Fixer Upper: A 1950s Bungalow and a New Life Chapter
Chip and Joanna help a mom who's relocating to Waco to be near her two adult sons transform a basic beige bungalow. Joanna blends classic cottage and primitive elements to create the perfect feel-good forever home.
By:
David L. Haynes
Show:
Fixer Upper
Related To:
Bringing the Cozy Factor
When Patti decided to move to Waco to be near her family, she found a '50s-vintage home that made her feel happy, but admittedly the rather plain and empty house "needed a hug." Fortunately Chip and Joanna were there to provide the hug.
Before
The Basic Beige Bungalow was in a great location, sat on a corner lot and, at 1600 square feet, was the right size for the client. Though the house was in good shape overall, the plain brown exterior offered little in terms of visual appeal.
After
Natural wood shingles and coordinating front door, gray exterior paint, white trim and fresh landscaping help give the home a distinctive look and cottage feel.
Living Room, Before
The living room, prior to the renovation, had a nonfunctioning fireplace and textured gray walls, neither of which appealed to the homeowner.
Living Room, After
In the new floor plan, the fireplace has been eliminated and a cased opening, leading to the dining room, was relocated. A coat closet, just inside the front door was added. The closet door, like other interior doors throughout the house, is painted black and fitted with vintage hardware.
Living Room, Before
The living room came with original oak hardwood floors, which were in excellent shape. Chip simply sanded and refinished them to provide a fresh look.
Living Room, After
Joanna decorated the living room using a neutral palette, light shades and pale blue accents, providing a nice contrast with the dark stained wood floors.
Living Room, Before
Living Room, After
"This is her forever home," said Joanna. "I want to make sure that everything that I am choosing and deciding from a design standpoint is timeless and as classic as possible."
Living Room, Detail
Living Room, Detail
Den, Before
This room off the kitchen offered a blank slate as a utility space that might serve a number of purposes.
Den, After
Joanna's design made use of the space as an informal den. Joanna suggested mixing it up with the flooring in this space with a tile floor with tiles made to look like painted wood in white distressed finish.
Den, Before
Den, After
The modified floor plan incorporated what had been a porch at the rear of the house, enclosing the space and turning it into a combination office and laundry room adjacent to the den. The two spaces are separated by a pony wall and integrated open shelves that are visible and accessible from either room.
Laundry Room and Office, After
In the laundry room, there's plenty of storage, and the washer and dryer are concealed within a custom cabinet.
Laundry Room and Office, Detail
Laundry Room and Office, Detail
Den, Detail
The interior doors throughout the house are painted black and utilize vintage hardware.
Kitchen, Before
The kitchen was awkward and dated, with laminate flooring covering the original hardwood.
Kitchen, After
The kitchen is reconfigured, now incorporating what had been an adjacent dining room.
Kitchen, After
The new kitchen features an island that's actually a primitive style antique table imported from Europe.
Kitchen, After
Other highlights in the new kitchen include poured concrete countertops, patterned tile backsplash, casual open shelving and newly revealed hardwood floors.
Kitchen, Detail
Kitchen, After
A star feature in the new kitchen is the casual dining space with a black shiplap feature wall and twin pendants in black metal finish.
Kitchen, Detail
In keeping with Patti's preference for primitive accents, Joanna comissioned a set of handmade ceramic dishware in basic white, embossed with the Baker family name.
Kitchen, Detail
Master Bedroom, Before
Master Bedroom, After
Patti loved wallpaper, and Joanna went with a black and white print with a botanical motif.
Master Bedroom, After
The black and white theme is carried through with a black furnishings and metal frame bed with white linens.
Master Bedroom, Detail
Master Bedroom, Detail
Master Bedroom, Detail
Master Bath, Before
The bath off of the main bedroom was tiny and visually plain.
Master Bath, After
The floor plan was modified to enlarge the bath, creating a stylish master bath with large tub shower with glass door, gray tile and a recessed shelf with decorative accent tile.
Master Bath, Detail
Master Bath, Detail
Open wood shelving next to the shower provides generous and attractive storage.
Hall Bath, Before
Hall Bath, After
A small bath off the hallway also gets a fresh makeover with new vanity, mirror and open shelving.
Hall Bath, Detail
Before
After
Patti's formerly basic-beige bungalow has been transformed into a stylish home with warmth and cottage elements, and one that's manages to at once be cozy, casual and sophisticated.
Finis
If you enjoyed this Fixer Upper project, we've got a hunch you'd also like this one: Back Home in Waco. And keep checking back here for more new galleries, exclusive video, show updates and more.
