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Fixer Upper: A Fresh and Fun Ranch Update in the Heart of Waco, Texas

Cody and Katie are ready to leave the big city of Houston and get back to their roots in Waco, the home of their alma mater. Chip and Joanna Gaines help them transform a dated '40s ranch house into a stylish and appealing home that's ideal for raising a family.

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March 22, 2016

By: David L. Haynes

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Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Rachel Whyte

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Photo By: Jennifer Boomer/Getty Images

Fresh Face

Chip and Joanna raised the profile of an ordinary red-brick home in a quiet Waco neighborhood, giving it this bright, updated exterior and an inside that's equally appealing.

Bold Accents

The updated living room has a bright and spacious feel and is highlighted by a striking accent wall and a mix of modern and classic furnishings.

White Canvas

In the new kitchen, shiplap and brick pavers painted in bright white offer a clean backdrop for the gray-green cabinets, new stainless appliances and black-and-white patterned tile.

Custom Addition

This wall-mounted herb planter in the new kitchen represents the combined efforts of two local artisans – a potter and metalwork specialist.

Tranquil Retreat

Blue and white color accents combined with rich hardwood floors and soft gray walls create a master suite that feels uncluttered and serene.

Sparkle and Shine

The master bathroom is the space that underwent the most drastic visual change, with modern chrome and gray marble replacing dated fixtures and pink tile.

The Joanna Touch

Visually arresting accents with a nod to the past are one of Joanna's decorating trademarks – as seen here in these antiquarian and linen-wrapped volumes bookended by antique wooden corbels.

Meet the Homeowners

Chip and Joanna with homeowners Cody and Katie Messerall on the expanded front porch of their newly renovated home. Cody and Katie had been living in Houston for about ten years but were ready to move back to Waco, seeking a more relaxed lifestyle and a good place to raise a family. They were looking for a three- or four-bedroom house in a quiet neighborhood in the heart of Waco, a large lot and a nice backyard. Their budget, including any renovations, was $185,000.

BEFORE

This unspectacular looking ranch house – dubbed "The Chicken House" by Chip (there was a henhouse in the backyard) – was built in 1949 and had three bedrooms, two baths and 1650 square feet. The list price was $97,000, potentially leaving the clients with about $88,000 for renovations.

AFTER

The curb appeal is markedly increased with an extended front porch, new wood columns and railing, enlarged windows, new shutters, a stone skirt, fresh landscapoing and new exterior stone surround for the chimney.

Living Room, BEFORE

The living room was in fairly good shape and came with original hardwood floors. Joanna recommended sanding and refinishing the hardwood floors to remove the high gloss finish that had been previously applied.

Living Room, AFTER

Key additions in the living room makeover include an arched opening onto the dining room and the addition of an antique wooden door.

Living Room, BEFORE

Living Room, AFTER

The fireplace and mantel were entirely reworked and surrounded with bold, contrasty patterned wallpaper to create an accent wall that ties in visually with the trim, door and furnishings.

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Modern upholstered furniture in solid gray helps ground the space and is accented with subdued touches of color.

Living Room, Detail

"We wanted to keep things fresh and fun," says Joanna, "but also classic and functional."

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Since there was no home office, Joanna incorporated this built-in work desk in the living room. The wallpaper in the alcove is the same as that used surrounding the fireplace, helping to create visual balance in the room.

Living Room, Detail

Living Room and Dining Room

Iron sconces on either side of the arched entry coordinate nicely with the dining room's metal chandelier.

Dining Room, BEFORE

Dining Room, AFTER

Floor-to-ceiling white shiplap, a rustic wood dining table and integrated cabinetry with sliding doors give the dining room a larger and more grand feel. The dominant white motif is counterbalanced with black straight-back chairs and dark metal hardware.

Dining Room, Detail

Dining Room, Detail

Dining Room, Detail

Kitchen, BEFORE

Prior to the renovation, the kitchen was sorely in need of an update. It was dingy, dated, had linoleum floors, overly busy wallpaper – and was very yellow.

Kitchen, AFTER

The new kitchen has a decidedly crisp and clean look as well as greatly enhanced functionality.

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

The backsplash above the apron front sink is simple brick paver painted in white. On the facing wall is a black-and-white patterned tile, custom vent hood and pot-filler faucet.

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Other noteworthy additions include plenty of upper and lower cabinet storage, granite countertops, open shelving, gooseneck lamps and new hardwood flooring.

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Joanna designed and commissioned a special "herb wall" with handmade terra cotta pots suspended in a custom wall-mounted iron rack. The pots were made by local potter John Martin of Black Oak Art and the metal hanger is the handiwork of Cody Benton of Reckless Metal Works.

Kitchen Breakfast Nook, BEFORE

Kitchen Breakfast Nook, AFTER

The casual dining area at one end of the kitchen is now less closed off and has built-in bench seating with additional storage.

Kitchen Breakfast Nook, Detail

Kitchen Breakfast Nook, Detail

Kitchen Breakfast Nook, Detail

Kitchen Breakfast Nook, Detail

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

The master bedroom was stricly no-frills and had worn carpeting, but it was spacious enough that most improvements would merely be cosmetic.

Master Bedroom, AFTER

The windows were enlarged to floor-to-ceiling height, new linen window treatments added and the carpet was replaced with hardwood flooring. White shiplap with chair rail and crown molding help enhance the space. Lighter design elements help make the room feel larger while the soft gray palette helps create a thoroughly relaxing atmosphere.

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bath, BEFORE

The very-pink bathroom off the master bedroom was small and the layout didn't work well for the clients.

Master Bath, AFTER

Chip and Joanna reconfigured and opened up the bathroom, stealing space from an adjacent linen closet. They also gave it a whole new look with painted shiplap, white subway tile and rich navy wall paint.

Master Bath, BEFORE

Master Bath, Detail

Master Bath, Detail

The new master bath has a shower-tub combo and this antique vanity that's been updated with a marble top, twin vessel sinks and chrome faucets.

Master Bath, Detail

Master Bath, Detail

Front Entrance, BEFORE

Front Entrance, AFTER

The home's entryway is given a whole new personality with an expanded and extended front porch, new wood trim and fresh landscaping with stone border.

Exterior, Detail

Wooden flower boxes in dark stain offer nice contrast against the new gray exterior.

AFTER

Detail Work

Joanna adds one of the finishing touches, with fresh herbs in the custom wall-mounted planter rack.

Heroes in Denim

Chip and Joanna in the Messerall's newly completed kitchen

Finis

Okay, just one more...

Chip catches a quick cat nap before the next project gets underway.

If you enjoyed this Fixer Upper makeover, you may want to check out this one: The Raggedy Ranch and the Rocket Scientist.

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