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.

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these links.

January 09, 2018

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

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

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 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

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.

Shop This Look

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Verbatim Photo A

HGTV Urban Oasis 2021

Selling the Big Easy

Halloween Decorating Ideas

Easy DIY Costumes

How to Grow Mums

Fall Foliage Road Trips

Fixer Upper

Fixer Upper: A 1950s Bungalow and a New Life Chapter

Related To:

Bringing the Cozy Factor

Before

After

Living Room, Before

Living Room, After

Living Room, Before

Living Room, After

Living Room, Before

Living Room, After

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Den, Before

Den, After

Den, Before

Den, After

Laundry Room and Office, After

Laundry Room and Office, Detail

Laundry Room and Office, Detail

Den, Detail

Kitchen, Before

Kitchen, After

Kitchen, After

Kitchen, After

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, After

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Master Bedroom, Before

Master Bedroom, After

Master Bedroom, After

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bath, Before

Master Bath, After

Master Bath, Detail

Master Bath, Detail

Hall Bath, Before

Hall Bath, After

Hall Bath, Detail

Before

After

Finis

Shop This Look

Fixer Upper: Midcentury Ranch Gets a New Look With a Farmhouse Feel 64 Photos

Our Favorite Joanna Gaines Pictures From Fixer Upper 87 Photos

Fixer Upper Goes Tiny: Joanna's Tips for Living Small, Stylishly

5 Outfits We Adore From Fixer Upper's Joanna Gaines

New Chip and Jo Spinoff Series 'Fixer Upper: Behind the Design' Comes to HGTV

Chip and Jo Take It to the Next Level in a New 'Fixer Upper' with Room to Spare