Tour a Rental Townhouse Transformed With Budget-Friendly DIYs

A ’90s “White and Beige Box” Townhome Was Transformed with Brilliant Renter- and Budget-Friendly DIYs

published Oct 9, 2024

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About this tour

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Home Type

Townhouse

Location

Silver Spring, Maryland

Style

Bohemian

Organic Modern

Bedrooms

3

Square feet

2800

Sq ft

2800

Nasozi Kakembo is the founder and creative director of multi-disciplinary design firm xN Studio, and doesn’t plan to live in this rental townhouse for more than two or three years. “I moved here from my primary home in a neighboring county to be closer to my son’s high school,” she begins.

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Credit: Amanda Archibald

“I was already familiar with the area because I was born and grew up a couple of miles away, which is an ironic full-circle moment. I’ve lived in New York and other parts of Maryland only to end up two miles from my very first hike in life haha. I’m always pointing out places to my son, like ‘that’s where your uncle and I used to have our birthday parties’ or ‘that used to be a K-Mart.'”

Credit: Amanda Archibald

Nasozi describes the previous renovations in her 1990s “builder-grade” townhome as “nothing to write home about now, but I’m sure they were all upgrades 30 years ago.” And because she admits that this isn’t a forever home, she knew that any updates to this outdated rental would have to be renter- and budget-friendly.

Credit: Amanda Archibald

“I also really didn’t want to buy any new furniture, as I’m also likely downsizing after this and don’t want to make that kind of space-specific investment. I’m a fanatic about upcycling, reusing, and sourcing secondhand, so finding quality pieces on Facebook Marketplace and in thrift stores gives me tremendous satisfaction.”

Credit: Amanda Archibald

Nasozi’s years of design experience prepared her to tackle the challenge of updating the dated space. “Fortunately, I discovered during my six years as a homeowner before moving here that there are far more renter-friendly upgrades that appear more involved or permanent than they actually are,” she explains.

Credit: Amanda Archibald

Although challenging to work within what Nasozi describes as “self-imposed constraints of not buying anything new” and “making everything renter-friendly,” she admits it’s also been fun to figure out. She’s been thrifting since middle school, and has now mastered the vintage hunt on Facebook Marketplace. And she’s completed a DIY in almost every room.

Credit: Amanda Archibald

Nasozi changed out all of the original brass '90s knobs to matte black levers. "Those were a 'simple' swap, and I used the same style I have in my primary home, which I also did when I purchased that home. I updated 10 doors in total in this home."

“I changed every door handle and lock (including switching the original front door handle to a keyless variety), main light fixtures, and added accent wallpapered walls in the kitchen, primary bedroom, and my en suite. I probably spent $1500 max, over the course of 10 months.”

Credit: Amanda Archibald

“I already had a good idea of what the home would look and feel like because I wanted to basically recreate and adapt concepts from my other home into this space. My home feels welcoming, and like I’ve lived here for a long time. It’s a reflection of the places I’ve traveled, the artisans I work with, with spontaneous nods to my old apartment in Brooklyn.”

Nasozi’s book, The African Decor Edit, recently published earlier this month. And you can see her previous AT house tour for inspiration, as well.