Fixer Upper: Retro '70s Redo with a Dash of Fresh Herbs

Chip and Joanna transform a stuck-in-the-70s suburban home -- with an oddball front atrium -- into a visually stunning showplace with an indoor herb garden.

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August 20, 2015

By: David L. Haynes

Spoiler Alert: Inspired Repurposing

One of the most dramatic challenges in this Fixer Upper makeover was what to do with the awkward and visually obtrusive atrium just inside the home's front entrance. Seen here after the renovation was complete, Joanna's creative vision helped turn an architectural eyesore into this indoor herb garden that also functions as a charming getaway for dining and entertaining.

From: Chip Gaines

Dining Almost Alfresco

The renovated living room includes this dining area featuring a rustic wooden dining table with metal-wrapped top, vintage-style metal chairs, a visually distinctive chandelier and a whole lot of natural light.

From: Chip Gaines

Striking Kitchen Redo

Hardwood floors, new appliances and a cabinet overhaul transform a formerly cramped and unspectacular galley kitchen into this attractive and functional new space.

From: Chip Gaines

Newly Defined Spaces

A fireplace makeover and free-hanging wood mantle are just some of the touches that helped redefine this space, creating a new open-concept living/dining area.

From: Chip Gaines

Living Room Reimagined

Wood beams, coffered ceiling and casually comfortable furnishings add character and warmth to this once barren and ordinary living room.

From: Chip Gaines

Perfect Combo

Chip and Joanna Gaines are a dream team when it comes to reimagining what a home can be. With a background in construction, Chip is committed to rescuing run-down, distressed and just plain shabby properties. Joanna has artistic vision and a design aesthetic that blends sensible upgrades with a flair for incorporating elements that lean toward the natural, rustic and vintage. In this project, they turned a suburban stuck-in-the-'70s home into something imaginative and visually amazing.

Meet the Homeowners

Heath and Becky Ivy were in the market for a home at or below $300,000 that would be suitable for them and their two daughters. Their wish list included a master suite, space for a home office and a nice outdoor view.

BEFORE: A Very Brady Abode

The Ivys' first impression when they saw this home was that they had slipped back in time. They liked the location and the abundance of space, but the lines and layout of this home were straight out of the '70s.

From: Chip Gaines

AFTER: Fixed-Up and Fresh

For enhanced curb appeal, the new exterior paint color is more subdued and in keeping with the lush, green surroundings.

From: Chip Gaines

BEFORE: Bland Exterior

The house was built in 1973 and clearly had seen little updating since then. It's 3100 square feet, has four bedrooms, three baths and an attractive lake view from the back yard. The asking price was $250,000, leaving as much as $50,000 for renovation and improvement.

From: Chip Gaines

AFTER: Crisp, Clean Lines

A little landscaping love and the removal of the wide driveway provide the front yard with a new sense of space and the home exterior with a more welcoming facade.

From: Chip Gaines

BEFORE: Awkward Entrance

The dated entryway came with yellow tile floor, mauve/pink carpeting on the stairs and '70s-era light fixtures. Visitors were greeted with a view into a glassed in atrium that made for a rather unusual first impression.

From: Chip Gaines

AFTER: Warm and Welcoming

In the remodeled foyer, hardwood replaces the tile floor and an industrial-look pendant light and updated metal bannisters are added. The front window to the atrium is now closed off and the entry hall is accented with a decorative console table.

From: Chip Gaines

BEFORE: Jungle Room?

With its yellowish walls, aging houseplants and river-rock floor, the aging atrium was a tad reminiscent of a glass cage in a zoo's reptile house.

From: Chip Gaines

AFTER: A Private Green Space

Embracing the light and openness of the space, but bringing in natural wood, a neutral palette, stone paver floor and a functioning herbarium, Joanna re-envisioned this formerly odd space, making it into a cozy getaway but retaining the outdoor vibe.

From: Chip Gaines

AFTER: Fresh Herbs Available

The once awkward atrium is now a bright and airy herb garden.

From: Chip Gaines

AFTER: An Airy Retreat

Located just off the informal dining area, the new indoor courtyard offers a private retreat for relaxing. And fresh herbs for cooking are now just a few steps from the kitchen.

From: Chip Gaines

Living Room, BEFORE: A Bad Dream in Mauve

Before the renovation, the main living area was dated, bland and sparsely furnished.

