Mae Lutz began the Instagram account LutzGoHome when her family built their home in late 2019. What sets the account apart is that she shares the good, bad, and ugly of her DIY projects. She shares the whole process of each project and is learning as she goes. Mae recently updated the home's main bedroom with moody green hues and glamorous Victorian and crystal door hardware. Learn more about Mae and her eclectic style in our latest blog.
During the build of their new house, Mae and her husband acted as the general contractors, managing the entire project from the ground up. Once the home was ready, they moved in with several completely blank spaces, so Mae tackled each room individually. She noted, "The challenge was most definitely in the build - I don't know if I'll ever do that again - phew!"
Mae said choosing the specific hardware to use in this project was difficult because there are so many unique choices from Nostalgic Warehouse. (her words!) She ultimately chose the Victorian long plate in unlacquered brass because it is exquisite, and she wants them to age over time with the house. Because the home is so new and blank, she wanted something with character and was drawn to the ornate vintage doorknobs, switchplate covers, and hinges. Although she has only installed the hardware in her main bedroom and half bath, eventually, she would love to have all the doorknobs throughout the house be from our Victorian collection. "Man, what a show-stopper that would be!"
When asked what her design style is, Mae jokingly said, "You tell me because I have no idea what to call my style, so I just say modern eclectic." She chooses things she likes and what makes her happy. Some spaces have a crisp modern feel, yet this bedroom is dark and moody. She also has a room covered in cheetah wallpaper. She has fun being all over the place with her style!
Mae has a background and degree in art and has studied art history and design for years. Besides finding motivation through her studies, she's inundated with inspiring room decor whenever she opens her phone and looks at social media. "We are lucky that we live in a day and age where a quick internet search allows us to tour spaces in other countries and appreciate architecture without ever visiting," she says.
When starting a project, Mae organizes and plans for it by making a Pinterest board and saving anything she likes. She can then see repeating patterns and picks a direction to go in. After that, a mood board is created, incorporating already-owned items with new things to add. She also recently started using Spoak, which allows her to lay out a room and do a to-scale model.
Mae recommends that readers who wish to do an extensive remodel project be ready to live in a total mess. The project always takes longer and is more expensive than you initially thought. Her tips for readers wishing to transform their home include making a mood board using your desired items. You'll quickly realize what goes together and what doesn't. Also, measure, measure, measure! You want furniture, rugs, artwork, and decor that makes sense for the space. Taping everything out on the floor and walls is a great way to get a visual.
Up next as far as home projects is the entryway. The family moved in without a lighting fixture and used a table, rug, and artwork that was too small for the space. So that mini-makeover is coming soon! When asked if there were anything else she'd like to share, Mae said, "I feel like a lot of people design or decorate for others, but you should do whatever makes you happy! If your taste changes in a few years, then so what! That's life, and we all evolve and grow every day. Don't be afraid to live in a house that reflects YOU!"
Thanks to Mae for sharing this beautiful transformation with us. If you want to follow along, you can find her as @LutzGoHome on Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube. Her blog is www.LutzGoHome.com.
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