Mi Casa Maria Lorena Mi Casa Maria Lorena

Our Backyard Renovation: How to Interview Pool Builders

You’ve seen every corner of my home, but there’s one space I’ve consciously hidden: our backyard. Defined by a sloped lawn we couldn't tame and a dream that felt out of reach, we finally decided 2026 was the year to change that. Here is exactly how we navigated the overwhelming search for a pool builder who could handle our 'un-buildable' lot.

Read More
DIY Maria Lorena DIY Maria Lorena

From Dated Media Center to Moody Traditional Coffee Bar: A 90s Cabinet Flip

Don't let the 90s oak fool you! See how I transformed a dated, bulky media cabinet into a sophisticated Moody Traditional coffee bar. From the dusty blue exterior to the surprise oxblood red interior, this builder-grade DIY is proof that any piece of furniture can have a second act with the right vision and a bit of chalk paint.

Read More
Mi Casa Maria Lorena Mi Casa Maria Lorena

How I Repurposed a Bar into a Custom Island Extension

In the world of home decor, we're constantly bombarded with images of perfectly curated, custom-built kitchens. While I adore those spaces, my reality, like many of yours, involves working with what you have, and sometimes, that means getting creative! Today, I’m excited to share a project that not only solved a storage dilemma but also breathed new life into an old wedding gift: transforming an old bar cabinet into a stylish, functional extension of our kitchen island.

Read More
Maria Lorena Maria Lorena

Ceiling Jewelry: Say Goodbye to Your Boob Light!

If you're still living with generic overhead lighting, trust me, you're not alone. But today, we're going to break up with those boring fixtures and usher in a new era of style. I've curated a list of 14 flush mount and semi-flush mount lights that are anything but basic. These are the pieces that add character, texture, and that add that collected over time feel to even the newest of homes.

Read More
Mi Casa Maria Lorena Mi Casa Maria Lorena

The Power of Pattern: Our Entryway Wallpaper Makeover with Love vs. Design

I’ll be honest: I thought a fresh coat of paint was all this sterile transition zone needed, but after painting the ceiling Benjamin Moore's Antique Jade and the walls Behr's Palais White, the result was… well, boring. I knew it needed soul, but with two kids and a dog, I was terrified of choosing something that wouldn't last.

Click through to see how we used custom, water-activated wallpaper from Love vs. Design to finally give this high-traffic hallway the personality it deserved (and why I’ll never look at a sterile hallway the same way again!).

Read More
Maria Lorena Maria Lorena

Choosing the Perfect Wallpaper with Love vs. Design

Join me for an entryway makeover at House by the Preserve! I’m sharing my Love vs. Design wallpaper moodboard and a review of their incredible custom color tools and room visualizer technology. See which of the 9 samples made the final cut!

Read More
Organization & Cleaning Maria Lorena Organization & Cleaning Maria Lorena

From Clutter to Custom: Our $0 Garage Mudroom Makeover

We don’t have a mudroom inside, so our garage entry was always a chaotic wall of hooks and shoe piles. I dreamed of a professional renovation, but instead, I challenged myself to a $0 makeover using only what I already had. From scrubbing the walls to stealing a bookcase from my son's room and saving a bench from Facebook Marketplace, the results prove you don't need a budget to create a functional, beautiful home.

Read More