Say hello to Yami, The Latina Next Door, our inspiring new Brand Ambassador! 

Known for her budget-friendly home transformations and creative DIY projects, Yami has been empowering homeowners with affordable home design ideas and inventive solutions. Now, she’s teaming up with Home Outlet to share how easy it can be to create the home of your dreams.

In this exclusive Q&A, Yami reveals her go-to tips for DIY home improvement, the must-have materials she’s using to build her dream home, and how Home Outlet has helped her save money without compromising on style. Get ready to be inspired by her journey and practical advice!

Home Outlet: Can you share a little about yourself and what sparked your interest in interior design? 

Yami: I am originally from Puerto Rico. My parents left the country when I was about 3 years old because my father had joined the ARMY. He served 20 years and during those years we moved around the United States and Europe. Because of this I was exposed to different people, cultures, food and architecture. While I enjoyed the exposure to so much at such a young age, it also left me wanting a place to call home. A sanctuary that was permanent, unlike the temporary homes I would often get used to, right before it was time to move again. 

My parents’ furniture and décor were a collection of things they had bought during all our travels. And if I am being completely honest, my love for interior design started when I was just a teen. My mother and I have always had different tastes. And while I appreciated everything we had and how we came to own them during our travels, it left me wanting a place of my own. A place that I could put my own imprint on. A place where I could have as little of the burgundies and golden browns that seemed to be encompassing my daily home life. I wanted something totally different than what I was used to growing up and that time couldn’t come soon enough. 

Home Outlet: What drove you to share your story on YouTube? 

Yami: I was always doing projects at home and flipping furniture. I was obsessed with DIYing things to save money. My husband and I were young at the time and since we were both starting out, we didn’t have much. So, if I wanted to decorate or add something to the home, I had to be frugal about it. One day a friend of mine told me that I should share what I do with others. That it would help others in my situation learn to do what I do for my home. At that time, I was following a few bloggers who were inspiring me with my work, but I never thought that I could be “one of them”. Until one day, I took the brave leap and started my own blog. I enjoyed that for a while, but it wasn’t until I started my YouTube channel that I really started to make an impact so to speak. And here we find ourselves now. 

Home Outlet: What inspired your dream home build? Did you have a specific vision or goal in mind? 

Yami: My husband and I had been talking about getting more land for a while. At the time it seemed like it was just a dream. The kind of “what if” conversations you have with your spouse. One day we realized that we weren’t happy where we lived. Somehow the people and the lifestyle surrounding us just didn’t suit us anymore. We were looking for a different kind of experience. And while I loved the home we were living in, it still lacked some things for us. At that point we had bought and renovated 3 homes, including the one we were currently in. I was tired and just couldn’t see ourselves going through another renovation only to end up with a house that almost took care of all our needs, so we made the decision to sell, buy land and build from the ground up. We envisioned lots of land, a big farmhouse, a garden, and eventually farm animals.  

Home Outlet: Why did you choose to partner with Home Outlet for this project?

Yami: We first came across Home Outlet when we were building out our kitchenette in our small cottage on the property. This is where we are currently living as we build our forever home. We were impressed with all the options available to us. Then, the design services blew us away. It was our first time building a kitchen from scratch and that made the process so much easier for us. We were able to visually see the space first before we made our final selections. In addition, the cabinets we went with were right there in the store ready for us to take home. We were in a hurry to finish the cottage, so this was a huge bonus. Because our experience was so great and the staff is always so helpful every time we go, it was an easy decision to partner again with Home Outlet on this project. 

"I like to see and touch and try out the features and options available to me at the store. Being able to walk into the different kitchen models and see the quality of the products up close is a huge help in getting an idea of what the finished product could look like in my own home." 

Home Outlet: What products or services from Home Outlet have been most helpful in your dream home journey? 

Yami: The free kitchen planning service available right at the store is wonderful. I get to see the kitchen and any changes I might have in real time. I also love all the displays and samples they have throughout the store. I am a visual person, so I like to see and touch and try out the features and options available to me at the store. Being able to walk into the different kitchen models and see the quality of the products up close is a huge help in getting an idea of what the finished product could look like in my own home. 

Home Outlet: How has the experience been working with your local Home Outlet team? 

Yami: It has been such a blessing! Brent is awesome. He’s great at answering all my questions. And he has so much patience. It took several changes to finally get everything I needed and how I wanted it for my kitchen specifically. I put a lot of pressure on myself to get it just right this time and he listened to all my concerns, requests, and changes. It also helped that he was a perfectionist and because he is so well versed in the kitchen design program it was easy for him to look over the plans and say whether or not we need a trim piece in one area or change the size of the cabinets in another. He even made suggestions about features I didn’t even think to consider, like how I could change a small cabinet detail to make room for larger appliances. Having their team during the process made this huge undertaking so much easier than doing it all myself.  

Home Outlet: Talk us through your design/inspiration process?

