Mantlepiece with an ornate mirror, sconce lighting and a plant, next to a bookcase with books

Turn your small city fixer upper into a place to call home.

City living comes with a unique set of challenges—older houses that need upgrades, small spaces that feel cramped and uninviting, and always a lack of storage.

If you’re looking for DIY renovation ideas, design solutions for small spaces, and budget-friendly ways to bring new life to your old city home, you’ve come to the right place.

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Ask me your home improvement questions and I will write you back!

Are you renovating your old home? I’d love to connect with you about it and pass on some of the lessons we learned from our Toronto home renovation. Do you have questions about home renovations you’re planning? Or even just general old home repair? I’m happy to chat about that too!

Fill out the form below with a question you have about your home. I am looking forward to hearing about the projects on your mind!

Hi, I’m Alanna

Home Renovator – Architectural Technician – Masters of Building Science

Welcome to The Yellow Brick Rose, a site to dedicated to helping aspiring DIYers with their old home repair and renovations.

​My name is Alanna, and along with my husband Malcolm, we have been renovating our 100-year-old fixer-upper in Toronto, Ontario. As we’ve worked room by room, turning it into our family home, we’ve learned some valuable lessons. From general renovation knowledge to the nitty-gritty hardworking tutorials, I would love to share these lessons with you and encourage aspiring renovators to dare to DIY! I know you will be thrilled with what you can accomplish in your own space.