DIY Projects Fill a Warm Washington Home (and There’s a Rad Back Patio, too)
Name: Meegan Buschor, husband, four children, two cats, and one dog
Location: Olympia, Washington
Type of home: House
Size: 2200 square feet
Years lived in: 4.5 years, owned
Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: We bought this home over four years ago. We’ve had two more children since then and have somehow managed to fit us all in! We’ve had to swap bedrooms multiple times, always involving a change of room theme and decor. Some may find that annoying or unnecessary, but it has fed my passion for design.
We have DIY’d our way around the entire home. From painting every inch, literally; to flooring, trim, a new staircase, wall features to light fixtures—we’ve done it all ourselves. In this process I began an Instagram account that has taken off this past year while I document our progress. We love to work together on this process and consider it a part of our journey. My husband and I have a 15-year-old son named Jack who has his own bedroom. Our 6-year-old, January, has her own bedroom. Nixon (3) and Radley (2) share the second master.
Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Cozy, familiar, mixed, trendy.
What is your favorite room and why? My favorite room in our house is our front living room. This space was one that we were waiting to save up for and furnish when we first moved from our 1100-square-foot home. I took to Craigslist to find furniture because patience is not something I am good at practicing. After some hunting I found beautiful pieces and I am so proud of how it came together. It’s also typically the most clean because we hardly use it!
What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The last items I bought for our home were some thrifted goods I picked up at Goodwill with the kids. I have recently found this a new favorite spot to shop for home decor. We bought a wooden riser that I plan on sanding to its natural finish, a ceramic bowl, brass camel, and a giant vase that I’ve painted over.
Any advice for creating a home you love? Unfortunately, and I say unfortunately because I do not like waiting, it takes time. We have lived here for years and it’s still not perfect. Weekly I am coming up with new ideas and finding ways to make those ideas come to fruition. Don’t be afraid to select items that you love based on a feeling and not on what you think “go” together. Home can be it’s own emotion and if you fill your space with all that you love and surround yourself with what makes you feel good—then that’s the feeling you’ll get when you’re inside.
This submission’s responses were edited for length and clarity.