HGTV First Look: A Nashville Bungalow Reimagined by 'Listed Sisters' Lex and Alana
Real estate and renovation pros Lex and Alana help their clients ready their current home for a quick and profitable resale while simultaneously helping them find their ideal new home. See a sampling of their work in this snapshot gallery from the renovation project featured in the premiere episode of HGTV's Listed Sisters.

By:
David L. Haynes

Tiny Bungalow Transformed
HGTV's "Listed Sisters" Lex and Alana helped a Nashville family turn a cramped and ragged 1250-square-foot home into this highly desirable showplace that's fully market-ready. The renovation is the first phase of a well orchestrated plan to help move a family of six into their perfect dream home.
Dual Threat
Identical twins Alana and Lex are a perfect match when it comes to real estate and home design. Together they make it possible for homeowners locate their future-perfect residence while getting their current home ready to sell for top dollar.
The Finder
Real estate agent Alana's knowledge of the market and intuitive sense for her clients' needs help her narrow the searches of prospective homebuyers to find something that will suit both their taste and their budgets.
The Fixer
Meanwhile, Lex with her keen design style and renovation know-how heads up a crew of pros to renovate, repair and stage the clients' current home to maximize its resale value.
Meet the Blaney Family
Alana and Lex's clients, Chris and Jen, moved to Nashville where Chris could pursue his music career. They bought a tiny fixer-upper with the intent of flipping it, but somehow life just kept getting in the way. Now, with four growing kids, they're more than eager to move out of their 2-bedroom, 1-bath, 1250-square-foot home and into something better suited to a family of six.
Front Room, BEFORE
Lex and Alana recognized quickly that the Blaney house, though far too small for a family of six, offered plenty to work with. It came with high ceilings, hardwood floors and a classic and inviting front room. But, with the dining area just inside the front door, the current layout was slightly awkward.
Front Room, AFTER
Lex returned the front room to it's original configuration, with the front entry opening directly into the living area. She also brightened the space with a fresh coat of paint in a neutral gray.
Front Room, BEFORE
Front Room, AFTER
Lex staged the living room with contemporary furnishings but opted to retain the original tile on the fireplace which, in this traditional style home, is a big selling point for potential buyers.
And So It Begins
Lex's project manager Trey takes a sledgehammer to a kitchen wall as demo gets underway. To enlarge the kitchen and give the home a greater overall sense of space, cabinets are removed and the wall between the kitchen and dining room is opened up.
Double Trouble
Lex and Alana confer on the progress at the Blaney house as demolition, repairs and remodeling continue.
Master Bedroom, BEFORE
The home had a sizable master bedroom, but no master bath and a closet so tiny that it's depth was less than the width of a standard hanger.
Master Bedroom, AFTER
In the renovated master, the door that had opened onto the kitchen is closed off and, in its place, a new full-sized closet was built out.
Master Bedroom, AFTER
Damaged plaster is repaired and new drywall added to walls and ceiling. New paint and well coordinated furnishings help give the new bedroom the feel of a private retreat.
Master Bedroom, AFTER
Master Bedroom, Detail
Master Bedroom, Detail
Master Bedroom, Detail
Guest Bedroom, AFTER
What had served as a bedroom shared by the Blaney's three daughters is converted into a comfortable guest bedroom.
Guest Bedroom, AFTER
Prior to the renovation, this modest sized bedroom housed bunk beds, dressers and the belongings of three adolescent girls.
Guest Bedroom, AFTER
The remodeled space is perfect as a guest room. Lex added a bumped-out closet with stylized sliding barn door.
Bathroom, AFTER
Since the house had only one bathroom, Lex was determined to make it something truly special. Borrowing space from an adjacent room, she made way for a clawfoot tub and added a new toilet and vanity.
Bathroom, Detail
White porcelain tile and stone vanity top help give the bathroom a clean and bright new look.
Kitchen, AFTER
With the wall between the kitchen and dining room removed, the kithchen has a much more open and spacious feel.
Kitchen, AFTER
"Buyers love the old homes," says Alana, "but when they come inside, they love to see a brand-new kitchen." Lex modernized the space with dark stained butcher block, Carrara marble countertops and mstainless appliances but kept the overall look and feel classic.
Dining Room, AFTER
The dining area, which is integrated with the front room, is now relocated to an area that is much more convenient to the kitchen.
Dining Room, Detail
And a Little Staging Can Make a Ton of Difference
Prior to the renovation, the value of the Blaney's home was estimated at $189,000 based on comps. After all was said and done, the renovations totaled around $38,000, but helped achieve a swift and profitable sale.
Afterword
With the renovations and staging complete, the Blaneys were able to list their house at $279,000 and received an offer that met their asking price almost immediately. That was sufficient to help get them into a new and more suitable home -- still a fixer-upper but with lots more space.