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Good Bones: A Heroic Renovation in a Historic Indy Neighborhood

May 09, 2016

By: David Haynes

In one of their bravest home reno projects yet, mother-daughter team Karen E Laine and Mina Starsiak purchased an abandoned eyesore of a house in Indy's historic Bates-Hendricks district for $4,500 (!) then turned it around with a thorough transformation, inside and out. The renovation ultimately resulted in a resale price of $226,000 and clear profit of more than $31,000 — which Mina and Karen can promptly channel into their next home rescue venture. It's all part of the duo's continuing mission to revitalize their city's historic neighborhoods, one property at a time.

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As seen on Good Bones, the front of the Terrace house received a major facelift including the addition of more windows and an extension to the portico. (after) (exterior)

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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American Classic

Through the dedicated efforts of renovation and house-flipping pros Mina Starsiak and Karen E Laine, this house in Indianapolis's Bates-Hendricks neighborhood got a much needed facelift with a new porch and portico, a bright green front door, fresh lanscaping, all new siding and added windows.

From: Good Bones

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All In the Family

Mother/daughter team Mina (left) and Karen (right) have been rescuing homes from the wrecking ball in and around downtown Indianapolis for close to a decade. With their boundless enthusiasm, and help from family and crew who pitch in with demo and reno, most other house flippers.

Renovated Kitchen with Butcher Block Countertops and Granite Bar

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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Radical Revisions

The bare-bones state of the house prior to renovation allowed for a complete re-envisioning of the home's layout. The kitchen, which had been tucked away behind a staircase at the rear of the house, is now relocated closer to the front of the house in a space that was formerly a bedroom. The all new kitchen seen here now opens onto the new living and dining area.

Elegant, Industrial Design Highlighted by New Windows

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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Redefining Spaces

On the first floor, walls were removed to create a large, open-concept living space including this informal dining area.

Reclaimed Wood Floor and Subway Tile in Bathroom

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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Creative Reconfiguration

The second floor layout was substantially altered as well, moving walls and reallocating space to make room for two elegantly spacious bathrooms and new closets.

The beautiful custom vanity that Mina and Karen had made special, as seen on Good Bones

From: Good Bones

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Custom Touches

This guest bathroom includes a custom twin vanity at a raised height and new shower with white tile in herringbone pattern.

As seen on Good Bones, hosts Mina Starsiak and Karen E Lainein in the renovated Terrace home.

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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Local Heroes

Mina and Karen in the newly renovated living room at the Terrace Avenue home

From: Good Bones

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The Terrace Avenue Project, BEFORE

The boarded up entrance and front exterior was almost completely obscured by an overgrown junk. The house came with four bedrooms though, in its badly dilapidated state, it was difficult to discern the home's original layout. The interior was around 1970 square feet. Mina and Karen were able to purchase the house for $4500 — essentially the value of the lot alone.

From: Good Bones

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The Terrace Avenue Project, AFTER

In the renovated exterior, the gabled roofline, one of the home's distinctive features, is highlighted by the newly added portico and new front entrance.

As seen on Good Bones, the extended portico and bright green door make the front entry of the Terrace house more inviting. (after) (exterior)

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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The Terrace Avenue Project, AFTER

Twin sconces, new door surrounds and porch railing help elevate the home's curb appeal.

As seen on Good Bones, overgrown trees and shrubs were removed from the back yard and a deck was added to the back of the Terrace house. (after) (exterior)

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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The Terrace Avenue Project, AFTER

At the rear of the house, a littered back lot and gravel pit have been replaced with a newly upgraded backyard with privacy fence and a large deck.

From: Good Bones

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BEFORE

Prior to the renovation, the living room had a hole in the roof and a brick fireplace that was sinking into the foundation.

From: Good Bones

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BEFORE

Initial inspection quickly revealed why the purchase price for the house was so drastically low. The foundation was unstable, floors were uneven and there was extensive wood rot and termite infestation.

From: Good Bones

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BEFORE

The renovation would entail stripping the house down to the studs and raising the structure to repair the foundation. Costs for the renovation would ultimately total $190,000.

