I'm a regular old gal living in the sometimes arctic upper midwest. I grew up watching my Dad make the most beautiful furniture and "helping" him in his basement shop area (in all actuality, he'd give me a scrap of 2x4 and a 16d nail and tell me to go nuts. It'd take me HOURS to get that thing pounded in!). At a young age, I knew the aisles at the local home improvement stores better than he did. I built houses after college but hadn't delved much into building "things" until I decided to make my sister her very own PB inspired bed for a medical school/Christmas/birthday gift. I came out the other side a better carpeteress and can't wait to tackle my next project... after our kitchen is remodeled!