Welcome Ashore: a Little About Me

Hi there! I’m so happy that you stopped by the lakehouse for a visit! I’m Tanya, a DIY blogger living on the shores of Lake Superior where I blend mid-century design with laid-back beachy vibes. When I’m not buried in a new creative project, you’ll find me thrifting for vintage gems or beachcombing the shoreline for inspiration. I love making things and finding beauty in this world—and the list of DIY projects I’ve tried grows longer and nuttier every year. Did you know that I once painted my own car? I believe the best projects happen when you’re willing to venture into uncharted waters. But I’m here to help you navigate the process to tackle your own ideas with total confidence!

What Does “Dans le Lakehouse” Mean?

Dans le Lakehouse is my Bugs Bunny-esque French for “in the lakehouse”. 

What You’ll Find in the Lakehouse:

I want you to leave the lakehouse feeling totally inspired to make something, with the practical know-how to make it happen. Handy Hubby and I are DIY hobby collectors so get ready for sewing, welding, painting, woodworking, and more! Ready to dive in? Here is a peek at what you’ll find around here, with detailed tutorials and advice to make sure it’s smooth sailing ahead for your next project:

• Renovating How-Tos: Step-by-step tutorials for real-life home transformations.
• Room Makeovers: Room designs blending vintage charm with relaxed lakeside vibes.
• Modern Arts and Crafts: Creative, accessible tutorials to unlock your inner artist.
• Seasonal Decor: Unique ideas to make your home feel cozy all year round.
• Modern Homesteading: Sustainable tips and ideas with plenty of cute chick pics.
• Fast + Fresh Recipes: Quick, delicious meals and snacks to fuel your creative days.
• Clever Life Hacks: Time and budget shortcuts (which means more money left over for crafts.)
• Thrift Store Scores: Budget-friendly finds and inventive upcycling ideas.

With hundreds of unique DIY tutorials ready for you, your next making adventure is just a click away. (Before you roll up your sleeves, please read my disclaimer here.)

What I Hope You’ll Bring Home from the Lakehouse:

I believe in balance. Making things should be fun—or at the very least, make life a little brighter or easier. I love mixing high and low, vintage with new, and handmade alongside store-bought. You won’t find strict rules here, Dans le Lakehouse. For me, it’s all about the joy of creating, making, and sometimes making do (we try to be sustainable around here). But one rule does apply: I always drop my tools when it’s a perfect day to be outside and I encourage you to as well. Stick around for a glimpse of rural lake life, with many adorable critters inside and out.

Drop Anchor & Keep in Touch

The best way to ask a question is by leaving a blog comment! I moderate all comments so I’ll see yours, even if it’s on a really old blog post! And the comments on some posts are full of all kinds of great questions and answers, so take a peek. You can always send a message in a bottle, straight to my inbox: tanya [at] danslelakehouse [dot] com.

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Where You Can Find Me Floating Around:

• Instagram: follow along for project sneak peeks, behind the scenes, and interactive content.
• Pinterest: follow for lots of inspiration and to save my project ideas for a rainy day. 
• TikTok and YouTube: follow for video tutorials that bring projects to life.
• Facebook: follow to catch the latest links to favorite seasonal projects from the archives!

Notes on Affiliate Links & Sponsored Posts:

Please note that I occasionally use affiliate links. This simply means that if I recommend a specific tool or share a link to a DIY supply I love, I might earn a small commission if you choose to purchase that item—at absolutely no extra cost to you! Transparency is incredibly important to me. Any sponsored posts or items gifted by brands will always be clearly noted. I work hard to partner exclusively with brands that I genuinely use and purchase from myself. Working with great brands helps keep this website…afloat.