1968 Fixer Upper in an Older Neighborhood Gets a Fresh Update

Chip and Joanna Gaines help a new-home builder and his wife take the leap into the world of rehabbing an older home -- in a beautiful, established neighborhood.

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March 20, 2015

By: David L. Haynes

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Photo By: Larsen & Talbert Photography

The Aptly Named "Tree House"

This '60s-era home in Woodway, Texas -- seen here after a Fixer Upper makeover -- has a particular feature that earned it the nickname "tree house." A large live oak is situated so close to the front entrance that it appears almost to part of the house itself.

Outdoor Amenities

Floating shelves in natural wood are an eye catching accent in a new outdoor dining space.

Touches of Green

Window planters with fresh herbs, live potted daffodils and a bowl of green apples help brighten the newly updated kitchen.

Cafe Culture

Other decorative touches in the kitchen include a rustic wood tray that holds an informal coffee service.

His and Hers

The newly expanded master bath comes with plenty of marble counter space and twin vanities separated by a spa shower.

Working Spaces

The home's reconfigured interior includes this new home office, conveniently accessible from the kitchen and with two distinct work zones.

All in the Details

In the living room, cylindrical birch-log vases and a framed antique map create a focal point atop a new mantle made from reclaimed wood.

Mr. Gaines, Tear Down This Wall?

The homeowners' initial thought was to eliminate this outdoor brick partition -- which they nicknamed "the Alamo wall." But Joanna convinced them that, with a few creative additions and some fresh landscaping, the wall could help delineate and revitalize an underutilized outdoor space.

Meet the Homeowners

Genny Davis is a real estate agent and her husband Russ is a builder specializing in new home construction, so buying an older house was perhaps not their first inclination. But they're intrigued by a particular older neighborhood and, with the encouragement of Chip and Joanna, are wlling to take the plunge.

Meet the Family

Genny and Russ accepted the challenge of a renovation, in part because they loved the location. Woodway is an established neighborhood in the Waco area with large lots, beautiful trees, parks and access to good schools.

Dynamic Duo

Chip and Joanna Gaines in the Davis's newly renovated kitchen

Weighing Options

Joanna discusses the design plan and renovation options with Russ and Genny.

BEFORE

The 3760-square-foot home has five bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths but, prior to the reonvation, the exterior was unspectacular and notably lacking in curb appeal.

AFTER

Exterior enhancements included updating the paint, trim and siding, highlighting the home's profile with window boxes and exposed redwood beams, freshening up the landscaping and converting the carport into an enclosed two-car garage.

Backyard, AFTER

For Genny and Russ and their two children, one of the home's most immediately appealing features was the sizable backyard.

Outdoor Dining Area, AFTER

"I like to make quirky spaces funtional and pretty," says Joanna Gaines. Once she convinced the homeowners not to remove the oddly placed brick wall, Joanna had it repainted to match the home's exterior and set about creating this separate space for outdoor dining and entertaining.

From: Joanna Gaines

Outdoor Dining Area, Detail

When possible, Joanna likes to make use of recycled and upcycled materials. These floating shelves are fahioned from reclaimed cedar that was once part of an old barn.

Outdoor Dining Area, Detail

A cedar planter sits on an outdoor dining table made from reclaimed wood in a variety of wood types and colors. The one-of-a-kind table and matching bench seats are the creation of local artisan Clint Harp who specializes in handcrafted furniture made using environmentally sustainable practices.

Dining Room, BEFORE

The dining room, before the renovation, offered plenty of space but kitchen access was limited. Joanna suggested removing a wall to open and brighten things up. She also suggested enclosing the nook at the far end of this room, turning that space into a new home office.

Dining Room and Kitchen, AFTER

Raised ceilings with exposed beams, walls painted in soft gray, and a new open configuration with plenty of natural light all combine to create a unified space with a more relaxed and less confining feel.

Dining Room, AFTER

The dining room's rustic chandelier echoes the two used in the adjoining kitchen. The new home office is just behind this dining room wall and is in convenient proximity to the kitchen and living area.

