When my youngest went off to university, I found myself in a quiet house — and a quieter chapter of life. While my kids were discovering their paths, I felt like I had lost mine. Sensing I needed something of my own, my husband gifted me a set of Ryobi power tools. That thoughtful gesture sparked something in me. I quickly fell in love with DIY projects, and what started as a way to stay busy soon became a true passion. Creating and building brought purpose and joy back into my days.
Our Screen Room Build — My Biggest DIY Yet
Jumping into this screen room build — my largest DIY project to date — I knew from the beginning that I wanted to go with a post-and-beam structure. As I planned out the design and tried to figure out the best approach, I stumbled upon the Simpson Strong-Tie® Outdoor Accents® line of decorative hardware at Home Depot. The moment I saw it, I knew I had to include it in my build.
I absolutely loved the look of the black steel ties — the Outdoor Accents Mission Collection® line stood out to me right away. Not only did they add a beautiful, Southwestern flavor to the structure, but they also offered extra strength and support, which gave me peace of mind. We built the entire frame out of 4×4 cedar posts, then used the Simpson Strong-Tie brackets and connectors to pull it all together — strong, secure and stunning.
Inside each framed-out window, we installed a Mini Track porch screen system to keep the bugs out while letting the breeze in. For the roof, we went with a polycarbonate panel system that lets in natural light while keeping the elements out.
This space is extra special to us. We host Sunday night family dinners every week, and through the summer months this screen room has become our go-to gathering spot. It’s more than just a build — it’s where memories are constantly being made. You can watch the full build on Instagram.
Next up? I’m dreaming about building a BBQ grill gazebo on our lower deck using the decorative Simpson Strong-Tie Sage System™ hardware. After having moved our grill setup down there to make room for the screen room, I feel it’s time to give that lower deck space a proper upgrade, too!
