Well, I figured I would start out with a bang. I decided I hated my carpet in the downstairs. I wanted to give it a more current look, without a current price tag, of course! Even though I hadn't done anything like it before, I knew it wouldn't look worse than what was down there. So, I pulled up all the carpet, cleaned, scored, and then stained the concrete.

My husband, a civil engineer, and I bought a home in the historic district of our community. The house was in such bad shape that it either needed to be torn down or restored. Both of us like a good challenge, so we restored it to its original splendor - with our own touches of course. We basically built an entire home within the rotten timbers of the old structure.

I had some water damage to the cabinets in the kitchen (not that they were remotely nice in the first place). So I decided to remove all the top cabinet doors off the cabinets. At first I was a little hesitant, but since I had already done the floor before and it turned out great, I was confident in myself. I sanded the cabinets and doors down, filled in the holes left from the hinges, and painted them. It turned out beautiful! Since I have some colorful bowls and dishes, I left the doors off and it really opened up my small space. I also ripped out the original island because it was too big. I love demolition, it's exhilarating! I then replaced the island with a smaller, more serviceable one that is on wheels.

My favorite project would have to be my faux brick stairwell. Taping the wall with my daughter and my mother was quite tedious. I had a laser level that wouldn't stick to the wall, so I faked it as best I could. I must have done something right because it came out great! When people see it they really think it's a brick wall. I look back at that time as a bonding experience for us girls doing some good ol' home improvement projects together - it definitely was not the typical female bonding moments of shopping, cooking, sewing, etc. - and that will make it stand out in our minds for years to come.

The one principle I live by is not to be afraid to experiment. I mean - if you don't like what you've done, or it doesn't turn out the way you thought, do it over again or try something else.

I love coming home. I love having people over. When people tell me that my house reflects me, I take that to mean that it is comforting and warm. I have a self-confidence that I never had. I'm no longer afraid to tackle anything from lighting to plumbing! And if that wasn't enough, I'm now more courageous at work, taking on projects that I never would have thought possible before I did home improvement.

I think my family and friends are especially excited, and it's fun to trade ideas with them. They ask me for advice or even help with their projects, and it really gives me a boost. But I have to say that I love the whole new respect my daughter now has for me from seeing me take on the things that would have normally have been something for "the man around the house".

I am inspired by the feeling of accomplishment I get when I take a project from start to finish. I also enjoy watching the metamorphosis of my personal space. It's like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly - a plain, blasé, white wall becomes a vibrant, yellow brick focal point with texture and so much character.

Just go out there and do it. It's so easy to be intimidated and overwhelmed, but just don't be afraid. Most importantly - have fun! Look at magazines and books to see what inspires you to create a space that also screams, "Me!"