From: Chip Gaines

Living Room, AFTER: The Warmth of Wood

Joanna had decorative wooden beams installed, making the ceilings appear lower and the room feel cozier. She furnished the space using textures of natural wood, metal and soft, broken-in leather.

From: Chip Gaines

Living Room, BEFORE: Dead Space

The living room offered opportunity for plenty of natural light, but its dominant attributes prior to the reno were plain white walls and beige carpeting.

From: Chip Gaines

Living Room, AFTER: Space Redefined

Replacing the carpet with hardwood flooring, painting the walls in a cool gray and closing off the upstairs railing substantively alters the feel of the living room while giving the space a decidedly fresh and open feel.

From: Chip Gaines

Details, Details

Joanna stages the living room with rustic accent pieces including this vintage alarm clock and antique books.

From: Chip Gaines

Elegant Storage

A heavy wood-and-metal shelf unit merges vintage and industrial touches while neutral tones and flowers help add a feminine vibe to the room.

From: Chip Gaines

Fun and Retro

Distinctive planters hung using rope pulleys, and vintage letters used as well art, add a casual DIY theme.

From: Chip Gaines

Craft Room, BEFORE

Joanna transformed this empty space, which prior to the renovation had been a laundry room, into a bright and creatively imagined craft space.

From: Chip Gaines

Craft Room, AFTER

The new craft room includes cabinets and work station painted in blue-gray, open shelving, a magnetic message board and a custom-built craft table.

From: Chip Gaines

Craft Room, BEFORE

From: Chip Gaines

Craft Room, AFTER

Two new contemporary pendant lights provide overhead task lighting. Built-in cabinets provide plenty of space for storing and organizing tools and craft supplies. Washer and dryer connections were retained so the space can still also funtion as a laundry area if needed.

From: Chip Gaines

Craft Room, Detail

From: Chip Gaines

Craft Room, Detail

On the craft table, Joanna repurposed a rustic candle holder as a centerpiece that makes a visual statement while serving as the perfect receptacle for a colorful array of crayons.

From: Chip Gaines

Craft Room, AFTER

A trio of vintage chairs and a wood bench in distressed white finish provide seating at the craft table while a boldly patterned area rug adds a vibrant splash of color.

From: Chip Gaines

Craft Room, Detail

The craft table is a custom creation of furniture artisan Clint Harp and was made of wood from a salvaged pocket door.

From: Chip Gaines

Kitchen, BEFORE

The narrow galley kitchen was plain and ordinary with worn tile floors, outdated cabinetry and basic white-on-white palette.

From: Chip Gaines

Kitchen, AFTER

Joanna completely altered the feel of the kitchen with rich hardwood flooring, fresh paint, new upper cabinets in bright white, lowers in soft blue-gray and a patterned area rug in rich colors for an eye-pleasing accent.

From: Chip Gaines

Kitchen, Detail

Other additions in the kitchen include a farmhouse sink, new chrome faucet, white subway-tile backsplasn and marble countertops that wrap around the corner to create a cozy breakfast bar.

From: Chip Gaines

Dining Area, BEFORE

Dated wallpaper, mauve carpeting and '80s-era furnishings made for a lackluster dining space.

From: Chip Gaines

Gray Contemporary Dining Area With Chalkboard Paint Wall

Joanna reinvented the space as a charmingly enticing gathering spot with a café motif and a stylized dining table with built-in seating.

From: Chip Gaines

Dining Area, Detail

From: Chip Gaines

Dining Area, AFTER

The coffee bar features cabinets in soft gray, a sleek metal countertop, floating shelves from reclaimed wood and a chalkboard backing for unleashing creativity.

From: Chip Gaines

Dining Area, Detail

Master Bath, BEFORE

Much like the rest of the house, the old bathroom just off the main bedroom was stuck firmly in the past.

From: Chip Gaines

Master Bath, AFTER

Joanna brightened up the space with white stone countertops, a dual vanity and glass vessel sinks, spacious stand-up shower and updated lighting.

From: Chip Gaines

Master Bath, BEFORE

The black tile tub in the outdated bathroom was removed to make way for an entrance onto the newly relocated master bedroom.

Master Bath, AFTER

Master Bath, Detail

From: Chip Gaines

Master Bath, AFTER

Replacing the old tub is a roomy new shower with subway tile and modern glass enclosure.

