Kate Keesee DIYer Extraordinaire

If like me, you dabble in DIY and wish you could do more, then this lady is one to follow. Kate Keesee @salvagedioris a self-taught builder and DIYer extraordinaire and her blog and Instagram feed are full of the most amazing inspiration and projects to try out. She is also a Home Depot Partner.

But she takes it a step further than most of us could hope to, you see Kate built her own dining room table, sliding door, reclaimed wooden panels, and made over her kitchen for $300, with items thrifted from goodwill and if you want inspiration on "how to" on a tight budget, then look no further. You can find her blog through the learn more button below.

As well as some fabulous interiors shots, of a rustic, vintage boho home, there is a little bit in the post about how Kate achieved her looks. Naturally with products from home depot, but you can find similar in the UK at Homebase if you fancy trying your hand at something. I know she's re-inspired me to do more furniture renovation. I have my sanding block and nitromors ready to go.

Go enjoy a truly unique home!

A stunning rug against dark blue walls.

"My style is defined as a mixture of rustic coastal with industrial elements. I love clean straight lines and I am usually drawn to more masculine pieces.  I share my passion for curb side rescues and DIY home decor through blogging." says Kate.

@decor_to_door. reclaimed wood tray, lucky wish bone and ivory bone photo frame have completed this styled look.

"I love my thrifted non matchy home that has no rhyme or reason other than I love it"

the most recent makeover, Kate has just added this wallpaper to her room.

Hi, I'm Kate Keesee,

I've been a thrifter for 26 years. My passion for DIY came from years of being a single mom and creating a home for my children with little money. 

I'm self-taught as a builder and have been doing faux finishes with wood and furniture for years. 

I started my blog in 2009 way before Pinterest and Instagram were a hot ticket. I really love to inspire women everywhere to have the home they dream of on a budget. 

I was diagnosed with Lupus 10 years ago and this helps me feel alive and fight this disease. I also survived a stroke in 2015 so truly this work has been my saving grace.

Kate x

Kate Keesee @salvagedior

"When I built this table from rescued wood I never imagined how much love would gather around it. feels like home to my heart forever." says Kate

The cabinet in the corner is my food prep station. It was gifted to me from my neighbour out of his garage. I painted it Chalk Black and spray painted the hardware using Metallic Gold Rustoleum both paints from @homedepot. I worked to create a warm finish on the old wood top using 120 grit on my hand sander and wood wax. I also installed an electrical strip bar underneath the wood so that I can plug in kitchen items when I'm cooking a large meal. The rustic style table I built from all rescued wood that also was free. I dry brushed a paint stain finish on top to give it warmth. The chairs are mis-matched yard sale finds. All of my wall hangings and baskets are thrift store items. I also drill holes through old wood bowls that I find while out thrifting to use for my planets. It's was actually less expensive than purchasing pots.

This entire kitchen is thrifted from @ocgoodwill including the hanging light pendant. Our home was built in the 1950's so it has good solid bones. As part of my $300-dollar makeover of this kitchen, I wanted to keep some of the original cabinet work so I removed the doors and the scalloped wood trim. I painted the bottom half of the cabinets Blue Moon Bay by Vista Paints. All of my hardware is from @homedepot. I sprayed hinges, knobs and drawer pulls using their Metallic Gold rustoleum brand.

"Ever since I painted my kitchen tile and counter tops cooking is a joy again. It feels so fresh and inviting even in its 10 x 12 glory. I used @homedepot Homax tile paint kit and I could not be more pleased with the outcome it gave my thirty-year-old tile. 
I used Gold Rustoleum spray paint on my cabinet hardware" says Kate. "I recently added a reclaimed wood backing to a few shelves to break up the white."

I built a faux wood door to balance my sliding wood door that I did for my @homedepot_crownbolt@homedepot project. I love the new way it changes the look of the room. 
Everbilt Oil Rubbed Tracking Unit and vintage style hardware @homedepot_crownbolt @homedepot
Textiles, leather pillow and basket @ocgoodwill .

This piece (above and below) needed some real love. A lot of sanding, pulling out old nails and then to work on the finish. I used a paint stain combo of Grey and Black for the top of this old work bench. On the exterior I used Expresso stain from @homedepot. As I stated I never use brushes to apply my stains I use old bath towel squares. I have done this technique for years and it has yet to fail me.

Vintage furniture against ethnic art and cushions

@ecuadane beautiful Inca textile blankets, over Kate's handmade rustic table.

When a 2 dollar thrifted Navajo handbag becomes a pillow! Kate's bedroom features more reclaimed wood for a lovely rustic feel.

Kate's handmade kitchen prep station from reclaimed wood that she found and got for free.

The Girl with The Green Sofa