Serendipity Refined Blog

Do you need a cute spring wreath that costs under $15 and can be made in about 10 minutes? This simple, minimalist spring wreath is super easy (and super cute).  Trust me. Due to stolen c...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2018/03/simple-minimalist-diy-spring-wreath.html

Today, I'm doing my first DIY project in a very long time. It's a DIY vintage style wood Valentine's day heart decoration for the front porch of the farmhouse. Even though I'm using it against ...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2018/02/diy-vintage-style-wood-valentines-day.html

Welcome to fall on the farmhouse porch! I realized as I was taking these photos that a year ago, we still didn't have a lawn or landcaping so it's especially fun to decorate the porch for its v...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2017/10/farmhouse-fall-porch-decor.html

Last week I did a little red white and blue 4th of July decorating in the foyer.  It all started because I finally cleaned my studio to the point that I was able to find the hooks and hang the...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2017/06/farmhouse-4th-of-july-foyer-decorating.html

Okay, I'll admit it....I'm decorating for the 4th of July even though it's only the middle of June. I found two bins of American Flags and Buntings in the attic and I'm screwing cup hooks into ...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2017/06/patriotic-decorating-using-american.html

Don't faint.        I know, right?!  Two blog posts in seven days... Can you believe it?!  Today I'm sharing my painting secrets for making a brand new replica of a French draper's t...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2017/05/diy-painted-reproduction-french-drapers.html

Hello.....? Anyone still out there? I know that it has been a really long time since I've posted and I won't go into the list of reasons why but let me just say, "whew, it's good to be writin...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2017/05/how-to-install-diyfloating-poplar-wood.html

Honestly, I wasn't even going to write a post about this spring wreath. It's so easy that it literally took about ten minutes and cost $9 using three bunches of faux carrots that I got at the c...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2017/03/quick-easy-diy-spring-easter-wreath.html

As soon as the limestone wall in the foyer was finished, I knew that I wanted a different kind of foyer entry table.  I had a couple of great pairs of chippy white reclaimed architectural corb...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2017/02/reclaimed-architectural-corbel-diy.html

I can't begin to tell you how exciting it is to finally begin to show you the rooms and share the stories of our bespoke farmhouse and the three and a half years that went into collecting the p...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2017/02/rustic-european-farmhouse-style.html

I don't have the most popular blog on the Internet or the most consistent of posting schedules but I have YOU and that's what's important to me! Thank you for your support and for followi...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2016/12/happy-new-year.html

  As 2017 approaches and I sat down to decide what my word of the year would be, it was actually a pretty easy choice: minimalism.  I began the process of simplifying the way that I live t...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2016/12/my-2017-word-of-year-minimalist.html

I can't believe how long it has been since I've written here on the blog. It has been so long, in fact, that a few of you reached out to me to make sure that I was okay. Thank you for that!   ...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2016/12/merry-christmas-and-farmhouse-progress.html

Today I'm going to tell you about the products and process that I used to create the rustic, time-washed look on the 1950 red brick portion of the farmhouse. I'm told that it's called "German s...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2016/09/tutorial-german-schmear-lime-putty.html

Today, I'm sharing a quick tutorial on how to stain and waterproof cedar wood garage doors.  After I spent two weekends unsuccessfully trying to strip found out that our old garage doors were ...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2016/09/tutorial-how-to-stain-and-waterproof.html

I have to admit that when it comes to gift giving, I've got some of the most generous, creative,thoughtful friends and relatives there are.  Over the years, I've been blessed with some amazing...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2016/08/my-best-gift-ever-vintage-midwest-corn.html

My new studio/home office Renovation on the interior of the farmhouse took a GIANT step forward last week with the installation of drywall, the taping and the beginning of priming.  I can't...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2016/07/farmhouse-renovation-update-drywall-and.html

This month marks the second half of 2016. Since there are only six months left in this year, I decided to take a look back at my goals for 2016 and to take another look at my word for the year,...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2016/07/farmhouse-renovation-update-and-being.html

I can't believe that it has been such a long time since I've posted here....Yikes! To be honest, I wasn't sure that there was anything to show you but I've had more than a few of you send me ...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2016/05/farmhouse-renovation-progress-photos.html

The outside of the farmhouse is finally beginning to look more like what I had envisioned and less like the rundown ranch that I first saw almost three years ago.  The new cedar shake shingle ...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2016/04/farmhouse-construction-update-roof-and.html

A few months ago on Facebook, I shared a photo of the green stucco two story home below at the early stages of a renovation and addition. At the time, It didn't look like much and I had just be...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2016/04/craftsman-style-residential-remodel.html

Hi! It's been awhile. For those of you who don't follow SR on either Instagram or Facebook, I'm sure that it feels like a very long time.  I haven't fallen off of the face of the earth, hone...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2016/03/spring-garden-themed-bridal-shower.html

source: MY SOULFUL HOME on Instagram As I start to share the final selections for the farmhouse, I wanted to take a moment to say, THANK YOU! I truly appreciate all of you hanging in the...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2016/02/choosing-plumbing-fixtures-for.html

Hello from my still frozen, single digit temperature, midwestern farmhouse renovation! It has been a couple of weeks since my last update and to tell you the truth, since I'm at the site a co...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2016/02/farmhouse-construction-update-framing.html

 This week, as temperatures dropped below zero for several days here in the Chicago 'burbs, we got into the "guts" of the demolition at the farmhouse: the bathrooms and the kitchen were remove...

http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2016/01/farmhouse-renovation-update-interior.html