My first home together with my husband was a 1910 Craftsman style parsonage in rural Iowa with as much charm as there was woodwork.

I started my blog, Holland Avenue Home, in 2016 to document the projects we tackled in our beautiful old house. A few of those projects landed in outlets like Better Homes & Gardens Magazine, Country Living Magazine, the Today Show, and more.

This Case Study includes a sample of my styling and photography work. All interior projects, styling, photography, and editing are my own unless otherwise noted.

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

My 2017 kitchen makeover (completed for a mere $250) demonstrates the power of paint and budget friendly DIY solutions. This is the first project I documented on Holland Avenue Home.

The "Two Year Update" blog post is currently ranked on the first page of Google when you search "chalk painted kitchen".

When I researched chalk paint before deciding to use it in my kitchen, I noticed there was a lack of honest reviews. I found plenty of "DIY" posts that documented recently completed projects, but I wanted to learn about the durability of chalk paint from someone who had to live with it for a few years.

I ultimately decided to go the chalk paint route, and wrote a post documenting the process. After living with it for two years and still being happy with the results, I wrote the post I wish I'd had two years prior!

I employed smart SEO tactics and wrote a two year update post to meet the needs of my target audience, resulting in a first page ranking without questionable practices or a single dollar of ad spend.

Read "Chalk Painted Kitchen Cabinets Two Years Later" through the link below:

https://hollandavenuehome.com/2019/01/19/chalk-painted-kitchen-cabinets-two-years-later/

Other Interior Styling + Photography

Current Kitchen Before

Current Kitchen After

Above & Below, Product Styling for Loloi Rugs and Pillows

I handpainted this mural in our small sunroom.

Basement Renovation and Styling

Basement Before

Basement After

With the help of friends, my husband and I finished our basement. I designed, built, and styled this dry bar featuring a $5 thrift store cabinet, $30 secondhand minifridge, and one sheet of plywood. The backsplash is leftover wood paneling from a friend's home. I made the leather pulls on the cabinet by repurposing a thrifted leather belt.

This project makes me proud because it demonstrates ingenuity. I did not have a lot of resources at my disposal, so I employed smart color choices to achieve a custom look on a Goodwill budget.

Basement Living Room Before

Basement Living Room After

Food and Product Styling & Photography