Nina Menke is currently on a mission that might sound a bit backwards to the average homebuyer. According to her TikTok, she is actively tearing out the fresh, modern updates of a recently renovated 1926 home to bring back the historical character that she feels was lost during the initial flipping process. This unique renovation journey was recently highlighted in an article by PEOPLE.
In her first video, Menke, who works in education administration, removes sections of carpet in her new house. She wasn’t just looking for potential damage; she was hunting for a specific version of the house that she had been imagining ever since she first walked through the front door. “While it is nice to have modern amenities, I want to honor its age and feel like it’s closer to what it would have looked like when it was built,” the 32-year-old told PEOPLE.
She purchased the property alongside her boyfriend, Taylor Nagel, a 35-year-old sign painter. The outlet noted that they both share a deep appreciation for older architecture, and the home’s full-brick exterior was an instant draw for them. While the property came with a brand new kitchen, updated bathrooms, and modern appliances, Menke felt that something vital was missing from the overall atmosphere.
For her, it is all in the details
Menke remembers speaking with her realtor while they were touring the home, detailing all the historic features she hoped to restore one day. He looked at her and asked, “You’re kind of a purist, aren’t you?” Looking back on that moment, Menke admits to PEOPLE he was probably right.
She noted that she is certainly not anti-modernization, telling the outlet that she is actually quite thankful that previous owners took care of the heavy lifting, like the roofing, plumbing, and electrical systems. Her goal is simply to bridge the gap between the house’s updated status and its 1920s roots.
On TikTok, she has built a community of fellow old-home lovers who are following the progress of her living room transformations. The response from viewers has been incredibly positive.
One user named Kaylin commented, “This feels like my grandparents house with all the midcentury decor vibes and I mean that in the BEST way. It looks amazing and you’ve done a great job restoring the vibes!!” Another viewer named jamie told Menke, “I’m obsessed with this series! Can’t wait to see the whole thing all done. What a transformation so far!”
PEOPLE reported that the project is already yielding results. After Menke painted the living room and removed the carpet, she revealed beautiful, original hardwood floors that had been tucked away.
She also found a piece of history in the basement, where old Detroit magazine pages had been used as insulation in the ceiling. Even her neighbours have helped her piece together the story of the house. She reportedly learned that a previous owner was an immigrant from Poland named Stella, which is a fun coincidence since that is the name of Menke’s dog.
For the viewers who also love old houses, her results in the living room were exciting, with Denise Ehrlich noting, “Vastly improved. It is so hard to find 1920s and 30s homes that have not been “remuddled” in my area. I spent 6 months finding one that had the right mix of expected repair costs, price, and original trim still in tact. I am about to tackle the painted brick fireplace so I’d be curious to see how yours goes.”
Per PEOPLE, Menke has plenty more on her to-do list, including stripping paint from the fireplace bricks and restoring the original staircase bannister. She knows these things take time, but she isn’t in any hurry to rush the process. She is perfectly content to take it slow to ensure the house feels authentic to its original era. TikTok agrees, as Lulu noted, “Amazing work! The feel is much warmer in there now.”
Ultimately, PEOPLE noted that Menke’s vision is about creating an environment where the history of the home is the star of the show. She isn’t looking for a quick flip or a trend-driven remodel. She wants the house to feel like a time capsule that fits perfectly into the modern world. As she told PEOPLE, “I hope people can come into our home and see things we have done and think that they are original to the home.”
It is admirable that Menke has taken on this project herself. After all, restorations and renovations can be dangerous, as one Nashville man found when a mistake forced his entire building to evacuate. Then again, relying on a contractor comes with problems, too, as a UK couple learned when their contractor ran away with $60,000.
Published: Jun 27, 2026 12:34 pm