Brittany is the creator of Ellison Made, a handmade home décor shop that has evolved into a DIY and design blog. Along with her husband, they are transforming their builder-grade home one DIY at a time. They aim to use budget-friendly finds, clever design solutions, and simple projects to create a home they love while inspiring others to do the same. Read on to learn more about Ellison Made and how they incorporated Nostalgic Warehouse brass door hardware into their home.
Brittany and her husband recently purchased a small 1970s home for their family of five. They began the makeover process with their bedroom and bathroom, which are the smaller of the two, since they gave their three daughters the main bedroom to share. Part of the update included installing Antique Brass door hardware.
Brittany chose Nostalgic Warehouse because "I absolutely loved the timeless look of the Classic rosette with the New York knob in Antique Brass. It's a style and color that will stand the test of time even if I change the design aesthetic from modern to farmhouse to coastal to Scandinavian – it is gorgeous and versatile." She plans to incorporate the hardware throughout the entire interior of the home for a cohesive, updated look.
One thing she learned while installing new hardware was how to measure backset size and what standard door measurements are. She noted our YouTube video and installation guide were incredibly beneficial to the process of installing it all on her own.
While the house is still a work in progress, the bathroom and bedroom project took about 2-3 months from start to finish to complete. They did some of it independently but had to hire out for more significant aspects like plumbing for the new shower and hanging new drywall after removing the dated tiled walls.
When browsing her website and social media channels, one can notice Brittany's home has a modern coastal look – bright and airy with lots of blues, greens, and tans accents to a neutral background. She also likes to incorporate natural elements as much as possible.
Speaking of natural elements, Brittany says she finds much of her design inspiration in her backyard. Growing up on the gulf coast, she was surrounded by beautiful beaches, so she takes cues from the tan of the sand, the faded bleached driftwood, the hues of the oceans, and more beachy details. When starting a project, Brittany usually looks for inspirational photos, puts together a mood board, and does a little "window" shopping.
Some recommendations for readers who wish to do an extensive remodel project include always getting a second opinion/quote and doing your due diligence when hiring a contractor. Be sure whoever you hire is licensed and insured to avoid costly and potentially illegal mistakes. Extensive projects require a flexible timeline – when hiring out, you can't always control the timeline. If you purchase a home with minor cosmetic updates, you can better manage the timeline by working one room at a time.
As far as tips for readers who wish to make a small transformation in their home, Brittany notes, "If you are just starting out, the best, easiest, and most affordable way to transform your home is with paint. Anyone can use a paintbrush, and the effects of a new paint color are like a mini makeover in and of itself." When you're ready to try more extensive projects, her three must-have tool recommendations would be a miter saw, a nailer, and a drill/driver.
When asked if there was anything else she'd like to share, Brittany wanted to end the interview with this: "My design mantra is to create pretty AND practical spaces – ensure it works for your everyday living. Instagram reels and Pinterest photos are lovely, but social media isn't real life, so it has to work for YOU!"
Thanks to Brittany for working with us on this lovely project!
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