It feels truly incredible to pen this sentence today: we are celebrating a full decade of DIY adventures with Ugly Duckling House! What an extraordinary journey it has been, transforming a passion into a thriving small business, and for that, I am profoundly grateful.
On April 1, 2010, I officially launched Ugly Duckling House. While the specific choice of April Fool’s Day remains a charming mystery even to me, I can unequivocally state that this decade has been far more fulfilling and fun than foolish. From humble beginnings, this blog has blossomed into my own entrepreneurial endeavor, a testament to the power of perseverance and a shared love for home improvement.
First and foremost, my deepest gratitude goes out to all of you who have followed along, supported, and engaged with Ugly Duckling House over the years. This community, comprised of dedicated readers and inspiring peers, has been the cornerstone of its growth. Whether you’ve been a loyal follower since the very first post (hello, Mom!) or you’re new to my signature approach — a blend of candid honesty, occasional snark, and a perpetually paint-splattered enthusiasm for figuring things out together — your presence has made all the difference. Every winding path, every triumph, and even those frustrating moments of throwing tools or succumbing to a floor-bound tantrum, have contributed to a decade of learning, improving, and mastering the art of DIY. This journey has been about not just learning *how* to DIY, but how to DIY *better*.
As we mark this significant milestone, it feels appropriate to reflect on some of my most cherished projects, which I’ll delve into below, and to cast a gaze forward at the exciting plans for the coming year. However, I would be remiss not to acknowledge the undeniable shift in circumstances from what I initially envisioned for this celebratory post. We all understand the unspoken global situation, and I’m deliberately choosing not to use certain terms, as I’ve learned it can unfortunately impact the visibility of content and even ad revenue for many favorite blogs this season. I’ll touch briefly on how you can support content creators like me at the end of this post, but for a more comprehensive guide, this article from Chris Loves Julia offers excellent insights.
To be entirely transparent, it doesn’t quite feel like the “right time” for overt celebration. Much of March left me feeling overwhelmed and fatigued by the constant influx of new information, prompting a much-needed mental break. I actually have several exciting announcements slated for release this summer and fall, all of which now feel either premature or simply inappropriate given the current climate. Yet, a full decade is a monumental achievement I’ve eagerly anticipated for a long time. So, I decided to approach this post by contrasting my original celebratory expectations with the necessary adjustments prompted by these challenging times. My intention is certainly not to complain, but rather to acknowledge these realities, process them, and then pivot forward. In these uncertain days, I consider myself incredibly fortunate if my family and friends remain safe and healthy at home.
- My initial plan involved a charming little cake with candles, a perfect photo opportunity for this post. However, with our efforts to minimize store visits, I’ll be picking up a cake mix in the coming weeks to bake one at home. Someday soon, I hope K and I can enjoy that celebratory dinner out.
- I also intended to treat myself to a special piece of jewelry – a ring or necklace – as a tangible reminder of this decade of entrepreneurial accomplishment. Instead, I’m redirecting the funds I had earmarked for this purchase to two impactful nonprofits: one directly addressing the current crisis, and another dedicated to Alzheimer’s research, a cause close to my heart for my Granny. Knowing that many fundraising events have been canceled, resulting in significant shortfalls for these organizations, I believe this is the most meaningful way to celebrate and contribute simultaneously. If circumstances improve, I might save up again later in the year for a personal keepsake.
Given the pervasive uncertainty surrounding the rest of this year, my primary hope remains for everyone’s safety and well-being. The enduring mission of Ugly Duckling House has always been to empower you with DIY skills while keeping an eye on the budget. Therefore, I plan to continue sharing inspiring stay-at-home project ideas, helping you finally tackle that scrap wood pile I *know* you’ve been accumulating, providing a constructive outlet amidst the current anxieties. This month, look forward to several project roundups and recaps designed to help you populate your to-do lists, alongside discussions about some major exterior overhauls for the house. But first, let’s revisit some highlights…
A Look Back at Some of My Favorite DIY Projects and Blog Posts!
