Top Ten Construction Sites

We all have them: our go-to sites. The blogs we relentlessly stalk on a daily basis. Places for inspiration, design ideas, a new recipe, or just a laugh. If you’re one of mine, you know who you are, because I like to leave a little love here and there, so you’ve ended up with the rambling thoughts of the middle aged redhead splotching your blog and confusing your other virtual friends.

It’s okay. I’ve been confusing people professionally for years. As my daughter says, "We're scaring The Normals, Mom."

But we all like to discover new territory right? Young House Love and Bower Power, while still amazing and on the daily must-stalk list, can't do 20 projects a day. You need MORE.

It occurred to me, as I added a new blog to my spreadsheet, that maybe I should share some of the nifty people I always check in with before starting certain categories of projects. And this will be a cinch for me to do, because they are, after all, on their own tabs on this sheet. (What? I told you I’m an organization freak. You didn’t believe me? Don’t let my house right now fool you.)

So without further ado, here are the Top Ten Blogs I Check Before Knocking Out a Wall or Firing Up the Circular Saw.

Yeah, that’s why I shortened it on the blog post title.

This Fresh Fossil - I drop in on these guys like they’re my neighbors. They have no fear. Their claim to fame right now on the blogosphere is for unearthing a buried patio. I’m serious!

Life at the Chateau Whitman - These two are in the middle of finishing their basement- from dark and dank to a hip family hangout. Go learn how to lay flooring, I dare you!

Pregnant with Power Tools - Be afraid. Her power tool tutorials alone are worth the jump, but do not miss how-to’s on wiring and furniture making.

Tearing Up Houses - Kelly actually buys and remodels houses for a living, so there’s lots of great ideas, along with some funny personal stuff and dogs dressed in thongs.

The Flipping Couple - Cindy recently outted Nick as a landscape professional. Yeah, like we couldn’t tell. They also like to rip out walls in their spare time.

Remodelaholic - The name says it all. They also feature great projects from other remodelers, like a green house built out of free salvaged windows. No, I’m not kidding!

Hip House Girl - A house with good bones and a woman with tools. She’s not afraid to rip out and dive in. My latest favorite is a basket cubby at the end of her kitchen.

A Date with Design - She just did a hardwood floor with an orbital sander. And that’s the tip of the iceberg.

One Handy Chick - In between furniture redos, Cece rips out cabinets and knocks down brick walls. While chasing a two year old. I’m impressed.

Potholes and Pantyhose - Looking for intensive marital bonding time? Remodel together. You will learn more about each other than you may want to know. This chick is a maniac! My favorite project of hers involves making hip side table out of a tree trunk with a chain saw.