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Fixer Upper: A Son's Generosity Expands the Scope of a Reno

Chip and Joanna face a big challenge in the form of a limited budget for a ranch home remodel in Mexia, Texas. But when the clients' son Kelvin Beachum Jr., offensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars, comes through with a surprise addition to the budget, the renovation takes on a grander scale.

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January 24, 2017

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The Beachum Project

For this project, Chip and Joanna worked with clients Kelvin and Culetta Beachum who live in Mexia, Texas, about 40 miles outside Waco. The Beachums were looking for a house big enough to accommodate family gatherings, including grandkids, and their budget including renovations was $160,000. The house they purchased for $130,000 left a renovation budget that would essentially just allow for some basic cosmetic changes.

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Reimagined Living Space

When the Beachums' son generously offered to help out his parents fund their home makeover, to the tune of an additional $100,000, it made more substantive changes possible — like this stylized and substantially reworked living space with custom built-ins and new hardwood floors.

BEFORE

The house came with four bedrooms and two baths, was around 2200 square feet and sat on a sizable lot. The exterior was fairly plain with beige brick and red trim.

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AFTER

Chip and Joanna's redesign of the exterior included building out a new porch with new columns and railing, giving the home's front entry a more classic look. The brick color is updated, new black shutters added and the landscaping is freshened up.

Dining Room, BEFORE

In the original layout there were two separate living rooms including a formal living space at the front and this less formal den style space. This space would become the new dining room.

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Dining Room, AFTER

Since Mrs. Beachum was an avid cook, and the couple planned to be entertaining large family groups, Joanna suggested transforming the former den into this large dining room that now opens onto the kitchen. The dark wood paneling and popcorn ceiling were removed, and the paneling replaced with new drywall.

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Dining Room, AFTER

The large dining table was custom created by furniture designer Clint Harp, and the barstools at the new kitchen peninsula provide additional seating. Other additions in the dining room include new wood flooring and a dramatic chandelier.

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Dining Room, Detail

Living Room, BEFORE

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Living Room, AFTER

The home's entry is opened up with a foyer with new arched case openings, one of which opens onto the main living space and the other onto the kitchen.

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Foyer, Detail

A trio of beautifully textured, patterned wall panels compliment the simple yet elegant table in this foyer. The pale blue wall paint makes a clean, soft backdrop. The palette-like base of the table highlights the country design and natural wood look of the table. A display of candles, plants and book easily dresses up the table while maintaining the calm style.

Living Room, BEFORE

In the original floorplan this was the more formal front living room.

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Living Room, AFTER

The redesigned living room has a casual and relaxed vibe with oversized leather chairs and sofa and custom built-ins to accommodate a sizable TV and room for some of Kelvin Junior's football trophies.

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Living Room, Detail

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Living Room, Detail

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Living Room, Detail

Kitchen, BEFORE

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Kitchen, AFTER

Since Mrs. Beachum loved to cook, creating a deluxe kitchen was a big priority for Chip and Joanna. Old upper cabinets were removed and a peninsula and lots of lower cabinet storage added, as well as two separate pantries at either end of the kitchen.

Kitchen, BEFORE

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Kitchen, AFTER

Exposed wood beams and twin pendants above the serving bar help define the space. Other additions include new stainless appliances and a farmhouse sink.

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Kitchen, AFTER

One of the more notable stylistic features in the new kitchen is this arched opening, echoing the arched case openings in the living space, and the custom vent hood, pot-filler and gray-and-white subway tile backsplash.

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Kitchen, Detail

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Kitchen, Detail

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Kitchen, Detail

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Kitchen, Detail

Joanna and Chip found two antique wooden doors at a local estate sale and used them to bring a rustic but ornate accent to the two kitchen pantries.

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

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Master Bedroom, AFTER

The bedroom remodel, with enlarged windows, brings an open feel and plenty of natural light into the space.

Master Bedroom, BEFORE

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Master Bedroom, AFTER

Improvements in the bedroom include new wall paint in soft beige, contrasting white window trim and baseboards, a contemporary styled ceiling fan and king sized platform bed.

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Master Bedroom, Detail

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Master Bedroom, Detail

Matched patterned throw pillows in white and pale gray add a softening touch.

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Master Bedroom, Detail

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Master Bedroom, Detail

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Master Bedroom, Detail

Live plants in a two-tiered hanging planter take advantage of the natural light and add a touch of green in the bedroom bay window.

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Master Bedroom, Detail

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Master Bath, AFTER

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Master Bath, AFTER

BEFORE

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AFTER

The exterior has a fresh, new look with the addition of a spacious front porch and new roofline. The new white trim and black shutters offer a pleasing contrast against the neutral exterior paint.

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Exterior, Detail

A new front door in natural finish, black exterior sconces and concrete planters help complete exterior upgrade.

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Exterior, Detail

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Exterior, Detail

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Finis

If you liked this Fixer Upper project, here's another you might also enjoy: The Raggedy Ranch and the Rocket Scientist