**University of North Carolina Fan Transforms Home with DIY Touches**
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Sara Mathis, a dedicated supporter of the University of North Carolina (UNC), has channelled her passion into an impressive home decor project by turning her porch into a UNC-themed basketball arena. Using stadium chairs sourced from Facebook Marketplace, this creative endeavour has garnered the attention of her 125,000 Instagram followers, who are captivated by her inventive DIY home decor.
Mathis, a UNC graduate herself, reflects on her deep ties to the school, with her family history richly woven into its fabric. Both of her older sisters attended UNC, her father studied dentistry there, and she completed her studies in broadcast journalism in 2009. “Growing up, UNC was always the vision I had for college,” she expressed. During her time there, the university’s basketball team enjoyed a successful run, allowing Mathis to witness a national championship while working in sports broadcasting.
In a twist of irony, her husband, a graduate of the rival institution Duke, was initially a fan of the Blue Devils. However, Mathis playfully notes that after a memorable game in 2015, where Duke triumphed over Wisconsin, she managed to convert him to the “light side,” aligning him with the Tar Heels.
Discussing her project, Mathis describes a light-hearted conversation with her husband about revamping their back porch. “I jokingly mentioned that if I could find stadium chairs, I could create a basketball court aesthetic,” she recounted. Within minutes, she had sourced the chairs online, and the following day, the couple rented a U-Haul to collect them from a location over an hour away.
The UNC-themed porch is just one of many imaginative spaces within Mathis’s home. With a history of creating themed rooms, she has previously designed a Harry Potter-inspired area for her son and a Millennium Falcon-themed nook for another son. “I guess I’m just a big kid at heart and unafraid to express my passions,” she reflected, noting that she enjoys crafting spaces that resonate with her family at different stages of life.
Mathis is keen on personalising her home, aiming to ensure its look differentiates from others. “I want it to reflect what we treasure as a family,” she stated. She welcomed the challenge posed by concerns that her children might outgrow themes such as Harry Potter or Star Wars, suggesting that it would merely lead to new creative projects.
The UNC porch was realised at a surprisingly modest cost. Mathis managed to secure nine stadium chairs, which were originally salvaged from an old high school auditorium, for just £160. “It felt serendipitous; they had only been posted online moments before I discovered them,” she said excitedly.
To match the iconic “Carolina blue” of the basketball arena, Mathis meticulously painted the chairs and stencilled the state outline along with the UNC logo onto the porch flooring. Additionally, she handcrafted pillows to resemble basketball jerseys. Altogether, the project came in at a total of approximately £640.
Mathis’s journey into DIY began quite unexpectedly with a Christmas present from her husband—a tool starter kit. Although initially uncertain about the gift, she eventually found joy in using tools, which led to a newfound passion for home improvements. “At first, I had only done minor tasks, but that gift opened the door to much more substantial projects,” she recalled.
As she began sharing her creations on social media, her following grew, particularly after larger influencers highlighted her work. A pivotal moment occurred when a popular creator showcased one of Mathis’s reels, leading to a surge of interest in her account. “I was amazed to find my efforts recognised; it truly kickstarted my DIY journey online,” Mathis explained.
Her children are actively involved in her projects, often expressing excitement about participating in tasks such as sanding or spackling. Mathis attributes her own confidence in handiwork to her upbringing, as both her parents were enthusiastic about home improvements. “I hope my kids will carry these skills into adulthood, inspiring them to create their own projects and work together with their future families,” she said, a vision that embodies the spirit of her DIY ethos.
Sara Mathis exemplifies how personal passions can inspire creativity and community engagement, transforming her home into a living testament to her love for the University of North Carolina, family, and DIY culture.