Mastering Wallpaper Removal and Skim Coating Walls
While these weren’t necessarily the most *enjoyable* projects to execute, they stand out as some of my earliest foundational tutorials. They truly helped me define the essence of Ugly Duckling House: meticulously detailing my DIY processes, sharing invaluable lessons learned, and empowering others through practical, actionable guidance. These posts laid the groundwork for how I structure all my future how-to content, becoming a core part of the blog’s identity.
Related Resources: The Ultimate Guide to Removing Wallpaper // How to Repair and Skim Coat Damaged Walls // Advanced Skim Coating Tips for Smooth Results // Preparing Walls for Paint After Drywall Repair
The Transformative Kitchen Makeover
Ah, the kitchen! This was undeniably a long-term endeavor (a common theme for many of my projects, I admit), but the effort was unequivocally worth it. I still adore the classic combination of white upper cabinets and elegant gray lowers. Although, if I were to choose again today, I might be tempted by the bold statement of black lower cabinets! Regardless, the current scheme still brings me immense joy and perfectly illustrates the incredible power a few cans of paint hold in transforming a space. This year, I’m contemplating a fresh coat of paint for the kitchen walls (a challenging task after all that wallpaper removal), aiming for a more neutral palette to create a warmer, more inviting atmosphere, moving away from the existing pale blue.
Explore Kitchen Projects: Painting Kitchen Cabinets Without Sanding: A Beginner’s Guide // DIY Kitchen Tile Backsplash Installation // Crafting a No-Sew Faux Roman Shade for Your Kitchen
Coming Soon: Essential DIY Microwave Fixes and Maintenance Tips
Revitalizing the Laundry Room: Functionality and Style
Upon moving into this house, the laundry room was, to put it mildly, quite dreadful. But with a vision and elbow grease, we completely reimagined it! This space received a brand-new floor (a project that definitely tested my arm reach!), shiny new appliances, and a smart reconfiguration of the awkward back shelf. We maximized storage with stylish floating shelves, making the room both practical and aesthetically pleasing. The final touches in this room were some of the fastest I’ve ever completed, largely thanks to a sponsor’s tight 48-hour deadline – a true testament to how much I appreciate sponsors for keeping me focused and motivated on a project!
Laundry Room Guides: Planning a Tile Layout in Challenging Spaces // Installing a Laundry Room Tile Backsplash // The Complete Laundry Room Makeover Reveal // Building a DIY Plywood Countertop for Your Laundry Space
The Art of Wall Carving: A New DIY Passion
This particular project, my carved wood wall art, unveiled a completely new passion for me: I absolutely adore wood carving! It’s a meditative and rewarding craft that allows for incredible creativity. Since this initial piece, I’ve already embarked on several more carving projects, and I’m eager to share them with you all very soon, showcasing the versatility and beauty of this art form.
Coming Soon: Unique Carved Planters // A Stunning Carved Headboard Project
Building a Functional and Stylish Floating Deck
A few summers ago, I was determined to expand our outdoor living area by building a floating deck adjacent to our existing concrete patio. The goal was to create more space for entertaining and relaxation in the backyard, and I successfully brought that vision to life! This project has been an enormous success on both the blog and my YouTube channel, and I’m incredibly pleased that so many of you have found the tutorials helpful and inspiring for your own outdoor projects.
Floating Deck Series: Floating Deck Planning and Layout Essentials // Constructing the Deck Frame and Ensuring Waterproofing // Expert Tips for Installing Angled Deck Boards // Deck Board Trimming and Edge Rounding Techniques // Finishing Touches and Landscaping Around Your New Deck
*I’m still actively working on the shed series, which was also a significant build during that same summer. The sheer volume of footage from those intense project days, coupled with the desire to tackle new content, led me to enlist K’s help. It’s been a wonderful collaborative experience, and I’ve enjoyed teaching him the intricacies of blog content creation, from filming to editing!
The Dramatic Black and White Stair Makeover
I absolutely adored this staircase transformation project, not just for the stunning visual outcome, but also for the memorable banter and “shit-talking” I shared with my dear friend Kit throughout the process. Truly, one of the most unexpected and cherished benefits of starting this blog has been the incredible friendships it has fostered.
