Designer and the Dude

13/02/2022

13/02/2022

02/11/2021

Why do you travel?

Are you traveling to visit a loved one?
Or to get away from every day life?
Or to experience something unique?

We usually travel to experience something unique, and to get away from our everyday lives.

For those of you who don't already know, we are the Designer and the Dude - we are home remodelers!

So when we travel we are often going somewhere unique that we haven't been before to get away from the dust of construction, and to be able to sleep in without waking up to the sound of hammering.

But we also don't sit still for longer than a massage will last, so we also like to book places that are close to the action, to get that new experience in.

So why do you travel? What's important to you?

01/11/2021

What is the first thing you look for when looking for a hotel?
For us, we have a list of priorities...

1. Style - If it's not fun to look at, why would I want to see myself there?

2. Location - we like to be close to the local attractions. We don't usually travel to visit friends or family, we travel to go on vacation, and experience the culture around us. So we want to be close to the action, but also far enough away that we can sleep at night.

3. Reviews- If the style and location pass our test, then we read through the reviews. Hotel reviews are one of the easiest way to get an honest look at what it is like to stay at these hotels.

01/10/2021

Who am I? I am The Dude.

I'm a mid-west guy who has always been interested in construction, and as a self taught handy man. I enjoy making how-to videos and showing my tricks of the trade, while teaching other people like me how to accomplish their dream home using their own skills.

I love to travel, but I don't love to fly. I have seen almost all of the States. One of my favorite things to do when traveling is try local food, and listen to live bands. You can often find me at the hotel lobby bar, striking up a conversation with the locals to get the scoop on the hottest spots from their own experiences.

30/09/2021

Sitting down to dinner, I think about all the amazing places I have been, but mostly, I think about all the delicious food I have eaten. There just isn't anything like a good authentic Mexican meal from Mexico, or Italian meal from Italy, or a southern meal from the South. It makes me drool just thinking about it. Where would you go to right now, if you could? What would you eat?

29/09/2021

So who am I? Well, I'm the Designer.

I'm a California native, certified interior designer, dog lover, self proclaimed foodie, artist, with a love for history.

I love to travel and have been to just over 23 different countries. And one of her favorite things to do when traveling is to learn about the local history, so you can often find me in museums or in one of those whacky tour buses around town, trying to soak up as much knowledge of a place as I can.

28/09/2021

When packing for your vacation, where do you usually start? Is it with that new outfit you just purchased? Or maybe with your favorite go-to comfortable clothes?

27/09/2021

One of the best things about renting a home for your next vacation is the kitchen. Especially if you love to cook, and if you are going to be meeting up with friends or family, it's a great way to enjoy a new place, but still get the same comforters of home.

26/09/2021

Whenever we pick a hotel to stay at, we usually look first to see if they have a restaurant. Why? Well if you've just had a long day of traveling, your not likely going to want to then get in the car and travel yet again to your next location, unless it's nearby. And you can't get much closer than a restaurant in a lobby!
It's also a great place to meet new people, who are also staying in the same hotel, and a great place to grab a drink after a long day of travel.
So next time you are booking your stay, be sure to check out the restaurant and their reviews on before booking.

25/09/2021

There are so many options for accommodations when you travel. Hotels, vacation rentals, and unique experiences like glamping or airstream stays! ⠀
⠀
Each has their own pros and cons.⠀
⠀
🏨Hotels are convenient and have a dedicated staff for almost all hours of the day and night, and are usually located in desirable areas of town. ⠀
🏠Vacation rentals are great for groups, or if you want to stay in a certain neighborhood that doesn't have many hotel options. ⠀
⛺Unique experiences like glamping or RV stays, are often once in a lifetime, and usually a little more off the beaten path than most tourists are likely to book.⠀
⠀
When you travel, which accommodation do you choose?

24/09/2021

Sitting here, thinking about where we should head to next... what's your favorite city in the US, and why?

