my house made me a star

Bargain Mansions host Tamara Day takes us on a tour of the Leawood, KS, home that launched her career.

- ADAM ALBRIGHT

Years before I started hosting Bargain Mansions, I fixed up one of my own. In 2008 my husband, Bill, and I bought a 5,800-square-foot home that was in foreclosure in Leawood, KS. It needed a ton of work, and our budget was tight, so I DIYed as much as I could to cut contractor costs. I sanded, stained, built shelves, removed the old floors, and carried in every single piece of new hardwood. For furniture, I took my kids to garage sales, then painted our finds in our driveway. Soon, neighbors wanted to buy those pieces from me, and friends started asking me to help with their makeovers. Eventually I took on clients and became a full-blown designer-and it's all because of this house. If we'd bought a move-in-ready place and all new furniture, I wouldn't be talking to you in HGTV Magazine! Recently I gave some rooms a refresh-but I had more help this time. While I don't think I'll ever be finished working on our home, I'm ready to show you around! -Tamara Day

breakfast bar

I had these shelves built to the ceiling, then I made them extra-pretty by backing them with tile in a geometric pattern from Daltile and adding delicate knobs and pulls from Modern Matter. Pro parenting tip: Fill clear canisters with cereal so kids can help themselves.