Launching the Popular Cross Stitch Series
My very first cross stitch pattern, shared a few years ago, took an entirely unanticipated turn. What I initially thought would be a standalone, niche post garnered significant attention, leading me to develop it into a hugely popular monthly series. The sheer number of people downloading my free patterns has been astounding and incredibly rewarding! This unexpected success has sparked ideas for a potential membership program, offering exclusive patterns and early access to dedicated stitchers. While it will take some time to roll out, I’m also actively developing a beginner’s guide post and video tutorial to teach the basics of cross stitch, which will always be a free resource, not a paid workshop.
Cross Stitch Pattern Library: Autumn Tree Cross Stitch Pattern // Monstera Leaf Cross Stitch Design // Delicate Dragonfly Cross Stitch // Charming Pink Goldfish Cross Stitch // Paint-By-Numbers Mountain Cross Stitch // Browse the Full Cross Stitch Pattern Library
Coming Soon: The Essential Beginner Guide to Cross Stitch
Ruby’s Revival: Restoring a Vintage Camper!
Of course, I couldn’t possibly leave Ruby out of this celebratory reflection! Our beloved 1946 Spartan Manor vintage camper is undergoing an incredible transformation. We’ve made fantastic progress on Ruby these past couple of months, commencing with intensive demolition and the initial stages of polishing. I’ll soon be sharing mini-updates on the demo and, hopefully, completing that eagerly anticipated first polishing video so you can witness her remarkable journey. K has already advanced to phase 2, meticulously sanding out scratches and meticulously planning his strategy for a more elaborate, deep-shine polishing effort.
Ruby’s Journey: Ruby’s Vintage Camper “Before” Tour // Washing Away Three Decades of Neglect // Retrieving the Camper from the Woods // Pressure Washing the Vintage Trailer // Demolition Begins: Ruby’s Transformation Starts!
Coming Soon: Latest Demo Update // Aluminum Polishing (Episode 05)
Squirrels Are Assholes: A Relatable Homeowner Saga
This particular post holds a special place in my heart, primarily because it perfectly encapsulates those moments when homeownership can push you to the brink of sanity. Especially when your abode comes with uninvited, mischievous guests determined to wreak havoc. It’s a reminder that not all home projects are glamorous, but they are certainly always an adventure!
And these are just a handful! So many more projects, tips, and tutorials await you. You can find a complete chronicle of this past decade’s DIY endeavors right here in my archives—perfect for those days you feel like diving into ten years’ worth of blog posts!
Exciting Things to Come for Ugly Duckling House!
For a considerable period during the early days of Ugly Duckling House, my DIY adventures were entirely solo. My driving motivation was to empower all the single individuals, regardless of gender, demonstrating that owning a home and tackling its challenges is entirely achievable, even without immediate assistance. I aimed to be a supportive voice, offering encouragement and practical advice. I openly shared my personal triumphs and struggles, and I was content with the organic growth of my little corner of the internet.
A few years ago, my life took a wonderful turn when I met Kyle, whom I affectionately refer to as “K” on the blog, partly to grant him a degree of separation from my online world. He has a fulfilling career as an engineer, which he loves, but we also share a genuine passion for tackling projects together. K brought along his absolutely adorable furball, Stella, adding even more joy to our lives. After he moved in, we naturally embarked on several more ambitious home improvement projects as a team.
I’m highlighting K’s involvement again because the remainder of 2020 will prominently feature his contributions! Expect more updates on Ruby, our vintage camper (which belonged to his grandfather, making its restoration even more meaningful), exciting outdoor builds, and the much-anticipated completion of his office/guest bedroom (especially critical now that he’ll be working from home for the foreseeable future!). We also have a few other surprise projects and collaborations in the pipeline. It might sound cheesy, but I truly found an incredible partner who consistently makes me laugh, and I fully intend for him to stick around! Thank you all for so warmly welcoming him and getting to know him a little better through our Ruby videos.
The Primary Bedroom Feature Wall: A Sneak Peek!
This is one project I’m absolutely bursting to share with you, but we’re just a few supplies shy of its full completion. Consider this a tantalizing sneak peek of the transformation underway!