23/09/2021

Meet our pup Ranger. He's a Rescue Mutt, and the kindest dog you will ever meet. He is Mr. Popular at Dog Parks- dogs love him, people love him, and we love him. Ranger is so gentle, when he wants your attention he will just drop his head on your lap and wait patiently until you notice him and give me attention. He is also very quiet, and never barks. He is loved by everyone, but especially by us. We are lucky to call him part of our little family.

22/09/2021

Dreaming of our next vacation already.... who's with me!?

21/09/2021

One of the first things I look at when we go traveling is the bathroom. It's one of the first places that often gets over looked, and not scrubbed enough. However when taken care of correctly, can be an oasis that you can slip into and forget about the world outside with a nice long hot relaxing shower. And the towels- I judge harshly against scratchy old torn up towels. But when a hotel has big fluffy soft towels, I already feel pampered. Don't you?

20/09/2021

Meet our pup Radar. He's a Labrador with a bit of an attitude. He is trained to bird-hunt, and loves being outdoors, playing fetch. He's kind and gentle, but can also be a little pain in the butt sometimes too. He is very vocal and will tell you exactly what he wants. He often travels with us across country, and we are lucky to call him part of our little family.

19/09/2021

For us, we are all about the details- no matter how tiny! That could be a super soft flush towel, or a thoughtfully wrapped soap bar, or a unique and decorative tissue box cover. These are some of our favorite things to share when traveling- it's all about the small things!

18/09/2021

We are the Designer and the Dude. We are home remodelers and world travelers, helping you bring hotel luxury to your home at a price you can actually afford!

We know not everyone is able to travel the globe and experience hip and trendy luxury hotels, but now you don’t have to! We will bring you the same luxury hotel looks right to your room.

With homes in California and Wisconsin, we often find ourselves traveling across the US, and staying in unique and one-of-a-kind hotels. Along the way, we share honest reviews of these hotels, and provide shopping links to furniture items that you can purchase and use in your own home to get the same look, creating the ultimate STAYCATION!

16/09/2021

This is why we love the lakehouse…

26/08/2021

Sometimes we need a little help from family to get the job done.

26/08/2021

After having sanded down these slats, they are now ready for stain! Stay tuned for the final results!

25/08/2021

When the item you ordered shows up in the wrong color, and you can’t return it or replace it, make lemonade out of lemons and get creative! I sanded down the wood until the wood Grain could be seen again (as it was supposed to have been!) now stay tuned for the layer of staining! 🤞🏼🤞🏼

24/08/2021

Here are some photos of “Dude Engineering”… taping a fan into the window for ventilation and real life Tetris!

23/08/2021

And like that… it’s done in a flash! Well okay, not DONE but the wallpaper is up. Woohoo! Onto the next step in this project…

23/08/2021

Wallpaper is making a major come back! Check this awesome wallpaper pattern out- I know you can’t see it, but the pattern is also metallic so it highlights this unique bed’s headboard.

21/08/2021

This beautiful is going to make this mudroom wow anyone who steps in the door! Stay tuned for the final results!

21/08/2021

Here is a little sneak peak at what is to come… any ideas on where we might be putting this? 😍

19/08/2021

We’ve got some awesome built-in’s going in! We just need some mud on the walls, paint, tile, and lighting to make this beauty complete. Stay tuned for the final results!

19/08/2021

It’s happening!! Stay tuned for the final photos…

18/08/2021

Tile patterns can be tricky, so I’ve laid out exactly how I want the tile to be installed. I can’t wait for the final results! Stay tuned…

18/08/2021

With new wood grains, I always like to test out stains to make sure all parts of the wood look good with the stain. So here I’ve taken three different parts of Poplar to see how two stains would compare against each other. Though both are similar, I wasn’t sure which one I wanted. Now I know. Stay tuned to see it all complete in only just a couple days!

18/08/2021

We’re getting one step closer! Stay tuned…

16/08/2021

Adding a built-in bench in the dining room never looked so good! 😂 Kurt helped us cut out some drywall so we could attach the 2x4 support beams to the beams in the wall, making it extra secure- especially for those grandkids who might be jumping on or off this beauty… stay tuned for final results!

14/08/2021

Drywall and framing have gone into the new Mudroom… it’s coming together!!