“We really wanted a home with a bit more space, and the timing felt like it was ‘now or never.’ It was a nerve-wracking experience,” Carrie, who runs the Honey Do Honey Home blog, shares. “The housing market was extremely competitive with low inventory and high prices.” 

For three months, the family lived with her parents while they searched for homes and even made a few offers. However, they couldn’t fully envision themselves in any spaces they toured. That is, until they found a four-bedroom space in Monticello, Minnesota, that seemed “too good to be true.” 

“It checked every single box of what we were looking for: open floor plan, a large kitchen, fenced-in yard, outdoor playset for the kids, close to trails and parks, on a cul-de-sac,” Carrie writes. “We, of course, went to go see it right away, and I knew from the moment we walked inside that this was ‘our’ house. I could envision my family there for a long time.” 

Luckily, they got the house, and their family has grown with another child, Odie, and a dog named Merv. As a pro–DIYer, Carrie transformed their home into a moody, eclectic, and bohemian oasis one project at a time. And what’s her proudest DIY? Transforming her primary bathroom into a spa-like space for only $500. 

Ultimately, their overwhelming house hunt was likely worth the wait to find this gem of a home. “We were so grateful when our offer was accepted,” Carrie explains. “We talk every day about how much we love it here.”

• Living room — Clare “Neutral Territory”
• Living room — Behr “Exclusive Ivory”
• Living room — Benjamin Moore “Chantilly Lace”
• Entryway — Sherwin-Williams “Nomadic Desert”
• Entryway — Benjamin Moore “Chantilly Lace”
• Entryway — Behr “Cider Spice”
• Entryway — Benjamin Moore “High Park”
• Kids’ room — Behr “Terrace Teal”
• Kids’ room — Behr “Black”
• Kids’ room — Behr “Rise and Shine”
• Kids’ room — Behr “Velvet Leaf”
• Kids’ room — Behr “Beauty Queen”
• Kids’ room — Behr “Ombre Blue”
• Kids’ room — Behr “Paradise of Greenery”
• Kids’ room — Behr “Amber Brew”
• Kids’ room — Behr “Cinnamon Stone”
• Staircase — Clare “Meet Cute”
• Staircase — Clare “Wing It”
• Main level bathroom — Benjamin Moore “Chantilly Lace”
• Main level bathroom — Behr “Renoir Bisque”
• Main level bathroom — Sherwin-Williams “Jade Dragon”
• Main level bathroom — Farrow & Ball “Setting Plaster”
• Primary bathroom — Benjamin Moore “Tarrytown Green”
• Primary bathroom — Behr “Wild Truffle”
• Primary bedroom — Behr custom color match
• Basement — Behr “Cider Spice” 
• Basement — Benjamin Moore “Jade Dragon”
• Basement — Benjamin Moore “Chantilly Lace”
• Basement — Sherwin-Williams “Peppercorn”

• Everything — Thrifted or built

• Plant wall — Lumber
• Rug — Safavieh
• Fireplace — Hand-made
• Large artwork — Hand-made
• Rug — Uptown 5th Avenue Rug

• Rug — Maahru square rug
• Beds — Built

• Wallpaper — Livettes wallpaper
• Bed — Gifted
• Bedding — Brooklinen

• Shower curtain — Society 6
• Arch bath divider — Built

Thanks, Carrie!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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