Fixer Upper: Yours, Mine, Ours and a Home on the River

Chip and Jo help a newly married couple, with a total of seven kids between them, find and renovate a dream spot where the entire family can gather.

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February 05, 2015

By: David L. Haynes

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Riverside Dream

Chip and Joanna updated this 1990s riverfront home with crisp blue-green paint for the brick exterior, contrasting wood accents and fresh landscaping.

Wood and Stone

Joanna warmed up the once bare living room with a natural stone fireplace, exposed beams and architectural accent pieces.

From: Joanna Gaines

Sleek and Updated

Outdated wood cabinets and laminate countertops were removed to make way for this more open, practical kitchen design.

Unified Spaces

The formerly closed-off kitchen now transitions into an adjacent dining area and opens onto the living room via a pass-through window with breakfast bar.

Let There Be Light

The dining room, which gets an abundance of natural light, is painted in pale blue with bright white for the beadboard ceiling and trim.

This Was a Garage?

A garage is transformed into this combination family room and bunk room providing comfortable accommodation when family members visit.

Literary Cargo

An antique canoe replica makes an interesting design statement as a makeshift book rack in the new family room.

Divide and Conquer

As part of the renovation, an oversized master bath got divided into two: a new guest bath and this newly remodeled master.

A Bedroom With a View

New French doors and large windows in the master suite to take full advantage of the view and river setting.

Meet the Homeowners

Allen and Gail Holt have a blended family that includes seven kids, most of whom are grown or away at college. The Holts were searching for a home roomy enough to accommodate everyone when the children come home to visit. Other items on their wish list included a large kitchen and nice outdoor spaces.

Making Landfall

The home that Chip and Joanna found for the Holts is on the banks of the Brazos River. Here, the four arrive by boat for the final reveal of the newly renovated home.

Living Room, BEFORE

Prior to the renovation, the living room had popcorn ceilings, a rickety ceiling-fan and a brick fireplace that -- like the home exterior -- was in varying shades of brown.

Living Room, AFTER

In the remodeled living room, the brick fireplace is replaced with a dry-stack river stone surround and wood beam mantel.

Living Room, AFTER

Gone is the popcorn ceiling, replaced by a freshly painted smooth one highlighted by exposed beams, white trim and a ceiling fan with a more classic look.

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

A grouping of six avian prints in antiqued wood frames adds an elegantly natural touch in keeping with the room's country-inspired theme.

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

A stylized sideboard placed behind the sofa is accessorized with an antique crate, old books and turned-wood candlesticks.

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Above the mantel, an antique window frame serves as the backdrop for one of Joanna's trademark magnolia wreaths.

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

A corner of the living room is decorated with a wood relief door, accent table and galvanized metal vase with olive branches.

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Living Room, AFTER

A section of wall between the kitchen and living room was removed to create this pass-through with serving bar.

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Rope wall sconces with vintage-style bulbs provide accent lighting.

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Vintage industrial wood-and-metal barstools provide seating at the serving bar.

Kitchen, BEFORE

Prior to the renovation, the kitchen was ordinary at best, with vinyl flooring, laminate countertops, popcorn ceilings and dated wood paneling.

Kitchen, AFTER

Chip and Jo completely transformed the kitchen with a functional new layout, large island, updated cabinets and modern stainless appliances.

Kitchen, AFTER

The island and cabinets are painted crisp white and the countertops are in honed black granite.

Dining Area, AFTER

Wooden beams frame the tops of the windows in the dining area just off the kitchen.

Dining Area, Detail, AFTER

In the dining room, a brushed bronze chandelier hangs from the freshly painted cove ceiling.

Kitchen, Detail, AFTER

Black cabinet hardware ties in with the granite countertops.

Kitchen, Detail, AFTER

A farmhouse style apron sink with stainless steel faucet is within easy reach at one end of the kitchen island.

Kitchen, Detail, AFTER

A wood-wrapped vent hood tops off a new high-end gas range and stone tile backsplash.

Kitchen, Detail, AFTER

Adjustable shelving integrated at the end of the kitchen island offers the perfect spot to store and highlight favorite cookbooks.

Kitchen, Detail, AFTER

One of the lower cabinets also comes with a built-in rack for cookbooks and magazines.

Laundry Room, AFTER

A newly outfitted laundry room connects to the new family room.

Laundry Room, Detail, AFTER

Wire mesh basket organizers, with hooks below, are handy for sorting and storing items in the laundry room.

Family Room / Bunk Room, BEFORE

The Holts were willing to sacrifice this garage to create an all-new family room.

Family Room / Bunk Room, AFTER

In the converted garage, Joanna appointed the new space with comfortable furnishings to create a relaxed setting. A sliding barn door separates the space from the laundry area.