From: Chip Gaines

Master Suite, AFTER

For the new master bedroom, Joanna went with a soothing blue-gray and white palette, large plantation shutters, cabriole side tables and a rustic headboard made from repurposed gable vents.

From: Chip Gaines

Master Suite, AFTER

Continuing the upcycling theme, Joanna repurposed an antique mantel as a decorative shelf and accessorized with an oversized wall clock.

From: Chip Gaines

Master Suite, Detail

An overstuffed arm chair with white slipcover and wood console in distressed white finish make for an iniviting reading nook.

From: Chip Gaines

Master Suite, Detail

Bird's nest soup? Joanna gets whimsical with wall hangings made from bird's nests mounted on embossed white dinner plates.

From: Chip Gaines

Rear Exterior, BEFORE

From: Chip Gaines

Rear Exterior, AFTER

The view from the backyard is much improved with a fresh coat of paint in neutral gray accented with white trim and railing.

From: Chip Gaines

Back Patio, BEFORE

From: Chip Gaines

Back Patio, AFTER

The back patio gets freshened up with new gray tile, exposed cedar support beams, gray paint for the brick and updated exterior lighting.

From: Chip Gaines

Back Patio, AFTER

The outdoor grill area comes with an spectacular view -- one of the initial key selling features for the home.

Front Entry and Courtyard, AFTER

The courtyard takes adavantage of natural light and gets a clean, simple makeover with low-maintenance landscaping and exposed wood beams. The front door is freshly painted in indigo.

From: Chip Gaines

THE REVEAL -- Positively No Peeking

Chip and Joanna lead the Ivys to the designated location in front of their new home for the final reveal.

THE REVEAL

Chip and Jo prepare to pull back the big "before" picture and expose the real-life "after."

THE REVEAL

Joanna points out some of the decorative features in Heath and Becky's new master suite.

THE REVEAL

The Ivys check out the custom crafted wooden table in the new craft room.

THE REVEAL

Heath takes one of the new leather living-room chairs for a test drive.

Behind the Scenes

From: Chip Gaines

Behind the Scenes

Becky and daughter Fallon investigate some of the fresh herbs in the indoor garden.

Group Pic

Family Photo

Finis

...And Closing Credits

From: Chip Gaines

Shop This Look

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/ Getty Images

Photo By: High Noon Entertainment

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/ Getty Images

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Fixer Upper

Fixer Upper: Retro '70s Redo with a Dash of Fresh Herbs

Spoiler Alert: Inspired Repurposing

Dining Almost Alfresco

Striking Kitchen Redo

Newly Defined Spaces

Living Room Reimagined

Perfect Combo

Meet the Homeowners

BEFORE: A Very Brady Abode

AFTER: Fixed-Up and Fresh

BEFORE: Bland Exterior

AFTER: Crisp, Clean Lines

BEFORE: Awkward Entrance

AFTER: Warm and Welcoming

BEFORE: Jungle Room?

AFTER: A Private Green Space

AFTER: Fresh Herbs Available

AFTER: An Airy Retreat

Living Room, BEFORE: A Bad Dream in Mauve

Living Room, AFTER: The Warmth of Wood

Living Room, BEFORE: Dead Space

Living Room, AFTER: Space Redefined

Details, Details

Elegant Storage

Fun and Retro

Craft Room, BEFORE

Craft Room, AFTER

Craft Room, BEFORE

Craft Room, AFTER

Craft Room, Detail

Craft Room, Detail

Craft Room, AFTER

Craft Room, Detail

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail

Dining Area, BEFORE

Gray Contemporary Dining Area With Chalkboard Paint Wall

Dining Area, Detail

Dining Area, AFTER

Dining Area, Detail

Master Bath, BEFORE

Master Bath, AFTER

Master Bath, BEFORE

Master Bath, AFTER

Master Bath, Detail

Master Bath, AFTER

Master Suite, AFTER

Master Suite, AFTER

Master Suite, AFTER

Master Suite, Detail

Master Suite, Detail

Rear Exterior, BEFORE

Rear Exterior, AFTER

Back Patio, BEFORE

Back Patio, AFTER

Back Patio, AFTER

Front Entry and Courtyard, AFTER

THE REVEAL -- Positively No Peeking

THE REVEAL

THE REVEAL

THE REVEAL

THE REVEAL

THE REVEAL

THE REVEAL

THE REVEAL

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes

Group Pic

Family Photo

Finis

...And Closing Credits

Shop This Look