Rose Porcelain Knobs in the Pink Dreams Cottage

Katie purchased the house for $10,000 at an auction, and with the help of her dad, she has completely transformed the house and given it a new life. A combination of different experiences inspired the project; her passion for traveling and staying in unique Airbnbs worldwide sparked the idea of having her own Airbnb one day. With that idea in mind, she visited a beautiful pink cafe and had a lightbulb moment while enjoying dessert with a friend. She thought, “That’s it, a pink Airbnb!”

Since the day she got the key, Katie has shared the entire renovation journey on social media and has grown a community of over half a million followers! What sets Pink Dreams Cottage apart from the rest is that it has brought people from all over the world together. People have watched this journey from a distance on social media yet are devoted to it in many different ways. Another thing that sets this project apart is that Katie and her dad did the entire renovation together, just the two of them.

Katie told us, “I will never forget walking through the house for the first time with my Dad while the realtor showed it to us, and he said, ‘EVERYTHING needs to be fixed; you have no idea how much work this would be.’ He was right about that; I truly had no idea.” Although her dad has great experience, this is her first time renovating a house. Two years later, she now has a thorough understanding of what “everything” meant: every inch of this house, from top to bottom. They started by completely gutting the house and slowly rebuilding it, keeping as much original character as possible.

The house started without electricity or running water, and the floors and ceilings were falling in. The entire project has been a challenge, but the bathroom was the most difficult room to remodel. Not only did they tear everything out, but they also moved the bathroom to a different part of the house. Katie and her dad have worked on this project for over two years. It was a slow and long journey, but it is a powerful testimony of how far dedication and consistency can take you.

When asked how she chose the hardware for the house, Katie said, “I didn’t choose the hardware for this project; the hardware chose me. The hardware was made for this house; it couldn’t fit the aesthetic more perfectly!” There have been a handful of things throughout this remodel that she knew instantly were “the one,” and the hardware was one of those things. From the moment she saw it, there was absolutely no question she needed the Victorian plate with the intricately detailed Rose Porcelain knob. What attracted her to Nostalgic Warehouse is the beautiful and unique designs, paired with the unmatched quality. Detail-oriented Katie said she has completely fallen in love with this hardware because it adds the perfect finishing touch to any space.

As seen in this home renovation, Katie loves giving old things a new life. Her design style is a mix of charming, vintage, detail-oriented, and over-the-top. She is drawn towards unique, one-of-a-kind items that make a statement without explanation. There are many ways she incorporates this style into a home, so she is always looking for unique pieces through thrift shopping and DIY projects.

Since this is Katie’s first time renovating a house, it has been a huge learning experience. She always had a vision for this house but didn’t know how to bring it to life. It wouldn’t have been possible without the help and direction of her dad. There was a lot of trial and error in this project, but for future projects, Katie says she would start by making a list of everything needed and the order in which it will be completed.

While Katie doesn’t consider herself a renovation expert, she has learned much through this journey. Her dad’s experience and knowledge played a significant role in her ability to accomplish this extensive remodeling project. She simply couldn’t have done it without him and was grateful for having someone to guide and help her through the renovation. Therefore, her advice to those taking on renovation projects would be to find a contractor you trust and to spend as much time learning from them as possible.

Katie’s advice for those who wish to transform their homes is to stay true to your style and the things you genuinely love. Don’t chase never-ending trends. Start with small details, such as a new paint color or new hardware, and work your way up to bigger changes. Another tidbit of advice is to believe in yourself before anyone else does. You never know what awaits you on the other side of fear and doubt.

When asked for some closing thoughts, Katie shared the following: “I’d like to thank Nostalgic Warehouse for the opportunity to work with such an incredible brand. I’d also like to thank my dad for his help with this project; I could never repay him. Lastly, I would like to thank our amazing community, from all over the world, for all of the love and support. I never in a million years dreamed that this renovation project would lead me down this road, but I’m so excited about what’s to come!”

By infusing her personal touch and incorporating her signature style, Katie has crafted an extraordinary space at Pink Dreams Cottage. Her creativity and determination transformed a house and demonstrated the power of shared experiences in bringing dreams to life. Thank you, Katie, for letting us be a part of this project! Follow along on social media (@pinkdreamscottage), and you’ll be the first to learn what is coming next!