In 2020, Gabriel and his partner moved into a charming 1970s home with plenty of character and good bones—but it was desperately in need of an update. With the recent big purchase of the house, however, a full remodel was nowhere near the budget. Armed with five years of industry-related experience and a strong desire to live in a space that not only felt like home but was also unique and awe-inspiring, Gabriel started brainstorming. Several contractor quotes and a frustrating number of trips to furniture stores later, it became clear: figuring out how to optimize a small budget was going to take more than just window shopping.

Determined not to let their new home’s potential go to waste, Gabriel decided to work with what they had. It wasn’t all smooth sailing at first—there were moments of trial and error, a test of his partner’s patience that deserves a medal, and probably a few too many wine-fueled brainstorming sessions. But piece by piece, the house started to transform. Small fixture updates here, unconventional color palettes there, and a few stunning, eccentric pieces sprinkled in for maximum impact—it all came together like magic (albeit magic that required a lot of elbow grease).

As the house evolved, so did the reactions from friends and family during dinner parties and events. “This place is a vibe!” became a common refrain. Gabriel found joy in taking spaces left behind and misused by the previous owners and turning them into bold, visually impactful areas—all while sticking to a tight budget. Most of the existing furniture made the cut too, proving that sometimes, beauty isn’t about buying new things but seeing the old ones in a new light.

Fast forward four years, and Gabriel realized it was time to take what he had learned and help others create the same magic in their homes. Thus, Design Savant was born. With a keen eye, creative solutions, and a philosophy rooted in finding beauty in what you already have, Gabriel is on a mission to help others transform their spaces into something extraordinary. And if wine happens to be involved in the process, well, all the better!