Interview with Amanda Hendrix
Photos courtesy of Amanda Hendrix

When Amanda Hendrix, creator of the blog Love and Renovations, bought her first home more than a decade ago, she was wary of power tools.

Now that she’s moved into what she hopes will be her forever home in Austin, Texas, she uses them all the time to renovate and customize it—and loves sharing her decorating and do-it-yourself tips with other homeowners.

How would you describe your decorating style?

It’s hard to label it, but I’d call it modern traditional. I like having a lot of classic elements in my home, such as moldings, wallpaper, prints, and patterns, but I prefer to use them in a modern way. A great example is how my husband, Corey, and I decorated our primary bedroom. We have traditional picture molding on our walls, but we’ve painted it a dark, almost black navy, and it adds a bit of unexpected color to the room. I like playing with various decorating styles; I think a home feels more dynamic when they are mixed.

What kind of look do you try to create in your home?

I want it to be beautiful and a place where we can live comfortably. We have kids, and all my friends have kids, so there are children in my house constantly. That’s why I like to use easy-to-clean fabrics. For example, it’s always been a priority for me to have a couch where I can remove the cushion covers and wash them because I know they’re going to get disgusting. I also look for surfaces that can easily be wiped off. Our coffee table is a good example; it’s made of white concrete, which is much easier to maintain than wood.

How did you first begin working with power tools?

I’ve always loved fixing up my home and updating it, but when Corey and I were in our first house, I left anything that required power tools to him. I didn’t touch any until I was in my late twenties; I was terrified of them. Eventually, I decided I should be able to complete DIY projects around the house myself, so I started learning how to work with power tools one at a time. I began by asking him to walk me through how to use them. Now I’ve built more things for our home than he has.

What was your first woodworking project?

A miter saw was the very first tool I learned how to use. To get some practice with it, I made a geometric wood wall hanging since I knew I wasn’t ready to assemble furniture yet. I cut all the pieces of wood and glued them onto a piece of plywood. It turned out beautifully, and it was cool to see that I could create something intricate like that.

What basic power tools should every DIYer should have?

They should own a drill and a driver set, which will allow them to hang things on walls and put furniture together; my drill is one of my most-used tools. It’s also a very easy power tool to get started with since it’s much less intimidating than others. A handheld circular saw is also good to start out with because it’s very versatile. It can be used to cut large or small pieces of wood and is handy for many projects. It might also be helpful to have a miter saw if you want to make angled cuts or cut down two-by-fours or standard lumber.

How can a beginner learn how to use power tools?

Before working with power tools, they should research how to use them properly. I have a few tutorials on my website they could use, and there are other online guides available too. Then it’s just a matter of giving the tools a try. The biggest hurdle that prevents most people from completing a do-it-yourself project is a fear of messing up; however, it’s imperative to push through that worry. There are going to be mistakes—they’re just part of the learning process.

Which home renovations are your favorites?

I love how my son Grant’s room turned out. I hung plaid wallpaper on the top halves of the walls and added wood trim to the bottom halves. Then my husband and I modified a few IKEA Billy bookcases to make them look like built-ins; they add so much storage to the room. We painted the bookcases, the ceiling, and the walls a rich green to match the wallpaper and give the room a very cozy feel; plus, the bright-yellow dresser really pops against the walls.

I also love our primary bedroom. It’s a calm space. In addition to the very dark navy-blue walls, we have white bedding, a lot of wood accents, a cozy leather chair, a big gold mirror, and several potted plants. I think having greenery in a room makes it feel alive; even adding some faux plants can greatly improve a space.

Which DIY project are you proudest of?

If I had to choose one, it’d have to say the playhouse shaped like a vintage camper that I built for my kids in our backyard. It was a massive undertaking. I created my own plans, which were inspired by a similar camper my kids really liked at a children’s museum. It took me two weeks of hard work to complete it. Inside there’s a bench, a fabric swing, a little table, and a play kitchen. Nothing in the playhouse is permanent, so we can change it as the kids grow. I’m happy with the finished product—it’s the biggest project I’ve ever completed.

For more info, visit loveandrenovations.com