The Dining Room Transforms into My Dream Office
Spending more time at home recently has led to a pivotal realization: our dining room is severely underutilized. Yet, it boasts a beautiful, large window that offers delightful views and abundant natural light, a perfect setting for productivity. Consequently, I’ll soon be converting this space into my dedicated home office. This transformation will provide a pleasant separation from Kyle’s conference calls upstairs in the guest bedroom (which, coincidentally, also needs to be finished!), preventing me from feeling cooped up on the upper floor and creating a more balanced work-from-home environment.
Expect even more updates on Ruby (K is incredibly eager to continue working on it these days!), further enhancements to the garage workshop, and of course, more heartwarming pupdates on Charlie and Stella. I genuinely can’t wait to share all these exciting developments with you!
A Note on Supporting Blogs & Other Content Creators in Challenging Times:
Hopefully, this brief interlude won’t feel too long! It’s an open secret that individuals like myself generate income through various channels: advertisers (like the ads you see in the sidebar), sponsorships for specific projects, and commissions from products we recommend. I’ve always believed in complete transparency regarding these revenue streams, even though discussing them can sometimes carry a risk (I’ve observed some creators being unfairly accused of a “money grab” for addressing it, which seems odd given that *everyone* is discussing the diverse impacts on businesses right now). Bloggers and “content creators” (a broader term encompassing YouTube and Instagram) typically operate as small businesses, often run by just one person or a small handful. In my case, it’s primarily me, though I do hire other small businesses for specialized tasks such as accounting and web maintenance.
Industry experts are forecasting that many advertisers are likely to significantly cut their budgets, which is completely understandable given the economic climate. This comes at a time when blogs themselves *could* potentially see an increase in visitors, with more people at home seeking engaging content and DIY inspiration (I certainly hope this is the case, as I’m always thrilled to provide that sense of familiarity and practical ideas!). I’ve already heard of one major retailer canceling their advertising contracts for the year, and some affiliate programs have been placed on indefinite hold. This situation oddly reminds me of the early days of blogging, where everyone was scrambling to figure things out on the fly. So, I’m not panicking; rather, I’m staying vigilant, paying close attention, and striving to make smart, informed decisions.
I bring this up because I believe it’s important to extend grace and understanding to your favorite content creators (within reason, of course—if they’re acting selfishly or jeopardizing others, your frustration is absolutely valid!). The sentiment circulating around the online “water cooler” (pun intended!) is that many creators feel an awkward pressure to “pretend things are normal” and maintain their regular content schedule, or to “be productive,” when they might genuinely need to step back and process. There are numerous free ways you can offer valuable support: visit blogs directly rather than relying solely on a feed reader, subscribe to their newsletters, follow them on social media, watch their videos on YouTube, share their accounts on your Instagram stories and tag them, leave thoughtful and supportive comments (it truly brightens their day!), utilize their swipe-up links if you *are* planning to shop for recommended products, disable ad blockers on their sites, mention them to your friends and family, and more. Chris Loves Julia offers an excellent post detailing these free support methods and their impact. I would also wager that in the coming months, we might encounter some rather unusual advertisements on otherwise reputable websites. My theory is that with major retailers scaling back, it creates an opportunity for other, perhaps more unconventional, brands to experiment with new or “weirder” ads in spaces that were previously unavailable. I encourage you to approach these with patience and understanding, as it’s almost certainly not a deliberate choice on the part of the website owner, but rather an ad space needing to be filled.
So, there you have it. I *wish* I could shout some of the upcoming news from the rooftops, and I genuinely dislike being vague, as I’m terrible at keeping secrets! But please, stay tuned, friends. More importantly, I sincerely hope that you and your families are staying safe and healthy. And to every single person out there working tirelessly to keep us all safe – doctors, nurses, grocery store and essential service employees, sanitation workers, delivery personnel, and countless others – “THANK YOU” feels utterly insufficient. Please know that I go to bed every night thinking of you, sending you a warm, socially distanced hug. ❤️
P.S. I read this somewhat rambling post to K before hitting publish, as there are *obviously* a multitude of thoughts swirling in my head right now. His invaluable feedback? I needed to add more about how awesome he is. So, there’s that. 😂