Category Archives: renovation

The Part No One Shows Before a Room Comes Together

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The moment everything feels harder than it should

I hit the point where I wanted to quit and honestly, I know I’m not the only one who’s ever wondered how to keep going when you want to quit a project.

Not because I couldn’t do it. But because nothing was making sense.

The instructions.
The pieces.
The constant second guessing…
“Did I mess this up already?”

It felt like too much.

woman reading instructions

This is where most people stop

And this is usually the part where people stop. Not at the beginning when everything feels exciting. And not at the end when it all comes together.

But right here. In the middle.

woman overwhelmed with DIY

Just do one step

So I paused… and told myself something I’ve learned to come back to again and again:

just do one step.

Not the whole project. Not perfectly. Just one step. One step at a time. Not because you’re avoiding the bigger project but because that’s how you actually finish it.

woman assembling furniture reading directions

Feeling stuck like this? Start here.

Projects like this always remind me that creating a home you love doesn’t happen all at once. It happens one small choice at a time, one project, one corner, one room. If you’ve ever second-guessed every decision in a room, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why I created the Confident Room Method. It’s not about getting it perfect, it’s about finally having a simple plan so you CAN move forward with confidence. Get the Confident Room Method printable guide here.

Confident Room Method cover with interior design flatlay

Why this matters more than the design

That small shift? It’s what moved me forward.

This is exactly why I approach every space the way I do.
Not all at once. Not overwhelmed.
But with clarity and one doable step at a time.

Because creating a space you love isn’t just about design.
It’s about getting through this part without quitting.

I’m not finished yet

(And I’m not done yet… finishing it tomorrow.)

roeshel with pantry cabinet

If you’ve ever felt stuck halfway…

If you’ve ever started a space and felt stuck halfway… you’re not alone. Keep going. One step at a time. The next step.

This is the part I help people move through inside my Confident Room Method but it starts here.

woman wanting to give up

Related posts you’ll love

Finishing What I Started

How to Finish a DIY Project when you want to quit

Before & After Pantry Makeover

industrial farmhouse pantry makeover before and after

Livingroom Before & After Transformation

woman unsure how to renovated and decorate a room

Bathroom Makeover Before and After (From Dated to Fresh & Inviting)

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There’s nothing “wrong” with a dated bathroom…until you start to notice how much it affects the way a space feels.

Save this for later:

Bathroom makeover before and after showing a dated bathroom transformed into a fresh, inviting space

This one had good bones, but it felt tired. The finishes were outdated, the wallpaper peeling, the lighting was flat, and it didn’t reflect the kind of warm, welcoming environment I’m always trying to create, whether for everyday living or for guests.

Instead of a full renovation, we focused on simple, intentional updates that would make the biggest impact.

This bathroom is part of a project I worked on for Suite Retreat BnB & Micro Event Venue, where the goal was to refresh the space while keeping it warm and inviting for guests.

Before

The layout worked. The function was there. But visually, it felt disconnected and a little forgotten.

outdated bathroom with peeling wallpaper and worn fixtures
  • older finishes that didn’t feel cohesive
  • lighting that wasn’t being utilized as a complimentary feather
  • no real sense of style or personality

It wasn’t terrible. It just wasn’t inviting.

striped wallpapered bathroom with window

The Plan

The goal wasn’t to over-design the space.

timeless blush bathroom makeover design
Wall paint: Sherwin Williams White Dogwood

It was to:

  • warm it up
  • simplify the look
  • create a clean, cohesive feel
  • add subtle touches that make it feel finished

The kind of space that feels timeless… not overdone.

This post may contain affiliate links. I only share sources for items I’ve used or genuinely love.

What Changed

1. Updated Finishes

Small changes here made a big difference.

Swapping out dated elements for cleaner, more timeless finishes instantly modernized the space without a full overhaul.

2. Better Lighting

Lighting changed everything. We kept the original pendants but now they’re a lovely feature.

Warmer, softer lighting helped the room feel more relaxed and flattering instead of harsh and flat.

3. Simple Styling

This is where a space really comes to life.

  • fresh towels
  • a small tray for organization
  • a touch of greenery

Nothing complicated but it makes the room feel complete.

4. Intentional Details

Instead of filling the space, I focused on just enough. Every piece has a purpose, whether it’s functional or adding warmth.

After

The difference isn’t just how it looks, it’s how it feels.

It’s calmer. Warmer. More put together.

blush bathroom with green trim and gold fixtures

And most importantly, it now feels like a space someone actually wants to spend time in…not just pass through. Swapping out the gold pedestal/console sink/vanity and mirror instantly updated the space and gave it a more cohesive, finished look.

white dogwood bathroom makeover

It’s the kind of space that feels calm the moment you walk in, simple, but thoughtfully finished.

