3 Projects That Made This Couple’s First House a Welcoming Retreat
While real people and stories are featured in the article below, the following parties did not receive a personal loan from Discover.
When you first move into a home, the possibilities are endless. An easy way to narrow them down? Think about how you want your new space to feel.
Newly engaged couple Miya and Edgar wanted their first home together to feel warm and relaxing: an oasis after a long day of work and a comfortable gathering spot for family and friends. In our newest episode of Apartment Therapy: Your Space, Your Story, Apartment Therapy Editor-in-Chief Charli Penn and DIY influencer Kylie Katich helped the couple tackle a few home improvement projects to bring those vibes to life in the living room.
With a budget of $17,500, we focused on reimagining a few existing elements that the couple wanted to change, like dated textured walls and a teal accent wall. The Apartment Therapy Mood Board tool helped us brainstorm, design, and even price our ideas: It’s a great place to turn inspiration into action, and its Cost Calculator, sponsored by Discover® Personal Loans, takes a lot of the guesswork out of budgeting.
If you’re considering a home renovation or home improvement project, Discover® Personal Loans could potentially help finance your dream home improvement, from renovation costs to home repairs. Improving your home could help increase its value over time, which could make this type of investment a smart financial move. Discover offers personal loans from $2,500 to $40,000, with flexible repayment terms that could help make budgeting easier. You could even lock in a fixed rate, and there are no fees.
Here’s a closer look at three transformative projects in Miya and Edgar’s living room!
Skim Coating & Painting: $4,800, Estimated
We firmly believe that a room’s mood starts with the walls. First, we used a technique called skim coating to give Miya and Edgar’s walls a smooth finish. Achieved by applying a thin layer of joint compound over the walls, skim coating creates a more modern look that makes a big impact. Then we painted the whole room, including that bright accent wall, a warm white hue. It’s an interesting neutral that conveys both openness and coziness — a great tone to set for gatherings with family and friends.
Furniture & Decor Upgrades: $3,750, Estimated
It was important to Miya that their home be a relaxing retreat for Edgar after a long day’s work, which meant that comfortable furniture was a must! A soft armchair and ottoman are ready for rainy day reading sessions, and the super cozy couch is made for movie nights. A sophisticated sideboard lets them keep clutter out of sight, for calm and relaxing views. And we added plenty of gold-toned photo frames to create that beautiful gallery wall: an inviting decorative statement and a collection of memories that can grow alongside the couple.
Molding: $850, Estimated
Molding is a relatively easy project that adds instant character to a space. We added large picture molding on one wall to give it a sense of depth and visual interest. The molding also served to emphasize the ceiling height, drawing the eye up and lending spaciousness to the room. It’s also a small design detail that makes a new home feel more lived-in — wonderful for a couple creating their first home.
Renovations like these helped Miya and Edgar put their own stamp on their new home and could potentially help to increase the home’s resale value later on. If you’re dreaming of a home improvement project, Discover® Personal Loans could help you bring it to life.
Discover makes loans without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status.