Gutted - by Maida Korte (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Fans of Under the Tuscan Sun and House Lessons will love Gutted, a witty, big-hearted tale of trading city lights for leaky pipes--and discovering that sometimes the best renovations happen on the inside.

What if the only way to rebuild your life is to begin by tearing down the walls?

When a successful designer, entrepreneur, and lifelong city dweller hesitantly agrees to follow her husband's dream of country living, she doesn't expect to be undone by a sagging Victorian farmhouse and the relentless wind howling through uninsulated walls. But as holes are patched and rooms slowly take shape, something surprising happens: space opens up. Not just in their crumbling home, but in her heart.

Told with humor, vulnerability, and the insight of a woman rebuilding more than just a house, Gutted: How an Old House Remodeled Me is a love story--not only between a wife and her husband but also between a woman shaped by fast-paced living and a slower, quieter way of life. With each creaky floorboard and stripped layer of old wallpaper, Maida Korte discovers unexpected beauty, remembers buried dreams, and finds strength in the women who came before her.

For anyone who has ever wondered what lies beyond the edge of timelines and control, this is a warm, wise, and deeply human invitation to slow down, dig deep, and make peace with change--one shingle at a time.

Review Quotes

"A lighthearted and humorous read offering profound insights that renovate not only a home but also a life. Korte's self-reflective honesty is refreshing and transformative."--Ingrid Faro, PhD, MDiv, author of Demystifying Evil

"Korte delightfully lays bare the story of her move from Chicago to an old Victorian in the country--as well as the courage it took to let a new space open up the tight, tense corners of her life, marriage, and ultimately, her soul. Gutted is a wise, big-spirited pleasure of a book!"--Pamela Petro, author of The Long Field

"Maide Korte writes with frankness, humor, and a keen, observant eye. With Gutted she gives us both an intimate personal story and an absorbing exploration of the way our place makes us just as much as we make our place. A thoughtful, delightful book."--Jane Brox, author of Silence and In the Merrimack Valley

About the Author

Maida Korte loves to write about the intersection of interior design and family life, revealing the humor, heart, and lessons found in both. A midwestern native with a tireless work ethic, she raised four daughters while running a design firm--an experience she jokes qualifies her to run a small country. A former HGTV guest, she holds degrees in interior design and writing. Gutted is her debut book. Maida lives in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, with her husband.