One woman has taken on quite the task of renovating eight abandoned apartments, wowing internet users in the process with what she managed to achieve during the ambitious project.
The apartments, located in Minden, Louisiana, were purchased by Sara McDaniel in the fall of 2021 and now offer a unique accommodation option for visitors to the area, including bright décor and even an indoor swing.
“They had been vacant for nearly 40 years, and no one else was willing to take a risk on them,” McDaniel told Newsweek. “I saw the beauty in the broken, and when I had the opportunity to purchase them, I jumped on it.”
Late last month, McDaniel shared a video of the transformations to TikTok, going viral with over 1.5 million views, showing the process of giving these apartments new life from start to finish. The video shows the eight apartments looking extremely run down after McDaniel had just purchased them, then giving snapshots of the work that went into them and the final result.
The villas contain a bedroom/kitchen area, like a studio apartment. They have not been occupied since the 1980s, until recently.
“One of my strongest skills is turning blighted and historic properties into works of art,” McDaniel told Newsweek. “I knew going into this The Villas would be my most challenging project to date, yet I wholeheartedly felt this project would leave a legacy for our community; it was imperative that I save them.”
She added: “In addition, the apartments are historically significant for our area, and it was important to save this history for generations to come. It has been so rewarding to me for people to come stay here who knew the property previously and have enjoyed the transformation.”
McDaniel completed the transformation of the eight apartments by February 2023, less than two years after she purchased them. “We have been open as a boutique short-term stay property since then,” she said.
In McDaniel’s TikTok video, she highlights the “Daisy” room, which she has kitted out with decorative wallpaper, bright appliances, and even a swing, as well as a bathroom with a cast iron tub and the original bright tiling on the walls.
Home renovations are on the rise in the United States, according to Statista. The home improvement market was worth $544.6 billion in the U.S. last year and is expected to be $549.2 billion by the end of this year. By 2027, it is expected to reach $602.5 billion.
TikTok Users React
Many TikTok users were impressed with McDaniel’s finished product, while others weren’t a fan of her decorative decisions.
“I’m so glad you kept the tile!!! Happy this came up on my FYP page as I’m from Louisiana and always looking for a good local getaway,” user Celeste Mott wrote.
A TikTok user with the name Sunflower commented: “Nah bathroom is a NO.”
“OMG I normally hate wallpaper, but that is absolutely breathtaking!” user Marnie Shepherd wrote.
@Annaliisamcadams commented: “I love your ideas! So sick of the ordinary!”
“I want to come back to Minden just so I can stay at one of your villas,” @sharonfostergreen shared.
“That swing takes up valuable space in an area that small, you need liveable [sic] space not quirky design ideas,” @discydiscerton commented to which McDaniel replied: “These are short term rentals solid space isn’t as much as an issue as if it were a long-term rentals. It’s more about creating an experience for my guests.”
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