Need help with home improvement decisions or giving your house a makeover on a budget? That's what I love to do, whether it's a full house renovation like gutting a kitchen or simply rethinking style choices to enhance your property's transformation and boost curb appeal.
This cottage needed an overhaul inside and out. Everything from the roof to the attic to the foundation was cleaned, painted, repaired, rewired, repainted, or generally improved. Three weeks!
The antique door shutters are from inside the house, the foundation plantings aren't in yet, but the house now feels like a home. See below for photos from the project!
My first reno was an antique dollhouse when I was in 7th grade. I've been on eBay and using other auction sites to find special things at the right price since the internet was born. What are you looking for? Murano chandelier? Vintage needlepoint pillows? Big art at a great price? I can probably find it, or even paint a commission for you.
I painted my first room in 7th grade. I chose the paint, I spilled it on the shag carpet, I got the stain out, and I ended up with the ugliest color ever made. I've come a long way since then, and I don't usually spend hours painting eight different swatches of color on the wall. There are easier ways to choose colors, but I'm willing to do it the hard way if you want to!
Artistic painting provides me with a creative outlet and art therapy. I have painted abstract artworks, landscapes, and even some horses and people. But what I really like to do is create a big colorful or monotone artwork that enhances a space and doesn't cost more than an Italian sofa. Because styles change and art is in the eye of the beholder. Anyone can own a version of a Jackson Pollock or a Cy Twombly or a Hunt Slonem or a Jasper Johns. Show me what you want, and then commission it!
Sometimes all a kitchen needs is some paint and hardware updates. Other times, they have to go down to the studs. I've done both, multiple times, and I've learned some things along the way. Quartz, marble, granite, wood, Belgian hardstone, and even Corian. I've had them all. And that's just countertops. Ultimately, kitchens make or break a home sale. So it's a great place to make smart choices.
Anyone can spend a fortune and end up with a wonderful bathroom. What's trickier is redoing a bathroom on a budget and making it timeless and lovely. I have created bathrooms with custom everything and underfloor heating, and I've made lovely bathrooms using only items from a big box hardware store. Anything involving plumbing also involves money. Make the right choice the first time and you save yourself money and heartache.
I am somewhat of an expert in lime washing houses on a budget, and I love to talk about it. What I learned while living in Italy is that lime wash is like Farrow & Ball paint: They look better because they are natural materials. And though I'm not the world's best gardener, when it comes to choosing plants for color and curb appeal, I can help do that!
Honestly, don't follow the trends or you will end up with glass mosaic tile in your kitchen and wonder what happened. Home decor is expensive, so it should stand the test of time. My theory is simple: If it's something they use in Europe, it will do well here. It doesn't have to be expensive to be timeless.
I remember when I bought my first house in 1993. I was already a renovator, but I had so much to learn. If you want to skip some of the mistakes I made, let's talk.
I love realtors. They are a value add for both the buyer and the seller, and every house deal I've ever made involved realtors. For realtors who need to give a house a low cost glow up presale, I am happy to make that happen.
Shopping alone has never thrilled me because bouncing something off a friend always means I end up with what looks best. Sometimes, what you need is a second opinion. And that's even more important when it comes to the expense of paint, furniture, and renovation.