Transforming our Victorian fixer-upper into our dream home

One DIY at a time
WELCOME TO

Dr. DIY

I’m Rebecca, and I’m so happy you’re here! I am the creative force behind Dr. DIY: your go-to blog for thrifty home renovations. I am a wife, mom and full-time working musician and I spend my spare time renovating our 4,000 square foot Victorian home built in 1900 on a budget. I am passionate about showcasing how vintage charm and expensive taste can intersect beautifully, all while keeping the costs low! I also love thrifted gift-giving, and giving back to my community in a big way, by helping create beautiful homes for refugee families resettling here in Baltimore, Maryland.

Join me as I dive into the world of thrift home renovations, where I will share tips, tricks and tutorials on everything from repurposing thrifted treasures to preserving historical features. Together, let’s discover that with some creativity and resourcefulness, you can transform any space into a sanctuary- all while staying within budget.

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Interior DIY
Exterior DIY
thrifted and styled

Furniture

Transforming thrifted furniture into stylish pieces for your home is both rewarding and budget-friendly. By scouring thrift stores, flea markets, and online marketplaces, you can discover hidden gems waiting to be revitalized. With a little creativity and DIY know-how, outdated pieces can be given new life.

Whether it’s a vintage dresser turned chic media console or a worn-out table transformed into a trendy statement piece, repurposing thrifted furniture adds character and uniqueness to your space while saving you money. Embrace the thrill of the hunt and unleash your creativity to make your home truly one-of-a-kind.

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Kid’s Spaces

I love transforming both indoor and outdoor spaces into imaginative wonderlands for my kids. Indoors, simple furniture rearrangements and playful decor additions can turn any room into a whimsical haven for imaginative play and learning.

Whether it’s crafting a cozy reading nook with repurposed pallets or creating a sensory corner with DIY sensory bins, the possibilities are endless. Outdoors, I embrace the challenge of repurposing materials into imaginative play structures that ignite my children’s sense of adventure. Every project becomes an opportunity to foster creativity and make lasting memories in our home.

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Thrifted and Gifted

Turning thrifted treasures into heartfelt gifts is a passion of mine, as it allows me to infuse personal meaning into every present. Whether it’s scouring vintage shops for unique trinkets or repurposing forgotten items, each find holds the potential to become a cherished keepsake for someone I love.

With a touch of creativity and DIY flair, I transform these thrifted gems into one-of-a-kind gifts. From hand-picked coffee table books, to custom photo frames adorned with reclaimed materials, each creation is imbued with thoughtfulness and care. By repurposing thrifted items, I not only breathe new life into forgotten pieces, but also create meaningful connections through the art of gift-giving.

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“Every artist was first an amateur.”
ralph waldo emerson
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