Rehab Addict Reno: Tour the Ransom Gillis House

Built during the 1870s, the Ransom Gillis house is a Detroit landmark that had fallen into disrepair. See how Rehab Addict restored the historic property down to every last detail.

By: Liz Gray

Show: Rehab Addict: Detroit

Related To:

History, Restored

Unoccupied since the late 1960s, the Ransom Gillis mansion was ready to crumble when the Rehab Addict team came to the rescue. See how this Detroit landmark was transformed from top to bottom.

Exterior, Before

This icon of Detroit's historic Brush Park neighborhood was crumbling when the HGTV team acquired the property.

Exterior, After

The construction crew rebuilt the property literally brick by brick to restore the original look and feel.

Turret Roof, Before

Though property's roof was rebuilt in 2005, it didn't evoke the grandeur of the original property.

Turret Roof, After

New shingles and a copper finial shine atop the restored turret.

Chimney, After

Behind the turret, the last remaining original chimney stack in the neighborhood was restored to its original glory with a mortar mix customized for historic bricks.

Window, After

Customized stained glass windows mimic the look of those featured in the original 1870s home. This quatrefoil-shaped window is a focal point in the home's master bedroom.

Front Porch, After

A large front porch greets visitors to the newly-restored Ransom Gillis house.

Front Porch, After

Concrete urns sit at the base of the newly-restored grand staircase that leads to the front house entrance.

Front Porch, After

The home's molding was recreated and painted to match the surrounding historic homes. An American flag greets neighbors, as in all of Nicole's Rehab Addict restorations.

Front Door, After

A stained glass window emblasoned with "RG" for Ransom Gillis House sits atop the double front door.

Entryway, Before

Before the renovation, the staircase railing didn't align with the upstairs railing, and the whole entryway needed to be rebuilt from the floors up.

Entryway, After

Nicole mimicked the entryway look of another home original to the neighborhood to create an entrace true to history.

Entryway Tile, After

Pewabic Pottery, founded in the carriage house of Ransom Gillis in 1903, is still made locally in detroit and is well-known for its signature irridescent glaze. The company crafted a commemorative plaque to sit just inside the doorway of the front house.

Entryway, After

A stained glass window and a double door provide a grand first impression.

Entryway, After

A historic chandelier greets visitors just inside the front door.

Staircase, After

No detail was left undone: The updated staircase features a period-appropriate geometric detail at the top of each spindle called a cathedral baluster.

Staircase, After

A custom-turned stair post with a traditional finial sits at the bottom of the new staircase.

Staircase, After

More custom details on the staircase skirtboard add historic charm.

Living Room, After

Restored to its former glory, the living room sits just off the home's grand entry.

Living Room, After

Nicole Curtis recreated what she envisioned the living room looked like at the Ransom Gillis House.

Fireplace, After

To give the home's many fireplaces a cohesive look, Nicole copied the marble surround in the home's dining room in the living room.

Fireplace Tile, After

Stone and tile mason David Ellsion took scraps of the original fireplace tile and recreated it to restore the home to its former glory.

Living Room, After

This house was changed into a duplex, so the wall was closed off in the front house living room. Nicole left clues along the walls in the event that some day the owner wants to return it back to a single family home.

Kitchen, Before

Before the renovation, this large space was a grand dining room in the front of the Ransom Gillis House. Nicole transformed the space into a combined kitchen and dining room, separated by pocket doors.

Kitchen, After

In the front house kitchen, Nicole merged modern appliances and features with cabinets and furniture consistent with the home's history.

Kitchen, After

A custom marble-topped island features open storage beneath the work surface.

Kitchen, After

A stainless steel stove and vent hood add modern function to this historic space.

Kitchen Sink, After

A large, white apron-front sink features brass vintage-style hardware, nodding to the home's original fixtures.

Kitchen Cabinets, After

Custom-made cabinets feature tall, paneled doors and custom brass latches to mimic the look of period kitchens in the neighborhood.

Kitchen, After

Vintage-style pocket doors separate the kitchen and dining room.

