Designing for a Lifelong Friend: How a 40-Year Friendship Shaped a Stunning Main Floor Renovation

What do you get when you combine over 40 years of friendship with a main floor renovation? A home that’s not only updated but also filled with love, trust, and maybe just a hint of 90s nostalgia! Recently, I had the honor of designing a renovation for my best friend, Jill. We’ve been through thick and thin together, so tackling her home project felt like a new adventure in our long friendship.

*Below are some BEFORE shots of some key rooms Jill wanted help with.

I sat down with Jill to ask her about her experience working with me on her renovation. Her answers (and some of mine) paint a perfect picture of how friendship can make even the most challenging of projects a breeze!

1. What was your main goal with your renovation?

Jill's response:
"Refresh/update our home by getting rid of the 90's finishes in the kitchen, bathrooms, and living/dining room."

My thoughts:
Oh, those 90s finishes had to go! From outdated cabinetry to romanesc columns, we wanted to give her home a fresh, timeless look that reflected her and Mike’s style today—no more throwbacks to decades gone by..

2. Did you have a vision or specific style in mind when we started?

Jill's response:
"Not really!! That is way outside of my wheelhouse, that is why we hired Tracy & Keith."

My thoughts:
This is where the magic of trust comes in! Jill handed over the design reins, knowing I’d bring a vision to life that she hadn’t quite pinned down herself. It was the perfect opportunity to surprise her with elements she never would have thought of—like those dreamy light fixtures she now adores!

3. How did our friendship influence our collaboration on your project?

Jill's response:
"It made it very easy for me to trust the process, because I know Tracy is a stickler for details."

My thoughts:
That’s one of the best parts of working with a close friend. Jill knew I would obsess over every little detail (because that’s who I am!), so she felt comfortable sitting back and letting the process unfold, stress-free.

4. What aspects of working together did you find most enjoyable?

Jill's response:
"The length of the project meant we were actually speaking more frequently than usual which meant more laughing & sharing of NKOTB memes."

My thoughts:
Yes, there were as many New Kids on the Block memes as there were light fixtures to choose from! Working together gave us even more time to catch up, laugh, and dive into all the nostalgia from our 80s and 90s youth. Bonus: our project meetings felt more like mini-reunions!

5. Were there any challenges during the reno that surprised you?

Jill's response:
"Actually there were way fewer challenges than I thought there would be! Hiring professionals makes something as complicated as a major renovation feel easy."

My thoughts:
Phew! This is the best feedback a designer can hear. It’s all about making sure the process feels seamless for the client. With the right team in place, even major overhauls can run smoothly—and it’s great to hear that’s how Jill felt.

6. What are your (or Mike’s) favorite parts of the final design?

Jill's response:
"I am completely in love with the hardwood floor!!! & I was shocked with how much I love the choice of light fixtures. Mike (who was reluctant to do the reno to begin with) is just really impressed with the end result & tells everyone he was wrong & it was so worth it. We also love the redesign of the ensuite shower. It's not something we could have envisioned & the design is beautiful & a great use of space."

My thoughts:
This answer makes my designer heart sing! The hardwood floors were a game-changer, and I knew Jill would love them (even if she didn’t know it at first!). Mike’s approval, especially after his initial reluctance, is the cherry on top. And that ensuite shower? One of my favorite transformations!

7. How has your reno changed your daily life?

Jill's response:
"I feel so happy & relaxed. Because I work from home, it's wonderful to be in a beautiful brand-new space."

My thoughts:
Creating a space where Jill feels relaxed and at peace, especially since she works from home, was key. A well-designed home truly impacts your mood and productivity, and I’m thrilled she feels that daily.

8. Looking back, what advice would you give someone about to embark on a similar reno journey?

Jill's response:
"Definitely hire Flawless!! The design specifications provided made getting quotes from contractors a breeze because you are literally comparing apples to apples & we got exactly what we were expecting. The contractor loved the details too, it made it very easy for them when organizing materials."

My thoughts:
This is why a detailed design plan matters! It helps everyone—from the homeowner to the contractor—know exactly what’s going to happen, making the renovation process smoother and more efficient.

9. How do you think our long friendship contributed to the success of your project?

Jill's response:
"It's definitely nice to be able to text your friend when you are having a panic attack because you can't quite picture what the heck is supposed to be happening or you aren't convinced the chairs you ordered are the right color & she is able to talk you down because you trust her taste from having known each other for 45 years & you are basically the same person deep down 😆."

My thoughts:
This is one of the most unique (and fun) aspects of designing for a friend! Having that open line of communication and the ability to ease her nerves with just a text is something that makes our friendship-turned-working relationship so special.

10. How do you envision your space evolving in the years to come? Any other future reno projects?

Jill's response:
"I really need to get input on the laundry room, it's time for it to come out of the 1980's!! & if all goes well, we can hire Flawless for a lake property design plan in the future."

My thoughts:
Looks like my work here isn’t done! I’m excited to see what future projects Jill and I will collaborate on—whether it's the laundry room or a dreamy lake house design!

11. Is Tracy the best designer in the universe? (Ha ha—just kidding!)

Jill's response:
"As far as I’m concerned, YES!"

My thoughts:
Okay, I may have been fishing for compliments here, but I’ll take it!

Final Thoughts
Renovating Jill’s home was more than just a project—it was an opportunity to create a space that truly reflects her and Mike’s lifestyle, all while strengthening our lifelong friendship. From major transformations like the kitchen cabinets to the smallest design details, we created a home they love—and had a blast doing it.

If you’re thinking about embarking on your own home renovation, remember: hire professionals, trust the process, and maybe, just maybe, add some NKOTB memes along the way!