Welcome to DnYDIY: From Keys to Today
- Debbie B.Z Sharvit
- Aug 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 1
Hi, we’re Debbie and Yaron 👋 the duo behind DnYDIY. We work in tech during the week, but our passion shows up on the weekends: turning our fixer-upper into a dream home, one project at a time.
Eight years ago, we moved to the U.S. with our two boys. After four years in Queens, NY, we traded city life for the suburbs during the pandemic. That same year, both of our companies went public, and we were able to buy a home of our own.
We got incredibly lucky: an off-market deal, a rare mortgage under 3%, and a property in one of the most amazing towns — tucked at the end of a quiet dead-end street with a huge backyard, privacy, and space for our boys to grow.
The Day We Got the Keys
When we first walked in, we knew this house had soul. It was a large ranch with subtle mid-century features — clean lines, airy potential, and character that had been forgotten through decades of mismatched updates.
But the challenges were impossible to miss: broken windows and doors, no proper heating, dark and dated interiors, and every room seemed to belong to a different decade. Still, we could see past it all — because the bones and location were perfect.
Pre-Move Renovation: 3 Months of Hard Work
Before we moved in, we had just three months to tackle the essentials. It was a whirlwind of projects:
We tore down walls to open up the kitchen and main space, and we removed a bathroom that was blocking the entrance. That demo meant the floors had to be replaced anyway — and it gave us the chance to make one of our first big design calls.
We installed a brand new heating and AC system so the house would finally be comfortable and functional year-round.
We replaced broken windows and patio doors to secure the home.
We placed our first order for a kitchen — a small, starter version just to make the house functional. Since then, we’ve extended the cabinetry twice and replaced the countertop, slowly transforming it into a kitchen we love.
And since everything felt so dark, we painted the entire house stark white to give ourselves a blank canvas. At the time, it was the fastest choice we could make. Later, we realized we craved more warmth, so little by little we’ve been repainting in soft, natural tones as we update each space.
For the floors, here’s how it came together:
The parquet in the main space was too dated, so we replaced it with bold espresso chevron wood flooring.
The bedroom with parquet was updated with similar wood to match the rest of the house.
In several other rooms, we uncovered original wood hiding under carpet and vinyl, which we refinished and stained to blend seamlessly.
And in the kitchen, we decided not to continue with wood at all. With two active boys, we needed something more durable and low-maintenance, so we went with terrazzo — a choice that’s both practical and stylish, and one of the features that makes our home feel truly unique.
That was the first time we felt like the house was truly becoming ours — honoring its history while giving it fresh life and a touch of modern style.
Move-In Reality
Moving in was… let’s just say not glamorous. The house wasn’t anywhere near “move-in ready.” When we arrived:
None of the bathrooms had been remodeled yet — in fact, we actually removed one of the four bathrooms because it was blocking the entrance. We had to start remodeling each bathroom one by one.
We didn’t even have a kitchen. For weeks, we used the sink in the wet bar in the living room just to get by until the kitchen finally arrived.
No trims or doors (we took them down for some reason)
We didn't even started thinking on the exterior
All we had was beautiful floors and fresh painted walls.
Today: Our Ongoing Transformation
Fast forward to today — our home is brighter, warmer, and more “us” than ever before. But here’s the truth: it’s always evolving.
We change something almost every month. It’s not rare for a room to go through three or four versions — our kitchen and living room are perfect examples. At first, it was about quick fixes and making things work. Today, we know better.
We’ve learned the importance of design and proportions — how scale, balance, and flow can completely change the way a room feels. We’ve learned to spot the difference between trendy choices that fade quickly and timeless ones that last. Most importantly, we’re not afraid to undo and redesign if something doesn’t feel right.
Our house is a living project. Every redesign teaches us something new, and every iteration brings us closer to the home we’ve always envisioned.
What still is on our to do list
Finishing our basement is still a massive work in progress
Deck and hopefully a pool in the near future
Our bedrooms need some refresh
Closing some weird and build a closet we took off in the guest room
Build a mudroom?
Renovate our Garage
What to Expect at DnYDIY
Here you’ll find:
Before & After transformations you can steal inspiration from
Weekend projects that anyone can do, and some Ikea hacks and finds
Lessons learned - including our fails, because they happen often 😉
Thanks for being here at the very beginning of our journey online. We can’t wait to share the progress, the messes, and the magic with you.
👉 Follow along on Instagram @DnY_DIY for updates, and check back here each week for new projects, tips, and shoppable links to the tools and materials we actually use.
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