Reader of the Month: Meet Zovesta!

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Every month I like to take a moment to give thanks to the people that make this blog successful and it’s called “Reader of the Month.”

Some people measure success by the number of page views a blog gets. And while that’s important, I also judge the success of this blog by the number of people who leave thoughtful, genuine comments.

It’s about the people who stick around and keep coming back again and again, sometimes for years!

I also judge the success of this blog by the loyal folks who actually take the time to read my posts.

They’re excruciatingly long, I’ll admit! HA!

But that’s because I have so much to say and so much for you to understand, and sometimes that can’t be conveyed in 500 words. LOL

My readers mean everything to me, so I think to take a moment to feature my favorite reader of the month!

This month I chose Zovesta because she has been a loyal reader for about a year. I have no idea where she found me, but I’m glad she did. She leaves such great comments on my posts and I always look forward to hearing from her!

You won’t believe how amazing she is. Keep reading to find out!

Where Do You Live?

“I live out in the country in southern Iowa, where the nearest Walmart or Menards/Lowe’s/Home Depot is nearly an hour away and my closest neighbors are cornfields. Fortunately, we do have a small hardware store ten minutes away that I only discovered a few weeks ago!”

 

How long have you been thrift diving and loving junk? Share with us your earliest memories of thrift stores and how you learned to love them.

“Hmm, that’s hard. I’ve been shopping at thrift stores my whole life. We’ve never been a wealthy family, so all of our home furnishings and clothes have come from the ‘big name’ thrift stores: Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul mostly, as we all find Goodwill too expensive!

When I was maybe 11, we went to a local thrift store that was about as big as a large living room, painted a very dated warm tan, with dim lighting and narrow aisles you could barely squeeze through, and tall shelves stuffed with ceramic decorations. It had mostly knick knacks and old magazines (some dating from the 1940s and earlier). It’s since gone out of business, but I remember it having an almost dream-like quality. That was my first impression of a thrift store as a treasure trove rather than just another boring store, and I’ve been in love with all thrift stores since!”

 

What’s your most prized possession you ever bought from the thrift store?

“Heh, probably my ‘Star Trek’ dress, which is a sort of black minidress with a high collar and long, billowy, sheer sleeves. It looks just like something someone from the original Star Trek series would wear, hence why I started calling it that!

For furniture, though, I’m very fond of this 1960s dresser I found. I think it was 1964? I still have the original tag around someplace. I picked it out maybe 3 or more years ago and fell in love instantly. Although we saw a lot of other dressers at the thrift stores, this was the one I absolutely insisted on and wouldn’t budge. I don’t remember it costing a lot–maybe $40–and it was in great condition, a giant at about four feet across, with a sort of greige laminate all over it, and one stuck drawer. I ended up painting it and fixing the drawer, so now it serves as storage for my makeup, bathroom supplies, underwear, out of season clothes, etc.

BEFORE

AFTER!

 

What’s the most expensive thing you ever bought from the thrift store?

I’m pretty sure the aforementioned dresser was the only thing I’ve brought home from the thrift store that’s cost more than $30. 🙂

 

What’s the DIY or craft project of which you’re most proud?

“Depends. I did a down-to-the-studs remodel of my bedroom (which also served as the storage room), finishing up just earlier this year, which is easily the project I’ve been most proud of!

I ripped down the old, uninsulated plaster and lathe, put in new insulation, put up new drywall, insulated the pipes (the shower was sitting free right in my bedroom, a wall had never been put up to cover it, so I did!), put down a hardboard subfloor to help level the uneven floors, leveled my floor with concrete, cut plywood into planks and installed that as a floor, repaired my rotted windowsill and leaking window, installed trim, and then built a platform bed. 🙂

It was a pretty big project for someone who had never done anything more with a hammer than put up a picture!”

BEFORE

 

 

AFTER!

 

 

BEFORE

 

AFTER!

 

 

 

 

“But, if you mean an individual project… probably this little light I built. It’s one of the simplest things out there, nothing fancy, but I am very proud of it since I didn’t rely on any plans, I just saw a light I liked online and tried to build one like it. It’s not professional, and it’s not perfect, but I like it.”

 

Why do you like reading Thrift Diving and how long have you been reading? What are your favorite types of posts or projects on the blog?

“About a year, but I could be a bit off. I’ve been hooked on Thrift Diving ever since I started reading it! I love Serena’s enthusiasm and friendly tone that comes out in every post, and I love the dedication to making her blog quality. Most of all, I love how she shares what she learns and teaches new skills and tips all the time!

I follow a few dozen blogs, but skim through most of them because the content seems so fluffy and superficial–I always set aside time to read Thrift Diving because I know there will be content with substance!

