Fixer Upper: A Luxe Transformation With Classic Euro Style

Chip and Joanna make over a large mid-century home, taking full advantage of a hefty renovation budget to create grand, luxurious spaces that are classically elegant with a touch of French country.

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February 06, 2018

By: David L. Haynes

Show: Fixer Upper

Related To:

Dream Big

In this renovation Joanna and Chip reach for something extra and work on a slightly grander scale. The homeowners started with a hefty (for Waco) all-in budget of $850,000 and already had three large houses in mind as possibilities. Each had lots of square footage as well as loads potential, but each had design challenges as well.

Before

The Clubhouse, as Chip dubbed it, was built in 1969 and came with four bedrooms, 3570 square feet, a 2-acre lot and park-like backyard with an existing patio. The exterior, however, was somewhat bland and the most lacking in built-in curb appeal of any of the clients' choices. Structurally the house was in excellent shape but, in terms of the exterior appearance, it provided Joanna an essentially blank slate. Purchase price for the house was $435,000, leaving a renovation budget of more than $400,000.

After

The Clubhouse. Soft cream paint for the brick, broad gray shutters, black trim, gas lanterns and stylized landscaping help give the house a crisper, more eye-catching appeal.

Meet the Homeowners

Chip and Joanna pose for a group shot with Leigh Ellen and Matt Morrison, and family, in the backyard of the newly remodeled home.

Foyer, Before

Prior to the renovation, dated wallpaper and parquet wood floors made for a somewhat unspectacular first impression in the foyer.

Foyer, After

New hardwood flooring, a gray and white tile insert and lantern-style light fixture help provide the foyer with a fresh new look.

Formal Living Room, Before

The living room just off the front entryway was stark and bare, with dated window treatments, white walls and faded wall-to-wall carpeting. The homeowners expressed a desire to make changes that would visually warm this space.

Formal Living Room, After

New hardwood floors, clean-lined furnishings and a newly revamped cased opening to the dining room, with sidelights and transoms, make for an inviting living space. Simple white linen window treatments help take advantage of the front bay window and bring in added natural light.

Living Room and Foyer, After

The new foyer, as seen from the formal living room

Foyer, Detail

Accents in the new foyer include an iron console in distressed white finish and a trio of framed antique manuscripts.

Formal Living Room, After

A highlight in the formal living room is the fireplace, now with gray marble surround, wainscoting and twin brass sconces.

Den, Before

The spacious den, just off the foyer and adjacent to the kitchen came with high vaulted ceilings, exposed wood beams and built-in bookshelves in dark stain finish. "The first thing I'd love to do is remove the wall into the kitchen," said Joanna, "then do new hardwoods and update this space by removing the paneling and doing new drywall and a fresh coat of paint."

Den, After

Merging the massive den with the kitchen gave the entire space a grander lodge-like feel.

Den, Before

The design plan called for removing the wall-to-wall carpeting and updating the fireplace and window treatments.

Den, After

The exposed wood beams white oak and coordinate visually with the new hardwood floors and furnishings in natural wood finish. The windows get new shite shutters, while the fireplace gets a new marble surround and hearth. The oversized coffee table with hand-turned legs is the handiwork of furniture designer and wood craftsman Clint Harp.

Den, After

"I really feel like the Morrisons love that traditional style, but also the French country," said Joanna, "so I feel like we're kind of merging both of those worlds together, keeping things very classic and clean; really subtle colors with a lot of texture, but also a lot of beautiful wood elements."

Den, Detail

The original design plan included sanding and re-staining the built-ins, but the grade of wood didn't sand well, so the strategy was revised, painting the shelves white to match the trim and wainscoting.

Kitchen, Before

The original galley kitchen had a small footprint relative to the overall size of the house, and carpet had been installed throughout both the kitchen and dining space.

Kitchen, After

Highlights in the new kitchen include a large kitchen island with white oak base, custom cabinets, twin pantry doors and patterned tile backsplash for an additional European-inspired flourish.

Kitchen, Before

Kitchen, After

The new kitchen features plenty of cabinet storage, and the cooktop is housed in an alcove beneath a massive custom vent hood.

Kitchen, After

Kitchen, Detail

Dining Room, Before

Busy floral wallpaper, faded carpet and a dated chandelier are all elements that will disappear in Joanna's new design scheme.

Dining Room, After

Grasscloth in a neutral shade replaces the old, ornate wallpaper and blends thematically with the linen slipcovers and wood dining table in natural finish.

Dining Room, Detail

Breakfast Nook, After

This breakfast nook just off the kitchen offers a second informal dining space.

Bonus Seating Area, After

Adjacent to the kitchen and breakfast nook is this sunroom style seating area that's the ideal spot for reading and relaxing.

Bonus Seating Area, Detail

Master Bath, After

The master bath features twin vanity and marble tile floor with patterned insert.

Master Bath, After

Other highlights in the new bath include an oversized tub with Carrara marble surround and walk-in shower with glass enclosure.

Master Bath, After

The bathroom also includes multiple custom cabinets for generous amounts of linen storage.

Master Bath, Detail

The custom vanity features twin vessel style sinks with brushed brass fixtures.

Master Bath, Detail

Exterior, Detail

As a bonus feature, Chip and Joanna added this stone fountain for an additional European touch.

Finis

If you enjoyed this Fixer Upper project, we think you might also enjoy: "Old-World Charm for Newlyweds". And keep checking back here for more new galleries, exclusive video and Fixer Upper updates.

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