Transforming a Basic Ranch Into a Modern Beach Dream House

Meet the Joseph Family

Deon Joseph, an LAPD officer who has served a 20+ year career supporting the Skid Row community, stands with his wife, Tosha, and their three sons, Jordan, Xavier and Deon Jr.. The Joseph family has fostered a life of service. They all participate in giving back to the homeless community, but aspects of their own home have been neglected over the years. A leaking roof, evidence of mold and many incomplete repairs stand in the way of them doing more with their volunteer efforts. Their 1943 home still has good bones, and the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team is ready to remodel it for them, so that they can truly say that they have "the house that love built."

The transformation of their basic ranch home in Carson, California, isn't one to be missed. See for yourself how this house was redesigned inside and out to become a modern beach dream house.

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Curb Appeal, Before

The Josephs' home in Carson, California, needed maintenance inside and out. From the curb, its basic ranch design appeared dated; the home, built in 1943, featured a mix of original features and added decorative improvements. To give back to the family, the design team seized the opportunity to entirely transform it.

Curb Appeal, After

Updates made to the exterior of the Joseph family's home render it nearly unrecognizable. The home received dark gray — nearly black — siding in place of its previous brick and stone facade. Interior changes allowed the front door to be relocated and defined with a structural gable. The new covered front porch boasts a decorative railing, and the new garage door, new driveway, sidewalk and low-maintenance landscaping modernize every aspect of this formerly basic ranch home.

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The Front Porch

Extending the roofline and adding a gable over the front door also paved the way for a covered front porch that overlooks the new landscaping in the front yard. While the backyard was also completely reinvented, the design team wanted to offer multiple outdoor areas for the family of five to relax.

The Entryway

Formerly a narrow entry that dropped visitors into the dining room, the design team embraced a modern, beachy style inside and out, and widened the space to accommodate a new front door. Deon and Tosha Joseph met on Venice Beach, and Tosha's love for the ocean inspired the style of the home. The new entry offers seating, and serves as a warm environment for the Josephs to welcome family and friends into their new home.

The Entryway

Large-scale art is displayed throughout the home. Some paintings, some prints and many personal photos were used to tie into the home's beach theme. In the main entryway, a table featuring beach artwork and decorative accents greets visitors, as they walk through towards the kitchen and living area.

The Living Room, Before

A previous addition on the back of the home served as the family's main living area. The sunken living room did provide lots of extra space for Deon and Tosha's sons to entertain their friends, but it was dark and dated.

The Living Room, After

The floor of the formerly sunken living room was rebuilt to be level with the rest of the home, and the walls and ceiling were painted white to brighten the space. Modern chairs and a large sectional offer plenty of seating, and coastal-inspired accessories and a woven rug complete the design of the new living room.

The Living Spaces, Before

The doorway between the kitchen and living room troubled both rooms of the home. The load-bearing structural wall separated the space, causing the whole living area to feel dark and unnecessarily divided. In keeping with a coastal theme, the team sought to remove the wall to create more light and airflow and embrace an open concept design.

The Living Spaces, After

A kitchen island now stands where the load-bearing wall was positioned, making the whole living area more conducive to entertaining and spending time together. One reinforcing beam fills its void and supports the roofline, and bold design features marry the living room to the new, open kitchen and dining area.

The Living Spaces, After

This open concept home works hard to take advantage of the natural daylight, thanks to white paint and light furnishings. Statement pendants and chandeliers also add functionality and warmth to the open space. Tosha's favorite place is the beach, and the design team applied the most prominent architectural and design features found in coastal homes to transform the interior of the formerly basic ranch.

The Kitchen, Before

The small, dark galley kitchen didn't offer the Joseph family a lot of space to cook and spend time together. Tosha loves spending time in there, but over the years it became damaged, and repairs fell by the wayside. Old appliances and broken cabinets would be replaced in her new kitchen, and the room would be reconfigured and opened so that she could cook and entertain more comfortably in her home.

The Kitchen, After

Dark blue cabinetry, a marbled porcelain countertop and backsplash, a large farmhouse sink and brass pendant lights are used to extend the coastal theme into the kitchen. Modern, smart appliances, improved storage and expansive workspaces come together to create this open, inviting space where the family can spend time together, and entertain friends and extended family.

The Kitchen, Before

The former kitchen did have doorways to allow some traffic to flow into the dining and living rooms, but it made the space feel very enclosed. While there were cabinets on both sides of the galley kitchen, many were damaged and in need of repair. Counterspace was limited, making it difficult to prep and enjoy one's time in the kitchen.

The Kitchen, After

By removing the walls, the team opened line of sight to the dining table, into the living room, and even to the entertainment corner that features an 82" smart TV. Rather than being divided into various small common areas, the family can be together. Darren Keefe's special project was fabricating a live edge walnut breakfast counter that extended off the marbled porcelain countertop. Waterfall edges on both sides of the kitchen island proved a challenge, but make all the difference in this kitchen.

The Dining Room, Before

There wasn't much to the former dining room; enclosed by other rooms, it lacked natural light. Deon and Tosha valued the family photos that hung in the space, but they needed a dining table that was more accessible and cozy.

The Dining Room, After

Banquette seating was designed to coordinate with both the blue kitchen cabinets, and the textured accents used in the living room decor. This new dining area gives the family a comfortable place to convene after a long day. Family photos still hang on the wall, but now they're nicely accented with wall sconces.

Deon and Tosha's Master Bedroom, Before

Dark wood and heavy furniture consumed most of the space in the room, making it anything but a love nest for this deserving couple. Changes in window coverings, decor style and even updates to the style of the doors would transform this room into a coastal retreat.

