Fariha Nasir, designer and creator of the Instagram sensation @pennies_for_a_fortune, helps you transform your everyday home into a cozy, beautifully decorated retreat with her easy renovation ideas and DIY room makeovers for every budget
If you love looking at inspiring interiors but often think, That is amazing, but there's no way I have what it takes (time, money, expertise) to pull it off, Fariha Nasir is here to change all that. Her new book is for everyone who loves good design but thinks they would need an army of experts to actually achieve the style they crave.
Home, Improved takes readers through the process of easy home improvement and teaches DIY novices how to choose materials and successfully create simple accessory, furnishing, and room makeovers.
There are plenty of books that claim to make renovating achievable, but here's the thing: because she has done this all herself, Nasir's smart approach reallydoes teach you how to create simple projects with success.
Her story is compelling: She arrived in the U.S. as a young immigrant with nothing more than a suitcase full of clothes and a handful of art supplies, but she was determined to add a decorative spark to the drab rental apartment she shared with her new husband. Fast-forward six years, one home, two children, and one TV show later, and Nasir has become a design influencer bravely leading her fans through projects they never thought they could accomplish—to create the homes they had always dreamed of.
Praise
“I’ve always been a big believer in playing by your own rules in your home, and that’s exactly what Fariha encourages readers to do in Home, Improved. I love that all her clever (and totally doable) projects empower homeowners and even renters to say, Not today, builder-grade! It really doesn’t take a lot of money to go from a cookie-cutter home to something that feels more custom, but you’ve gotta get creative and crafty and leave the fear behind. Fariha’s book can easily inspire anyone with heart and drive to try DIY and to take a chance on themselves and their rooms.”
—EMILY HENDERSON, stylist, designer, and New York Times bestselling author
“Fariha has an extraordinary gift for transforming everyday spaces into homes that feel deeply personal and full of life. Home, Improved empowers anyone to take on the challenge of reimagining their space, with creative solutions and heart-filled inspiration guiding every page. We’ve long admired the way she connects storytelling with design—this book is a true reflection of her warmth, wit, and belief that every home deserves character and care.”
—BARRY & JORDAN, The Brownstone Boys
“What makes Home, Improved so special is that it’s rooted in lived experience. I love that Fariha weaves culture, constraint, and creativity into a guide that proves beautiful homes aren’t born from unlimited budgets, but from curiosity, courage, and learning the ‘why’ behind every decision.”
—CARMEON HAMILTON, designer and HGTV star
“Part how-to, part pep talk, this DIY interior design guide is like having your most stylish (and slightly fearless) friend walk you through every project. Packed with easy tips, beautiful ideas, and a whole lot of encouragement, it turns the intimidating world of design into something totally doable and totally you.”
—NATALIE PAPIER, founder of Home Ec. and host of Artfully Designed on the Magnolia Network
“Over the years, I’ve watched Fariha bravely tackle project after project with stunning results, first on social media and then on her Magnolia Network show. She has single-handedly shown people the possibilities when you are willing to think outside the box and put in a little elbow grease. For anyone looking to put their own stamp on their home, this beautiful book is your guide for the process of how to do it and get professional results. She thinks like a designer, and now you can too.”
—HEMA PERSAD, founder of Sagrada Studios
