Nicole Curtis takes on a run-down, 1902 Victorian-style home. When her contractor walks off the job, she manages to keep up the renovation work on her own, but falls behind schedule. In need of cash, she goes after an investor. To win him over, she transforms the bathroom, laying every tile herself and designing and constructing a beautiful vanity from an estate sale find.

Frustrated by unreliable workers and shoddy work, Nicole Curtis turns for help to her brother and cousin, both skilled carpenters. Together the family tackles the second floor, working miracles with salvaged wood to add detailed trim and repair the rotting entryway floor.

Frustrated by unreliable workers and shoddy work, Nicole Curtis turns for help to her brother and cousin, both skilled carpenters. Together the family tackles the second floor, working miracles with salvaged wood to add detailed trim and repair the rotting entryway floor.

Cash flow and contractor problems have caused serious delays, but with the Lyndale house finally on the market, Nicole Curtis tackles the Minnehaha house head on. To start a buzz in the neighborhood, she first creates curb appeal with ambitious landscaping, painting and concrete work. The Minnesota winter is fast approaching and she wants the house to shine before the snow falls. The massive neighborhood eyesore is transformed into an elegant landscape with new sod, brick-lined walkways, trimmed trees, manicured flowerbeds and new window boxes. Plus, a fresh coat of paint returns the home to its original color scheme.

When the lights finally go on and the water flows, the walls go up throughout the house and Nicole completes her entryway restoration.

The upstairs guest bathroom & main-floor powder room are in horrible shape. But underneath the grime is valuable ceramic tile, antique fixtures & unique character you just can't buy. Nicole is determined to save everything she can.

For a year and half, Nicole Curtis has been painstakingly restoring a 1916 mansion. Her plan is to build out the dark, dingy, old cellar, creating new living space that adds nearly 1,000 square feet to the home.

Every old house has its quirks, and for Nicole Curtis' grand Minneapolis mansion, it's the garage.

One of the great old features of Nicole Curtis' big house in Minneapolis is the dining room.

Going on year two, Nicole Curtis tackles the most important room in the house - the kitchen. She restores her favorite existing feature - the stunning marble tile floors.

Nicole painstakingly paints the border around her favorite feature in the house - that amazing living room fireplace.

Nicole puts the finishing touches on the mansion and hosts an open house, at which her neighbors weigh-in on the renovations.