thank you). As soon as summer hits, folks flood the parks, beaches, and rooftops to host picnic after picnic. Picnic baskets aren’t hard to assemble—in fact, they’re pretty straightforward despite their loosey-goosey nature. You just have to think about what you may need in a pinch.
Jul 3, 2019
Monica’s Handmade Modern Hollywood Home
Name: Monica SchaferLocation: The Plaza — Kansas City, MissouriSize: 650 square feetYears lived in: 3.5 — ownedTucked out of the way amidst some serious hustle and bustle resides this lovely and luxurious apartment in Kansas City. Located in the neighborhood called The Plaza, it boasts some serious Art Deco era design, complete with extra skinny hallways and round windows.
Jul 1, 2019
7 Seating Options For Small Spaces
Even if you can cram 100 people into your tiny apartment for a party, it doesn’t mean you have room for 10 to sit down to dinner together. If you’re lacking seating, here’s a few ways to help your guests find a place to land!1. Folding Chairs: When extra seating is needed, folding chairs always seem to come to the rescue. They can be plain or they can be elaborate in design, but one thing is for sure, we appreciate their ability to tuck out of sight when not in use!
Jun 27, 2019
Sara & Jason’s Terrific Toy-Tastic Home
Name: Sara & Jason and 3 furry children: Ash, Ronin, and KumaLocation: Kansas City, MissouriSize: 1,700 square feetYears lived in: 3 — owned When it comes to displaying collections no one quite takes the job as seriously as the residents of this house. What started as a passion and a hobby of collecting vinyl toys and artwork from artists around the world has turned into a way of life for these folks in The Heartland.
Jun 5, 2019
How To Read Upholstery Cleaning Codes
Upholstery should be marked with a code that allows the buyer to know in advance, what type of cleaning is suggested. This is an important thing to keep in mind when purchasing new pieces for your home, or dragging something old back from an auction or estate sale. Click through the jump to see what these letters mean and share your tried and true methods for stain removal.
May 10, 2019
How To: Clean Your Driveway
Although cleaning your driveways seems like something painful, it’s like most things and needs routine maintenance. It’s easy to forget about, but will be quickly remembered when you have to fork over the cashola to have a new one poured. Click through the jump to learn 8 essential driveway cleaning tips that can save you great hassle down the road. Cleaning your driveways is something best done with regularity.
May 10, 2019
Tips For Using Communal Laundry Facilities
In our apartment building there are 15 units with roughly 40 people in them. On the main floor there are 2 washers and 1 dryer for everyone to share. Needless to say, laundry is always running around our place (even at 6am, which we have found to be the best time to do ours!) and because of it, there are a few tricks and tips we have picked up to insure our laundry turns out clean and timely. Before heading downstairs to run a load of laundry we always fill our Downy Ball with a bit of vinegar.
May 9, 2019
We Cleaned Our Sofa In The Washing Machine!
Last year we purchased a sectional sofa with clean lines and best of all, removable and washable upholstery. Even though the tag said it was ok to do so, we were still shy about using our washer to get things clean. Curiosity won in the end, so we tossed them in — said a silent prayer — and hit start! We originally purchased our ridiculously large sofa (over 15 feet total!) from a dealer in KC, just before the holiday season last year.
May 8, 2019
When Should Your Shower Sponges Be Discarded?
Did you know your bathroom sponges, loofahs and poufs can be a serious breeding ground for some nasty bacteria and germs? It seems silly since we soap them up and rinse them clean, but we recently learned they should be tossed out far before you see any wear and tear. We were shocked at how short their lifespan really is!
May 8, 2019
How To Calculate The Amount Of Paint Needed For A Space
One of the easiest ways to live a green lifestyle is to simply buy only what you need. This is especially true when it comes to painting your spaces. Sure, it’s nice to have a small amount for touch-ups down the road, but that doesn’t mean you want rogue half gallons (or even whole!) sitting in your garage taking up space! Eliminate the waste and buy the correct amount to begin with. Here’s how:MaterialsToolsMeasuring TapeCalculator 1.
May 7, 2019
Before & After: Grandma’s Hutch Makeover
Hutches are weird things. They take up a great deal of space, and although they display your collectibles well, unless the vibe of the piece really fits your home, they feel monolithic and out of place. So when Brooke’s friend passed along a hutch from her Grandmother, she set out to make it her own and all we have to say is, “Wow!”Brooke over at The Crafting Chicks really did a bang up job on this transformation.
May 7, 2019
Do You Add Anything To Your Christmas Tree Water?
Growing up I remember family and friends adding all sorts of things to their Christmas tree water. Some added crushed up Asprin, others a fizzy, sugary soda, even bleach and lemon juice. Does this really help? We’ve got answers!The long and the short of the question, “Should I add anything to my Christmas tree water?” is that you don’t have to. If you have hard water, you especially don’t have to.
May 7, 2019
Before & After: A $50 Houndstooth Entryway Makeover
When it comes to sprucing up the outdoors, it can be hard to rationalize spending big bucks on designer products. After all, things will get used and abused, walked on, sat on, and beat up by the elements. That’s why I love this transformation so much. It gives a big designer look for very little cash!This entryway has been spruced up with some simple black paint. It now coats the front door and has been stenciled onto an inexpensive indoor/outdoor rug from the local hardware store.
May 7, 2019
Before & After: Basic Foam to Fabulous Flooring
In a world where everyone is repurposing and making over things in their home, diy’s are a dime a dozen. So it’s always special when we come across one that stops us in our tracks and has us reading the entire tutorial. You won’t ever look at foam flooring pieces the same way again after you see what these are magically turned into!Yesterday over at Design*Sponge we saw this really rad rug makeover scroll past our screen.
May 7, 2019
Before & After: A Green House Renovation in Ottawa
More often than not when we talk about going green renovations, we’re talking about the installation of eco-friendly items into new construction. Even when we’re talking about updating the old, the strides seem small — at least in comparison to this Ottawa residence and business. All we have to say is… wow!
May 7, 2019
The Easy Peasy Band-Aid Removal Trick
Yesterday I had the pleasure of keeping 3-year-old Tuli company while her mother worked. She’s a darling girl, but has been in a few tree collisions lately while sledding. A simple request to remove a band-aid that was “owie” looked ready to turn into a scream fest – lucky for Tuli, I came armed with this simple trick.Ok, so it’s not so much a trick as it is an appliance.
May 7, 2019
Before & After: A Pretty Pantry With Serious Storage
Having a food storage area or pantry is a true thing of luxury. But for many it can also be a real headache. But an organized space not only leads to better shopping and food use, it can also add value to your home for very little money. Check out what this pantry looks like now, after the jump!At first glance this just looked like another pretty pantry.
May 7, 2019
Before & After: The Great Cane Bar Stool Reuse
There aren’t many items that I can’t think of some way to transform or repurpose, but when it comes to woven or wicker furniture like these barstools, I’m often at a loss…until now. This trio of trashed items received a makeover from Fabio de Minicis that I never would have thought of!Fabio does wonderful things with items that are otherwise considered discarded, junk or trash, and this barstool makeover is no exception.
May 7, 2019
How To Get Mouse Pee Out Of Particle Board
In a perfect world we would all have furniture made from 100% sustainably sourced materials and press board or particle board would be a thing of the past. But here in the real world that’s not always the case. We find pieces at thrift stores and auctions, rescue them and bring them home. We clean them up and have big plans for painting or making them over and then we see it, or rather smell it. Yes, that’s right: mouse pee.
May 7, 2019