Next Up

Brother Vs. Brother, San Francisco: The Living Room Challenge

By: David Haynes

Show: Brother Vs. Brother

The Scott Brothers' annual design showdown heads to the City by the Bay, and the competition gets underway as Drew and Jonathan see who can pull off the most impressive living-room makeover in just two weeks. On hand to judge the first round is Scott McGillivray of DIY Network's Buyer's Bootcamp.

Drew and Jonathan Scott, as seen on Brother vs Brother.

Scroll For More Photos

1 / 31

Hand to Hand

In this season of Brother Vs. Brother, Drew and Jonathan are competing in one of he hottest real-estate markets in the US — the San Francisco Bay area. For the first time they're purchasing houses to flip sight unseen, so the challenge is especially intense. Each has a renovation budget of $500,000, and the brother with the biggest profit from the sale of his flip house wins, and all of the proceeds go to charity.

Drew and Jonathan Scott with guest judge Scott McGillivray, as seen on Brother vs Brother.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

2 / 31

Scott Judges Scotts

Real estate pro Scott McGillivray (Buyer's Bootcamp) knows a thing or two about flipping properties, so he's well qualified as the first guest judge in this year's competition. Here he meets with Drew and Jonathan to go over the ground rules for round 1. It's pretty simple. The brother who pulled off the best living-room transformation, in the opinion of the judge, wins this phase of the competition. The loser faces the first of several grueling "dare" challenges. In this case, that means running up the famously steep Lyon Street Stairs, a familiar San Francisco landmark.

Hosts Jonathan and Drew Scott, and guest judge Scott McGillivray, as seen on Brother vs. Brother.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

3 / 31

Suitably Matched

Competition is in their DNA. Jonathan is looking to strike back and regain victory after losing to Drew last year in Galveston. Drew want's to show Jonathan what it's like to lose two years in a row. Ready, set, renovate.

In order to open up the space, host Drew Scott uses a sledgehammer to knock down the fireplace and wall separating the living room from the kitchen, as seen on Brother vs Brother (action).

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

4 / 31

Drew's Canyon House

First step: demolition. Drew uses a sledgehammer to knock down the fireplace and wall separating the living room from the kitchen.

Host Drew Scott installs new wood flooring in the living room, as seen on Brother vs. Brother.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

5 / 31

Drew's Canyon House

Drew's house is about an hour's drive outside San Francisco proper, in the Pinole community, a desirable area with highly rated schools. The '70s era home was purchased for $520,000 and the renovation budget was $370,000.

The original living room area in host Drew Scott’s home was outdated, with a huge stone fireplace and carpet, as seen on Brother vs. Brother.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

6 / 31

Drew's Canyon House

Living Room, Before. Prior to the renovation, a massive and damaged stone fireplace dominated the living room, and the space appeared tired and dated with worn wall-to-wall carpeting and old window treatments.

The living room of Drew Scott’s home has been completely transformed and features an open space concept leading to the dining room and kitchen, a new fireplace, and eco-skylights bringing in natural lighting, as seen on Brother vs Brother. (Before 0014).

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

7 / 31

Drew's Canyon House

Living Room, After. The stone fireplace and an entire wall have been removed, creating a larger and more open space that accesses the dining room and kitchen. New skylights and a large picture window bring plenty of natural light into the space.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

8 / 31

Drew's Canyon House

Living Room, Before. A key objective for Drew, aside from removing the intrusive rock wall, was to rework the home's entry to create a more inviting space.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

9 / 31

Drew's Canyon House

Living Room, After. A striking wallpaper accent
and low storage unit transform the front entryway. Luxe decor and comfortable furniture,including two leather sofas, give the space a California modern ranch look.

The original entry area in host Drew Scott’s home was outdated, with a mix of linoleum, carpet and fake wood floor, as seen on Brother vs. Brother.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

10 / 31

Drew's Canyon House

Before. An odd configuration of walls makes for a tight and awkward floor plan.

The entry area of Drew Scott’s home has been completely transformed and features an open space concept leading to the living and dining room, as seen on Brother vs Brother.(Before 0013).

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

11 / 31

Drew's Canyon House

Living Room, After. Removing walls to open up the entry makes for a dramatic transformation. The worn carpet is removed and replaced with wide-plank hardwood flooring, and a statement chandelier added.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

12 / 31

Drew's Canyon House

Living Room, After. A more modern and compact fireplace is added at the end of the room opposite the foyer.

Host Jonathan Scott during filming, as seen on Brother vs Brother.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

13 / 31

Jonathan's Hilltop House

Jonathan's flip house was purchased for $420,000 and is about 2200 square feet, with four bedrooms and three baths. It sits on a hillside in the suburban neighborhood of El Sobrante and has a nice view.