Family Room / Bunk Room, AFTER

Blue-grey walls, dark wood floors and distinctive furnishings all help define the new multipurpose space.

Family Room / Bunk Room, AFTER

The room comes with plenty of bunk beds to accommodate kids and guests. Adjustable metal stools beneath the wall-mounted bar provide additional seating.

Family Room / Bunk Room, AFTER

Large windows were added as well as French doors, replacing the roll-up garage doors.

Bunk Room, Detail, AFTER

Platforms for the bunk beds were anchored to the walls using metal cable and cabling hardware.

Bunk Room, Detail, AFTER

Ladders for the bunk beds were fashioned out of galvanized pipe.

Family Room, Detail, AFTER

The floating bar is anchored to the wall using the same technique and hardware as for the bunks.

Lucky Number

An antique metal sign with the number "7" makes subtle reference to the seven children in the Holts' combined families.

Family Room, Detail, AFTER

Outdoor accents in nautical and lake motifs are incorporated in keeping with the home's waterfront location.

Family Room, Detail, AFTER

Master Bath, BEFORE

Before the renovation, the master bath was outdated, wallpapered and much larger than what the new homeowners needed.

Master Bath, AFTER

The new master bath gets updated with glass enclosed shower with granite tile, a stone tile floor and an adjacent walk-in closet.

Master Bath, AFTER

The master bathroom also features twin vanities with above-counter sinks, blue-gray walls and glass-front storage cabinets for linens.

Master Bath, Detail, AFTER

Guest Bath, AFTER

This guest bath also gets a fresh look in cool pale blue with wall-mounted linen cabinet, white pedestal sink and brushed bronze fixtures.

Guest Bath, AFTER

Efficient layout and creative use of space make this guest bath seem roomy though the actual footprint of the room is small.

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

Before the remodel, the master bedroom was bland and ordinary, and the floor covered in gray wall-to-wall carpet.

Master Bedroom, AFTER

The newly redesigned master bedroom has dark wood floors, large windows and French doors, linen drapes and blue-gray walls.

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, Detail, AFTER

Framed floral prints are displayed above a wood panel headboard painted in white and lightly distressed.

Home Exterior, Front, AFTER

The formerly drab brick exterior, which previously was a hodge-podge of mottled browns, has been given a a fresh, clean new look.

Home Exterior, Backyard and Outdoor Dining, AFTER

In one of the more dramatic upgrades, a new outdoor dining area was added at the rear of the home creating an inviting space for casual entertainin.

Outdoor Dining Area, AFTER

The massive outdoor dining table, crafted from salvaged wood, is sixteen feet in length -- no small consideration for a family of nine, plus guests.

Outdoor Dining Area, AFTER

Outdoor Dining Area, Detail, AFTER

Home Exterior, Detail, AFTER

A new highlight of the home's front exterior is the decorative wood accents under the peaks of the roofline.

Home Exterior, Detail, AFTER

Dark rough-hewn wood surrounds, corbels and stone bases upgrade the support columns and add a contrasting accent.

Fixer Upper

Fixer Upper: Yours, Mine, Ours and a Home on the River

Shop This Look

Riverside Dream

Wood and Stone

Sleek and Updated

Unified Spaces

Let There Be Light

This Was a Garage?

Literary Cargo

Divide and Conquer

A Bedroom With a View

Meet the Homeowners

Making Landfall

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, Detail, AFTER

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Living Room, Detail, AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Dining Area, AFTER

Dining Area, Detail, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail, AFTER

Laundry Room, AFTER

Laundry Room, Detail, AFTER

Family Room / Bunk Room, BEFORE

Family Room / Bunk Room, AFTER

Family Room / Bunk Room, AFTER

Family Room / Bunk Room, AFTER

Family Room / Bunk Room, AFTER

Bunk Room, Detail, AFTER

Bunk Room, Detail, AFTER

Family Room, Detail, AFTER

Family Room, Detail, AFTER

Lucky Number

Family Room, Detail, AFTER

Family Room, Detail, AFTER

Family Room, Detail, AFTER

Master Bath, BEFORE

Master Bath, AFTER

Master Bath, AFTER

Master Bath, Detail, AFTER

Guest Bath, AFTER

Guest Bath, AFTER

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, Detail, AFTER

Master Bedroom, Detail, AFTER

Master Bedroom, Detail, AFTER

Master Bedroom, Detail, AFTER

Home Exterior, Front, AFTER

Home Exterior, Backyard and Outdoor Dining, AFTER

Outdoor Dining Area, AFTER

Outdoor Dining Area, AFTER

Outdoor Dining Area, Detail, AFTER

Outdoor Dining Area, Detail, AFTER

Home Exterior, Detail, AFTER

Home Exterior, Detail, AFTER

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL

Behind the Scenes, THE REVEAL