Mira:: When I was 19 my parents went to Africa on a 3-month trip and as they are the kind of people who have everything, I wanted to do something special for them. So to surprise them, I painted every room in their house for them. The results were amazing! It was a lot for one person who had never done anything before. It was very intimidating to go to the local home improvement store. I had so many questions that I was there every five minutes! By the end they knew me by name. Though the best part was that the results were so great that when my parents came home they just loved it!

Mira:: I would say it was because I am the kind of person who feels that if I can do something myself why pay someone to do it? We have two kids and we are on a budget but I don't want my house to look like it's on a budget. So what I love to do is to take inspiration from model homes, magazines and television shows and try to achieve the same look at a fraction of the cost. All I have to do is buy the materials and enjoy the tremendous sense of accomplishment when I'm finished.

Mira:: My fireplace didn't have a mantel and had a niche above it that I hated because it almost went up to the ceiling which is 18 feet high. It was so large that I couldn't fit anything into it. So I covered it up with MDF (medium density fiberboard) and built out a mantel on the fireplace. I made panels so it looks like 3x3 squares instead of the niche. Also in the same room I added columns surrounding an archway to make it look like they are holding the arch up.

Mira:: That's absolutely got to be my older daughter's bedroom. Even though it was just paint, it made it come to life. It took the longest of all my painting projects because it's two shades of pink, in horizontal stripes going through the bedroom. It is like a princess' bedroom, just like the one that I dreamed of having as a child. It took so long to do that my husband said to do one wall but I said if I was going to do it, I was going to do it right! And it was worth it because not only is it beautiful, my daughter absolutely loves it! The first thing she does when anyone comes over is to take them to show them her room.

Mira:: I am so addicted to doing home improvement that I can't stop. I've done a little bit of everything. I added wainscoting in the master bath, putting it all around my bathroom. I've done tons of sewing—pillowcases, curtains, duvets, you name it. I just love doing home improvement. It is my passion.

Mira:: Probably measure 3 times and cut once. It avoids a lot of frustration and saves money. I learned that the hard way, but I am good at it now.

Mira:: I get so much more out of doing home improvement than just a beautiful home. I've saved so much money. It's been very rewarding. It's made me gain so much confidence in myself. I love the fact that my family and friends are excited by what I've done. They tell their friends who then want to come by to see it. I've even been asked to do contract work. I don't have enough time now being the mother of 2 children. Maybe later on, though.

Mira:: I'm proud to say that it has inspired friends and family to take on projects in their own homes. I even see the effect on my daughter. She watches me working and always wants to help with whatever I'm doing. She figures I can do everything around the house and she wants to be able to do it all herself too. I think it's even had an effect in her becoming more independent. She wants to do more things on her own, everything from making her bed to wanting to do the dishes. Also, my husband now has so much more respect for me. When we got married he didn't know I could do this and he was quite surprised when I first picked up a power tool. He didn't think I would know how to do any of this.

Mira:: I'm inspired by the ability to use my own creativity. For me that would be the satisfaction and the accomplishment that I get from seeing something I envisioned in my mind to come to life. That's my inspiration.

Mira:: Anything is achievable if you put your mind to it. It might take a lot of brainstorming and patience but the end results will be worth the time and effort. Definitely don't get intimidated. Go to the local home improvement store and don't be afraid to ask for help. For more information, there are tons of resources, books, classes, and even websites like Be Jane. Just put your mind to it and you can do it.