The original living room area in host Jonathan Scott’s abandoned home was outdated, with faded carpet and paint, as seen on Brother vs. Brother.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

14 / 31

Jonathan's Hilltop House

Living Room, Before. The house has been vacant for more than ten years and was described as "a handyman special." It needs a lot of TLC. "I like the vaulted ceilings," said Jonathan. "That's a plus, but other than that, it's looking like a lot of minuses."

After renovations, the living room area in Jonathan Scott’s eco-chic house features a stunning, smooth plastered fireplace as an anchor point, and a living wall made or real moss and plants, as seen on Brother vs Brother. (Before 0027).

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

15 / 31

Jonathan's Hilltop House

Living Room, After. The height of the space affords Jonathan the opportunity to do some dramatic things. The renovated living room features a living wall made using live moss and plants. An energy-efficient window helps keep heating and cooling costs low.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

16 / 31

Jonathan's Hilltop House

Living Room, Before. Jonathan's objective is to create an eco-chic house to attract sophisticated high-end buyers.

After renovations, the entry and dining room area in Jonathan Scott’s eco-chic house features an open space, new wood floors and a wall covered with real bark, as seen on Brother vs Brother. (Before 0013 or 20 or 54).

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

17 / 31

Jonathan's Hilltop House

Living Room, After. A new front entryway with side lights take make for a noteworthy first impression.

The original kitchen area in host Jonathan Scott’s abandoned home (now transformed into a living room) was old and dark, with outdated cabinets and floors, as seen on Brother vs. Brother.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

18 / 31

Jonathan's Hilltop House

Before. This original kitchen, which was cramped and awkwardly positioned, is sacrificed to create a more spacious living room. In the overall plan, the kitchen gets relocated to the rear of the house to take advantage of the view.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

19 / 31

Jonathan's Hilltop House

After. A sleek plastered wall with fireplace insert furthers the room's dramatic feel. The drab gray carpet is replaced with sustainable cork flooring.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

20 / 31

Jonathan's Hilltop House

After. A contemporary metal lighting fixture, suggestive of a modern sculpture, adds a visual counterbalance to the bright and organic colors.

Drew and Jonathan Scott anxiously await the verdict of guest judge Scott McGillivray, as seen on Brother vs Brother.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

21 / 31

And the Winner Is...

(The anticipation is palpable.)

Keep checking back here, and at 'Property Brothers Central', for new Brother Vs. Brother gallleries and updates.

Hosts Jonathan and Drew Scott and guest judge Scott McGillivray after Drew Scott is announced as the winner of the living room and entrance challenge, as seen on Brother vs. Brother.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

22 / 31

...Drew Scott!

After losing the living room and entrance challenge, Jonathan Scott must run up the 332 steps of the Lyon Street Stairs in San Francisco in a 1970's jogging outfit, as brothers Drew and JD and guest judge Scott McGillivray heckle him, as seen on Brother vs. Brother.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

23 / 31

The Dare

To the loser come the the consequences. After being beaten by Drew in the living room challenge, Jonathan must run up the 332 steps of the Lyon Street Stairs in San Francisco. Always remember to stretch before strenuous exercise.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

24 / 31

The Dare

Note the stylish 1970s jogging apparel including short-shorts, knee socks and coordinating teri-cloth sweatbands. Brother JD Scott provided the wardrobe.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

25 / 31

The Dare

Runner, take your mark.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

26 / 31

The Dare

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

27 / 31

The Dare

Drew, JD and guest judge Scott McGillivray follow close behind to provide heckles and jeers. The bullhorn is a nice touch.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

28 / 31

The Dare

Encouragement from the peanut gallery

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

29 / 31

The Dare

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

30 / 31

The Dare

Photo: Gilles Mingasson

31 / 31

The Dare

Piece of cake. Not even breathing hard.

Next up: Round 2 — California Kitchens.

Brother Vs. Brother, San Francisco: The Living Room Challenge

Hand to Hand

Scott Judges Scotts

Suitably Matched

Drew's Canyon House

Drew's Canyon House

Drew's Canyon House

Drew's Canyon House

Drew's Canyon House

Drew's Canyon House

Drew's Canyon House

Drew's Canyon House

Drew's Canyon House

Jonathan's Hilltop House

Jonathan's Hilltop House

Jonathan's Hilltop House

Jonathan's Hilltop House

Jonathan's Hilltop House

Jonathan's Hilltop House

Jonathan's Hilltop House

Jonathan's Hilltop House

And the Winner Is...

...Drew Scott!

The Dare

The Dare

The Dare

The Dare

The Dare

The Dare

The Dare

The Dare

The Dare

Related Pages