Wendy Lau: The House That Instagram Built—A DIY Journey in Home Renovation
Transform unexpected challenges into personalized design wins with budget-friendly hacks.
Wendy Lau, an influential DIY enthusiast, offers practical advice for anyone considering home renovations. Her blend of cottage-core warmth with grand millennial chic, and her open-book approach on Instagram, has resonated with over a million followers. In this episode of The Better Buy, hosted by Mélanie Berliet, Wendy dives into the strategies, setbacks, and successes that marked her latest home transformation in Toronto—a rich source of inspiration for both novice and experienced homeowners.
Introduction: The Heart Behind the Home
For Wendy, buying and renovating a home goes beyond real estate investment—it’s an intimate journey of self-expression. She shares how every space becomes personal through carefully considered renovations, budget strategies, and an unwavering vision of making her house a true home.
- Location: Toronto, Canada—a city with a challenging, competitive housing market.
- Current Home: Third purchased home, chosen for its potential and promise.
- Social Presence: Over a million Instagram followers keen on warm, boho vibes and practical DIY tips.
Setting a Renovation Budget: Lessons From Experience
One of the biggest hurdles in a renovation project is budgeting. Wendy shares detailed insights on how she approached budgeting for her Toronto home, revealing methods for balancing ambition with reality.
- Step 1: Assess Your True Needs
Wendy emphasizes understanding what truly needs updating. She and her husband prioritized projects that would improve daily living and add long-term value, often revisiting their plan when faced with unexpected events (like leaks). - Step 2: Be Honest About Your Financial Limits
The first question was always, “What can we afford and where should we draw the line?” Her husband, as the “accountant,” kept the budget in check, but was open to splurging if Wendy made a strong, justified case. - Step 3: Have A ‘Contingency Plan’
Wendy shares how renovation rarely goes as planned. She mentions throwing out original plans and recalculating after surprise repairs cropped up. - Step 4: Balance ‘Need to Have’ vs. ‘Nice to Have’
Projects were ranked by urgency, focusing first on essentials, then tackling wish-list items when budget and time allowed.
| Project Type | Budget Priority | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Essential repairs (e.g., leak) | High | Immediate action; redirect funds from other plans. |
| Kitchen renovation | High | Maximize utility and future value. |
| Principal bedroom, bathroom | Medium | Do when budget allows; compromise on features. |
| Decor updating | Low | Low-cost DIY, phased over time. |
Splurge or Save: Making Smart Choices
Another major theme is knowing when to splurge and when to save during renovations. Wendy details how she navigated these questions:
- Splurge:
- Places with high impact, like the kitchen, where improved functionality and aesthetics pay off.
- Quality flooring and hardware, which endure wear and tear.
- Statement lighting—elevates the mood and ties the aesthetic together.
- Save:
- Guest bathrooms—budget fixtures where style won’t compromise quality daily use.
- Accessories and small decor items—DIY, thrifted, or upcycled for uniqueness and budget-friendliness.
- Negotiating with tradespeople—exploring multiple quotes and budget-conscious options for labor.
Key Tip: “Look for ways to negotiate—both on material costs and professional labor.” Wendy’s husband often scouts for more budget-friendly options, and together they balance wants with real costs.
Design Philosophy: Cottage-Core Meets Grand Millennial Chic
Wendy’s design style merges cozy cottage-core elements—think layered textures, natural materials, hand-crafted pieces—with a modern, playful twist. She defines her approach as “cottage-core meets grand millennial chic,” creating spaces that are inviting, functional, and visually rich.
- Warmth: Earth tones, soft patterns, lived-in vibes.
- Layering: Mix old and new—vintage finds with contemporary accents.
- Personal Touch: Each room features at least one DIY, whether an art piece, custom shelving, or repurposed furniture.
“What makes a home yours is the sense of comfort and authenticity you create,” Wendy shares, noting the satisfaction of walking into a room that feels uniquely hers.
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Renovation and Relationships: A Team Effort
Renovating a home can test partnerships. Wendy details how her relationship with her husband has weathered the process through compromise and trust.
- Budgeting Together: Her husband acts as a “live-in accountant” and sanity check for spending.
- Division of Labor: Wendy leads design; her husband manages logistics and identifies savings.
- Mutual Trust: “He trusts my vision, and I trust his negotiation skills.”
- Conflict Resolution: They have learned to separate essential projects (structural, repairs) from wish-list items, sometimes setting aside desires when urgent issues arise.
Favorite Spaces: The Kitchen as Heart of the Home
When asked about her favorite room, Wendy immediately chooses the kitchen—”the biggest project and the main reason we bought this house.” For her, the kitchen isn’t just a place for meal prep, but a versatile communal hub for family, entertaining, and creativity.
