Fixer Upper: A Ranch Home Update in Woodway, Texas
Chip and Joanna Gaines help a former Baylor football player and his wife turn a generic '80s-era house in a Waco suburb into an inviting home that's both visually impressive and family friendly.
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January 05, 2016
By:
David L. Haynes
Simple and Clean
The newly renovated kitchen comes with a spacious custom island and dark hardwood floors that offer a nice contrast against the white tile and cabinetry.
Ample Headroom
The living space was opened up and the ceilings raised for a striking vaulted effect.
Creative Space
Homeowner Val McKenzie is an artist and works from home. Joanna and Chip converted a former breakfast nook into this versatile craft room furnished with a custom work table, sink and plenty of storage.
Country Nouveau
The master bedroom gets an elegantly simple look with new hardwood floors, white crown molding, simple furnishings and warm gray walls.
Meet the Homeowners
Mike and Val McKenzie were looking for a home close to their three kids' schools. Their home wish list included four bedrooms, two baths, a craft room for Val and a large back yard. Their all-in budget was $300,000.
BEFORE
This house – dubbed by Chip "The House of Symmetry" for its near mirror-image layout – fit the McKenzies' basic requirements. Built in 1987, it came with four bedrooms, three baths, 3000 square feet and a sizable backyard. The exterior would need only minor improvements, but there were bigger challenges inside.
AFTER
The home's curb appeal was improved dramatically simply by cleaning up the lanscaping and adding new front doors, a bit of fresh paint and new shutters.
Front Entry, AFTER
The new French doors make for a smart new entry that's highlighted by black sconces, large planters and cream paint for the trim and shutters.
Foyer, BEFORE
Prior to the renovation, the original foyer was narrow and had a low ceiling and header.
Foyer, AFTER
The remodeled foyer opens onto the living room and is accessorized with a rustic console and hall mirror.
Foyer, Detail
Foyer, Detail
Living Room, BEFORE
The living room had a fairly high ceiling, but the homeowners wanted to open the space up even further, extending the ceilings into the attic space.
Living Room, AFTER
Eliminating the attic, raising the ceiling to the roof height and adding dark-stained beams creates a full and dramatic vaulted effect.
Living Room, Detail
Once the original ceiling was removed during renovation, the upper portion of the chimney was exposed. Since it was not originally visible, the chase portion of the chimney had a rough, unfinished appearance. As seen here, Chip was able to locate vintage bricks that were an exact match to finish out the top portion and achieve a perfectly uniform look.
Living Room, Detail
Living Room, Detail
Living Room, Detail
From:
Chip Gaines
Living Room, Detail
Living Room, Detail
Dining Room, BEFORE
The original dining room was enclosed and too small to accommodate a large dining table.
Dining Room, AFTER
The new layout marries the living space, dining area and kitchen for an open floor plan with a grand, spacious feel.
Dining Room, AFTER
Dining Room, Detail
Dining Room, Detail
Dining Room, AFTER
Kitchen, BEFORE
The original kitchen was narrow, confining and had outdated cabinetry, countertops and tile floors.
Kitchen, BEFORE
Kitchen, AFTER
The newly configured kitchen has a large center island, crisp white cabinetry with contrasting black hardware, new stainless steel appliances and custom vent hood. Joanna found vintage wooden corbels at a local salvage shop for the perfect finishing touch.
Kitchen, AFTER
Kitchen, Detail
Kitchen, Detail
Kitchen, Detail
Kitchen, Detail
Kitchen, Detail
Kitchen, Detail
Craft Room, AFTER
Craft Room, AFTER
For the new craft room, converted from a former breakfast room, Joanna comissioned a custom work table from furniture artisan Clint Harp. The 4' by 4' table has integrated shelf units that serve as supports at two corners.
Craft Room, Detail
Craft Room, Detail
Craft Room, Detail
Master Bedroom, BEFORE
The existing master bedroom offered ample space but had worn carpeting and was in need of some freshening up.
Master Bedroom, AFTER
The changes in the master bedroom were essentially cosmetic, and included hardwood floors, fresh paint color, new crown molding and window treatments
Master Bedroom, AFTER
Master Bedroom, Detail
Master Bedroom, Detail
Master Bedroom, Detail
Master Bedroom, Detail
Master Bath, AFTER
Master Bath, Detail
In the master bath, a small shower was removed to make way for an adjacent shoe closet. A tub was also eliminated and replaced with a larger, glass-enclosed walk in shower.
Master Bath, Detail
Master Bath, Detail
The Reveal
The Reveal
The front exterior of "The House of Symmetry" retains its bilateral balance, but the facade has been sharpened up dramatically with the new French doors and outdoor lighting.
The Reveal
The Reveal
The Reveal
Mike and Val get their first look at the remodeled foyer and living room.
The Reveal
The Reveal
The McKenzies check out the gallery wall in the new craft room.
