There wasn’t a lot of suspense in the home-selection phase of this particular Fixer Upper project. Chip and Joanna’s client, Patti Baker ("Patti-B" in Chip parlance), had already found and purchased a ‘50s era bungalow with some nice features and plenty of promise. But the plain beige exterior and dated kitchen and baths amounted to a house that, in Patti’s own words, “needed a hug.” Fortunately, as Fixer Upper fans know well, Chip and Jo are good at delivering hugs.

The house had good bones, the right amount of space and well-preserved original hardwood floors. It just needed some of the Gaines magic to make it come fully alive. “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.”

Patti’s tastes in décor ran toward the simple, basic and primitive, and she clearly wanted a home that would be both soothing to the spirit and inviting for family and guests. She also likes the sharp contrast that black can bring to doors and fixtures, and she prefers classic design. All of these things, of course, are firmly within Joanna’s wheelhouse.

The kitchen, with its faded laminate flooring (covering original hardwoods!) and bright red cabinets was a good place to start. The floor plan gets modified to create a grander kitchen and dining space, and Joanna provides a homey look with a rustic European antique table to serve as an island, concrete countertops, blue and white patterned tile backsplash, casual open shelving and newly revealed hardwood floors.

Did we mention a taste for basic black? A star attraction in the newly reconfigured and remodeled kitchen is a casual dining area with a black shiplap feature wall and twin pendants with black metal shades.

Another highlight of the renovation is the repurposing of two adjacent spaces, divided by a pony wall and with integrated open shelving, to create a combination casual den and laundry room/home-office.

The Fixer Upper episode titled “New Chapter, New House” premieres Tuesday January 9 at 9pm|8c. And check here for additional air times.