Homeowners

Breaking Walls and Gender Norms: Inspiring Stories from Two Female DIY Home Renovators

Gone are the days when home renovations were reserved only for men. Today, women are defying gender stereotypes and taking on complex home renovations themselves. 

In honor of Women’s History Month, we sat down with two female do-it-yourselfers who aren’t afraid to pick up a hammer or a tub of tile grout. They shared their stories on how they got started with home remodels and the lessons they learned along the way. 

Homeowners may be able to use a home equity loan to help pay for renovations and home improvements.

Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) allow homeowners to only borrow as much as they need. Cash-out refinances replace an existing mortgage with a larger one, so homeowners can pocket the difference. And second mortgages allow homeowners to keep their existing home loan and mortgage rate, while tapping into their equity using an additional loan.

Whether you’re an aspiring do-it-yourself (DIY) whiz or simply a homeowner looking for inspiration and practical tips, this Q&A has you covered.

Questions and answers have been edited for clarity.

Sara McDaniel

Instagram/TikTok: @simplysoutherncottage 

Sara McDaniel is a renovation enthusiast, entrepreneur, and storyteller based in Minden, La. She’s best known for restoring historic properties, from her own 1926 cottage to renovation projects across her small town. McDaniel also owns The Villas at Spanish Court, a collection of restored short-term rental properties, and Purvéy Minden, a vintage clothing and home décor shop.

Q: How did you get into do-it-yourself renovations? 

A: My first renovation was in 1998. It was then that I fell in love with the whole process. But it wasn’t until around 2017 that I started turning my love for real estate into a business. 

What do you love about it?

A: My absolute favorite thing is transforming blighted, historic properties into works of art. It brings me great joy to salvage what others see as teardowns and bring them back into functional, livable spaces. 

What are some mistakes you’ve made in your DIY journey?

A: You absolutely must check historic properties for environmental hazards like asbestos and lead paint. Once, I purchased [property] without doing an environmental assessment, and that alone cost me $80,000 as I had to pay to remove the asbestos.

However, everything happens for a reason. That rookie mistake led to one pivotal project where I transformed eight abandoned apartment units in downtown Minden, La. That’s what truly put me on the map. 

Most people saw these units as a liability, but I saw potential. The renovation was extremely challenging because the asbestos remediation had to be handled carefully and correctly before we could even begin rebuilding the spaces. 

Once the hazardous materials were safely removed, I worked to completely reimagine the property, restoring it into what is now The Villas at Spanish Court, a collection of boutique short-term rental villas in the heart of historic downtown. 

That project became a turning point for me. It showed that even the most neglected buildings can be revived with vision and persistence. And it helped spark a larger mission of saving historic properties in my town while creating beautiful places for people to stay and experience Minden.

Do you have any advice for women who want to dive into DIY projects?

A: You have to get past the fear and just start. I am self-taught. I didn’t take any courses. I don’t have a degree in design. I simply jumped in with both feet. I made a lot of mistakes along the way, but I learned a valuable skill set that I now apply in my everyday life. 

Which project are you most proud of and why? 

A: I am most proud of The Villas at Spanish Court. These were the first apartments in Minden, La, built in 1931. For some reason, still unbeknownst to me, they went out of use in the 1980s and sat vacant, rotting for nearly 40 years. Everyone said they should be torn down. 

However, I basically dumped my life savings into buying and renovating them. Now…people are visiting our small town from all over the world. 

Some are tourists and others decide they want to stay for good. They’re drawn to the charm of a small Southern town as well as the historic architecture and sense of community that still exists. 

It has been really encouraging to watch both tourism and relocation grow as people rediscover what places like Minden have to offer.

Jenna Luchau

Instagram: @jenna.luchau

Jenna Luchau is a mom of three young kids living in Los Angeles. She focuses on teaching DIY rather than running a traditional renovation company. Through her online platforms and courses, Jenna helps women learn how to transform their homes themselves and feel confident doing it. 

She’s passionate about showing others that creating a home that feels calm, beautiful, and supportive doesn’t hiring professionals for everything. To date, Jenna estimates she’s completed more than 10 larger renovations, along with endless projects and home improvements.

Q: How did you get into DIY renovations? 

A: Growing up, my parents had a construction business. So, I’ve always been around it. But it wasn’t until my late 20s, about 2016, when I really got into it myself.

I purchased a 1959 vintage camper and completely remodeled it. I did everything from paint to installing new floors, new countertops, and sewing curtains. It was so incredibly fun and rewarding. It was also just so cool to see how quickly you could transform a small space.

What do you love about it? 

A: I love how much DIY projects are tied to your mental health and overall well-being. Most people severely underestimate just how much their homes affect them. I love being able to help someone identify a feeling or an outcome they’re trying to achieve and then use their home to help make it a reality. 

No one is [really] chasing a look. We’re all chasing a feeling. And you can accomplish that through DIY and home design.

What are some mistakes you’ve made in your DIY journey?

A: Mistakes are just part of the learning curve and part of the experience. Every single time I do a project, I’m a little bit more informed and a little bit more experienced because of the past mistakes I’ve made. 

That being said, avoid any huge structural changes or load-bearing walls and things like that if you’re not sure what you’re doing.

Do you have any advice for women who want to dive into DIY projects?

A: Pick a small project that you can get done in a day. Too often I see people start with a huge project and they get in over their head. It leaves them feeling discouraged. 

Smaller projects give you a little bit of experience. More importantly they offer the momentum you need to keep going.

Which project are you most proud of and why?

A: I’m incredibly proud of my vintage camper. I don’t own it anymore. But that was one of the best projects of my life. I also designed our home when we went through a major renovation. And I’m constantly updating it with DIY projects. 

I’m very intentional about creating character and charm in my home. I don’t want it to look cookie-cutter or like everyone else’s [property.] 

What makes me the most proud is how much and how often my four-year-old tells me how much she loves our home. That’s the whole point. I am so proud and grateful to have created a home that my babies feel happy and safe in.