Paige Rien

When I was working in television, on HGTV's "Hidden Potential" for five seasons, to be exact, I found out I had way too much to say for TV. I had more to say about making home and making it personal and unique, than time slots between commercial breaks would allow. I have always loved making spaces mine. I can remember at Girl Scout Camp, rearranging the furniture. I can recall how I decorated my first apartment in alarming detail. I am passionate about bringing personal stories to spaces - not just things.

My passion for architecture and design began at Brown University, where I majored in Urban Studies. My husband, Francis, and I have been fixing up old houses and renovating together since we first met. Other couples have bridge - we have home improvement. I got the idea for LOVE THE HOUSE YOU'RE IN, while working on HGTV, after I received literally hundreds of emails from people, telling me how much they hated their homes, how much they wished they could have me come "fix" them and make it all better. People love talking about their homes, and a lot of folks really struggle with making their homes what they want them to be. The book is encouragement, inspiration and actionable ideas to make lasting change in your home.

Francis and I have moved 11 times together. We have made house in lots of different spaces. Part of making a house work is bringing yourself to the space - the other part is respecting what the space provides. Sometimes it's a 120-year-old Victorian, sometimes its a 1940s ranch house. Whatever your house is, it can be appreciated, brought to life with your own life, and made into a home. I feel strongly that working on our own houses, ourselves, also leads to house love. A little DIY goes a long way, emotionally.

I wrote the book while pregnant with my fourth child and only girl. Making a house with three young boys, before she was born, is another book for another day. We live outside of Washington, DC and try not to spend every weekend with a new house project.