Three years ago, if you had told me that my husband, our two dogs, and I would be embarking on a journey to uproot our life in the heart of Indianapolis, Indiana, and transplant ourselves to the quaint city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, I would have dismissed it as an implausible notion. Yet, life has a way of surprising us in the most unexpected ways. Little did we know that shortly after our move, the world would be plunged into the depths of a global pandemic. In what can only be described as a series of unfortunate events, the housing market decided to take a nosedive just as we were attempting to settle into our new life in Eau Claire. The prospect of buying our own house seemed like an elusive dream, as we submitted offer after offer, only to be met with rejection or outbidding by others. Finally, 9 offers later we had a home!

Now, you may have noticed that I refrained from labeling our new abode as our “dream house.” This choice of words was entirely deliberate. As our home came with its fair share of quirks and idiosyncrasies. There was the infamous “pink room,” aptly named for its Pepto-Bismol-inspired pink walls, a sight that could leave anyone feeling a bit queasy. Alongside the pink room, there was also a “blue room” and an ominously unfinished basement that beckoned for our attention.

Our first order of business was the notorious pink room. It quickly became clear that a transformation was in order. Armed with paint swatches and a determination to banish the vibrant pink, we embarked on a quest for the perfect shade. After scouring Menards and countless hours of browsing Amazon, Wayfair, Homegoods, and local furniture stores, I’m delighted to report that the pink walls were replaced with a soothing off-white hue known as “tender cloud,” and the room blossomed into a welcoming guest retreat.

However, the pièce de résistance of our home-improvement saga is our unfinished basement. For two years, it sat in a state of limbo, a casualty of our procrastination and a lack of a clear game plan. But we were not ones to shy away from a challenge. Armed with an abundance of Pinterest inspiration and a multitude of Google searches, we finally concocted a vision for our basement—a haven for hosting gatherings and creating cherished memories with friends and family.

Our grand renovation adventure commenced with the daunting task of addressing the floors and walls. Thanks to the unwavering support of my brother and dad, what initially appeared to be an insurmountable challenge was conquered in a matter of weeks. With these foundational elements in place, our basement was one step closer to becoming the ultimate hangout space.

The next phase of our endeavor was a tad more intricate—the wet bar. I’ve often been accused of having a “champagne taste on a beer budget,” and this project was no exception. Undaunted by the task at hand, I eagerly accepted the challenge. Collaborating with my brother and aided by the guidance of a helpful employee at Menards, we devised a plan for the bar that was both elegant and budget-friendly. Three weeks later, the necessary supplies were procured, and my brother and husband embarked on a two-week odyssey to bring our bar to life.

With the practical aspects of our basement renovation well in hand, the time had come for the most enjoyable part—decorating. My passion for interior design was unleashed once more as I scoured Amazon, Wayfair, and Homegoods in search of the perfect furnishings to complete our vision. As of just last week, our basement boasts a cozy couch, a stylish rug, and a sleek TV stand. The pieces of the puzzle are falling into place, and the transformation is nothing short of remarkable. While our home may not have started as our “dream” house, it’s gradually evolving into a place where our dreams take shape. The challenge of transforming this space into a reflection of our tastes and personality is incredibly gratifying. Witnessing the countless hours of labor, the endless shopping expeditions, and the imaginative ideas that materialize into reality is what makes this entire process worthwhile. In due time, our humble abode will indeed become the home of our dreams, and we couldn’t be more excited about the journey ahead.