turning a – Construction began in September 2025 on a house the couple originally planned as a starter home, and they stayed close to the renovation day-to-day—catching framing issues, doing parts of the work themselves, and building furniture and closet space—turning it
Construction started in September 2025 with the couple’s future already mapped out—at least on paper. For DiBona and Koci, the plan was simple: start with a house that worked, then reshape it into something that would last.
DiBona stayed with her parents during the renovation so she and Koci could keep a close eye on progress. “My contractor probably didn’t love that, but I was over here like micromanaging every day,” DiBona said. “I knew the measurements of everything. so there were a couple of little things I caught when they first were framing it out.”.
One of those “little things” became a turning point in how the home took shape. DiBona wanted a two-story foyer because she likes how it looks—and because she wants to place her Christmas tree there each holiday season. When the foyer was first framed, it was set at 7 feet instead of 10.
Because she was there so often, she noticed the error early enough to act. She was able to get her contractor to fix the height before the renovation was complete.
DiBona didn’t limit her involvement to supervision. In addition to designing the new floor plan, she also did work herself throughout the construction process. “I definitely did a good amount of painting,” she said. She also stained the railings, stained her front door, and plastered her hood in her kitchen.
As the house moved from construction to living, her hands-on approach continued. She built her furniture and closet, and selected the decor for the house—choices that turned the finished rooms into something personal, not just newly renovated.
starter home forever home renovation construction started September 2025 two-story foyer Christmas tree spot $500 000 micromanaging contractor painting stained railings stained front door plastered kitchen hood built furniture built closet decor selection