Fixer Upper: Old-World Charm for Newlyweds
Chip and Joanna Gaines help a newly married couple create their ideal first home, turning a standard suburban '70s house into a romantic retreat that effectively blends styles, influences and textures.
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January 26, 2016
By:
David L. Haynes
Quintessentially Home
Chip and Joanna renovated an ordinary looking brick house in the Mountainview neighborhood of Waco to create this beautiful first home for a young couple moving back to Texas after a stint in Tennessee.
Transitional Themes
Several walls were removed to create this open floor plan that combines kitchen, dining area and living room.
Blended Styles, Merged Spaces
A newly configured foyer with dark columns and wood paneling opens onto the living room to create a visually striking formal entry to the home.
Minimalist and Functional
The kitchen is enlarged and remodeled with a simple design and fresh, clean aesthetic.
New and Old
Though the renovation was a thorough update, Joanna incorporated older furnishings and antiques to deliberately avoid the appearance of a new build or simple remodel.
We'll Take Romance
The new master bedroom is done in soft gray with warming wood tones, ornamental sconces and a few colorful accents.
Keeping Up With the Joneses
Homeowners Jeff and Sara Jones were Baylor sweethearts who moved to Tennessee after college but then decided to return to the Waco area. They were looking for a home where they could one day raise a family, and their wish list included three bedrooms, an open living space and a large backyard. Their budget, including renovations, was $235,000.
European Flair
Sara's tastes run toward a nouveau classical look with an affinity for ornate furnishings and French antiques. The combination presented a decorating challenge for Joanna who frequently leans more in the direction of farmhouse country and rustic themes. This new foyer – highlighted by black and white marble floors, rich textures and dark gray paneling – offers a mix of contemporary elements and old world touches making for a carefully integrated look that marries comfort and style.
Living Room, AFTER
The biggest construction challenge in the renovation was the removal of several walls to merge the first floor spaces. Lam beams were added to provide structural support for the new large space with a bright and open feel.
Living Room, Detail
Living Room, Detail
Living Room, Detail
Dining Room, AFTER
The formerly tiny and closed off dining room is now spacious and inviting. Worn wall-to-wall carpeting is replaced with a new wood-look tile floor.
Dining Room, Detail
The existing brick fireplace was retained but updated with black interior, new trim in dark gray and a reclaimed wood mantel.
Dining Room, Detail
This antique style fixture was used as a unifying theme in several of the renovated spaces including the dining room, foyer and master suite.
Dining Room, Detail
Dining Room, Detail
Dining Room, AFTER
Dark gray paneling around the fireplace provides visual contrast with the light walls. Limitations in the renovation budget precluded adding larger windows, but the existing windows were updated with new trim also painted in gray.
Dining Room and Kitchen
Kitchen, AFTER
The new kitchen is almost doubled in size from its original footprint.
Kitchen, AFTER
New additions in the kitchen include a farmhouse sink, marble countertops, new cabinets, recessed lighting and a custom island with waterfall edge. The doors on the newly added pantry have antiqued glass inserts emulating the look of a vintage mirror.
Kitchen, Detail
Other new kitchen enhancements include subway tile backsplash and lots of open shelving.
Kitchen, Detail
Kitchen, Detail
Kitchen, Detail
Kitchen, Detail
Kitchen, Detail
Kitchen, Detail
Kitchen, AFTER
Kitchen, AFTER
Double Duty
This space serves a dual purpose as a home office and a mudroom The newly partitioned space, which was originally part of the living room, includes new French doors with access to the backyard.
Home Office, Detail
Home Office, Detail
The office includes a special housewarming gift from Sara's father: an original wall-art piece with the text of a prayer read at Jeff and Sara's wedding.
Home Office and Mudroom
This multi-use space also inlcudes additional storage, hooks and modern sliding doors opening onto the living room.
Office and Mudroom, Detail
Master Bedroom, AFTER
A statement piece in the remodeled bedroom is a French antique mantel, dating to the turn of the last century, used as a decorative wall feature.
Master Bedroom, AFTER
Another defining element in the bedroom is the pair of antique-look wall sconces in the same style as fixtures used in the dining room and foyer.
Master Bedroom, AFTER
Master Bedroom, Detail
Master Bedroom, Detail
Master Bedroom, Detail
We briefly interrupt this slideshow for a romantic interlude.
...courtesy of Mr. Gaines.
We briefly interrupt this slideshow for a romantic interlude.
Girls do like flowers.
We now return you to the regularly scheduled photo gallery.
The Reveal
Jeff and Sara Jones get ready to see their newly completed fixer upper for the first time.
The Reveal
Are you ready to see this Fixer Upper?
The Reveal
The Reveal
The Reveal
The Reveal
The Reveal
The Reveal
AFTER
The new exterior has new double doors at the front entrance, reworked columns, new landscaping and an updated color scheme.
AFTER
Prior to the renovation, the home exterior was plain brown brick. The distinctive whitewashing effect was achieved through a technique known as German mortar smear.
Behind the Scenes: At the Silos
Whenever Chip finds some time between Fixer Upper projects for clients, he's likely hard at work at Magnolia Silos, Chip and Joanna's new HQ.
Behind the Scenes: At the Silos
Concurrent with the Jones project, work was underway on rebuilding and shoring up the roof on the grain silo. Here Chip does some welding on special i-beams that will help support the additional weight in renovated structure.
Behind the Scenes: At the Silos
Chip and Jo get the call from Jeff and Sara Jones with the news of which of the three Fixer Upper houses they selected.
Behind the Scenes: Meet the Parents
Chip and Joanna meet Sara Jones' parents Max and and Denalyn Lucado. Max Lucado is a well known author and a minister in San Antonio. The prayer he authored and delivered at Jeff and Sara's wedding became the inscription on the original art piece that was a housewarming gift for Sara and Jeff.
Finis
If you liked this Fixer Upper makeover, we bet you'd also enjoy this one from Season 2:
Mid-Century "Asian Ranch" Goes French Country.
And keep checking back at Fixer Upper Central for the latest makeovers.
