When Emmy-winning journalist Rebecca Regnier left the TV spotlight three years ago, she didn’t stop working. She transitioned to working at home where she’s kept busy creating and publishing a successful series of mystery novels, hosting a health-focused podcast, and writing her award-winning humor column for the Monroe Daily News.
This spring, she took on yet another project, an extensive makeover of her home she called her “Quarantine DIY.” What inspired her to remake her space?
Rebecca said the answer is simple. “The easy answer was that we were HOME all the time. The things I didn’t like about my house were staring me in the face twenty-four hours a day. But also, what am I waiting for? I always thought, someday I’ll have a house that has this or that feature. I realized that waiting for someday was a waste. Someday is now. Life is too short to hate your space. And my kids are grown now. I could pick things that worked for how our family operates today.”
She said the changes have improved the overall quality of the work-at-home experience. “I can look up and see a wall that I painted or a little vignette that I created, and it makes me happy. Our view is small right now, but it can still be lovely.”
Low-cost, big impact
The makeover was extensive but not expensive. Rebecca was surprised to discover she’s pretty handy around the house. “I learned that I can DIY a lot of things. I didn’t think I was good at it, but I found that if I started small I could figure out even complicated projects.”
Paint is a great place to start. A new paint job has a big impact and isn’t complicated to undertake on your own.
Among her projects were lime washing a brick fireplace, repainting an old metal light fixture, and repainting all of the trim in the home.
She also recommends repurposing your favorite items. “Another thing that I’m proud of was reframing artwork that I had for years, but were dated by old frames or 90s looking matting. There were these snowflake cuttings that my grandmother had done. I loved them. They became a gallery wall that totally solved a problem of what to do with a big empty wall space.”
Embrace change
Don’t be afraid of change. “I also used the furniture I already had but played around with the arrangement to completely change the flow in a room. Just because you’ve always had a couch in one spot doesn’t mean it always has to be there.”
Rebecca said she’s proud of her progress as a do-it-yourselfer. “Each project increases your confidence for the next one. At the beginning I was using spray paint at the end I was cutting tiles for a bathroom backsplash. I NEVER thought I would be able to do that myself.” Her Mother’s Day gift for 2020 was a ladder. “ I asked Santa for a sander for Christmas, by the way. Who am I?”
Worth the money
While she pinched pennies on many areas of her makeover, there’s one element she thinks it’s important not to scrimp on: flooring.
“That was the big thing I did, replacing carpet with a tile floor. That really was worth it. I think flooring is key and I’ll never voluntarily have carpet in a main room again. I have a loveable doggie but it was a constant battle to keep the carpet clean. Flooring has freshened up our main room in a way that makes it seem like a new house. If you're investing in something make it flooring, or updated appliances. Things you can’t just paint. The more permanent things need to be installed correctly. You’ll be living with them a long time and you want it done right.”
More changes in 2021
Rebecca has big home improvement plans for 2021, too. “I’m never content! One really important thing for my mental health is looking forward to things. Since every darn thing is canceled now, looking forward to my DIY projects. That has really helped me stay positive. It also was a distraction from a lot of the worry. The new year had me fixing up my basement workout area. It’s a little studio down there instead of a catch all of old couches and junk. My next project is painting all my interior doors. I am excited to match them to the trim work I did. I asked Santa for a sander for Christmas by the way. Who am I? Lol. The doors are next and then I'm going to redo an upstairs bathroom that was the kids’ bathroom. Oh, I’ve got projects to last through the year!”
In addition to her home improvement projects, the 8th and final novel in her Widow’s Bay series comes out this year and she plans to launch a new book series. Plus there’s her health and fitness podcast and newspaper column.
“My website rebeccaregnier.com or my Instagram is a good way to stay caught up. And thanks to posting my DIY projects I’ve been asked to help others refresh their spaces too. So who knows what fun opportunities that will bring!”
If you’re ready to make some changes in your home, Appliance center offers Ohio’s largest selection of furniture, mattresses, and appliances plus we also offer flooring, blinds, countertops, cabinetry, and more.
Stop by to see us in person or visit our website at www.shopac.com.