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Undercover Remodel
Cousins Anthony and John surprised Military officer Alex Stephenson, his wife Heather and their three young children with a top-to-bottom home makeover — in less than a week.
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Exterior, Before
Health problems and multiple deployments left the Stephenson family struggling to maintain their fixer-upper home. Before the renovation, the weather-worn exterior had no particular design style.
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Exterior, After
A daring black paint color, a corrugated metal-covered gable and a bright yellow door give this house a decidedly modern, polished look.
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Front Porch, Before
The rickety front deck didn't add rain cover or style to the Stephensons' home. A blue plastic tent was all that kept cars and supplies out of the elements.
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Front Porch, After
A ground-level porch connects to the new, covered carport. Horizontal wood slats add privacy and style.
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Foyer, Before
The family prepped the foyer for a fresh coat of paint, but didn't finish the job.
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Foyer, After
The Cousins used a soft shade of lavender on the walls, then added an upholstered bench where the family can put on or take off shoes.
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Foyer, After
Hooks by the door help to capture backpacks, coats and scarves before they can clutter up the rest of the house. The reclaimed wood wall hints to the rustic-modern design elements featured throughout the house. It's also practical, keeping the wall clean and ding-free in this high-traffic area.
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Living Room, Before
The room's high ceilings and large windows were obscured by the room's cluttered layout.
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Living Room, After
Moving the dining area closer to the kitchen creates breathing room in the family's living room, while a new floor-to-ceiling bookcase adds lots of vertical storage.
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Living Room, Before
The room housed a wood stove, which was fenced off to keep the family's small children safe, prior to the renovation.
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Living Room, After
A new gas fireplace saves space and is safer for the home's littlest occupants. See the new door? John and Anthony opened up the wall between the living room and master bedroom, creating a more natural route into the couple's personal space.
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Living Room, After
Rustic textiles add warmth to the newly-remodeled living room. An upholstered ottoman doubles as a kid-safe coffee table.
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Living Room, After
A new nook beside the fireplace creates additional seating and a cozy reading spot.
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Living Room, After
Three armillary-style chandeliers add style and soft light up to the ceiling.
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Master Bedroom, Before
The narrow master bedroom was drab and cluttered prior to the renovation.
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Master Bedroom, After
John used reclaimed wood to create a custom, reclaimed-wood bed. The wall-mounted headboard provides a focal point for the newly-renovated space.
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Master Bedroom, Before
A drab paint color and basic black furnishings made for a dark, cave-like space.
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Master Bedroom, After
A warm gray paint color and rustic furnishings with modern lines create a relaxing, designer look in this updated master bedroom.
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Master Bedroom, Before
The overflowing closet didn't provide enough storage space for the couple's clothing, and the open doors made the room look cluttered.
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Master Bedroom, After
Relocating the closet to the master bedroom opened up the space, and a new door into the living room gives the couple easier access and brings in additional natural light.
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Master Bathroom, Before
The master bedroom was dark, cluttered and non-functional prior to the renovation.
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Master Bathroom, After
The Cousins moved a bedroom wall to create a true master suite for the couple, complete with a walk-in closet, water closet and spa shower.
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Master Bathroom, Before
The chocolate brown paint color and traditional furnishings didn't jibe with the home's modern aesthetic.
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Master Bathroom, After
A soft lavender and white palette creates a relaxing, spa-like space. The new bathroom's focal point: A luxurious walk-in shower decked out with marble-inspired ceramic panels.
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From:
Anthony Carrino and Cousins Undercover
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Kitchen, Before
Three words: Too many neutrals. Mixed wood tones, brownish-beige walls and an oversized island filled the kitchen space prior to the renovation.
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Kitchen, After
Creamy white walls create a modern look that matches the home's angular architecture. Dark blue cabinets and purple accents add much-needed color.
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Kitchen, Before
An oversized island closed off the kitchen space from the rest of the room, yet didn't offer the storage space the homeowners craved.
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Anthony Carrino and Cousins Undercover
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Kitchen, After
Removing the large island creates space for a built-in dining banquette just off the kitchen.
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Kitchen, After
The new banquette offers enough room for the whole Stephenson family to eat together. Built-in planters house herbs for cooking.
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Anthony Carrino and Cousins Undercover
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Kitchen, Before
The homeowners' existing cabinets were of good quality, but didn't match the home's modern look.
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Anthony Carrino and Cousins Undercover
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Kitchen, After
The Cousins Undercover team sanded down the cabinets, then gave them a new look with high-gloss navy blue lacquer and geometric brass knobs.
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Kitchen, After
A Carrara marble tile backsplash and countertop complement the blue tones of the cabinets without competing with the new color.
