Let me tell you a story about Karen E. Laine, the queen of renovations. She wrapped up the final touches on her stunning new home in Wilmington, North Carolina, during the August 28 episode of Good Bones. This wasn’t just any renovation—it was a project that showcased her unique vision and creativity. Karen truly poured her heart into this house, and the results are nothing short of spectacular.
Bringing a Splash of Color to Wilmington
Karen teamed up with MJ Coyle, her go-to design expert, to bring her Wilmington home to life. Her goal? To make it bright, colorful, and full of personality. To spark inspiration, Karen took MJ on a little beach trip. As they strolled along the shoreline, Karen stumbled upon a shard of glass that caught her eye. “I want a jade glass countertop,” she declared confidently upon returning home. “That’s what I want.”
Now, here’s where things got interesting. Karen couldn’t find the exact countertop she envisioned, so she came up with a brilliant idea: paint the countertop and then seal it with resin. “Sounds simple enough, right?” MJ joked, before both of them burst into laughter. But guess what? The idea worked like a charm! Karen ended up with the "sea glass countertop of her dreams," and it became the centerpiece of her kitchen.
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Throughout the renovation, Karen focused on creating a low-maintenance home that would serve as her personal retreat. One of her boldest moves was staining the floors blue, which might sound crazy but turned out to be a game-changer. “It’s so unexpected, but it totally works,” Karen said proudly. Her contractor was initially skeptical but had to admit that Karen’s vision paid off in a big way.
Creating Spaces for Family Memories
As Karen balanced her life between Indiana and Wilmington, she knew she wanted this new home to become a special place for her family, especially her grandkids. After her daughter Kelsy gave birth to her first child, Karen realized how important it was to create spaces that would inspire and delight the next generation. “I want to spend time here in Wilmington and in Indianapolis,” she explained. “I want to design parts of this house that are exciting for the grandkids to explore.”

Reconnecting with Old Friends
During the renovation process, Karen made sure to involve some of her closest friends. She collaborated with Cory Miller to create an art piece for the organization Welcome Home Angel. “Cory and I always have so much fun crafting together,” Karen said with a smile. “Spending time with him reminded me how much I cherish the people in Indianapolis.”
Karen also called on Austin Aynes to help move her belongings from storage in Indiana to her new Wilmington home. Along the way, they even took a dance class together. “I hope dancing can become one of my signature Wilmington activities,” Karen shared excitedly. It’s clear that she’s embracing her new lifestyle in Wilmington while still staying connected to her roots.
The Grand Reveal: A Home to Remember
Finally, the big day arrived when Karen unveiled her Wilmington masterpiece to her family. Her son Casmir and grandson Caz were blown away by the vibrant colors, unique furniture, and thoughtful design elements. “We completely reimagined the layout, and now it’s the ultimate getaway for me,” Karen beamed. Caz praised the house for having “the perfect amount of color” and was particularly impressed by the fun game room Karen created.
As the episode came to a close, Karen reflected on her journey. “When I bought this house, I thought it would be where I retired and lived full-time. But I realized how much I’d miss my family,” she admitted. “So instead, this place will be my sanctuary—a spot I visit regularly. Maybe I’ll even bring the grandkids down for a weekend at the beach. That sounds like the best of both worlds.”
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And if you thought Karen was slowing down, think again. “I bought this house to retire, but what I’ve learned through this process is that I’m nowhere near done,” she concluded with a laugh. Clearly, Karen’s passion for design and family will continue to inspire us all.

