Fixer Upper: A Rush to Renovate an '80s Ranch Home

Chip and Joanna help new parents, with a second baby coming any day, locate and modernize their ideal home -- all before the new family addition arrives.

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June 22, 2015

By: David L. Haynes

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Ranch Home Reimagined

Chip and Jo transformed this 1984 home in Woodway, Tex., near Waco. They nicknamed this fixer upper "The Ranch on the Hill".

Panoramic Indoors

Interiors spaces that were once segmented and closed off are now more open, giving a new sense of unity and breadth to the home's interior.

Tastefully Transitional

Joanna mixes traditional dining room staples with modern industrial shelving and a metal chandelier for a look that's at once accessible and refined.

Elegant Galley Kitchen

In her trademark style, Joanna keeps the kitchen design clean and straightforward with emphasis on functionality and a bright open feel.

Gaspars and Gaines

Chip and Joanna visit with homeowners Martin and Whitney in their newly updated home.

Home Exterior, BEFORE

Prior to the renovation, the house had an uneven, segmented roofline and overgrown boxwood shrubs that obscurred the front entrance.

Home Exterior, AFTER

Chip improved the home's lines by raising the portion of the roof above the door. Cedar columns help dress up the facade.

Elevated Profile

Overgrown shrubs have been replaced with fresh landscaping, the dated siding has been removed and the brick exterior painted in a pastel gray.

Living Room, BEFORE

Joanna's recommendations for this dated living room included removing the worn blue-green carpeting, adding recessed lighting and updating the fireplace.

Living Room, AFTER

New dark wood flooring replaces the worn carpet, the walls are painted in a tranquil blue and the ceiling and fireplace in bright white.

Living Room, AFTER

Support headers were raised and brick columns removed to provide a more free-flowing transition between the living room and foyer.

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

From: Joanna Gaines

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

One of Joanna's custom creations for this space was repurposing a galvanized metal dustpan as a wall vase and hanging it within an antique frame. Other vintage touches in the foyer include a sturdy wood chest mimicking the appearance of antique file cabinets, an antique fan and antique seltzer bottles.

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Antique bottles serve as informal vases and are arranged on a rustic tray made from reclaimed wood.

Living Room, AFTER

In the living room, recessed spots provide accent lighting, and the fireplace is updated with a float-mounted wood mantel.

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

A carved wall hanging provides a dramatic visual focal point above the fireplace and is an ideal pairing with the dark stained wood mantel.

Kitchen, BEFORE

Joanna's recommendations for the kitchen included removing the floral wallpaper, replacing the laminate countertops and taking the cabinets to ceiling height for a more dramatic look.

Kitchen, AFTER

The new kitchen has recessed lighting, stainless appliances, granite countertops and all new white cabinets with dark metal pulls.

Kitchen/Living Room, AFTER

A cased opening creates a pass-through and helps to give the impression that the kitchen, living room and foyer are a contiguous space.

Kitchen/Living Room Pass-Through, AFTER

The wooden barstools were custom made by craftsman Clint Harp who specializes in using vintage and reclaimed woods for his unique furniture creations.

Kitchen, Detail, AFTER

A farm sink is installed in the kitchen island. Variegated granite countertops are used for the cabinets, island and bar top.

Kitchen, Detail, AFTER

The new vent hood is wrapped in wood and painted white to match the cabinetry. The backsplash is charcoal gray glass tile.

Kitchen, AFTER

The kitchen opens at one end onto a family dining area with plenty of natural light.

Family Dining Area, AFTER

Joanna accesorized the dining area with a banner displaying the word "kitchen" in a dozen languages.

Family Dining Area, Detail, AFTER

Main Dining Room, AFTER

Dark hardwood flooring, as seen here in the dining room, works well with the furnishings and was used throughout the home for a unified and cohesive look.

Dining Room, Detail, AFTER

Modular shelving of wood, metal and glass brings a distinctive industrial element to the dining room.

Home Office, AFTER

Chip and Joanna expanded the footprint of the office, nearly doubling its size. The enlarged window also helps make space feel larger.

Home Office, Detail, AFTER

Front Facade and Landscaping, AFTER

The front door is repainted in charcoal gray, and the new brick that replaces the old siding helps unify the look of the exterior.

Behind the Scenes

Carpenter and furniture designer Clint Harp pays a visit during the renovation and finds humor in Joanna's critique of his latest work.

Absolutely No Peeking

Whitney and Martin Gaspar prepare to see their completed fixer upper.

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Mr. DeMille, I'm Ready for My Closeup

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Sometimes Hugs Speak Louder Than Words

Hugs All Around

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Whitney checks out the granite countertops in her newly renovated kitchen.

Perfect Complement

Joanna and Chip pause for a beauty shot in the Gaspar's newly renovated dining room.

Fixer Upper

Fixer Upper: A Rush to Renovate an '80s Ranch Home

Shop This Look

Ranch Home Reimagined

Panoramic Indoors

Tastefully Transitional

Elegant Galley Kitchen

Gaspars and Gaines

Home Exterior, BEFORE

Home Exterior, AFTER

Elevated Profile

Living Room, BEFORE

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen/Living Room, AFTER

Kitchen/Living Room Pass-Through, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Family Dining Area, AFTER

Family Dining Area, Detail, AFTER

Main Dining Room, AFTER

Dining Room, Detail, AFTER

Dining Room, Detail, AFTER

Dining Room, Detail, AFTER

Home Office, AFTER

Home Office, Detail, AFTER

Home Office, Detail, AFTER

Front Facade and Landscaping, AFTER

Behind the Scenes

Absolutely No Peeking

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Mr. DeMille, I'm Ready for My Closeup

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Sometimes Hugs Speak Louder Than Words

Hugs All Around

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Perfect Complement

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