Home Projects

The design idea for this Nova Scotia kitchen renovation was delightfully specific: “Ralph Lauren Polo Club meets Martha Stewart,” says Victoria Armour, cofounder of Stil James.Luckily, she understood the assignment. The client, a mother of three teenagers, wanted a space where the extended family could gather and make memories, and what better room to start with than the kitchen?

Jordan Smith knows most homeowners might raise eyebrows at her choice to remove the upper kitchen cabinets in her tiny kitchen. She and her husband, Luke, live in a 529-square-foot studio apartment in Brooklyn, so storage is at a premium. But to her, it all made sense.The builder-grade cabinets and finishes weren’t the couple’s style, and they knew they wanted to renovate the kitchen before they even moved in.

A vintage-inspired kitchen? We love to see it. But a dated kitchen? Hard pass. Daniela Sanchez, founder of Rose House Talent Agency, had a kitchen that fell into the latter category; in fact, the room (sans appliances) was original to the 1979 home. “‘Dated’ would be an understatement,” Daniela says of the original kitchen.

Without a demolition!

“I love that it feels old, charming, and lived-in — even though it isn’t that old.”

It all stemmed from a single tile.

Martha Stewart has decades of experience as an entrepreneur and businesswoman, is widely known for her elegant and innovative approaches to entertaining, and has published over 100 cookbooks, just to name a few illustrious achievements. She’s basically the expert of living at home. So much so, that sometimes I wish I had Stewart in my pocket to tell me how to best host friends for dinner, pick out the best flowers at the grocery store, or clean my kitchen.

A favorite travel destination inspired many pieces of this personality-packed gallery wall.

“I love how much it reflects who I am!”

The space is totally unrecognizable.

This living room redo is chock-full of tips for filling up a small space without it feeling overwhelming.

It’s totally sophisticated and totally pink.

The goal was to create a space that was “bright on a budget.”

It’s now cleverly divided into spaces for dining, lounging, gardening, and more.

The fresh vibe comes courtesy of new wallpaper and some smart DIYs.

Plus, this first-time cabinet painter has some great DIY tips for getting the job done.

The “after” works for all seasons.

This homeowner’s advice? Don’t be afraid to go bold.

The details are everything.

The before was gray with mostly brown-toned furniture, rugs, and objects that my boyfriend described as “curbside pickups.”

It tackles indoor humidity, and it makes a serious difference.

“Wiping away literal years of city dust and grime was an immediate improvement,” the renter says.

It's an "eclectic, artful oasis."

Here’s what happened when I gave this trick a try.

"This is my happy place!" the DIYer says of the "after."

The wall color is so good!

It’s like going to a rooftop lounge without ever leaving home.

The entire remodel was done by the homeowners themselves.

“All of the storage is amazing,” the homeowner says of the after.

It’s simple, but so effective.

The potting table and raised garden beds create the perfect setup.

It’s so perfect for small spaces.

DIY patio redo featuring a painted concrete floor, made-over secondhand furniture, and a repainted chiminea.

You have to see the countertops.

See how layering textures and patterns — plus adding plants — transformed this porch in a renter-friendly way.

It's smart, low-tech, and renter-friendly.

From ‘90s blah to modern sophistication.

Clever layout changes helped the kitchen flow with the rest of the home.

I’ve always loved the concept of having seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces — and a few weekends' worth of DIYs helped me make my own.

Renters and owners with small balconies: This one's for you! "I feel like I am escaping the city and have a relaxing space away from the hustle down below," this DIYer says of her redo.

This chic redo only required a drill and an Allen wrench to get the job done.

With a soak tub!

They’re so smart — and they don’t block out all light, either.

Now, it’s much more functional for a family of five.

It's unrecognizable!

There’s not a lot paint and wallpaper can’t fix, according to this DIYer.

Renters can copy this look, too!

Plus, the “after” is filled with secondhand finds.

Now she has a cozy, luxe movie room!

The cabinets are incredible.

The project only took a couple of hours to complete.

The “cheap and failing” kitchen reno is long forgotten after a modern update made it a “hosting haven.”

A “dark, cramped, and outdated” kitchen is now a stunning space with a country cottage vibe.

The “after” is streamlined and clutter-free.

“The goal was to create a warmer, more layered space,” the homeowner says.

An interior designer gave her home office the perfect balance of calm for working and bold for client meetings (plus, it has such a smart hidden storage hack).

It proves that it doesn’t take an entire renovation to make a major difference.

The whole family helped with this renovation!

This porch is lighter, brighter, and better than ever.

Lily Sawyer used bright colors and cozy textures to bring life back to her living room.

This redo sacrifices a less-than-functional mudroom, with gorgeous results.

Including PAX, HEMNES and other IKEA superstars.

This bathroom was straight out of the '70s, but after two architects completely DIYed the space, it’s now accessible with custom Americana-style tile flooring.

It's a colorful, joyful oasis.

Her 100-year-old condo had a traditional dining room that wasn’t being used to its full potential. A custom, dramatic Murphy bed changed everything.

The result is beautiful, bright, and airy — and has enough space for two people to cook at the same time.

There's no paint on the cabinets — but there is paint in another unexpected space.

This project is the ultimate cross between style and function.

This dream bathroom was once an unused bedroom, and now it has a bold color palette and original fireplace feature.

"There are still a few stray big toy items that cannot fit in the drawers or cabinets, but overall it has the perfect mix of functionality, open space, and design I was craving," the homeowner says of the "After."

This full renovation is chock full of mid-century style (but with a modern twist).

These pro-approved tips are perfect for renters.