Deon and Tosha's Master Bedroom, After

Light-colored wood, a simplified headboard, a bench and beach-themed accents were used to convert this room into a bright oasis. Whitewashed vertical shiplap was installed to add interest and texture to the bedroom walls. Smart technology was used for the window treatments, so that they could be raised and lowered with a simple remote control. Back doors now open to access the beautiful backyard patio, so the couple can easily enjoy the amenities that the team delivered in the backyard.

Deon and Tosha's Master Bedroom, Before

Many repairs had been attempted to keep the bedroom from total disrepair, but even so, the closet door lacked functionality, doorknobs were missing and the bathroom vanity had a broken (glued and taped) sink top. The team sought to update this outdated master bedroom and its adjacent master bathroom into a love nest in which the couple could more easily relax.

Deon and Tosha's Master Bedroom, After

Improved storage was high on the family's wishlist, and the design team was able to deliver on that in the master bedroom, too. A large dresser adds function to the room, and fresh accents tie the space into the modern beach theme that flows throughout the renovated house.

Deon and Tosha's Walk-In Closet, After

A well-organized closet also adds function to the updated master bedroom. The new walk-in closet is well-lit, and offers plenty of organizational purpose for both husband and wife.

Deon and Tosha's Master Bathroom, After

The design team removed the broken vanity and dingy shower, and installed shiny oceanic tiles, brushed gold accents and a large glass shower surround in its place. This new spa-like master suite is determined to stop Deon and Tosha in their tracks, and help them relax after a long, busy day.

Jordan's Bedroom, Before

Jordan, the oldest of the Joseph boys, was set up in a bedroom previously occupied by his younger twin brothers. There were still two beds in the room, and most of the decor was suitable for a much younger child. No updates had been made to the space to reflect the young man's age or his personal interests.

Jordan's Bedroom, After

Jordan's new bedroom is a better reflection of the young man that he's becoming. A larger bed, mature decor, a flat-screen TV and a closet organizer transform his personal space into a room that'll suit him forever. The team also relocated him into the smallest of the bedrooms, since his younger twin brothers would continue to share a room and needed more space for two beds.

Xavier and Deon Jr.'s Bedroom, Before

Deon and Tosha's younger sons shared a small bedroom in the home. Bunk beds were used to make the most of the space, but they still lacked enough room to spread out, study and store their individual belongings.

Xavier and Deon Jr.'s Bedroom, After

The design team relocated the twins' new bedroom into Jordan's former large bedroom to give them more space. Matching lofted beds offer plenty of room for each boy to claim their own territory, and desks situated beneath the beds makes the most of the space that's available. This new, more mature bedroom will allow the young men to continue to grow and focus on school and their own community service initiatives.

A Shared Bathroom for Jordan, Xavier and Deon Jr.

While Deon and Tosha have a new master bathroom, their sons will share a renovated bathroom in the home. A spacious shower with a glass door, beautiful blue and white tiles and ample storage for all three boys' belongings transform this bathroom into an eye-catching space that perfectly coordinates with the home's dreamy beach house theme.

The Garage, After

Over the years, the family's two-car garage has served as a headquarters for creating hygiene kits and doing service work related to helping those less fortunate. The old garage was cluttered, lacking storage and organization, so the design team sought to modernize and maximize their community efforts.

The Garage, After

Behind the new garage door, the design team created a multifunctional space that meets the family's needs for continuing and maximizing their community service efforts, but also functions as a true extension of their home. Lots of new built-in storage promises to keep donation and hygiene kit assembly efforts organized and streamlined, while comfortable couches, chairs, a media center and games offer it as a place that their boys can retreat and relax.

The Backyard, Before

You might describe the former backyard as a blank slate, with great potential. The existing patio was outfitted with a table and chairs, but it wasn't a place that the family spent much time entertaining with friends and family.

The Backyard, After

New elements in the small backyard make better use of the area available. A firepit, lounge chairs, a hot tub and tiki bar create multiple points of interest. There's something for everyone in this newly accessorized space!

The Backyard, After

To upgrade the existing patio, the team added a stamped concrete detail. The effect transformed the ordinary concrete slab into a beachy, wooden boardwalk. Topped with a table, chairs and umbrella for shade, this livable space emulates a coastal vibe indoors and out.

The Tiki Bar

Ty Pennington's special project is a custom bar shaped like a longboard surfboard. Stained and painted to coordinate with the natural wood accents and the home's dark gray exterior, the tiki bar adds function to the patio and promises to work hard for Deon, Tosha and their friends.

SEE MORE: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Transforming a Basic Ranch Into a Modern Beach Dream House

Related To:

Shop This Look

Meet the Joseph Family

Curb Appeal, Before

Curb Appeal, After

The Front Porch

The Entryway

The Entryway

The Living Room, Before

The Living Room, After

The Living Spaces, Before

The Living Spaces, After

The Living Spaces, After

The Kitchen, Before

The Kitchen, After

The Kitchen, Before

The Kitchen, After

The Dining Room, Before

The Dining Room, After

Deon and Tosha's Master Bedroom, Before

Deon and Tosha's Master Bedroom, After

Deon and Tosha's Master Bedroom, Before

Deon and Tosha's Master Bedroom, After

Deon and Tosha's Walk-In Closet, After

Deon and Tosha's Master Bathroom, After

Jordan's Bedroom, Before

Jordan's Bedroom, After

Xavier and Deon Jr.'s Bedroom, Before

Xavier and Deon Jr.'s Bedroom, After

A Shared Bathroom for Jordan, Xavier and Deon Jr.

The Garage, After

The Garage, After

The Backyard, Before

The Backyard, After

The Backyard, After

The Tiki Bar

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