I just finished a light remodel of the living room, and followed Serena’s tutorial on patching drywall to patch five large gaps. 🙂 I think my favorite posts are the reno [renovation] tutorials, but I’m really enjoying the woodworking series she’s doing now. I’ll eat up any post that’s about an ‘intimidating’ subject like plumbing, drywall, electrical, concrete, woodworking, power tools, etc!”

What other DIY blogs do you like to read? Are there other blogs that you love to read outside of the DIY niche?

“Like I said, I follow a few dozen blogs, but for most of the DIY ones I just skim and look at the pictures. The few I really set aside time to read are:

Outside of the DIY sphere, my favorite “blogs” are:

 

What DIY or crafting tips do you have for others?

  • “Three tips: There are few traits as self-destructive as impulsiveness. Instead of spending a weekend trying to fix a project you’re knee deep in, spend an hour learning what to do, how to do it exactly, and if it’s the best option available! You can never know too much.
  • Second: Perfectionism will paralyze you. Just do your best and learn what you can from each project. Sometimes our best isn’t perfect, and that’s OK.
  • And finally: Don’t get futzed up over details. It’s easy to see a plethora of gorgeous homes and fun crafts on Pinterest, to the point where you feel like every single thing in your home needs to be handcrafted to perfection, and every surface must be covered. Step back, look at your home, and squint your eyes. Focus on the big picture! You don’t need a mantle setting for each season, but you do need a solid roof, windows that aren’t rotted, insulated walls, doors that work, and some sort of flooring. If you’re worried about not having a handmade wreath while you ignore a faulty and dangerous outlet, you’re not prioritizing right. Sometimes you just need to live in your house and let it be a house, not a photo prop.”

 

Serena’s Thoughts on Zovesta….

Okay, I don’t know about you, but I’m blown away by Zovesta! The fact that she has never done any major DIY, but yet somehow taught herself how to gut her bedroom and turn it into a gorgeous, pink Retro room that makes my heart happy, is downright amazing! Hats off to you, Zovesta! Keep going, girl.

And her wise DIY advice about prioritizing what needs to be done in your home is sooooo true! I have been making this mistake myself. I’m pretty sure there are some bigger fish to fry in my home than what I have been working on. This might be a good topic for an upcoming post about figuring out what’s priority in your home. Thanks for that valuable advice, Zovesta!

 

I Sent Zovesta My Famous “Fred Sanford” Tee-Shirt!

For each reader that I feature, I like to send them a little “Thank You” gift for taking the time to give such thoughtful answers for their feature. I’m sending Zovesta one of my Thrift Diving “I Love Junk More Than Fred Sanford” tees! 🙂

If you’d like to pick up your own, you can click here to find your favorite size and color!

 


 

 

Catch Up on Past Readers of the Month

Thanks for joining me for this month’s Reader of the Month here at Thrift Diving!

 

 

 

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25 Comments

  1. Pamela Allen says:

    Zovesta, Honey, you hit the nail on the head, if you were going for old Hollywood Glamor. The beautiful pictures from the 40′ and 50’s was the icing on the cake. Wow! Is all I’m saying!!

  2. I thought Serena was just being her lovely kind self and flattering you Zovesta……..until I saw your before and after pics. Wow! I’m very impressed and think you were very brave to have a go yourself. The outcome is a sweet lovely young lady’s room- not in the least tacky!
    Regards
    Jo in Western Australia

    1. HAHA, Jo! Nope, I was being totally genuine, for sure! I am impressed with Zovesta’s bravery for tackling a project she knew nothing about and taught herself how to do it! She’s my hero!!

  3. Zovesta, what a great post you have. I also read Serena for some of your same reasons. What good advice you gave too on your 3 points. You made me feel better about my chairs I redid but wasn’t that happy but I learned a lot. You did a great job!

  4. Sherry Stuifbergen says:

    Congratulations on a job well done! I think your room is really appealing. I love pink/green combos. Just can’t say enough how you took it down to the studs and worked your room back. That takes lots of courage and guts. Yes, Serena’s blog offers much down-to-earth goodness for people like Zovesta. Your work paid off. I also liked the fact that you shopped at thrift shops….. getting “bang” for your buck. Such good sense.

    1. I agree, Sherry! Her room is amazing! She actually epitomizes who this blog is for: people that don’t have the skill but have the ambition and confidence to try! It’s about learning something new, going outside of your comfort zone, and going for it, despite the fear of the unknown! Love it!

