The Home That Launched an HGTV Star

Years before I started hosting Bargain Mansions, I fixed up one of my own. In 2008 my husband, Bill, and I bought a 5,800-square-foot home that was in foreclosure in Leawood, Kansas. It needed a ton of work, and our budget was tight, so I DIYed as much as I could to cut contractor costs. I sanded, stained, built shelves, removed the old floors and carried in every single piece of new hardwood. For furniture, I took my kids to garage sales, then painted our finds in our driveway. Soon, neighbors wanted to buy those pieces from me, and friends started asking me to help with their makeovers. Eventually I took on clients and became a full-blown designer — and it’s all because of this house. If we’d bought a move-in ready place and all new furniture, I wouldn’t be talking to HGTV Magazine!

Recently I gave some rooms a refresh — but I had more help this time. While I don’t think I’ll ever be finished working on our home, I’m ready to show you around.

Our siding is painted a version of Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams (I had them remove the maroon tones). The paint store will tweak any color — just ask!

The island was once the nuts and bolts counter at a hardware store. I thought, This will work until we can afford a new island, but now I love it too much to ever switch it out. I love thrifted furniture because it can save you money and add character. The open shelves I built in ’08 are still holding strong. The lower cabinets used to be white, but when we got a new dishwasher last year, I painted them black to match.

(This is my dad, Ward. When I was growing up, he fixed everything himself and I’d help. Now he helps me on my show.)

I had these shelves built to the ceiling, then I made them extra-pretty by backing them with tile in a geometric pattern from Daltile and adding delicate knobs and pulls from Modern Matter. If you’re short like me, get a cute step stool you can leave out. Pro parenting tip: Fill clear canisters with cereal so kids can help themselves.