Fixer Upper: Texas-Sized House; Small Town Charm

Chip and Joanna Gaines help a Hillsboro, Tex. couple update a spacious but neglected house built in 1920, transforming it into a stylish and inviting home that's ideally suited to a growing family.

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December 01, 2015

By: David L. Haynes

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Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Welcome Home

Chip and Jo undertook a sizable and ambitious renovation in this fixer upper, turning a run-down property that had been vacant for two years into this sleek and visually striking showplace.

Reconfigured and Revitalized

An awkwardly placed wall just inside the front entrance was removed and the kitchen relocated to create this open, breathable floorplan and spacious great room.

Clean White, Cool Blue

The footprint of the kitchen was expanded by moving it into a space that was formerly a den. The new custom island and cabinets painted in bright white are softened by a backdrop of muted blue subway tile.

From: Chip Gaines

A Bedroom With a View

The new master bedroom has a light, open feel with tranquil blue walls and enlarged windows looking out onto the spacious lot. A key selling point of the home was the large yard with mature pecan trees – a feature that prompted Chip to dub this "the Nut House."

Simply Joanna-esque

A newly added master bath features a clean, country look with marble countertops, twin vanities and shiplap walls painted in white.

Meet the Homeowners

Jessica and Noah Dansby love the small town feel of Hillsboro, a historic community just about 30 minutes outside Waco. The Dansbys have three boys, and their new-home wish list included: four bedrooms, sizable baths, a large front porch and large yard with mature trees. Their all-in budget: $275,000.

BEFORE

Of the three houses on Chip and Joanna's tour, the Dansbys opted for this large home built in 1920. The home came with four bedrooms, two baths and 3500 square feet. The asking price was $140,000, but the property had been on the market for two years. The Dansbys were able to negotiate a purchase price of just $50,000 – leaving them a hefty renovation budget of $225,000.

AFTER

The home's curb appeal is markedly improved with all new siding, fresh paint, new porch posts and railings and upgraded landscaping. Among the appealing aspects of this older Hillsboro neighborhood are the large lots, wide streets and vintage homes built mainly in the early 20th century.

AFTER

Decorative urns with trailing plants and flowers add a touch of green to the concrete columns on either side of the brick stair.

Classically Southern

A staple in the homes of this era was the large front porch, often featuring the classic porch swing like this one.

Striking Entryway

The fresh white of the trim and railing offers a pleasing contrast with the vintage front door and shutters now painted in black.

Front Foyer, AFTER

A wall was removed and the ceilings raised to provide a spacious foyer that makes for a dramatic first impression.

Front Stair, AFTER

The stairwell is reconfigured with a more open design and enhanced with restored hardwood stairs. The iron railing echoes a design found in the home's vintage leaded-glass windows.

Living Room, BEFORE

Prior to the renovation the main living area felt compartmentalized and looked dated with beige wall-to-wall carpeting, faded paint and wood paneling. A number of vintage and original features, such as crown molding and trim, had evidently been removed during earlier updates to the home.

Living Room, AFTER

Joanna's design vision was to bring back some of the home's original character while brightening and opening up spaces, and making it better suited for a family of five.

Living Room, AFTER

The living area was radically transformed by taking out walls, raising the ceiling and adding rich hardwood flooring, new crown molding and trim.

Living Room, AFTER

The living room makeover included a restoration of the fireplace with the old green tile replaced with Carrara marble for a timeless look. The shiplap above the mantel was salvaged from walls removed during demolition.

Living Room, Detail

Craft Room, AFTER

The new floor plan includes a craft room just off the living room. It features industrial shelving, work light, a custom made table and wood flooring painted in bold black and white stripes.

Craft Room, Detail

Craft Room, AFTER

The custom-made work table is the creation of carpenter and furniture designer Clint Harp. It was fashioned out of reclaimed wood salvaged during earlier demolition at the house.

Dining Room, AFTER

The dining area is now integrated within the open living space and features a large, rustic farm table, black curved-back chairs and wrought-iron chandelier.

Dining Room, Detail

Dining Area, AFTER

Adding a particularly dramatic touch, Joanna incorporates two antique arched doors in the new dining space. The doors provide access to the newly added pantry and laundry just off the kitchen.

Dining Area, AFTER

Second Floor Landing, AFTER

The style of the metal railing used on the front stair is repeated on the second floor landing.

Second Floor Landing, AFTER

The spacious landing now includes a new library wall and vintage style ladder.

Second Floor Landing, AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

Before the renovation, the home's kitchen was small, cramped and dated.

Kitchen, AFTER

Joanna's recommendation was not simply to expand the kitchen, but to actually relocate it. The new kitchen is in a space that was previously a den. In the new layout, the old kitchen becomes the combined pantry and laundry room.

Kitchen, Detail

Joanna added a new globe chandelier in the kitchen. She opted to retain the original leaded-glass windows as she feels that period-authentic features like those help to "tell the story" of the house.

Kitchen, Detail

The new kitchen is outfitted with a large island with butcher-block surface and an apron-front farm sink.

Kitchen, Detail

Other key features in the new kitchen are stainless steel appliances, vent hood and a subway tile backsplash in muted blue – a favorite color of homeowner, Jessica.

Kitchen, Detail

Informal Dining Area, AFTER

In addition to the more formal main dining area, this informal dining nook is situated adjacent to the kitchen and faces a large bay window.

Informal Dining Area, Detail

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

The master bedroom prior to the renovation had outdated window treatments, worn carpet and no master bath. It did, however, offer a large space and an abundance of windows.

Master Bedroom, AFTER

The bedroom suite is brightened up and visually transformed with cool blue walls, white full-length window treatments and lots of natural light.

Master Bedroom, AFTER

The remodeled master has a bright, happy and open feel that creates the impression of an even larger room.

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, AFTER

The master includes this seating area and the addition of a new master bath located in the space that was formerly a walk-in closet.

Master Bedroom, Detail

Bathroom, BEFORE

Master Bath, AFTER

The new master bath is done in white and gray and includes a glass-enclosed walk-in shower, twin vanities and shiplap walls.

Master Bath, AFTER

An original vintage sliding barn-door was retained and incorporated into the design for the new master bath.

Master Bath, Detail

Behind the Scenes: The Reveal

The Fixer Upper crew films as Jessica and Noah get their first look at their newly refurbished home.

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Fixer Upper: Texas-Sized House; Small Town Charm

Shop This Look

Welcome Home

Reconfigured and Revitalized

Clean White, Cool Blue

A Bedroom With a View

Simply Joanna-esque

Meet the Homeowners

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

Classically Southern

Striking Entryway

Front Foyer, AFTER

Front Stair, AFTER

Living Room, BEFORE

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Craft Room, AFTER

Craft Room, Detail

Craft Room, Detail

Craft Room, AFTER

Dining Room, AFTER

Dining Room, Detail

Dining Room, Detail

Dining Room, Detail

Dining Area, AFTER

Dining Area, AFTER

Second Floor Landing, AFTER

Second Floor Landing, AFTER

Second Floor Landing, AFTER

Second Floor Landing, AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Informal Dining Area, AFTER

Informal Dining Area, Detail

Informal Dining Area, Detail

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Bathroom, BEFORE

Master Bath, AFTER

Master Bath, AFTER

Master Bath, Detail

Behind the Scenes: The Reveal

The Reveal

The Reveal

The Reveal

Group Photo!

Porch Time

A Portrait Sequence

A Portrait Sequence

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