Fixer Upper: A Contemporary Update for a Family Sized House
Chip and Joanna Gaines help a young couple transform a conventional brick house into a stylish home that's ideally suited for a new family and that, on the inside, effectively marries rustic and traditional styles.
A Hint of Outdoors
The key in this remodel was in the careful blending of two styles to satisfy the differing tastes of both the husband and wife. The living room, nicknamed "The Mountain Room" by Chip, leans more toward the masculine with a dry-stack stone fireplace, butterfly chairs with leather covers and informal furnishings.
He Said, She Said
Luke and Rachel Whyte are new parents and were in search of a home in the family-friendly Woodway area in Waco. In terms of style, Luke's tastes lean toward the rustic and outdoorsy while Rachel likes things traditional and elegant. The two did, however, agree on a home wish-list that included 3 to 4 bedrooms, a big yard and and space for a home office and playroom. Their total budget, including renovations, was $277,000.
Foyer, AFTER
Joanna considered the foyer one of the most challenging parts of this makeover. She wanted to make a visual statement upon entering the home that showcased the melding of both rustic and traditional elements. A simple chair railing was added to add depth and texture to the space, but without too much formality. The new iron railing with contemporary cabled design is a counterbalancing element and a statement piece in a room that sets the tone for the home's carefully integrated design.
AFTER
With the renovation complete, the home represents an ambitious undertaking of designing for two people with different tastes. The underlying key to success, according to Joanna, was sticking with simple design accents that complement one another to really make each room stand out. From the outside, the idea was to take a house that was visibly a product of the 1980s and give it a more classic look.