  5. Omgosh!! Thanks so much Serena!! I’m so flattered, this definitely made my weekend to see up! 😀 I can’t wait to wear the t-shirt, too, I’ll make everyone at our local home improvement store so jealous. 😉
    Looking back, I’m not sure how I even got myself started on the idea of fixing up the room, I think I just got fed up with it. The before pictures don’t show it, but the room was BRIGHT aqua mint on one side and bright pink on the other, and the far wall was wood paneling (/you know/ the one… the deer hunting one every home in the ’70s had). It was enough to drive any woman mad! Maybe temporary insanity led me to first studying remodeling. 😀 (Didn’t stop me from keeping the mint and pink color scheme, apparently, or maybe my room is just haunted) I personally believe we can learn anything, the only thing stopping us is ourselves.
    Actually, looking back, I remember finding your blog waay back, like right after I moved the furniture out in that “before” photo (which would mean… egads… January of last year). I was sitting on the subfloor and looking up google images for “chalk paint tutorial”, and there it was! It was some sort of chalk painted dresser, then I looked around at your various upcycles and projects. I love how much this blog has already grown. 😀 Not many blogs have stepped out of the chalk paint niche, and I’m glad you’ve continued to explore what else furniture finishing has to offer!

    1. HAHA, your haunted bedroom! Maybe it just knew that that was your color scheme. 🙂 Anyhow, I was saying in another comment that you epitomize what this blog is all about: people that don’t have the skill, but have a zest for learning how to do it and the confidence to at least try. That is how I am: didn’t have the skill….maybe STILL not have a skill….but not afraid to try. My mission is that one day, everyone will have the skill and confidence to tackle any DIY project their heart desires. And you fulfill that mission and desire for what this blog is about! So I was so happy to hear that you are so driven to learn and grow.

      Awww….thanks for recognizing that my blog has grown since you started following me! I really never thought I would look at a piece of furniture and think, “OMG, I’ve got to strip that!” lol. But it happens more now and I just go with the flow, learning as I go. I think painting furniture is fun and still relevant. But for myself, who would like to become a master refinisher and builder, it’s so much more than paint. It’s about knowing how to paint, but also knowing how to strip and create a beautiful finish on a piece that previously looked beat up. Restoring it and seeing what it can become. It’s such a drive that I have! And I think I owe it all to building that vanity. A new appreciation for wood was born when I saw how much work and COST went into wood! LOL

      Anyhow, I could ramble all day. LOL.

      Thanks, Zovesta!

  6. WOW! Taking a room down to the studs without having done anything like this is crazy, a it turned out so beautifully! Thanks for sharing this. She is far braver than I am. I find both you ladies inspirational.

    Thank you for the tutorials Serena. I am a beginner and they are really helping me.

  7. Great job on the renovation Zovesta. You have a great eye for design. Thanks for sharing your insights!

    Becca

  8. Thumbs up for Zovesta – indeed amazing job on her room and amazing, down-to-hearth advice.

  9. Love the bedroom remodel Zovesta! Looks so pretty.

  10. Zovesta did a fabulous job. We just remodeled the 4 bedrooms and hallways upstairs. Total gut and rebuild. It turned out fabulous. Still have some finish work to do. Crown moldings etc. So I am aware of all the labor this young lady did. Hats off to you. I love how you decorated it too. Good eye for details. Lots of talent. You deserve to give yourself a good hearty pat on the back.

    1. Thanks so much, Joyce! That sounds like a heck of a job, major props to you for doing it!! A 4 bedroom house sounds like a giant. Were you changing the floor plan? (Heh, I’m 20 now, do I still count as a young lady, or have I just become a lady? 😉 )

      Thanks to everyone for the positive response, I was sure most people found my style tacky, LOL.

      1. Your style is most definitely NOT tacky! It’s beautiful and it’s YOU. I was just thinking about this the other day, that many of our homes don’t show any real personality. Like, if you walk into my home, you probably wouldn’t know much about me. There’s nothing that screams, “OMG, this is Serena’s house!” I don’t think my house has enough of my personality yet. I went to a friend’s how recently and their house was the same–no personality. Your home has personality! It shows who you are, what you love, and that you love mint and pink! Even your look with those cute red lips, fits right into what your room says about you. So, tacky?? Definitely not!!

      2. Joyce Terra says:

        I certainly do not think it is tacky. We all decorate to who we are. It might not be to someone else’s taste but that is okay. There are a lot of home decorating ideas out there and I can see how beautiful they are bit not my taste. I learn something from them all. I may not, for example, like the red theme but in my mind I am substituting blues or greens and then the arrangement is my taste. So always go with what sings for you. And ,lol, you are young and definately a lady.

    2. Hey there, Joyce! I wish I could have been a fly on the wall watching Zovesta doing all those projects in her room! It would be fun to see how a novice tackles the unknown of that caliber! However she did it, she did it well, with ambition, and with just enough common sense to not get tangled up in all the perfectionism. 🙂 Thanks for commenting!

      1. Joyce Terra says:

        I agree Serena. Lol she would have had two flies on her wall. So fun to see the steps she took.

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