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I Transformed This Empty Cottage in ONE DAY for $3,200

Maria Killam

15,754 views

This one-day cottage makeover proves you don’t need to renovate to completely transform a space. I’m helping 20-year-old Derek turn his empty, unfinished-feeling cottage into a warm and inviting home using better furniture placement, area rugs, lamps, art, colour and the finishing layers that make a room feel complete.

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00:00 Meet Derek and the Cottage
01:17 Why It Feels Empty
01:47 Quick Layout Fixes
03:14 HomeSense Shopping Run
07:21 Solving the TV Corner
08:07 Styling vs Planning
08:58 The Big Reveal Tour
11:42 Budget Breakdown and Tips
14:20 Derek Reacts to the Makeover
15:31 Casting and Wrap Up

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How I Made This Small Apartment Feel Twice...

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👋 ABOUT MARIA

Maria Killam is a decorator, stylist, educator and creator of the Killam Colour System™ and the Understanding Undertones® Neutral Colour Wheel.

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20 Comments

@MariaKillamDesigner Creator 14 hours ago Pinned

✨ Ready to make your rooms feel finished? Join Styling School: https://mariakillam.com/styling-school/
🏡 Want me to makeover your home next? Toronto Nov 3–8 + Lower Mainland applications are open!
Apply: https://mariakillam.com/one-day-makeovers/

@susandermond9254 12 hours ago

What beautiful views out the windows!

@lorip3011 12 hours ago

That cord for the dinner table lamp is dangerous.

@ruthmcdowell8125 11 hours ago

Derek did well in saying what he didn’t like and was right on with baby blue cushion with the single chair. He is one lucky guy with that awesome home.

@Jewelybee7 7 hours ago

Everything looks awesome. You're right curtains will be the finishing touch.❤

@andreahare4028 13 hours ago

I wish you did one a day Maria, this is my favorite channel. I learn so much, you are a wizard!

@WellEditedCo 11 hours ago

It definitely looks so cozy and inviting now! I love the colors you added, and all the lamps of course!

@pamelafox7677 12 hours ago

So great for a young guy to have a cool place. The dining table, genius, the rug and the lamp make it a magnet to sit down and talk read puzzle eat.

@guinnessgurl21 13 hours ago

I clicked onto this video so dang fast! I love one day makeovers. They can be so much fun!
I was noticing that Derek’s live edge bench would have made an excellent coffee table if he did not already have the ottoman.
I also love that you are putting lamps onto tables. I am currently doing the same in my space.
Derek’s mom is a very good sport and Derek definitely reaped the benefits!

@JustlovingJesus-r6p 12 hours ago

Maria you have challenged me to place more lamps in my home & I'm loving it. Thank you.

@annbrimm2804 11 hours ago

Miria is a cheerleader. A fabulously enthusiastic woman. Love her fast approach to decorating ❤

@annbrimm2804 11 hours ago

I love the art behind the tv. Genius

@AndreaKeller-g8b 8 hours ago

One of my favourite transformations

@lorip3011 12 hours ago

Nobody needs a ceiling fan above a dining table

@jillrector6968 11 hours ago

Since you mentioned slapping the rugs when you’re shopping in previous videos I was cracking up how many times you slapped the rugs and pillows. I enjoy your passion. Everyone deserves a cozy space

@donnahong5998 13 hours ago

Very cute, I would rotae the bench so that it is on the kitchen side and when food preping it is more free and clear to set items on the table coming and going from the counter to the table.

@rachelmmom 13 hours ago

What a sweet guy

@lisahoerr9713 7 hours ago

Wow! Looks amazing!!

@junegagnon6506 6 hours ago (edited)

It's interesting that because it's a small house that it's called a cottage. I grew up in a small house and most of the houses were not huge or what I term as monster houses today.
My parents were from the prairies and I grew up with that prairie lifestyle they brang with them. There wasn't a house full of decorated or carefully crafted looks in fact it was mostly second hand and furniture my Dad Built but it was clean and my Mom made it a home with lots of amazing home cooking and baking that she spoiled all of us with. I treasure the memories of that little house that in today's terms would be a cottage. It was country living which has always been my favorite go to style....