your home, unstuck

Staring at a space that’s not working, or a project you can’t seem to start? I help homeowners who feel overwhelmed by their spaces find a clear path forward. In less than a week, we’ll move from “I don’t know where to start” to “I know exactly what to do next.”

behind the unstuck home

Hi, I’m Ellen — mom of two, homeowner, and founder of The Unstuck Home.I’ve been where you are: staring at a space that doesn’t feel right, juggling ideas, budgets, and next steps. Over the years, I’ve planned, designed, and managed everything from DIY updates to full additions—learning what really works (and what doesn’t) along the way.Before this, I founded and led a boutique tech recruiting agency in Raleigh. But my real passion has always been creating homes and landscapes that work beautifully for real life. After reimagining my own spaces and helping friends do the same, I realized how much I love guiding others through that process. The Unstuck Home grew from there—helping homeowners find clarity, avoid costly missteps, and fall back in love with their homes.

delete your Zillow app

I started The Unstuck Home to bring clarity and calm to a confusing process — so you can love the home you have.I have four goals for every project:
1) identify hidden potential, 2) simplify the complicated, 3) guide you on how to execute your project — whether that means hiring a general contractor, pulling permits, or managing a few trades yourself, 4) deliver concepts in under a week.At the end of the day, my mission is simple: to help you feel grounded, confident, and at ease — like a hug from your home.

the unstuck way

My two-step process is simple: we walk through your space together to workshop what's working and not working. Then I give you a clear, actionable plan to make it happen.

01

Walk & Talk

We walk through your space together, talk through your goals, uncover challenges, and collaborate on creative, practical solutions. This is where ideas start to click—and overwhelm starts to lift.Typically 1.5–2 hours, in person or virtual
$195 flat rate (credited toward Step 2)

02

Deliverable & Plan

You’ll receive a cohesive visual plan, layout sketches, or both—along with a clear, actionable roadmap for moving forward. Whether you’re DIY-ing or working with contractors, you’ll understand your options and know exactly what to do next.Typically completed within a week
$695 per space
$195 per iteration (optional refinements upon request)

03

Add On Support

Once your plan is complete, you may want a bit of extra help bringing it to life. While my core work focuses on creating cohesive layouts and visual direction, I offer optional hourly guidance for clients who’d like professional input during the execution phase. Examples include plant selection, furniture and fixture recommendations, and minor layout tweaks.$125 per hour
Available only to existing Unstuck Home clients.

let's get your home unstuck

Unstuck bridges the gap between dreaming and doing. We'll get clear on what’s working, what isn’t, and how to move forward with practical, beautiful solutions that fit your life.

Renovations & Remodeling

We start by clarifying your goals and refining your vision, then build a concept plan rooted in how your family actually lives. Together, we’ll solve layout challenges, improve flow, open (or close) spaces where it counts, modernize the look, and help you communicate clearly with architects or contractors—so your renovation finally feels doable.

Refreshing a “Blah” Space

Sometimes a room functions fine but just feels... blah. We’ll bring it back to life with color, texture, lighting, and thoughtful tweaks that make it feel fresh again. Think better furniture flow, cohesive style, and small, smart updates that have a big impact. You’ll walk away with clarity and direction for what to change—and the confidence to make it happen.

Outdoor Living Spaces

If your outdoor areas feel underused or undefined, we’ll help you imagine what’s possible. From patios and porches to play spaces and fire pits, we’ll design spaces that feel connected, comfortable, and effortless to enjoy. You’ll gain a clear layout, smart shade and privacy solutions, and a vision that makes spending time outside second nature.

Landscaping & Curb Appeal

When your home’s exterior feels tired or disconnected, we’ll help you see exactly how to bring it back to life. Together, we’ll create an exterior plan that fits your home’s architecture and your lifestyle—low-maintenance, welcoming, and intentionally designed. From plantings and pathways to lighting, color and entry details, you’ll finally have a clear, cohesive vision for a home that feels as good outside as it does in.

what unstuck is and isn't

The Unstuck Home is different than working with many designers or studios. One of our differentiators is clear communication. So let's be clear about what you can expect when you work with us.

It Is:

  • A creative, collaborative process that gives you clarity and momentum.

  • A fresh perspective from someone who can quickly see what’s working and what’s next.

  • A focused, efficient process — most clients move from stuck to clear within about a week.

  • A detailed, practical plan that helps you take confident next steps.

  • A chance to fall back in love with your home and see its potential again.

It Isn't:

  • Full-service design or project management — I don’t create construction drawings, manage trades, or produce high-fidelity renderings. I will, however, introduce you to trusted professionals who do.

  • Only for homeowners with a significant budget. I designed my process and pricing to be as accessible as possible.

  • A one-size-fits-all solution — every home and homeowner is unique, as is our collaboration.

  • A guarantee — while I provide guidance to help your space thrive, results depend on your execution, contractors, materials, and local conditions.

questions? get in touch

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Disclaimer
The Unstuck Home provides design guidance, planning, and consultation. We do not perform construction, installation, or guarantee results of DIY or contractor-led projects. Homeowners are responsible for ensuring compliance with local codes, permits, and safety standards.

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