Fixer Upper: Bringing a Modern Coastal Look to a "Faceless Bunker"

A rocket engineer and his wife want a home with lots of space and a beach vibe. Chip and Jo help them find a house with the right stuff but then have to undertake an ambitious makeover to make the vision a reality.

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July 15, 2015

By: David L. Haynes

Under a Green Canopy

Chip and Joanna transformed a bland '70s house in a wooded Waco suburb into this eye-catching and modern styled home. New highlights on the outside include a white exterior with gray accents, a pale blue door, new wood siding, fresh landscaping and an added balcony.

Easy Breezy

This seating area in the remodeled living space mixes modern and rustic elements with an emphasis on comfort.

Flex Functional

The new modern kitchen features white cabinets, exposed wood beams, great views and lots of light. The island with stainless top and casters provides additional prep space and flexibility.

Take a Load Off

The home's redesigned entry includes this handy bench-seat providing a functional space for seating and storage.

Creative Space

This work area, formerly part of the original kitchen, provides an ideal space for kids' craft projects and homework.

Willing Suspension

In the master bedroom, Chip takes a novel approach to bedside tables, fashioning these hanging nightstands out of the cross-section of a tree.

Spa Amenities

The remodeled master bath comes with a whirlpool tub, new tile floors, glass shower and a large trio of windows.

Meet the Homeowners

Teresa and Steve Fuchs spent years living the life aquatic on an island in the Pacific. When they decided to move to the Waco area, they wanted a home that reminded them of the beach culture life they had grown accustomed to.

Entryway and Living Space, BEFORE

Among the Fuchs' initial concerns with the home was this entry which opened onto a second-floor landing and which Chip Gaines likened to a catwalk.

Entryway and Living Space, AFTER

Removal of the copious amounts of wood railing, and replacing it with the more spare steel supports and cable, helped update the living room while making the space feel more open.

Living Room, BEFORE

Joanna recommended simplifying the design of the living room, including resurfacing the fireplace. Upon first glance, Teresa Fuchs described the this fireplace's stone pattern as giraffe-like.

Living Room, AFTER

The living room makeover includes a more modern slate tile for the fireplace and a cedar-beam mantle with TV mounted above. A comfy overstuffed sectional in pale blue and woven jute rug help bring beachy accents to the casually modern space.

Living Room, Detail

Living-Room Seating Area

A secondary seating area just off the main living space, with its modern styled armchairs and industrial table lamp, provides a separate nook for reading or for additional guest seating.

Living-Room Seating Area, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Entryway, AFTER

This bench window seat with open storage bins helps transform the home's entry into a more functional space.

Entryway, AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

The original kitchen was functional but felt small and tight given the home's large size and otherwise open design. The homeowners wanted a kitchen that was more conducive to entertaining and spending time together.

Kitchen, AFTER

Joanna recommended a full kitchen redesign, opening it up and giving it a more central location and better views. The space that is now the kitchen was, in the former layout, a craft room and mechanical closet.

From: Chip Gaines

Kitchen, AFTER

Wood wrapped support beams provide a welcome contrast with the kitchen's white cabinets and light granite countertops.

Kitchen, Detail

In keeping with the coastal and beach themed touches, the kitchen backsplash is mosaic tile in oceanic shades of turquoise and green.

Kitchen, Detail

Dining Room, AFTER

The kitchen and dining room are located on the upper level and offer outstanding views with enlarged windows and French doors.

Dining Room, Detail

The dining room features a table custom made by Clint Harp. The table's design features a black metal base that ties in with the new metal railing and combines the modern look of steel with the warmth and earthiness of wood.

Dining Room, Detail

Butler's Pantry

A former mudroom was converted into this butler's pantry with sliding barn doors and plenty of kitchen storage.

From: Chip Gaines

Butler's Pantry

Canisters of spices sit on open shelving made from industrial piping and wood in natural finish.

From: Chip Gaines

Kids' Work Space, AFTER

Adjacent to the butler's pantry, a space that was part of the original kitchen has been converted into a study area for the Fuchs' two boys.

Kids' Work Space, AFTER

The nwe work space features a floating desk anchored to the wall by steel cables.

From: Chip Gaines

Kids' Work Space, Detail

The two metal message boards are the work of metal artist Jimmy Don of JDH Iron Designs.

Game Room, AFTER

On the lower level, a den is updated as a game room with ping-pong table and wet bar.

Game Room, AFTER

Game Room, Detail

Behind the wet bar, drawbridge styled shelves hold glassware and bar accessories.

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

The master bedroom was ideally situated on the upper floor, providing a treehouse-like feel with views through the surrounding treetops.

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Joanna freshened up the look of the master with new wood floors, a more modern ceiling fan, white walls and large woven area rug.

Master Bedroom, Detail

The hanging nightstands are made from cross sections from the trunk of a cedar tree.

Master Bath, BEFORE

Though the master bath had been renovated previously, the clients were in search of a different look. Joanna recommended updating and lightening up the space, reconfiguring with separate twin vanities, and adding new storage and a seamless glass shower enclosure.

Master Bath, AFTER

The new master bath has a fresher, brighter look with tile floors and tub surround in light beige, updated chrome fixtures and white cabinets.

Master Bath, AFTER

Master Bath, Detail

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Teresa and Steve Fuchs prepare to get their first look at their newly transformed fixer upper.

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Chip and Joanna prepare to roll away the "before" canvas of the Fuchs' home.

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Teresa admires the new kitchen backsplash -- with its turquoise tiles that happen to match the current shade of her nail polish.

Message in a Bottle

Teresa and Steve read a note that was left in a bottle and sealed within the home's walls when the house was originally constructed in the 1970s.

Message in a Bottle

Chip and Joanna were actually able to track down and meet the author of the hidden note who had placed it there during the home's construction.

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Photo By: Rachel Whyte

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Fixer Upper

Fixer Upper: Bringing a Modern Coastal Look to a "Faceless Bunker"

Under a Green Canopy

Easy Breezy

Flex Functional

Take a Load Off

Creative Space

Willing Suspension

Spa Amenities

Meet the Homeowners

Entryway and Living Space, BEFORE

Entryway and Living Space, AFTER

Living Room, BEFORE

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living-Room Seating Area

Living-Room Seating Area, Detail

Living-Room Seating Area, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Entryway, AFTER

Entryway, AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Dining Room, AFTER

Dining Room, Detail

Dining Room, Detail

Butler's Pantry

Butler's Pantry

Kids' Work Space, AFTER

Kids' Work Space, AFTER

Kids' Work Space, Detail

Game Room, AFTER

Game Room, AFTER

Game Room, Detail

Game Room, Detail

Game Room, Detail

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bath, BEFORE

Master Bath, AFTER

Master Bath, AFTER

Master Bath, AFTER

Master Bath, Detail

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Message in a Bottle

Message in a Bottle

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