Get to Know Jennifer Bridgman

A combination of sticker shock and the desire to learn how to do home improvements myself. I started getting quotes for cosmetic upgrades around my first house and thought I must be able to figure it out myself for way less cost out of pocket. And from there I was hooked.

Easy interior home repairs and upgrades (changing out hardware, painting, repairing things that get damaged). I’m also always shifting furniture and objects around my house to change up the feel in different rooms or to suit my tastes as they evolve.

For many years I maintained an active blog presence with tutorials on various types of home improvement and decorating projects. I’ve been more active on Instagram than my blog lately but I may circle back to it sometime soon, you never know!

I built raised garden beds last spring and had mixed success my first summer as a backyard gardener. I’m looking forward to trying again this year and working on my green thumb.

There is always, literally always, a project going on in the background of my life. I’m planning on adding box molding and some wallpaper to my entryway, which is what’s up next. I’m also starting to plan the finishing of a third floor room in my house to be a mixed exercise space and sleepover room for my daughters.

Power drill/screwdriver, cordless nail gun, sliding miter saw.

Power drill, allen wrench set, hand held screwdrivers (Phillips head, flat head, and a small flat head), needle nose pliers, step ladder, hammer.

Driving my daughters around, cooking, reading, skiing, walking my dog.

I’ve met (or just follow) so many creative makers through my time blogging who inspire me daily – Shavonda Gardner, Julia Marcum, Gwen Hefner, Julia Konya, Shannon Claire, and Cass Smith are a few who come right to mind.

It’s a silly small thing but years ago, when my daughter was in early elementary she had a friend over. I’d been working on a project and my miter saw was in the middle of the garage. The friend said, “Oh, is that your dad’s saw?” And my daughter laughed and said, “Haha! No, it’s my mom’s.” And I loved so much that it was the most normal thing in the world for her to say that. I love feeling like my daughters will grow up feeling like fixing things or making things themselves is normal and achievable and natural.

1. Just go for it. You can do it. For sure. Just believing you can is the biggest hurdle most of the time.
2. Take the time to educate yourself first though. There are so many resources out there and can give you a starting point as well as help you to avoid making small mistakes along the way.
3. But also, mistakes are totally normal and don’t mean you can’t do it! Don’t take mistakes as a failure, take them as part of your DIY learning. Regroup and try again!