Yami: My home is inspired by everything that I have experienced in life. From my adventures in Europe to my home country back in Puerto Rico to the southern charm you would find in a farmhouse. Yes, it’s a house on a farm, but I want classic touches throughout. I want a fireplace inspired by those woodburning stone fireplaces in Europe. I have a soft spot for European architecture, especially old country cottages. I needed to have covered outdoor areas because everyone has those in Puerto Rico and I finally get to have my own so I can sit outside while it rains. I will be incorporating warm wood tones to keep the home inviting and timeless. I will be adding mood lighting throughout like sconces to create a cozy ambiance. I will be refinishing secondhand furniture to create unique spaces while still incorporating some of my much-loved furniture pieces currently still in storage. And I will be adding textiles like drapes, rugs and custom sewn pieces to provide warmth throughout. This is the part I love the most and I cannot wait to get started. 

Home Outlet: What advice would you give to someone starting their own dream home build? 

Yami: You won’t regret it. Sure, it will be stressful. Sure, it will most likely take a little longer than you wish it to. But to be there, present, from when the first stone is turned and the first walls put up, to the roof and the exterior paint going on, there is nothing like it. This is our biggest undertaking so far and my husband is heading the entire build on his own. He has never done this before and neither have I. It’s nerve-wracking and exhilarating all at once. We have never been prouder of ourselves. Nobody in either of our families has done anything like this and while it may not be groundbreaking for some people, it’s a big accomplishment for us. 

Home Outlet: What are your top tips for staying on budget while still achieving your vision? 

Yami: Cut back in some areas so that you can splurge on what you truly want. For example, I really wanted quartz countertops for the kitchen. It’s where I spend most of my time as a mother of 4. I also hope to film recipe videos in my kitchen in the future so I really wanted something beautiful that I can enjoy and showcase time and time again. This meant that I needed to scale back in other areas, so in our master bathroom, instead of doing stone tile like marble, I opted for porcelain tile with a marble finish. The price is drastically lower without compromising the aesthetic or the budget. 

My other big tip is do everything that you can possibly do, yourself. This will vary from person to person, but if you can save on labor costs on at least one project, you will see that benefit you time and time again. Also, it’s okay if you don’t get everything you want now. For example, I want my laundry to look a certain way, and it will take a lot to get it there, so it will most likely be done in stages and that’s okay! Knowing that I don’t have to fit everything into the budget now will lessen my stress and with time and a little bit of savings in the future you can get what you want. 

Home Outlet: Are there any products or tools you would recommend for tackling home renovations? 

Yami: Because my husband and I have been tackling projects in our home for a while, we have accumulated a ton of tools and supplies. I would recommend only to buy for the project you are about to tackle right now. If you need a drill and a saw for today’s project, get that. And when you need a drill and a saw and an oscillating tool and sander for the next one, guess what?! You already have 2 of the tools you need because you bought them for the previous project! Only getting the tools you need as you need them, helps your budget and prevents you from getting anything you don’t need. But one thing will be for sure if you enjoy home renovations, you will have a collection of power tools before you know it. 

Home Outlet: What has been your favorite part of the process so far? 

Hands down, being able to see what I have envisioned in my head start coming together in real life. You can dream anything up, but being able to get that vision out, and have someone help you make it real, is pretty cool. Thanks to Brent and the rest of the Home Outlet team! 

Home Outlet: Have there been any unexpected challenges, and how did you overcome them? 

Yami: The kitchen backsplash. I am still struggling with that one, mostly due to indecisiveness and not wanting to mess it up. Will I ever make up my mind? I guess you will just have to follow and find out! 

Home Outlet: How can your audience follow along with your home build journey? 

Yami: Follow our entire home build journey from start to finish on my YouTube channel, The Latina Next Door (@TheLatinaNextDoor). There we share it all and answer all your questions along the way! We hope to see you there!

Conclusion

Yami’s passion for affordable DIY home improvement proves that anyone can achieve their dream space with the right tools and a little creativity. By partnering with Home Outlet, she’s showing how homeowners can find high-quality, budget-friendly solutions for every project.

Follow Yami’s dream home journey on her dedicated page and her YouTube channel for more DIY inspiration, step-by-step tutorials, and affordable home design ideas. Whether you’re updating a room or planning a full remodel, Home Outlet is here to help you create a home you’ll love—for less.

About the Author

With over a decade of experience in both the home improvement industry and marketing, Christie M. specializes in developing insightful and targeted blog content that prioritizes homeowner and pro project challenges. As a multidisciplinary designer, Christie brings a unique, visually-driven perspective to her work, crafting content that resonates with homeowners and professionals alike. Leveraging advanced AI, consumer, and other research tools, along with a deep understanding of home improvement, Christie creates content that provides customers with practical solutions and benefits. Additionally, her extensive experience in the mortgage industry further enriches her understanding of the financial aspects of homeownership, adding a well-rounded perspective to her writing.

The articles and other content contained on this website/blog are provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for any purposes. While it is our goal to provide you with up-to-date, relevant, and useful information on a wide range of topics, we utilize AI and other tools to generate and enhance our content. However, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, concerning the reliability, suitability, completeness, or accuracy of any of the information made available on this site. The articles and information contained on this site are not intended to provide legal, accounting, or other professional or business advice and should not be treated as a substitute for the advice of a professional with knowledge of the facts and circumstances of your specific situation. By accessing this site, you agree that you will not seek to hold E.C. Barton & Company or any of its affiliates liable for any losses or unanticipated costs or assert any other claim based on your use of this site or on the reliance on the content contained herein.