Midcentury Masterpiece | Season 6
If you watched part one of the Brookhouser renovation, you saw the huge makeover we did on the exterior of the house and the land surrounding the home. This is backwards from what we normally do (we typically start inside), but we did it this way to make sure the outdoor space was ready in time for their animal adoption event. If you melt at the sight of puppies and kittens, I encourage you to watch all the way to the end of that episode. Now, with the outside completed, it was time to push forward with the remaining funds to complete the interior – a massive project with a tight deadline.
The inside of this 1970s house was already very cool and unique but it was a little disjointed. Lots of different materials and levels here. After the renovation, the house flows beautifully—it’s brighter, more cohesive, and the spots that needed to shine really do now.
Entry
BEFORE
This space came out completely different. We’ve never spent more time on an entryway—and honestly, this staircase alone could’ve been its own episode! The original stair railing was loose, and the steps were too narrow to meet code. To fix it, we had to make the banister taller and widen each step, which took up more space and meant reworking the layout to wrap the staircase around the room.
The old banister had some really cool woodwork that matched the home’s mid-century style. Dave carefully saved those original wooden pieces to attach to the new rods, but since we ended up with way more railing than we started with, he had to head back to his workshop to recreate extra pieces. It was all worth it though, to see the expression on the Brookhouser’s faces, and now they even have an additional closet under the stairs.
AFTER
Kitchen & Dining Room
BEFORE
We reworked the current layout to add more functional space and storage, extending the cabinets beyond the original layout. Part of the old laundry room was converted into a new, larger walk-in pantry. To highlight the home’s mid-century aesthetic, we chose green cabinets—a color I wouldn’t normally pick for most houses, but it worked perfectly here. White quartz counters and brass fixtures brighten the entire space, along with brand-new appliances.
To make the kitchen even cozier, we added a bench under the window, creating a perfect little sitting area. Plus, we installed a sliding door so they can step right out into their amazing new outdoor space.
AFTER
SOURCES
Furniture | Howse
Sconces | Crate & Barrel
Sink | Bed Bath & Beyond
Cabinet Knobs | Amazon
Cabinet Pulls | Amazon
Flooring | Tarkett
Runner | Turkish Trunk
Dining Room Light | Crate & Barrel
Cabinet Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Bancha
Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Simply White
Family Room
BEFORE
This was already a great space with tons of potential. However, it had the same outdated and uncomfortable epoxy flooring as the entryway, plus a strange step that didn’t extend all the way across the drop-down area, making the layout feel a bit off.
We ripped out the old stone flooring and installed new LVP flooring throughout the whole house. The lighter wood contrasts beautifully with the darker tones inside and is durable enough to handle the heavy traffic of kids and animals.
The crew extended the step into the sunken living room to create cleaner lines and highlight the home’s mid-century vibe. I found the perfect vintage rocking chair at a local shop. And, of course, we kept the fabulous original fireplace just as it was—now it stands as the stunning focal point of the room.
AFTER
SOURCES
Furniture | Howse
Art | Buddy Whitlock
Flooring | Tarkett
Fireplace | European Home
Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Simply White
Bar
BEFORE
This was an awkward area in the middle of the house and had no identity. The Brookhousers wanted to get rid of the bar but they still needed a place to display their wine collection.
We removed the large bar and replaced it with a beautiful custom-made wine cabinet built by Dave, reusing some of the wire mesh we found in the original kitchen cabinet doors. When we tore out the old bar, we uncovered some original orange carpeting underneath—and I just knew I’d find the perfect place for it. Keep reading to see how we put it to good use! Now, this once-awkward spot is a warm, cozy sitting area.
AFTER
Main Bedroom
BEFORE
We moved the original entrance to the main bedroom to make room for a larger closet. Unfortunately, during demo, we found mold in the wall. Dave ran out and bought a simple mold test—anyone can pick one up for about $10 at any hardware store. We sent it in, and it came back as non-toxic, so we were able to remove it ourselves.
With the entry door moved to the side, we extended the two small closets across the entire wall to create one long closet. Built-in dressers and shelving give it a custom finish. We also added new flooring, a fresh coat of paint, and updated lighting.
And if you look closely, you’ll notice the cat tower in the corner. Dave repurposed the orange carpet we found under the bar to create what he calls a modern cat-scratch sculpture.
AFTER
SOURCES
Furniture | Howse
Ceiling Fan | Kichler
Flooring | Tarkett
Runner | Turkish Trunk
Art | Buddy Whitlock
Bedroom & Closet Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Simply White
Main Bathroom
BEFORE
For this space, we moved the laundry room over to create more space for a larger bathroom with access to the catio. New tile was arranged in straight rows to keep the look classic and simple. White quartz counters with double sinks contrast beautifully with the warm tones of the wooden vanity. The bath-in-shower design is a space saver and feels incredibly luxurious and spa-like.
AFTER
SOURCES
Sconces | Ferguson
Mirror | Amazon
Shower Kit | Delta
Shower Wall Tile | Daltile
Tub | Wyndham
Tub Faucet | Delta
Floor Tile | Daltile
Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Simply White
Powder Bath
Holly loved the wallpaper and red cabinets inspired by Congolese fabric. The print, designed by an African artist, is a beautiful reminder of the country where they adopted their son. Their son is from the same country and foster home as our daughter, which makes this design choice even more special. The bold patterns fit perfectly with the house’s aesthetic, complementing the funky lines on the stairs and garage door.
AFTER
