Mae Lutz’s family home began construction in late 2019, and they moved in the day before Thanksgiving in 2020. During this journey, Mae decided to start an Instagram account to document the process, which led to the creation of Lutz Go Home! Acting as general contractors during the pandemic, they had to hire, fire, and manage every subcontractor themselves. Mae said it was incredibly stressful to execute but fun to share. She posted updates casually, reflecting their progress on the build.
When Mae and her husband decided to build their house, the initial plan was for a traditional farmhouse. However, she fell in love with ultra-modern homes, so they opted for the modern farmhouse style that was so popular in 2020. The house remained almost exclusively white, grey, and black for years. Eventually, Mae felt a growing urge to add color. In 2023, she decided to dive back into house projects and transform their space. Since then, the account has grown, along with her style and confidence in DIY. They first ventured into riskier territory when Mae painted her office pink and her husband's office a dark grey, almost black. Now, nothing scares her! She said, “Bold floral wallpaper from top to bottom? Sign me up. Things reminiscent of your grandma’s house? I’ve got them. Blending old and new with dusty colors and lots of florals makes me incredibly happy.”
Mae loves a vintage aesthetic, so when searching for products online, she often uses terms like "vintage," "antique," "brass," "ornate," and "European," which is how she found Nostalgic Warehouse! She is also an avid thrift store and estate sale shopper, making blending old and new pieces exciting.
Mae says the best part about doing home updates and renovations is the confidence she gains with each completed project. While she loves the end result, the real reward is the pride and empowerment she feels to tackle more challenges. She says she was too intimidated to make big changes or take risks for years, always hearing the same advice: "Keep it neutral, or you'll regret it in 10 years." While that might hold some truth, Mae decided not to let it stop her. She now embraces new things, bold patterns, and dark colors, transforming her home from a monochrome palette to a vibrant mix of colors and vintage pieces. Best of all, she learned to do it herself through DIY projects.
Mae’s least favorite part about home projects is the small steps it takes to actually finish them. She told us, “It might sound silly, but there's truth in the saying, "The last 10% of the project takes 90% of the time." This is especially true for me. I often get nearly to the end and then leave the simplest tasks—like touching up paint, changing hinges, and adding small details—for the longest time.”
One of Mae’s most significant challenges in DIY projects is remembering to allow more time than initially anticipated. She said it's easy to oversimplify a task in your mind, thinking, "All I need to do is X, Y, and Z." But once immersed in it, unexpected issues arise, and tasks that seem simple become much more complex than imagined.
Her favorite projects are complete room makeovers. Since the rooms had remained white since they built the house, Mae had a blank slate to work with. She loves fully transforming a space with paint, wallpaper, trim, new lighting, and special details like doorknobs and decor. Her favorite room in her home is her office because it was the first project she tackled independently. She installed trim, painted, and hung wallpaper herself for the first time, making that room especially meaningful. It catalyzed all the other rooms she transformed this past year.
A highlight of Mae’s career so far was the incredibly rewarding opportunity to work with HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams and create content for the HGTV Smart House 2024. “It was surreal to be in the same room with HGTV professionals!”
When asked if there was anything else she wanted to share, Mae told us: “Nostalgic Warehouse truly opened my eyes to how the smallest details, like doorknobs, hinges, and light switch covers, can make a significant impact. These elements are the jewelry of a room, adding beauty and character in a truly remarkable way.
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