DIY Designer Transforms 1870s Barn House on a Budget

Jenni Yolo swapped fashion for fixer-uppers, chronicling her renovation of a rundown 1875 duplex in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood on her I Spy DIY blog and Instagram.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 11:15am

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After leaving her job in New York City, designer Jenni Yolo and her husband David took on the ambitious project of converting a rundown 1875 duplex in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood into a single-family home. Despite the home's dated, dirty, and cluttered condition, Jenni saw its potential and worked with a local renovation company to transform it into a charming, modern farmhouse-style abode, all while sticking to a tight budget.

Why it matters

Jenni's story highlights how creative DIY and budget-friendly design can breathe new life into an older, neglected home. Her ability to see past the home's flaws and envision its possibilities, combined with her resourcefulness in sourcing affordable materials and furnishings, serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through hard work and a little imagination.

The details

Jenni and David tackled a range of renovations, including rebuilding the porches, replacing the front door, refinishing the floors, adding a fireplace in the living room, and completely overhauling the kitchen. To stay on budget, Jenni used mostly lower cabinets from Cabinets to Go in the kitchen, hung Ikea metal rails below open shelving, and incorporated salvaged wood elements like a 100-year-old barn beam. In the bathroom, she maximized a narrow former bathroom space by installing maple ebony cabinets and topping them with butcher block for extra prep space.

  • Jenni and David purchased the 1875 duplex in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood a few years after Jenni left her job in New York City.
  • The couple spent several months converting the multifamily property into a single-family home and then promptly began the renovation process.

The players

Jenni Yolo

A designer and former DIY columnist at a major fashion magazine who left her job in New York City to pursue fixer-upper projects in Milwaukee, chronicling her work on the I Spy DIY blog and Instagram.

David Yolo

Jenni's husband, who worked alongside her on the renovation of their 1875 duplex home in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood.

Third Coast Renovation

The local renovation company that Jenni and David worked with to convert the multifamily property into a single-family home.

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What they’re saying

“Custom doesn't have to be synonymous with costly.”

— Jenni Yolo

“It's amazing how a coat of paint can take something from drab to modern.”

— Jenni Yolo

“Sometimes I ask my Instagram followers if I should buy an old piece, but they always say 'no.' Then I'll paint it, and everyone loves it.”

— Jenni Yolo

What’s next

Jenni and David plan to continue sharing the progress of their home renovation on the I Spy DIY blog and Instagram, inspiring others with their budget-friendly design ideas and DIY skills.

The takeaway

Jenni's transformation of the 1875 duplex into a charming, modern farmhouse-style home showcases how creativity, resourcefulness, and a willingness to put in hard work can breathe new life into an older, neglected property, even on a tight budget.