Home Office, AFTER

White cabinets and black countertops in the office pick up on the design choices used in the kitchen. Dual work stations offer ample space for Russ and Genny, both of whom work from home.

Home Office, AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

With bright yellow paint, dated wood paneling, laminate countertops and poor lighting, the kitchen was dated and badly in need of an upgrade.

Kitchen, AFTER

Opening up the entryway, lightening the color palette and adding dark wood floors help give the kitchen a cleaner and crisper look.

Kitchen, BEFORE

The existing kitchen island was small and off center. Joanna suggested replacing the island, adding black countertops and closing off the paneled alcove at the rear of the living room.

Kitchen, AFTER

The new kitchen island, with black honed granite top, is more robust and offers a wider prep area and expanded storage.

Kitchen Detail, AFTER

Galvanized metal chandeliers and new recessed lighting provide more functional and attractive illumination in the kitchen.

From: Joanna Gaines

Kitchen Detail, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Other new additions in the kitchen include Carrera marble tile backsplash, all new cabinets with brushed steel hardware and a range hood covered in natural wood.

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen Detail, AFTER

Living Room, BEFORE

Prior to the renovation, though the living room was adequately large, the dark paneled alcove, massive fireplace and brick surround visually dominated the space.

Living Room, AFTER

The new fireplace is better suited to the room's scale, and French doors add light. The paneled alcove formerly at the far end of the room is now closed off and converted to storage.

Living Room, AFTER

The white painted brick is replaced by a natural stone surround with a rough-hewn cedar mantle.

Living Room Detail, AFTER

Architectural salvage dooors serve as creative wall decor.

Stairwell, Off Living Room, AFTER

Bathroom, BEFORE

The master bathroom before the renovation, was small and cramped, and the existing shower -- strangely -- had two separate entry doors: the one seen here and another on the opposite side, opening onto a guest bathrom.

Bathroom, AFTER

The renovated and expanded master bath has a positively spa-like feel with marble tile floors, plenty of dressing space and dual vanities.

Bathroom, AFTER

The new shower is nothing short of luxurious with Carrera marble tile, corner bench and glass door and partition.

Bathroom, AFTER

Bathroom Detail, AFTER

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

The size of the master bedroom was adequate, but the homeowners wanted something bigger. Joanna suggested taking out a wall and expanding the footprint of the bedroom, essentially turning two bedrooms into a single master suite.

Master Bedroom, AFTER

The new master is painted in soft gray and decorated with blue and purple accents. The window treatments employ both wood shutters and drapes, and the wood bed frame is painted in white and given a lightly distressed finish.

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom Detail, AFTER

Home Exterior, AFTER

The newly renovated home features natural gray stone and wood treatments for the exterior -- themes that are repeated inside with the new stone fireplace and wood beams. Other improvements include new balcony railing and the addition of a new enclosed garage.

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Russ and Genny get a first look at their newly renovated home.

Fixer Upper

1968 Fixer Upper in an Older Neighborhood Gets a Fresh Update

Shop This Look

The Aptly Named "Tree House"

Outdoor Amenities

Touches of Green

Cafe Culture

His and Hers

Working Spaces

All in the Details

Mr. Gaines, Tear Down This Wall?

Meet the Homeowners

Meet the Family

Dynamic Duo

Weighing Options

BEFORE

AFTER

Backyard, AFTER

Outdoor Dining Area, AFTER

Outdoor Dining Area, Detail

Outdoor Dining Area, Detail

Outdoor Dining Area, Detail

Dining Room, BEFORE

Dining Room and Kitchen, AFTER

Dining Room, AFTER

Home Office, AFTER

Home Office, AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen Detail, AFTER

Kitchen Detail, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen Detail, AFTER

Kitchen Detail, AFTER

Living Room, BEFORE

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room Detail, AFTER

Living Room Detail, AFTER

Stairwell, Off Living Room, AFTER

Bathroom, BEFORE

Bathroom, AFTER

Bathroom, AFTER

Bathroom, AFTER

Bathroom, AFTER

Bathroom Detail, AFTER

Bathroom Detail, AFTER

Bathroom Detail, AFTER

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom Detail, AFTER

Home Exterior, AFTER

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

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