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.
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, Detail
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 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.
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.
Butler's Pantry
Canisters of spices sit on open shelving made from industrial piping and wood in natural finish.
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.
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
Game Room, Detail
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, 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
Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL
Chip and Joanna prepare to roll away the "before" canvas of the Fuchs' home.
Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL
Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL
Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL
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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