French Country in the Texas Suburbs
Vote for your favorite Fixer Upper renovation from Season One.
Candidate #2: Chip and Joanna help a family that wants to downsize to a casual country home that offers European flair.
Show:
Fixer Upper
Location, Location, Location
Jeff and Michelle Sanders loved the home where they raised their two children but were tired of being so far from friends and work. They called upon Chip and Joanna to help them get their perfect home in the perfect location.
The Possibilities
Before: While the Sanders weren't going for the home's existing 1960s look, they were intrigued by Joanna's plans to transform it in the fashion of a French country estate. The less than $500,000 asking price of the home left plenty of room to make Jeff and Michelle's dream a reality.
Surreal Reveal
After: "Unreal" was the first word out of new homeowner Jeff Sander's mouth as he saw their newly transformed home. A quaint French country theme was achieved by painting the exterior brick in eggshell white and the shutters a calming blue. The dormers and driveway were also rounded out to add an old-world cottage feel.
Extra Character
Chip and Jo knew that a front porch would really make this house a home. By extending the roofline, they were able to create this breezeway porch with vintage light sconces and an ornate wrought-iron bench.
Brand New View
For the Sanders, the deciding factor for buying the home was the view. Jeff and Michelle were awed by the home's close proximity and arresting view of the lake. The refinished deck and custom-made French country railing gives the family lots of space to enjoy the view.
Contemporary Contempt
Before: Neither Jeff or Michelle were pleased with the contemporary built-ins and brass fireplace. Joanna relieved their worries yet again by promising to replace the existing fixtures with old-world charm.
The Wine Room
After: In what Joanna now calls the "Wine Room," the plain built-ins and brassy fireplace were removed and replaced with white painted brick and floating natural wood mantel beams for more of that old-world wonder.
French Doors Galore
The single, original door didn't seem to fit in the with the large home. Chip replaced it, as well as a window where the kitchen is, with large French doors that fit the large home and allow plenty of natural light to fill the space.
Obstructed and Cramped
Before: Originally, a formal dining room separated the kitchen from the entryway living room. The dining room and extra living space were unnecessary for the Sanders, but also left the kitchen feeling cramped and dark.
Unharnessed Potential
The home's original layout and restrictive walls did not do justice to this large picture window. Chip and Joanna knew they had to design the kitchen in a way that allowed the window to provide light for the entire space.
Making Room for More
After: Eliminating the formal dining room and knocking down the separating wall allowed Chip and Joanna to create a kitchen perfect for holidays, entertaining and celebrations — something Michelle had always dreamed of.
Let There Be Light
New light fixtures bring rustic flair of French country to the sleek, traditional kitchen. The commercial grade gas-burning stove and large vent hood give Michelle the chance to cook and entertain for years to come.
Eat-In Kitchen
The new eat-in area gives the Sanders family a picturesque frame for their lake view as well as an informal space for family meals. The distressed farm table and vintage lantern sconces compliment the Sanders' French Country style.
Luxurious Touches
While the lantern pendants stay true to the Sanders' French country aesthetic, the kitchen has been updated with sleek white marble countertops, a brand new apron sink and modern fixtures. The island also provides a spacious serving surface for parties.
Outdated, But With Potential
Before: The existing living room was already on the road to Jeff and Michelle's dream. The painted white brick fireplace fit right into their French country style and actually inspired the new dining room's fireplace facelift.
An Extension of the Kitchen
After: The separating wall between the kitchen and living room was removed, allowing the living space to flow right into the kitchen. Joanna painted the window and door trim white, but left the ceiling beams dark to tie in with the natural wood mantel.
Creating Space
A white couch cover and neutral decorative accents add more of the French flair that Michelle loves. The existing large window and doors let in plenty of natural light but now that the wall is gone and the trim is updated, the room looks far larger than before.
The Fun-in-the-Sunroom
The sunroom now provides the Sanders' family a comfortable, stylish place to view the lake during winter. Brand new brick pavers and a large couch are complimented by a vintage desk and accents to bring this space the cozy, French cottage feel it needed.
The Real Challenge
This bonus room looked more like a dungeon when Jeff and Michelle first saw the home. The dark paneling and lack of windows made this room look depressing and small. However, Chip promised Jeff that it had great potential as a game room.
Family-Friendly Bonus
The promise of a game room sounded better to the Sanders kids than it did to their parents. However, the new built-in entertainment center and pool table give the entire family an excuse to enjoy this newly reclaimed space.
