Keyanna Bowen
Knowing how to make a rental feel like home wasnt a natural skill for Keyanna Bowen.
She launched a blog,East & Lane, and a YouTube channel.
She honed her photography and styling skills.
Credit:Keyanna Bowen
She earned her real estate license and enrolled in carpentry training at her local community college.
Her mix of talents eventually led toMagnolia Networkand a show that tied her interests together.
Over six years, the landlord has contributed $4,700.
She will swap them when its time to move.
It takes patience and a plan, but its worth it, she says.
Keyanna and her husband may be renters, but they flex like owners.
New paint freshens the room.
The kitchen facelift started with a fresh coat of white paint (Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace).
Its the same white she used throughout the house.
Peel-and-stick flooring covers the out-of-style sheet vinyl.
The nickel faucet,subway tile backsplash, and butcher-block countertop are affordable and widely available upgrades.
Keyanna added new cup pulls and repainted the original knobs a high-contrast black.
To cover the knotty wood paneling, Keyanna used a durable, stain-blocking primer before painting.
She splurged on the sleek cone pendant from Rejuvenation and chose the upholstered bench for comfort.
The cloudlike chandelier floats amid blue dining room walls (Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray).
Credit:Keyanna Bowen
The guest room was part of a collaborative project Keyanna did with bloggerEmily Henderson.
Keyannas designs always include a vintage rug, a striking light fixture, and quality drapes.
Living in a rental doesn’t have to mean temporary style.
Credit:Keyanna Bowen
I look at this place like it’s my home.
The low platformbed from Articleand Cadence semi-flush-mount light fixture fromMitzicreate the illusion of spaciousness.
The vintage rug with subtle peachy tones inspired Keyanna to add the throw pillows and blanket.
Credit:Keyanna Bowen
In the bathroom, Keyanna freshened tile with tile paint and replaced wallpaper with acoat of limewash.
She updated the vanity with paint, new hardware and a faucet, and a marble remnant top.
The sconces and mirror are a better size for the space.
After cleaning and power-washing the porch, Keyanna asked her dad tobuild a swing.
Its one of those sentimental things that makes this rental feel like home, she says.
We asked about working together in the social media space.
What Does the Mentorship Program Involve?
Emily:Keyannas upstairs became our lab.
She designed the project, and we worked behind the scenes.
Credit:Keyanna Bowen
We debuted the project on her blog and mine to grow readership on both sites.
How Did the Program Benefit You?
Keyanna:Emilys team used her leverage to secure support for my project.
Emilys blog is big, with more than a million unique page visitors a month.
Being featured on her blog gave me visibility.
How Do Social Platforms Bring Us Together?
Emilys on the West Coast and Im on the East, and our relationship has blossomed.
Im now a contributoron her site.
Emily:More than ever, we need each other as a source of collective creativity and strength.
Collaborating with creative people fills me up.
Social media is a connector.
It brings people together.
Styled by Giulietta Pinna
Produced by Monika Biegler Eyers
