Since the last HOME issue was published in April — at the height of the state’s stay-at-home order due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — it’s been a really weird time, to say the least.

The area’s weeks-long “red” and “yellow” phases meant, among other things, that people were spending a lot more time staring at their own four walls — so no wonder it led to a flurry of home renovation projects.

My social media feeds were fairly bursting with people sprucing up their outdoor spaces, painting cabinets or tackling a long-overdue bathroom renovation project. Personally — with my husband claiming sole proprietorship over our office as he worked from home — that meant turning our home’s foyer into a workspace for me and our kindergarten-age daughter.

Once we realized online work and schooling were here to stay, it also became clear we needed a better long-term solution than the dining room table (a.k.a my desk) and a child-size play table, which I found out the hard way is not comfortable for adult-sized people trying to help their children complete school assignments.

My husband eventually dragged his wooden childhood desk up from the basement — then we gave it a makeover. To update it, John painted it a pretty blush shade. I ordered sleek and modern brushed gold fixtures online to complete the look. I also added artwork, photos and — of course — greenery to cheer up the space and make it a more pleasant work environment; I spend a lot of time here.

And while the Pittsburgh region has opened up more under the “green” phase, it’s still advised to stick close to home, so why not make it look nice? If you’re thinking about taking on your own home improvement project, this issue, which focuses on renovations, is the perfect guide.

The Total Transformations feature by April Johnston takes a look at three jaw-dropping local projects, including gut-to-the-studs renovations on the North Side and Lawrenceville and a gorgeous, and budget-friendly, “unflip” in the city.

Also, garden expert Martha Swiss also shares her tips on how to rehab and renovate your outdoor space — advice I plan to take myself (that area still needs some help) from the comfort and safety of my cozy new workspace.

Jessica Sinichak, HOME Editor
jsinichak@pittsburghmagazine.com
412/304-0910