From: Good Bones

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AFTER

Open Floor Plan with No Walls in First Floor

From: Good Bones

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AFTER

From: Good Bones

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AFTER

Elegant, Contemporary Home with Open Concept Floor Plan

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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Living Room, AFTER

The living room, dining room and kitchen are now essentially one contiguous space. Karen labeled the design theme for this project "elegant industrial."

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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Kitchen, AFTER

The new kitchen features enlarged windows, hardwood flooring, dark-stained butcher block countertops, ceiling-height upper cabinets and a serving bar with granite top.

As seen on Good Bones, a former rundown bedroom is transformed into an elegant kitchen with butcher block countertops at the Terrace house. The design theme for the Terrace house is elegant industrial. (interior) (after)

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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Kitchen, AFTER

Remodeled Duplex with First Floor Powder Room

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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Downstairs Powder Room, AFTER

Elegant, Industrial Guest Room with Neutral Color Palette

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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Guest Bedroom, AFTER

As seen on Good Bones, an office featuring the elegant industrial design theme was added to the second floor of the Terrace house. (interior) (after)

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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Home Office, AFTER

The new office is in the space that had formerly been the kitchen. It features pocket doors and a custom desk fashioned out of vintage luggage pieces. Karen created the framed accent pieces between the windows using beveled mirrors and vintage tile salvaged during demolition.

Industrial Master Bedroom Blends Metal and Wood

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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Master Bedroom, AFTER

The new master bedroom features a wood paneled accent wall as part of the "elegant industrial" theme that employs a mix of wood and metal elements.

Closet Turned Into Large, Elegant, Industrial Bathroom

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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Master Bath, AFTER

In the reconfigured upstairs floor plan, one of three upstairs bedrooms was sacrificed to make room for this elegant master bath as well as a large walk-in closet.

As seen on Good Bones, this renovated master bath with custom vanity was formerly a closet at the Terrace house. (interior) (after)

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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Master Bath, AFTER

As seen on Good Bones, hosts Karen E Laine (L) and Mina Starsiak (R) stain stair treads to match laminate flooring (portrait)

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

Karen and Mina prepare to get hands-on at the job site of the Terrace Avenue renovation.

As seen on Good Bones, host Karen E Laine stains stair treads to match laminate flooring. (action)

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

Karen sands and stains the wooden stair treads that will be used in the new staircase.

As seen on Good Bones, host Karen E Laine stains stair treads to match laminate flooring. (portrait)

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

As seen on Good Bones, host Mina Starsiak installs bathroom tile. (action)

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

Mina installs white tile in one of the newly remofeled bathrooms.

As seen on Good Bones, host Mina Starsiak installs bathroom tile. (portrait)

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

From: Good Bones

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The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

From: Good Bones

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The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

From: Good Bones

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The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

Mina and Karen stage the new master bedroom to prepare the house for listing.

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

Karen and Mina add some decorative touches in the new dining room.

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

Photo: AJ Mast/AP Images. From: Good Bones

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More from HGTV's Good Bones

If you enjoyed this project, be sure to check out behind-the-scenes and before-and-after photos from the series premiere: First Look: HGTV's Good Bones, and you can read more about Mina and Karen in this article on HGTV's design blog: 8 Reasons Why We Can't Wait for 'Good Bones' Season 2

Good Bones: A Heroic Renovation in a Historic Indy Neighborhood

American Classic

All In the Family

Radical Revisions

Redefining Spaces

Creative Reconfiguration

Custom Touches

Local Heroes

The Terrace Avenue Project, BEFORE

The Terrace Avenue Project, AFTER

The Terrace Avenue Project, AFTER

The Terrace Avenue Project, AFTER

BEFORE

BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

AFTER

Living Room, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Downstairs Powder Room, AFTER

Guest Bedroom, AFTER

Home Office, AFTER

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Master Bath, AFTER

Master Bath, AFTER

The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

The Terrace Ave. Project, Behind the Scenes

More from HGTV's Good Bones

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