Hey all! My name is Julia, former college student and a home decor enthusiast who loves DIY home improvement projects and finding creative ways to decorate any living spaces on a budget. Recently moved from my dorm to my new apartment which I renovated from scratch and I am here to help you with tips & tricks about home decor/college and more 🙂
OKAY, THIS STORY IS A REAL GEM—AND A BIT OF A ROLLERCOASTER!
Anna Teresa (you might know her as @mamas_renovation) didn’t just buy a fixer-upper… she bought a slice of history.
Picture this: A huge, beautiful home built in 1770—the very first house on its street. Amazing, right?
BUT (and here’s where the ride gets wild!) just one month into ripping out doors, windows, and her entire kitchen, life threw her a serious curveball.
Suddenly without a job and juggling a massive renovation, Anna had to get seriously creative to keep the project—and the dream—alive.
Fast forward to today: She’s transforming chaos into charm, one room at a time, documenting every step in her videos with incredible humor. Seriously, they’re hilarious, relatable, and everyone loves them.
The kitchen? Already done—and it’s absolutely gorgeous.
The rest? Well, still a work in progress, but trust me, you’ll want to follow along.
Ready to see how she’s making it happen? Let’s dive right in!
A Home With History
I bought the house a year and 9 months ago.
Its built circa 1770, the first house on the street which eventually became a terrace.
I bought a big house because I have five children, and even though 3 have flown the nest I wanted to have somewhere for them to return to for big family get togethers.
A Renovation—and Life—Interrupted
I was in a stable and well paid project coordinator job and it came as a huge shock to be let go without warning, a month into the project when there was no turning back.
Windows, doors and kitchen had been ripped out. We were living upstairs with two of my children.
So basically, what was going to be a bit of an upheaval for a few months became a much more drawn out renovation where I had to work out how to fund it until I had an income again
Creative Solutions and New Beginnings
My solution? Opening up one or two of the finished rooms as a bed-and-breakfast—an idea I’m still actively working toward.
Another surprising lifeline came through my Instagram.
Shortly after launching an account to document my renovation journey, I suddenly found myself with 50,000 followers in just two weeks!
I haven’t had the chance to monetize that yet—I’ve been too busy creating videos and navigating daily life—but it’s definitely become part of my long-term plan.
The Kitchen Reveal (And More to Come!)
As of now, the kitchen is the only fully finished room, and it feels amazing to have that part of the house complete.
I’m making steady progress and excited to see it all come together, one step at a time.
