Kristan Cunningham's L.A. house

With the forthcoming OWN show, Cunningham moves from the hands-on DIY gal never seen without her tool belt to TV host who "gets to show up with pretty nails and a nice outfit." But don't expect Cunningham to resist the urge to turn nothing into something. "For a decade I have been building and sewing and painting and doing the design work. So I hope to be the guiding force who shows people how to live a little lovelier within their means -- and on a budget."

More design profiles: Homes of the Times
Home and garden blog: L.A. at Home