Short Takeaways

If you’re updating a bathroom without a full renovation:

  • Focus on lighting first, it changes everything
  • Keep finishes simple and cohesive
  • Add just a few intentional accessories, not clutter
  • Think about how the space feels, not just how it looks

A Note if You’re Refreshing Your Own Space

This is the exact kind of transformation I help with through my Style Thyme refreshes—looking at what you already have and making simple changes that create a big impact.

Sometimes you don’t need a full renovation.
You just need a fresh set of eyes and a clear plan.

What’s Next

Styling! Decorating! I’ll be sharing more details on the finishing touches and styling in an upcoming post!

More Bathroom Makeover Ideas You’ll Love

DIYShowOff Bathroom Makeover

Simple Bathroom Refresh with Big Impact

short term rental design

Check Out a Fully Renovated Bathroom Makeover

woman unsure how to renovated and decorate a room

Feeling stuck with your own space?

If you’ve ever started a room and then… stalled out, second-guessed everything, or didn’t know what to do next —, you’re not alone.

I created something to help with exactly that.

Decorate Without Doubt: Confident Room Method™ is a simple, step-by-step way to move forward when you feel stuck, whether you’re starting fresh or trying to finish what you already started.

It walks you through:

• actually finishing your space

• getting clear on your vision

• narrowing down choices

• making confident decisions

START HERE: CONFIDENT ROOM METHOD

A Beautiful Home: Printable DIY Project Planner

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Ready to design your dream space without the stress? I created a printable DIY planning kit that blends creativity + clarity using AI-generated prompts. It’s the exact system I have used for real life projects! And it’s now available!

What’s Inside the Printable Kit?

💡 Custom AI prompts to unlock your design ideas

📝 Project planner pages to organize your steps

🛒 Shopping + material lists

💸 Budget section to track costs easily

🎯 Works with your style and space, not a one-size-fits-all template

Woman reviewing AI room planning printable workbook open to design pages

Grab Your Copy!

✨ Click here to get the printable → AI for a Beautiful Home DIY Project Prompt & Planning Kit

I’d love to know what project you’re planning next? Tell me in the comments or tag me if you use the planner. I can’t wait to see what you create! If you try it, tag @DIYShowOff so I can cheer you on! It truly means the world to see it being used in real-life projects.

Suite Thyme Before and After Makeover: Full Tour

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Welcome to Suite Thyme, a lovingly restored historic home nestled in the heart of Butler, Pennsylvania! What began as a vision for a cozy, welcoming short-term rental has blossomed into a full-scale transformation filled with character, charm, and thoughtful DIY design. I wanted each room in this 100+ year-old house to create a relaxing, stylish stay for our guests. Read along for the features of the full Suite Thyme before and after makeover.

I’ve created collages of each space and linked to the before-and-after transformations. From the inviting living areas to the serene bedrooms, you’ll see how I’ve blended vintage elements with modern comforts to create a unique guest experience. I love having complete creative freedom and enjoyed the “wow” change from what was to how it looks and feels now.

Explore the transformations below to discover how Suite Thyme combines historic charm with contemporary design to offer a memorable experience. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your own home or looking for a delightful getaway, I hope these makeovers spark your creativity too!

Suite Thyme Before and After Makeover: Room-by-Room Collages

If you’ve been following along, you know this Suite Thyme before and after makeover has been such a rewarding project from start to finish (or always evolving).

Collage of Suite Thyme Airbnb design featuring modern boho interior decor, updated kitchen, soaking clawfoot tub, cozy bedroom, and historic green exterior in Butler, PA.

Suite Thyme Before & After Home Makeover Series: Explore #helloredreno

Before and After Transformation

Much of Suite Thyme’s design journey has been shared in my #helloredreno series, but there have been some exciting exterior updates too, including all new windows and a completely fresh look for the outside of the home.

You can’t always see it in photos, but the red paint (which wasn’t original) had become weathered and was peeling badly. And if you’re like me, when a project comes with a big price tag, you want to be wowed by the results. That’s why choosing a new color was such a big deal. I am absolutely over the moon with the decision to go with Benjamin Moore’s Black Forest Green. It’s stunning! Don’t you think?

This late 1800s property has quite a history. We purchased it back in 2017 from a lawyer who had used it as his office for over 45 years. I’ve even heard there was maybe an antique shop here at one point. One of the old deeds I found shows a transaction from 1912. I’d love to dig up more details someday. It’s such a charming little spot, sitting proudly on a corner lot in the heart of the city.

The transformation has been a lot of work, but every step has been so worth it.

