Fixer Upper: Behind the Design - The Hardy House

When Matt and Samantha decided to leave behind the fast pace of Austin, and slow things down a bit in Waco, they wanted their first home to be one with historic charm and also to reflect their lifestyle. "We like to travel a lot," Samantha told Joanna, "and we pick up weird things at estate sales and places we've been.. So I think our style is kind of blend of Parisian and eclectic." They also had a strong affinity for wood tones and textures.

"We didn't have the budget to reconfigure the kitchen," said Joanna, "and I'm actually glad because I think the cozy layout of the galley kitchen fits the eclectic vibe we want." She went with black cabinets and white countertops for strong contrast, brass open shelving and antique French doors in keeping with the Parisian theme. The distinctive wood wallpaper has gold flecks that create a subtle tie-in with the brass shelving and kitchen hardware.

The framed documents behind the sofa are part of the original deed to the house from the 1930s which were found during demo. "I love that we got to feature the history of this little old house," said Joanna, "and they fit right in with Sam and Matt's old-world style.
#neverbeforeseen

"The main reason I wanted to keep the living area neutral is so that I could have this gorgeous green in the dining room," said Joanna. "It really adds a lot of flair, and adding the tall, white wainscoting helps tone down the bright color."

Espalier is the practice of training a tree to grow flat against a wall, as seen here next to the Hardy's front door. "I think it not only gives the hearty exterior that character it needs," says Joanna, "but it also nods to that European flair that I know the Hardys are wanting."
#neverbeforeseen