Witnessing the transformation of a home into a meticulously designed space is truly one of my favorite things.
It’s almost therapeutic to look through each room, recognizing the care and creativity that has been lovingly worked into every corner. Because before the transformation was done, I could see all the potential in the pre-renovation stage and before the grand reveal.
And Xin Lu, an incredibly talented individual in the realm of home DIY and decor, has taken her suburban Atlanta home and masterfully redesigned each space.
She’s honestly made it feel as though the pages of a high-end home decor magazine have come to life.
Her skill for creativity and design shines through in every project she undertakes, giving you some amazing inspiration.
So take a look and explore her home, and let me know what you think of her DIY’s and this incredible before and after home remodel!
1. So what got you started on your home’s DIY projects?
“I wanted a built-in bookcase but didn’t want to spend thousands on it so I read a lot of DIY tutorials and figured out how to build my own.”
2. What was the inspiration you used for your home?
“I’ve been reading design blogs for many years (Chris Love Julia, Yellow Brick Home, Emily Henderson) and have always been inspired by the different styles I see.
I love looking on Instagram to see what my favorite designers are putting out. Slowly over time, I’ve begun to develop my own style.”
3. Your home’s favorite DIY projects?
“I love love the stenciled wallpaper in my guestroom. Originally I wanted to use a floral wallpaper but having never bought wallpaper before, I didn’t realize how expensive it was.
I ended up buying a stencil and painting on the floral design myself. It was for my first One Room Challenge and took a couple weeks.”
4. The places in your home that look expensive, but were done for a whole lot less:
“So many…haha. A West Elm side table dupe that I made for $13. A faux-real tree for $26. My coffee table that I found on FBMP for $25.”
5. Your personal top references for learning DIY projects?
“Youtube and also friends on Instagram. If you ask for help, most of the time, people will answer.”
6. Your favorite spots in the home?
“Currently, my son’s bunkbed that I’m building. It’s so cozy and has so many hidden pockets of storage.”
Update: It’s finished.
7. Favorite places to shop for your home projects:
“I go to Home Depot for most of the lumber and tools. The thrift store is great for finding decor items or furniture to refinish.”
8. Favorite season to decorate for:
“Probably spring and summer, I love clipping branches and displaying them around my house. They are so easy and bring so much life into a room. Most of the time, it’s free too!”
9. Since you’ve redesigned your interior, what are holidays like in your home now?
“During the holidays, I will switch out the art to be more wintery-themed and bring out more blankets to make the house cozier but overall my decor doesn’t change much.”
10. Any final thoughts and tips for others wanting to change the look of their home?
“Just start! You don’t need to know everything before a project. You can figure it out as you go.”
If you want to read more from Xin Lu and see more of her projects, check out her blog At Home With Xin, and her Instagram here!
Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Apartment Therapy.