Fixer Upper: Cottage Charmer With a Fun, Eclectic Vibe

Chip and Joanna Gaines help a single foster-mom — and first-time homebuyer — update a quaint 1940 cottage, giving it a fresh and exuberant look that reflects the homeowner's personal style.

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April 05, 2016

By: David L. Haynes

Shop This Look

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Cottage Enhancement

This home transformation, seen here after the renovation was complete, was an easy fit for both the homeowner and Chip and Joanna. As soon as she laid eyes on it, homebuyer Kaley Eggers knew this was the perfect place for her and her new son.

Playful, Bright and Open

The kitchen was already fairly large, but Chip and Joanna expanded it further, reworking the layout and opening it onto the living and dining area.

Fun With Colors and Textures

Joanna wanted the home to reflect the client's fun style and eclectic sensibility so, for the main living and dining areas, she opted for a vibrant green wall paint and a mix of modern and retro accents.

Sunroom with Purpose

The sunroom just off the kitchen is brightly lit and colorfully decorated, making for a creative space well suited to both play and study.

Tranquility Base

For the new master suite, Joanna's original idea was to carry through with the bright green paint used in the front rooms, but she ultimately went with a soft gray for a more tranquil feel.

Meet the Homeowner

Kaley Eggers (far left) is a single foster-mom in the process of adopting a son. She's wanting to make her first home purchase and create a special place to start a family. She enlists the help of her twin sister Lauren, as well as Chiip and Jo, to help her find the perfect place to start building memories. She wants a home with personality and charm, at least three bedrooms and a nice backyard. Her budget, including renovatins, is $170,000.

BEFORE

Joanna felt that the exterior of this home – dubbed by Chip the "Baby Blue Cottage" – already possessed some real charm, it just needed some updating and freshening up.

AFTER

The exterior gets dressed up with a darker color with contrasting trim, new dormers, a custom wood door, paver walkway and new landscaping.

Living Room, BEFORE

Just inside the front entrance is a sizable space that serves as both living room and dining room. The wood floors were a plus, as well as the fireplace situated directly across from the front entrance. Joanna wanted to make the fireplace even more of a visual focal point.

Living Room, AFTER

Black and white tile surround and a mantel custom created using architectural trim make it the room's statement piece.

Living Room, BEFORE

The water stains visible above the front door indicated a possible roof leak and would require removal of some of the drywall to inspect the extent of damage – something that would ultimately lead to a pleasant surprise.

Living Room, AFTER

Removal of the drywall ceiling would reveal original shiplap that was in remarkably good condition. The textured wood ceiling makes for a nice visual balance with the hardwood floors.

Living Room, AFTER

Two matching chandelier light fixtures help delineate and balance the two sections of the front room – the living room seen here and the dining room on the opposite end.

From: Chip Gaines

Living Room, Detail

Dining Room, AFTER

Living and Dining Room, BEFORE

Living and Dining Room, AFTER

Living and Dining Room, BEFORE

Living and Dining Room, AFTER

Dining Room, AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

The existing kitchen was fairly large, but Joanna recommended a dramatic update to open it up further and change the configuration, including reworking the cabinet layout, removing the popcorn ceiling and installing new appliances.

Kitchen, AFTER

Some highlights in the renovated kitchen include modern cabinets in a light natural wood finish, new island, twin pendants with mint green shades, open shelving and black tile backsplash.

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Two newly added windows on the kitchen's back wall look out onto the adjacent sunroom and allow more natural light into the space.

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, AFTER

From: Chip Gaines

Kitchen, Detail

Sunroom, BEFORE

Sunroom, AFTER

The sunroom has been completely transformed and features custom flooring design, new light fixtures and two wall-mounted work desks custom created by furniture craftsman Clint Harp.

Sunroom, AFTER

Sunroom, Detail

The custom desks feature legs and drawer pulls that were hand-turned by Clint Harp.

Sunroom, Detail

Sunroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

Master Bedroom, AFTER

The new master suite features rustic wood beams to accentuate the vaulted ceiling.

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

Master Bedroom, AFTER

The home's layout was modified to create a hallway that gives more natural access to the master bedroom.

Master Bedroom, Detail

An antique bread rack serves as a decorateive accent on the wall facing the bed.

Master Bedroom, Detail

AFTER

A custom wood door gives added character to the home's front entrance and a metal awning makes for a distinctive design element.

The Reveal

Kaley Eggers, and sister Lauren, see the newly renovated kitchen for the first time.

Finis

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Fixer Upper

Fixer Upper: Cottage Charmer With a Fun, Eclectic Vibe

Shop This Look

Cottage Enhancement

Playful, Bright and Open

Fun With Colors and Textures

Sunroom with Purpose

Tranquility Base

Meet the Homeowner

BEFORE

AFTER

Living Room, BEFORE

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, BEFORE

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Dining Room, AFTER

Living and Dining Room, BEFORE

Living and Dining Room, AFTER

Living and Dining Room, BEFORE

Living and Dining Room, AFTER

Dining Room, AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Sunroom, BEFORE

Sunroom, AFTER

Sunroom, AFTER

Sunroom, Detail

Sunroom, Detail

Sunroom, Detail

Sunroom, Detail

Sunroom, Detail

Sunroom, Detail

Sunroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

AFTER

AFTER

The Reveal

Finis

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