Garage Side Stories
This is the more personal side of the blog — renovation regrets, lawn care lessons, tool wall organization, garage sale finds, and the everyday realities of owning an older house with a family.
What Wendy Sees in a Room That I Miss Completely — and Why That Helps Our House
I focus on function and fixing things. Wendy sees light, flow, and how a room actually feels to live in. Here’s how her ...
The $50 Marketplace Find That Ended Up Looking Better Than New Furniture
I bought an old, beat-up oak cabinet on Facebook Marketplace for $50. After some sanding, repairs, and finishing, it bec...
My Weekly Home Depot Routine and Why It Saves Me Money Over Time
I go to Home Depot almost every week, even when I don’t need anything. This habit started as a way to escape the chaos a...
The Lawn Disaster That Turned Me Into the Weird Dad Reading Soil Test Reports
I completely destroyed our lawn the first summer in our current house. After getting schooled by a neighbor and two year...
I’m Just a Guy Who Has Owned Three Problematic Houses.
Sam Mercer — a regular homeowner in Columbus, Ohio who has renovated three different houses the hard way. Here’s my real...
Why I Started This Blog After Getting Burned on More Than One House Project
After three houses and too many expensive mistakes, I decided to share what actually works for normal homeowners. No con...