Front view of a suburban house with landscaped yard and a white background on the right side.
Woman in yellow sweater smiling, posing against black background.

Hello! Oi! Hola!

I’M MARIANA

Welcome to Homes with Mariana!

 I’m 36 years old, born in Brazil and raised in the beautiful Bay Area, California. Over the years, my husband and I have learned that life is a collection of stories, experiences, and lots of DIY projects – and I'm excited to share them all with you here.

In 2015, my husband and I made the decision to skip the big wedding and instead put our focus on buying our first place – a cozy condo. It was the perfect stepping stone, and a few years later, we took a leap and bought our first house, a charming little 1940s home with a detached apartment. That’s when the DIY journey began! From day one, we dove into home projects, learning as we went, discovering new skills, and making the house truly our own.

Fast forward to three years ago, when we finally moved into the main house on the property. That’s when the real transformation began. We started with the bathroom (because let’s face it, it needed it!) and over time, we’ve slowly but surely improved other areas of the house. This year, we’ve decided to fully embrace our 1200-square-foot space and make it work for us. It's been a journey of simplicity, creativity, and letting go of unnecessary things to focus on what really matters – making our home a true reflection of who we are.

When we're not immersed in a DIY project or tending to our garden, you’ll often find us cooking up something delicious in the kitchen. We’re pretty much homebodies, but when we do venture out, it’s usually to travel the world or visit family in Brazil. Sharing our culture and family stories is something we cherish, and I’m excited to bring a little bit of that warmth into this blog.

Beyond my passion for DIY and home improvement, I’m also a licensed realtor, helping homeowners buy and sell properties that fit their lifestyle and dreams. Whether you're searching for the perfect home, looking to sell, or simply want tips on how to maximize your home's value through smart upgrades, I’m here to help! My journey has taught me firsthand the power of making a house feel like home, and I love guiding others through that process—whether through DIY inspiration or real estate expertise.

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey! Whether you're here for home improvement tips, DIY inspiration, real estate guidance, or just our lives, I’m so happy to have you as part of our journey. Let’s get started!