Tamara Day, the host of HGTV’s hit show Bargain Mansions, specializes in renovating and restoring large, neglected houses and projects that would intimidate most — making the aspirational attainable. Here, the designer shares a glimpse inside her own Kansas City home and discusses how its spaces bring her family joy.
Photography provided by Tamara Day
What’s your approach to design when it comes to your own living space?
When I’m thinking about designing my own space, I’m always considering my four kids and how active and lively our household is. Everything has to be livable, and I want my home to always feel laid-back and comfortable. I also love a touch of luxe thrown in.
What are some of your favorite decor, design or architectural elements in your home?
One of my favorite things in my home are all of the open shelves. We have a breakfast corner with shelves where I’ve placed my coffee and baking stations. The main body of our kitchen also has open shelving flanking the kitchen window that overlooks the backyard. I’m a bit of a dish-aholic, so getting to see all of my dishes on display every day makes me happy.
I also love the incorporation of the beautiful original wood box beams in the living room. They remind me of trying times. I sanded each and every beam myself in order to save a penny and achieved the exact look I was hoping for.
How did you approach the design of your home?
Initially when we bought this home, we wanted it to feel bright and open with lots of different wood tones. Over the years, I’ve added a ton of new additions, like great light fixtures. I also repainted the ceiling in my kitchen a soft blue and the lower cabinets black with beautiful gold hardware. I’ve also added tons of fresh wallpaper throughout.
Back when I started designing this house, I didn’t have the online platforms of today to pull inspiration from. Instead, I had giant binders full of pictures that I tore out of every shelter magazine. I still have five of those binders, and sometimes for fun, I peek back through them to see how much my design style has evolved.
What’s your process for finding pieces for your home?
Finding just the right pieces in my own home is pretty easy because I love all kinds of looks and I’m constantly switching things up. It’s pretty rare for something to stay in my house for more than a year. If it happens to stay, you know I really love it.
If you could add one design item to your home, what would it be?
Currently, I’m wishing for hardwood floors throughout my entire second floor. After renovating our main bathroom, the carpets have become a mess, but the thought of more construction right now sounds awful. Construction fatigue is a real thing.
Do you have a favorite room?
I have several favorite rooms in my house. I love our family room because it is so comfortable. The kitchen is definitely the heart of the home. As I mentioned, the main bathroom was just renovated, and I find myself never wanting to leave that room. And now with winter in full swing, I’ve been spending more and more quality time with the heated floors and steam shower.
What room do you spend most of your time in? How does this room serve you?
The kitchen. It’s really the space where my family comes together the most, and I love cooking and baking with my kids. (Having four kids means there is always someone looking for something to eat.)
How are your personal spaces bringing you comfort or joy right now?
I really love our bedroom. It has a beautiful gray buffalo check wallpaper and a cozy fireplace. It’s also the spot in our home that hosts some of my favorite artworks. Getting to wake up every morning and go to sleep every night with my favorite pieces makes it the coziest room.
