Mysterious odor: check. Closed-in feeling of doom and gloom: check. Yard that could double as the backdrop for a post-apocalyptic blockbuster: also, sadly, check. Christina and Tarek have their work cut out for them on tonight's episode in La Habra, Calif., where they hope to spin their investment in a '50s-era property into renovation gold. Here are six of the clever choices they make along the way.

 1: Opening Up the Patio

Less is more in the backyard, where an elephantine overhang loomed over most of the patio space. The El Moussas realized they could remove that covering entirely, since a bit of roof overlapped the rear wall of the house, as well. That provides all the shade this area will need and allows it to breathe.

 2: Updated Kitchen

Bulky, ceiling-mounted cabinetry interrupted the flow between the kitchen and the dining area, and swapping it out for pendant lights lets the sunshine in (literally).

 3: Modern Cabinetry 

It pays to go neutral when you’re going big. These upgraded cabinets can support pops of almost any color, and since Christina and Tarek decided on white interior walls throughout the property, this home can be completely reimagined with furnishings alone.

 4: Touches of Character

These tiles were a splurge at $6 apiece, but Christina knew what she was doing when she fell in love with them. Because the master bathroom is comparatively small, it didn’t cost a fortune to upgrade the floor.

 5: Creating a Focal Point

Speaking of those snowflake tiles, it didn’t take many of them to turn the mantel in the dining area into a major design feature, either. Six bucks can go quite a long way when you spend wisely, no?

 6: DIY Highlights

Christina wanted a weathered mantel to emphasize the home’s midcentury character, and with a little trial and error — Tarek definitely didn’t know what he was doing when he first fired up his blowtorch — that DIY project became a highlight for potential buyers at the open house. Setting your renovation materials on fire and beating them with chains doesn’t always end well, but hey: It doesn’t always end badly, either.

Check out the rest of this transformation on Flip or Flop tonight, January 19, at 9|8c.