Fixer Upper: Second Chance at a Home in the Country

Joanna and Chip Gaines help a city-dwelling couple with visions of the country life create a dream home with a European farmhouse feel.

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March 07, 2017

By: David L. Haynes

Related To:

Country Chic

Chip and Joanna Gaines in front of the the Barker's newly remodeled home.

Before

After years of living in downtown Waco, homebuyers Jordan and Rachel Barker wanted to get back to a simpler life and move to the country with their three kids. After an initial contract on a country home fell through, Chip and Jo took them on a home search that led to this large home in a quiet setting and with great views — but with some serious renovation challenges. Chip dubbed this house "The Worm House" because the brick surfaces, both inside and out, were painted in a white finish with a mottled pattern that did, undeniably, resemble worms.

After

The home's exterior is thoroughly transformed with a new roof, new front door, dormer, cedar-wrapped columns, natural wood accents and fresh landscaping. The "wormy" brick exterior is now painted in soft off-white.

Living Room, BEFORE

The home came with a large great room just inside the front entrance, but it had a dated look, worn carpet, and the "worms" even more in evidence on the fireplace and interior brick wall.

Living Room, AFTER

The former eyesore that was the fireplace is skinned with stucco and painted white, simplifying the lines and overall look. A simple wood mantel was installed that ties in with new reclaimed-wood ceiling beams and a new wood floor.

Living Room, BEFORE

The living room was large and open but, even with high ceilings and white paint, felt dark and enclosed. In a reversal of their usual strategy of knocking down walls and opening up spaces, a portion of this room would actually be partitioned off with newly added walls to create an office space for the clients.

Living Room, AFTER

Exposed wood beams and new French doors in natural wood finish help to completely transform the main living space, giving it a warm and casual farmhouse feel.

Living Room, Detail

Soft gray wall paint and white trim are paired with informal furnishings like this upholstered armchair and metal industrial shelving.

Living Room, Detail

Two vintage wood trunks and an antique mirror with distressed frame highlight the new foyer.

Dining Room, BEFORE

Dining Room, AFTER

Balancing out the newly enclosed office space, a wall at the far end of the space was removed to open the kitchen onto the main dining and living areas. "Since I closed in this wall, I really wanted to make the kitchen, the dining and living really feel open with a really great flow," says Joanna. "The great thing about this room is that we didn't have to do much from a construction standpoint; it was really mainly cosmetic."

Dining Room, Detail

Kitchen, BEFORE

Prior to the renovation, the kitchen was in rough shape and badly dated, with dark cabinets, pattern tile and worn carpeting that encroached onto the space.

Kitchen, AFTER

The kitchen basically keeps its original footprint but is visually transformed with all new white cabinetry, glass front upper cabinets, subway tile, wood floors and updated lighting.

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

The simple wood kitchen island was custom crafted by furniture designer and carpenter Clint Harp and is accented by a pair of sconce pendants in dark metal finish.

Kitchen, Detail

Large windows let in plenty of natural light and take advantage of the scenic views, which the clients considered one of the selling points for this home. Patterned tile in gray and white create an accent wall above the stove.

Kitchen, Detail

The distressed look of the backsplash tile adds to the kitchen's rustic farmhouse feel.

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, AFTER

An antique door with frosted glass inserts was added to the pantry.

Home Office, AFTER

A set of antique doors in natural wood finish create a stylish entry to the newly created home-office, adding character and definition to the new space.

Home Office, AFTER

A massive antique cabinet in distressed white finish also helps define the office interior.

Home Office, Detail

"When you're working with smaller spaces like this office," says Joanna, "I think it's really important that you incorporate pieces that tell a story and give the space interest. I think it's important that, the smaller the space, the more character that you implement so that it really feels special."

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

Master Bedroom, AFTER

The newly renovated master bedroom has a relaxed but sophisticated aesthetic with soft gray walls, white trim, subtle recessed lighting, a king-sized four post bed and floor-standing mirror.

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bedroom, Detail

Vintage window frames in varied design are overlapped to create an artistic focal point above a simple black dresser.

Master Bedroom, Detail

Master Bath, BEFORE

Master Bath, AFTER

The master bath is enlarged and stylized with twin vanities, subway tile, large framed mirrors and gooseneck lamps.

Master Bath, AFTER

A glass enclosed shower with continuous subway tile help give the bathroom an elegant and spacious feel.

Master Bath, Detail

After

A formerly nondescript porch has been modified to create a stylish and welcoming facade.

Home Exterior, Detail

No Joanna-styled country home would be complete without windowboxes and flowers.

Finishing Touches