By the time this issue of 17th South lands on your local newsstand, it’ll have been almost exactly a year since I became a homeowner for the first time.

And from the moment my husband and I signed on the dotted line (make that many dotted lines), we’ve spent almost every day finding ways to improve our space that will give us a sense of sweat equity and won’t break the bank. Whether brightening up our dark kitchen cabinets with a few coats of crisp, white paint or getting our hands (and knees) dirty by tidying up around the yard, the results are always gratifying. What could be better than living in a home that makes you feel happy?

But motivation to wake up your space doesn’t require a mortgage. Whether you own your home or share a rented apartment with roommates, options abound when it comes to breathing new life into your abode. In this issue’s cover story, “Spring Awakening” (page 33), writer Melanie Lasoff Levs shares do-it-yourself tips and tricks from local interior designers and DIY experts. Simply dressing up your non-working fireplace with pretty, painted logs or rethinking your window treatments can give your home a fresh, new feel. Ready to get your hands dirty (or covered in paint)? Read on.

Speaking of stylish homes, head to page 12 to check out writer Karon Warren’s story about a bright and airy Midtown dwelling that might just give you some inspiration. And, as usual, we’re sharing plenty of food, drink and entertainment options for the months to come—perhaps a reward for all of your hard work at home. Enjoy!

Lindsay Lambert Day
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF