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

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

From: Chip Gaines

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, 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

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

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 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

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

Mike and Val get their first look at the remodeled foyer and living room.

The Reveal

The McKenzies check out the gallery wall in the new craft room.

Finis.

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Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Fixer Upper

Fixer Upper: A Ranch Home Update in Woodway, Texas

Simple and Clean

Ample Headroom

Creative Space

Country Nouveau

Meet the Homeowners

BEFORE

AFTER

Front Entry, AFTER

Foyer, BEFORE

Foyer, AFTER

Foyer, Detail

Foyer, Detail

Living Room, BEFORE

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Dining Room, BEFORE

Dining Room, AFTER

Dining Room, AFTER

Dining Room, Detail

Dining Room, Detail

Dining Room, AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Craft Room, AFTER

Craft Room, AFTER

Craft Room, Detail

Craft Room, Detail

Craft Room, Detail

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bath, AFTER

Master Bath, Detail

Master Bath, Detail

Master Bath, Detail

The Reveal

The Reveal

The Reveal

The Reveal

The Reveal

The Reveal

The Reveal

Finis.

Shop This Look

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