Reality Daydream

The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

DIY Scroll Saw Family Silhouette Sign

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Hello hello friends! Things have been wild as we've been navigating the holiday season, schedules, shopping, baking, and making DIY Christmas gifts... but it's all so fun! I will readily admit, however, that I'm also looking forward to the nothingness that January brings. What a stark contrast! Anyway! Today I'm going to share a handmade gift idea that's perfect for that person that seems to ... [ Read More ]

Squashing Kids’ Nighttime Fears

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For about 6 months now, our youngest (Cypress - 7) has been struggling with overwhelming night time fears. She's scared of allllll the things. She's pretty sure there are monsters under her bed, bad guys that will break through her windows and kidnap her, and that bats will fly around her room and poop in her mouth and she will be Patient A of the next global pandemic. In her defense, our kids ... [ Read More ]

Banquette L-Shaped Bench Tutorial – with free building plans!

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Our very best friends moved away to Tennessee, but we still find reasons to visit (and be visited by them) several times a year. So when Katie invited me to come help her build some banquette seating in her dining room, I immediately started plotting to make this happen. It's such a perfect spot for an L-shaped banquette bench! *This post is sponsored by our friends at National Hardware! ... [ Read More ]

Wooden Centerpiece Tray Tutorial

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I have a fun and easy building project for you! And while I do end up decorating it to be fall-themed, it can be used to decorate for any holiday or season! But if you're here because you love the fall look, I have some other fall-themed projects for you too check out too. Today we're going to build a long/narrow "tray' of sorts, to use as a centerpiece on your dining table! Unfortunately this ... [ Read More ]

Veggie Garden Update (and why we love our weed trimmer!)

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If you follow our adventures on Instagram (we're @RealityDaydream!), you know we pulled the trigger on raised garden beds this year! This isn't our first rodeo with vegetable gardening, but we also aren't pros. We always learn new things! This pic was taken at the beginning of the summer. *This post is sponsored by our friends at STIHL! Thank you for supporting the brands that make Reality ... [ Read More ]

Nesting Cutting Board Tutorial (with a bonus project!)

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Have you seen those 'nesting' cutting boards where the two cutting boards fit together like a glove and look like they're embracing? I fell in love with this idea, and decided to make my own version of these nesting cutting board for my friend Katie's birthday! Since we have a ton of wood scraps lying around the wood shop, it wasn't too hard to find some pieces that would work for this project. ... [ Read More ]

Garden Bed Redefining

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We're always in awe of how spending a little extra time redefining our garden beds elevates our curb appeal SO MUCH! We're going to take you through the process today, and show you just how fun and satisfying it really is! *This post is sponsored by our friends at STIHL. Thank you for supporting the fabulous brands that make Reality Daydream possible!* We've chosen to have a rounded, ... [ Read More ]

How to Apply Wood Veneer

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If you follow us on the 'gram, you know I've been stripping the finish off this old desk to make it a lighter wood, and contrast the dark wood of the library walls, where it will live! Initially, that was all I was going to do to the desk. But as I got further into it, the more I wanted this desk to be perfect! And those gaping cracks on the top of the desk surface just weren't going to cut it. I ... [ Read More ]

Stripping an Old Stained Desk

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We love the original wood of our library, and wanted to find a desk that would not only be old/antique, but also be a light wood that would contrast the dark wood of the library. I knew this would mean that whatever old desk we find would need to be stripped, and I was excited to try Natalie from Vintage Porch's stripping technique of using oven cleaner "Easy Off". She also sometimes uses this ... [ Read More ]

When to Hire a Contractor (and when not to)

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This feels like an age-old question for anyone that's a homeowner. When should we hire a contractor? And in what situation should we DIY? There's a lot to unpack here! But there's also no right or wrong answer. So today we're going to talk it out with you, and help you determine what the best choice is for your particular project! *This post is sponsored by our friends at Ferguson, who ... [ Read More ]

Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.