Keyanna Bowen makes renting look so safe that she ’s made a life history of it — as a couturier , lensman , content Jehovah , and legion of The Magnolia connection show " Rental Redo . "

Keyanna Bowen

Knowing how to make a rental feel like habitation was n’t a natural skill for Keyanna Bowen . But as a renter , she felt like part of a leave universe in the design world and was inspired to avail fill up that vacuum . She launched a blog , East & Lane , and a YouTube channel . She hone her photography and styling acquisition . She earned her genuine estate license and enrolled in woodwork breeding at her local residential district college . Her mixture of talent finally lead toMagnolia Networkand a show that tied her interest group together .

portrait of Keyanna Bowen in living room

Credit:Keyanna Bowen

At one point , Keyanna and hubby Daniel were lease abuilder - score condothat allow for her feel creatively flat , so she searched for a rental house she could make over and written document . They moved to a home in Salisbury , MD , and Keyanna pitched the proprietor an transcription : She would choose low-priced , indestructible material and make the improvement , and he would allow for a budget . “ Because I was asking him to invest in materials , I want to show that these ideas were improve the economic value of the dimension , ” Keyanna says . Over six class , the landlord has contribute $ 4,700 .

She invested her own money in trappings , artistic creation , rugs , mantle , and dialect that she could take to her next home . When light fixtures , hardware , and faucets conk beyond the budget , she purchase and instal what she need , storing the proprietor ’s original safely in the basement . She will swap them when it ’s meter to move . “ It takes patience and a plan , but it ’s worth it , ” she says .

Keyanna and her husband may be renters , but they bend like owners . In the living elbow room , she take away dated elements of the fireplace and built - ins , swapped old hinges with hide ones , and add trim to the front of shelf . New key freshen the elbow room .

dated kitchen before makeover by Keyanna Bowen

The kitchen facelift started with a invigorated coat of white key ( Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace ) . It ’s the same white she used throughout the house . Sir Robert Peel - and - stick floor covers the out - of - style sheet vinyl radical . The nickel faucet , subway system tile backsplash , and butcher - block countertop are affordable and widely available upgrade . Keyanna add up fresh cup pluck and repainted the original knobs a high - contrast lightlessness .

To traverse the tortuous wood paneling , Keyanna used a durable , stain - blocking primer before house painting . She splurge on the slick cone pendant from Rejuvenation and chose the upholstered terrace for comfort .

The nebular pendant float amid blue-blooded dining room walls ( Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray ) . The white oak tree table fromABC Carpet & Homewas an investment , but the sideboard is a $ 222IKEA Besta cabinetthat Keyanna dressed up by adding half - round molding to the side and door .

White cabinets in kitchen with butcher block countertop

The guest room was part of a collaborative project Keyanna did with bloggerEmily Henderson . Keyanna ’s design always include a vintage rug , a striking light habitue , and quality drapes .

Living in a rental does n’t have to stand for irregular manner . I calculate at this plaza like it ’s my household . Taking possession , even though I ’m renting , has open up my mind and intentionality on how I want my spaces to live and finger .

The humiliated platformbed from Articleand Cadence semi - affluent - mount light fixture fromMitzicreate the legerdemain of spaciousness . The vintage rug with insidious peachy tones inspire Keyanna to tot the cam stroke pillow and blanket . “ If your bedroom is achromatic , it ’s loose to swap out the bedclothes as your vogue evolve , ” she says .

“before” of breakfast nook

In the can , Keyanna freshened roofing tile with roofing tile paint and replace wallpaper with acoat of limewash . She updated the vanity with pigment , new hardware and a spigot , and a marble remnant top . The sconces and mirror are a better size for the space .

After cleaning and power - wash the porch , Keyanna asked her dad tobuild a lilt . “ It ’s one of those sentimental things that cause this rental feel like home , ” she says .

Sara Ligorria - Tramp

Breakfast nook with white walls and table

Social Connectors

Keyanna design her office and guest room as part ofEmily Henderson ’s Design Blogger mentorship program in 2020 . We require about working together in the social medium space .

What Does the Mentorship Program Involve?

Keyanna : The program is for aspiring bloggers , and it showed me how to figure out with marque partners while transforming a blank in my home and to find ways to document and let on the project on social platforms .

Emily : Keyanna ’s upstairs became our lab . She designed the project , and we worked behind the scenes . We debut the project on her blog and mine to raise readership on both sites .

How Did the Program Benefit You?

Keyanna : Emily ’s squad used her leverage to ensure support for my project . Emily ’s blog is cock-a-hoop , with more than a million alone page visitors a month . Being featured on her web log gave me visibility .

How Do Social Platforms Bring Us Together?

Keyanna : I do n’t think there ’s a secure way to forgather and connect with someone who exist across the country or earth . Emily ’s on the West Coast and I ’m on the East , and our relationship has blossomed . I ’m now a contributoron her situation .

Emily : More than ever , we need each other as a source of corporate creativity and strength . Collaborating with originative the great unwashed fills me up . I ’m commove when I see other people succeed , and because of that , I hope to grow the mentorship program . Social medium is a connector . It bring people together .

Styled by Giulietta Pinna

Dining room with bubble chandelier

Credit:Keyanna Bowen

bring out by   Monika   Biegler Eyers

Guest bedroom

Credit:Keyanna Bowen

Bedroom with bed and nightstand

Credit:Keyanna Bowen

“Before” of small bathroom

Black vanity in bathroom with mirror above it

Porch with porch swing and outdoor furniture

Credit:Keyanna Bowen

Portrait of Keyanna Bowen

Portrait of Emily Henderson