Jennifer Gizzi, DIY Dynamo

A Functional Renovator

Jennifer Gizzi of Making Pretty Spaces is the epitome of fearless DIYer. She isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves, pick up an impact driver, and create a stylishly functional house for her family of six—even if she makes a few mistakes along the way (which she encourages). Jennifer relentlessly applies her passion for DIY in all that she does and has made it her mission to instill that same spirit in others.

Our interview with Jennifer Gizzi was held in between her incredibly busy schedule of caring for four young children, constantly posting fresh content for her 145K+ followers, and prepping for her next undertaking. We discussed her tips and tricks for beginner DIYers, her two most recent projects completed in collaboration with Kohler, and her own advice for alternate-universe Jennifer.

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Gizzi.

"For someone who just wants to do something ... paint alone can completely transform a room." –Jennifer Gizzi

What are the basic tools every DIYer should own?

You need a drill for absolutely everything. And an investment in an impact driver can relieve a lot of frustration for beginner DIYers. Unlike a regular power drill, an impact driver has more torque and can make working on a project a lot easier. I would also suggest adding a miter saw, nail gun, caulk gun, and basic bit set to your arsenal.

Where would you recommend a beginner DIYer start?

A new coat of paint is one of the fastest and easiest ways to transform a room. And the great thing about it is that if you don’t like the way it turns out, you can simply repaint it. The addition of trim work, like shiplap or board and batten, can really help elevate the space, too—most people could knock that out as a first-time project.

"I needed my guest bathroom to be a little more operational and hospitable."
–Jennifer Gizzi

Can you talk about upgrading your guest bathroom shower?

I didn’t have it in budget or time to gut the entire guest bathroom—I just wanted it to be both usable and enjoyable. I started with replacing the old showerhead with the HydroRail^® shower kit from Kohler. In my research, it was the only solution I found that would instantly elevate the showering experience without having to go behind the wall. I just secured the column to the wall, then added the rainhead and handshower—it was super easy.

"It went from being the worst room to being the best with just cosmetic upgrades."
–Jennifer Gizzi

What else was surprisingly easy to replace?

Changing out the toilet wasn’t as hard as people might think, either—and I posted a video to highlight that fact when I installed a KOHLER Corbelle^® toilet. But because toilets are heavy, I would suggest enlisting some help, especially if you are new to the experience.

What other aspects of your guest bathroom got a refresh?

From the faucet to the floor, everything got a much needed update.

Because I couldn’t change out the chrome bath spout without going behind the wall, I chose the Artifacts^® sink faucet in the same finish—and it’s just so pretty. Then I did the lights and the hardware and some accessories in another finish. My belief is that you never want one metal in a room and then have everything else in the room a different metal. I always try to repeat something.

I also painted (yes, painted) over the old floor tile. After practicing on a sheet of plywood first, I started with a base coat of white. Six hours later, I taped out the pattern, applied a couple coats of each paint color, then pulled up the tape. In less than two days I totally transformed the entire bathroom floor. It was an easy and affordable improvement and one I continually get asked about.

"Be okay with taking things in stages." –Jennifer Gizzi

Share some joys and challenges of designing a kitchen.

I would say that the hardest part was the permanence of it. It’s a big investment of time and resources and I wanted nothing more than for it to work the way I envisioned it. As a self-proclaimed functional renovator, there was a lot of joy in imagining how it would change the way we operate on a daily basis, allowing us to spend more time in the space together as a family.

When did you start thinking about color palettes and materials?

I started about a year out, looking for inspiration and daydreaming about what I wanted it to look like. While my renders changed somewhat throughout the process, one constant was the apron-front Whitehaven^® sink—after seeing it in the KOHLER_® showroom I knew there was no other option. And when I learned about the Smart Divide^® feature, which converts it from one big basin to a divided sink, it was a no-brainer.

As for the color palette, I had it in my head I was going to have a black-and-white kitchen, but found I kept gravitating toward content featuring green cabinetry. So rather than ignore it I embraced it, testing every green paint color before landing on a gorgeous, warm shade.

What parts of the kitchen remodel were hardest and easiest?

The concrete countertops. Pouring them wasn’t difficult, but planning for them was—especially around the Whitehaven sink. Knowing there were no second chances was by far what I stressed out about the most. I probably planned and replanned, thought through, and measured fourteen different times.

Conversely, the construction and hanging of the cabinetry was relatively easy. Once I had a plan, putting it together, leveling it all, and then attaching it to the walls was easier than I thought it would be.

Living through a full remodel is not easy, so how did you manage?

Timing is everything. I knew I needed to do the renovation during the summer, so the kids could be outside and we could utilize the patio area for meals while trying to get the kitchen operational as quickly as possible. Those two things—having an outdoor space and having good weather—definitely made the renovation much more bearable.

If you were just beginning this project, what advice would you give yourself?

My expectations were too high from a timeline standpoint, and I beat myself up about that quite a bit. So my first piece of advice would be to make a mental change. From an actual design perspective, I didn’t think to move the oven. With gas lines and pipes and vents to consider, it felt like it was something I should leave where it was. Once the ceiling was ripped out, I realized I could have easily manipulated the vent and moved it over 12" to have symmetrical kitchen cabinets. But I love the way the kitchen turned out, so I’ll go back to my first point—don’t be so hard on yourself, Jennifer.

If this interview with Jennifer Gizzi has you creating DIY dreams for a quick refresh or a full remodel, Kohler offers products and services to support you every step of the way. If you’d like to learn more about our products and how they fit within your project, you can schedule a free consultation with a local KOHLER Signature Store product expert. If remodeling your kitchen or bathroom is on your mind, explore our Bathroom Design Service and get to know one of our certified designers.

Explore the full shopping list for Jennifer's updated guest bathroom and for Jennifer's fully refreshed kitchen.