Detached Family Home Gets Pizzazz

Homeowners Chris and Mary Beattie spent 10 months improving their 1927 semi-detached home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The house appraises for $25,000 more than the neighborhood average, but, it still hasn’t sold. The Designed to Sell team is on their way over to find out why.

Host Shane Tallent and real estate expert Terry Haas are the first to arrive. She says single-family detached homes are very popular right now and this one being on a corner lot is a big plus. Inside, Haas is impressed by the beautiful hardwood floors. But, she feels the foyer needs some definition and the living room needs some staging. Haas thinks the dining room is bland and boring. The light wood furniture against the beige walls and wood floors blends together far too much. The new fixtures and tile in the bathroom look great; however, the skylight shaft is covered by a window that looks as if it were painted shut over 50 years ago.

Designer Taniya Nayak agrees with Haas’s comments and has a $2,000 design plan that will add just the right amount of color and style.

Step 1: Delineate the foyer from the living room and stage the space.

Step 2: Add color and style to the dining room.

Step 3: Refurbish the skylight in the bathroom and give the space some personality.

Contractor Simon Ley and carpenter Lynn Kegan have the power tools and skills to get the job done.