We can probably all agree on this: Renovating isn't easy. Between the nail-biting decisions and the subcontractors who conveniently disappear after making a giant hole in your wall, the process is daunting. But it doesn't have to be. With this column, I hope to demystify some of the challenges, using my own experience as an example. 

Last year, I moved into a modern, window-filled apartment in New York. Most of the major construction is over, but certain details continue to elude me. How can I maximize space in a tiny kitchen? Should I upgrade the plain but otherwise just-fine bathroom? What closet system will actually keep me organized? Over the next year, I'll tackle these questions and more, tapping design pros for their expertise at every stage. (Yes, even decorating editors need help sometimes.) 

I'll also discuss the project on the Martha Stewart Living Radio program "Living Today" (Sirius XM Radio), review design options with Martha on her TV show, and share behind-the-scenes secrets on my blog. Next September, we'll present the "big reveal," with all my final choices. Stay with me through the process of remodeling the space and, as Martha likes to say, "taking it from a glass box to a home."

The Project: Redo the Floors
One of my apartment's most distinctive features is the floor, which is made of wenge, an exotic wood with a rich coffee color. It's beautiful, but I really wanted whitewashed floors, which are easier to keep clean -- dark floors show every speck of dust and dirt. 

Plus, wenge tends to fade from sun exposure, and this place gets a ton of sun. But what were my options? Would it be possible to brighten such a dark shade?