Before and after collage of Suite Thyme’s exterior makeover, featuring the transformation from weathered red siding to bold green paint, updated entryway, and cozy outdoor seating in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Before and after collage of Suite Thyme’s kitchen and dining area makeover in Butler, PA, featuring open shelving, stainless steel appliances, wood accents, warm leather seating, and a thoughtful guest journal with tea.
Before and after collage of Suite Thyme’s bathroom renovation in Butler, PA, featuring a clawfoot tub restoration, eclectic boho shower curtains, hex tile flooring, and a painted green dresser vanity.
Before and after collage of Suite Thyme’s living room and bedroom transformations in Butler, PA, featuring moody accent walls, a canopy bed, velvet textures, boho-modern styling, and inviting seating areas.

Curious about the full renovation journey? Most of these spaces were transformed as a part of my ongoing DIY series. Explore the #helloredreno makeover achieves here.

Design Update

What’s next for Suite Thyme? There are exciting plans in the works! We’re hoping to purchase the adjoining property to expand the backyard and improve parking. You may have seen the demo of the abandoned house next door. Fingers crossed it all comes together!

Also on the list: a new metal roof, a concrete patio, and a little landscaping TLC. Indoors, I’m dreaming of a fresh kitchen backsplash and a bedroom refresh. It’s hard to believe how far this little home has come or that it’s already been creating special memories for so many travelers.

Love what you see? You can actually stay here! Book your stay at Suite Thyme on AirBnB right here and experiences it’s charm in person!

Love the Look? Stay Connected or Pin for Later

Thanks so much for taking a look around Suite Thyme! Each room has been a labor of love, and I’m so proud of how far it’s come. Whether you’re gathering inspiration for your own space or planning a visit to Butler, I hope you found something that sparked an idea or made you smile.

Want to see more behind the scenes or stay updated on future DIY projects and room refreshes? Be sure to follow along. Don’t forget to pin your favorite space! You can book Suite Thyme on AirBnB

Farmhouse Exterior Makeover

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Hello, DIYShowOff friends! If you’ve been a DIYShowOff follower, you’ll remember our farmhouse from back in the day. Ready for a farmhouse before & after exterior update and makeover? It’s undergone the biggest before and after exterior makeover to date. It’s hard to believe it’s the same farmhouse. Of course there are still projects on the list (porch railing, landscaping, etc.) but our property has never looked better! The exterior is so pretty and the yard is now an oasis, our personal retreat.

diyshowoff exterior farmhouse makeover

Farmhouse Before

Before…old windows, faded siding, back doors with awnings, sidewalks and a lack of landscaping. An old dilapidated grape arbor.

BEFORE:

farmhouse before

We definitely got the side eye when purchasing this fixer upper but my Mr. DIY and I saw the potential.

After: French doors, new windows, new siding, a new metal roof, concrete patio, concrete stairs and a stamped stained concrete pool deck and walkways were added, grape arbor rebuild. Years in the making!

AFTER:

farmhouse exterior makeover

Early Makeover Projects

One of the first projects was installing French doors where the single back doors were and removing the awning. Then came a patio and some landscaping.

back exterior farmhouse before

And a grape arbor gazebo makeover. Here’s the before:

grape arbor before

Pool Party

Then last year…a major update starting with an in-ground pool installation, stained & stamped concrete pool deck and patio. Check out our complete in-ground pool installation!

in-ground fiberglass pool patio

Welcome guests!

We have a new front door and porch! Our home didn’t have a front door (original was enclosed to create a ‘sun porch’) which we opened up into a home office when we got new windows. Original front door is in the wood sided addition shown below…

farmhouse addition

Here it is inside…

DIY fall autumn dreamcatcher door decor wreath @diyshowoff

Other side of the front yard…

farmhouse before makeover

BEFORE:

exterior door install

So we added a new front entry door and front porch leading into our family room. It’s still a work in progress with the need for railing and extending the sidewalk from bottom of stairs to the driveway but looking good!

dark home exterior front door

New Siding

Then new board and batten, cedar shake and ledge-stone (vinyl) siding for an amazing transformation for the biggest “wow”.

BEFORE:

exterior siding makeover before

AFTER:

board and batten siding

Siding is from CVS. Board and Batten color: Carbon Designer. Trim: Linen. Ledge stone siding is Arizona Sandstone and cedar shakes: Rustic Cedar Designer.

BEFORE AND AFTER different view:

carbon color board and batten siding before and after

Metal Roof

And a new metal roof on additions (keeping the original slate which is still in good condition in a copper color.

After (the transformation)

So, it’s been a minute. Okay, it’s been way longer. But I’m back! I’ve missed our connection. It’s so easy to get lost in the everyday, especially with how blogging has changed over the years and with losing my Facebook page to a hacker leaving me feeling defeated with the disappearance of years of hard work. Time to get back on the horse, ya know?! Time to catch up! I have so much more to share!

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Roeshel (@diyshowoff)

What do you think? Big change, right?