Fix This Rundown Rental | Season 7
Dave and I have been renovating and renting homes for two decades here in town and are always looking for another investment property, something we could rent out for a few years and eventually sell when the timing felt right. We finally found a brick ranch in a great spot—just ten blocks from the town square—tucked in a part of town that hasn’t quite seen the same resurgence as other downtown neighborhoods. It was the perfect home to breathe new life into, rent out, and patiently wait for the area to continue to grow.
Exterior
BEFORE
Built in 1983, this poor ranch was dated and lacked curb appeal. The brick was an unattractive brown, a color that Dave (in true fashion) jokingly dubbed “two-tone turd.” Once we painted it a classic white shade, it immediately brightened up the home’s exterior and allowed the complimentary colors on the garage and front door to pop. With a new front door, updated light fixture and fresh landscaping, now this home feels cheerful and welcoming from the outside.
AFTER
SOURCES
Flag | Allegiance Flag Supply
Exterior Lanterns | Capital Lighting
Front Door Hardware | Emtek
Windows | Plygem Mira Series by Cornerstone
Siding | Mastic Cedar Shingles by Cornerstone
Trim | Plygem by Cornerstone
Front Door & Shutter Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Pigeon
Front Room
BEFORE
This is, without a doubt, my favorite transformation in the whole home. The entry room started out as an awkward, in-between space that never really knew what it was supposed to be. By turning it into a fourth bedroom and office combination, we were able to give it real purpose.
We added a murphy bed to instantly turn it into a bedroom, and Dave crafted gorgeous custom side cabinets, complete with little fold-down tables so guests have a place to set a book or a cup of coffee. Those small details always make a space feel cozier.
To make it extra special, I picked out wallpaper created by my friend Kelly Ventura and pulled custom paint colors for the cabinetry to complement her design. Now, when you step through the front door, this room feels elevated, intentional, and full of quiet charm. It makes such a big impact the moment you walk in.
AFTER
SOURCES
Sconces | