Season 2 Episode 4: She Said “Yes!”
A first home. I still vividly remember Dave and I’s first home together. We had just moved to NW Arkansas, Dave knew he wanted to build homes and his parents and brother had recently relocated to this little corner of the world. (His dad had been a builder back in Colorado so they decided to start a business together here). We arrived with all of our earthly belongings in the back of a U-Haul and quickly got to work scouring the want ads for a place to rent. After the owner of the first house we found showed us around, we enthusiastically asked if we could move in. As in, right then. He looked out front, saw the U-haul in the driveway and handed us the keys.
We spent the sweetest year and a half in that little house.
Fast forward ten years … we become friends with Mark and Alyson Brittain during the process of building their home in Bentonville. Over the years since, we celebrated with them when Madison graduated from college, when she got a job back in Bentonville, and then when she said “YES” to Josh! As Josh and Madison made plans to move back to Bentonville, they came upon a house in the perfect location in need of a little love and they asked us to step in to help.
Dave and I were honored to renovate this house because we know that the memories made within the walls of a first home are the foundation of a life together. We wanted to maximize their investment and, most importantly, create a place that will foster joy for many years to come for this sweet couple.
Exterior
BEFORE: A home with zero curb appeal.
AFTER: A bright and welcoming first home.
Sources
Roof Supplies | ABC Supply Co., Inc
Roof Labor | Brown Boys Roofing
Pendant Lights | Kichler
Landscaping | John Zito Landscaping LLC
Exterior Brick Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Floral White
Exterior Shutter Paint Color | Farrow and Ball Mizzle
Front Door Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Onyx
Living Room
BEFORE: A room without character.
The first change we made in the living room was opening up the wall separating it from the kitchen. This made the space feel more open and allowed natural light to pour in from both the front and the back door. Next, we replaced the flooring to keep it consistent throughout the home, painted and added a new, modern ceiling fan.
We know Josh and Madison are huge sports fans and love to watch games together, so we wanted to give them space for a TV. But, we also know that they like to entertain and keep the TV off in order to focus on friends and family. So, we came up with a crazy and fun solution: a hidden TV cabinet! I found this old cabinet at a local antique store and Dave added a motorized TV lift inside. Because the living room and kitchen are now open and the space isn’t huge, we thought this was the perfect solution to keep the TV from being an eyesore. Now, I just need Dave to make me one of these – I love it so much! (And, a little behind-the-scenes fun fact: our production company surprised us with that photo of Dave on the screen during the reveal. We were expecting a random landscape photo and they swapped it with that hilarious shot of Dave which cracked us up).
AFTER: An inviting space perfect for entertaining and relaxing.
Sources
Fan | Kichler
Flooring | Shaw Floors
Sofa & Coffee Table | Howse
TV Cabinet | The Rusted Rooster
Motorized TV Lift | Amazon
Art | Amy Marcy
Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Super White
Kitchen & Dining
BEFORE: An outdated kitchen with little storage.
After opening the kitchen wall into the living room, we bumped out the run of cabinets along the back wall in order to create a walk-in pantry (this also allowed us to give the main bathroom on the other side of this wall additional space for a new shower). Madison and Josh wanted an island and a dining table but space was a challenge, so the built-in banquette was the perfect solution. And, we didn’t forget their pup – River has hideaway food and water bowls built into the side of the banquette bench. We were all about maximizing every inch in this space which is why it was important to have the option for the bowls to be tucked away.
The overall feeling in here is a warm, inviting and timeless kitchen.
AFTER: A beautiful, open kitchen and new walk-in pantry.
Sources
Appliances | Metro Appliances & More
Sink | Kohler
Sink Faucet | Delta
Pot Filler | Delta
Dining Table Pendants | Kichler & Kichler
Cabinetry & Range Hood | Premier Wood Concepts – Link
Backsplash Tile | Lowe’s
Cabinet Pulls | Amazon
Cabinet Knobs | Amazon
Cabinet Paint Color | Sherwin Williams Ellie Gray
Main Bedroom & Bathroom
BEFORE: An ordinary bedroom and very small bathroom.
This bedroom needed a little personality and the new focal wall helps to provide both dimension and sophisticated color. The bedside sconces help make the room feel cozy and relaxing. Dave built this custom bed with pull out storage beneath, including a dog trundle bed for River!
The main bathroom was small before and not fit for newlyweds. We stole some space from the kitchen in order to create a walk-in shower with a unique arched entry and a gorgeous, bold focal wall of tile. I wanted the new vanity to be stained for warmth and, instead of two sinks, we gave Madison and Josh extra counter space which I think is always a good idea, especially in a smaller bathroom.
AFTER: A cozy, beautiful main bedroom and luxurious main bathroom.
Sources
Fan | Kichler
Sconces | Amazon
Custom Bed | Dave Marrs
Wall Hanging | JOALEXdesigns
Floral and Plants | Shop All Things Kindred
Bedroom Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Super White
Bedroom Accent Wall Paint Color | Farrow and Ball Hague Blue
Bathroom Lighted Mirror | Kichler
Shower Tile | Wayfair
Bathroom Faucet | Delta
Shower Trim | Delta
Shower Head | Delta
Back Patio
BEFORE: A dilapidated porch and yard with drainage issues.
This back patio wasn’t in the original scope of work but, after a big rainstorm came through town, we discovered the yard had major drainage issues. The backyard flooded and the old patio wasn’t safe with a roof not properly attached. We know that Madison and Josh love to have friends over and they definitely need a yard for their pup to run around and play in. So, we enlisted the help of Madison’s dad in order to fix up the backyard as a surprise for the young couple.
After we installed the new drain system and sod for the yard, we turned our focus to the patio itself. We extended the original patio, added a new roof and then built in a space for a grill and benches (that open up with basketball hoops inside!). Dave built the fun swings off the patio, Chase made an awesome dual-purpose dining and ping pong table and I had a neon sign created with the saying Madison grew up hearing from her dad: “Might as well be awesome!”
I love how this space is now modern, inviting and fun. It was an amazing surprise!
AFTER: A modern and fun entertaining space.
Sources
Exterior Sconces | Kichler
Neon Sign | The Sign Studio
Thanks for joining me on this tour of Josh & Madison’s home. This one was really a lot of fun and special for us and we hope you loved watching the episode as much as we loved making it! We’ll see you on Tuesday night at 9|8c on HGTV for another brand-new episode of Fixer to Fabulous!
Jenny