Hardwood Floors, After

Though Nicole loves to save every part of old homes, this home was completely gutted of hardwood floors when she first set foot inside. Nicole and her crew installed more than 5,000 square feet of new hardwood floors, stained to replicate the look of the original surface.

Dining Room, After

Though smaller than the dining room in the original house, this formal dining room is still large enough to seat a large family for a holiday meal.

Dining Room, After

High ceilings and vintage-inspired lighting create high style in this formal space.

Dining Room, After

A reproduction of the window originally featured in the room was created by a local stained glass artist.

Dining Room, After

The new stained glass window is the focal point of the updated space.

Fireplace, After

A tile expert recreated the original fireplace surround using marble tiles.

Upstairs, Before

The home's upstairs rooms and hallways were stripped down to the studs and restored from scratch.

Master Suite, After

Stained glass restoration artist Ann Baxter replicated this room's original quatrefoil rosette window, which serves as this room's focal point.

Master Bedroom, After

Nicole salvaged all the remaining original trim from the 5,000-square-foot house for use in the home's master bedroom.

Master Bedroom, After

A mirror and dresser line the wall in the newly-renovated master suite.

Master Bedroom, After

An original fireplace adds ambiance to the room.

Master Bathroom, After

The new master bathroom is the perfect marriage of historic charm and modern luxury.

Master Bathroom, After

A marble-topped double vanity is set inside a vintage-style cabinet.

Master Bathroom, After

Nicole Curtis adds photos of her family in every home she renovates; here, a photo of Nicole with her son, Ethan, sits sinkside.

Master Bathroom, After

Double light fixtures outfitted with Edison bulbs cast warm light throughout the space.

Clawfoot Tub, After

A large clawfoot tub sits next to the window in this luxe master suite.

Clawfoot Tub, After

A vintage-style chrome faucet adds a dramatic touch to the tub.

Shower, After

The Rehab Addict team used white subway tile to create this extra-large, luxurious shower. A glass shower surround allows the eye to flow to the room's back wall, making this spacious bath appear even larger.

Master Bathroom, After

It's all in the details: Plants and linens add a homey touch to this space.

Shower, After

White subway tile with gray grout adds a modern touch to this history-inspired space.

Shower Niche, After

A built-in niche provides a spot for shower essentials.

Master Bathroom, After

This luxe space is ready for its first occupant!

Turret Room, After

Inside the restored turret is Nicole's favorite spot in the entire house. Each of the windows was replaced with a custom-built replica of the original.

Turret Room, After

A vintage desk sits inside turret room's large bay window. Nicole added vintage clocks — an accessory she places in every home — to add style on the desk surface.

Turret Bedroom, After

A vintage brass bed adds historic style to this room.

Turret Room, After

This room feature another one of the home's many fireplaces. In this room, Nicole simply cleaned up the original brick and left the fireplace as-is.

Jack-and-Jill Bathroom, After

Set between the turret bedroom and the mantel bedroom, Nicole Curtis created this luxurious bath full of historic charm.

Jack-and-Jill Bathroom, After

A double vanity with a marble topper combines modern convenience with historic charm.

Jack-and-Jill Bathroom, After

Small white hexagon tiles with gray grout create the look of original fllors.

Jack-and-Jill Bathroom, After

A snowflake pattern in black hexagon tiles adds interest underfoot.

Jack-and-Jill Bathroom, After

The glass surround on this stand-up shower lets the eye flow to the back wall, making the room seem larger.

Jack-and-Jill Bathroom, After

Vintage-style stainless steel features add historic charm to the room.

Jack-and-Jill Bathroom, After

Large white subway tile with dark gray grout complements the smaller hexagon tile on the floor.

Jack-and-Jill Bathroom, After

The room's second door leads into the adjacent mantel bedroom.

Mantel Room, After

Nicole nicknamed this bedroom the "mantel room" because this room's fireplace is the only one of the home's 12 fireplaces that still features an original mantel.

Mantel Room, After

Though Nicole considered replacing or restoring the fireplace surround, she eventually decided to clean up the surround and embrace the piece's history and imperfections.

Mantel Room, After

A new marble shelf sits atop the original fireplace mantel.