- Why the Kitchen?
- Functional layout maximized for daily use.
- Style reflects the overall home—a blend of practical and beautiful.
- Better resale value thanks to smart investments and improvements.
- DIY Touches: Wendy did much of the design herself, sourcing cost-effective solutions without sacrificing style.
“I know that I came in and made it better than how we found it,” Wendy beams, highlighting the satisfying blend of personal accomplishment and practical impact.
Social Media & Storytelling: Building a Community
Wendy’s journey as a content creator is interwoven with her renovation story. Sharing real-life challenges and honest budgeting tips fosters a sense of community. Her transparency about failed plans, budgeting woes, and creative pivots has made her a relatable figure for followers seeking guidance.
- Instagram: A visual platform for DIY reveals, design inspiration, and renovation setbacks.
- Community: Followers share their own stories, creating a dialogue around authenticity and improvement.
- Engagement: Live Q&As, before-and-after photos, and step-by-step tutorials transform Wendy’s page into a resource hub.
Top Tips for First-Time Renovators
Wendy distills her experience into practical advice for anyone starting their own renovation journey:
- Start Small: “Test the waters with weekend DIYs before embarking on larger projects.” Gain confidence in your skills and learn what’s truly reasonable for your budget and schedule.
- Have a Flexible Plan: Be ready to pivot when surprised by leaks, structural issues, or cost overruns. Too rigid a plan hardly survives first contact with real conditions.
- Prioritize Value: Focus on updates that will make a difference for everyday living and resale down the line.
- DIY Fearlessly: “Try new things—even if they don’t turn out perfectly, you’ll learn and improve.”
- Create Personal Touches: Use reclaimed materials, personalized art, and meaningful objects to make the space yours.
Pro Tip: Document your process—mistakes and all. It helps you grow, and inspires others to do the same.
Challenges & Unexpected Costs: Adaptability Is Key
No renovation is free of setbacks. Wendy recounts how she had to completely change course when a leak forced attention away from planned upgrades, underscoring the importance of having a buffer in both timeline and budget.
- Be Realistic: Budget overruns and delayed timelines are the norm. “Expect the unexpected.”
- Stay Calm: When things go awry, focus on immediate needs, negotiate with pros, and make temporary compromises.
- Community Support: Don’t be afraid to seek advice—online groups and local friends can provide wisdom and recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How do you decide where to splurge or save?
A: Wendy considers daily use, future value, and the transformative impact of an item or update. She’ll splurge where it pays off in comfort and function—like kitchens and flooring; save on less-used areas or where a DIY solution suffices.
Q: How do you stay on budget during a renovation?
A: By setting a strict budget, constantly revisiting quotes, negotiating with trades, and prioritizing “need to have” versus “nice to have” projects. Unexpected costs are handled by deferring less urgent items to the future.
Q: What’s the biggest lesson from renovating?
A: Flexibility—being able to pivot when plans change is essential. Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to throw out a plan that isn’t working.
Q: What are your favorite sources for DIY inspiration?
A: Instagram communities, thrift stores, reclaimed materials, and other homeowners willing to share real stories and renovation tips online.
Q: How does renovating affect relationships?
A: It’s challenging, but when done together—with clear roles and compromise—it can strengthen bonds. Communication and mutual respect are vital.
Conclusion: The Real Better Buy
The story of Wendy Lau’s house is not just about clever budgeting and stylish DIYs. It’s about finding joy, meaning, and authenticity in the spaces we live in. By marrying practicality with personal flair—and sharing setbacks as well as successes—Wendy reminds us that our homes truly become “the better buy” when we invest not just money, but heart and creativity.
Additional Resources
- Follow Wendy Lau on Instagram for real-time DIYs and renovation stories.
- Listen to more episodes of The Better Buy podcast for expert advice and homeowner tips.
- Explore budget-friendly, high-impact home improvement strategies on Better Homes & Gardens.
References
- https://static.onecms.io/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/sites/37/2022/06/30/the-better-buy-episode-2-wendy-lau-transcript.pdf
- https://music.amazon.com/es-cl/podcasts/d2a32505-e3d5-4d3a-baaf-473712cff2c7/the-better-buy
- https://goodpods.com/podcasts/the-better-buy-269556/dave-and-jenny-marrs-the-story-behind-fixer-to-fabulous-32277218
- https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/d2a32505-e3d5-4d3a-baaf-473712cff2c7/episodes/1926e08f-0ae8-41f8-8ffb-191df02bd0c3/the-better-buy-wendy-lau-the-house-that-instagram-built
- https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-better-buy-98153979/
- https://fountain.fm/show/5614613
- https://metacast.app/podcast/let-s-talk-about-snacks/iHxSe10c
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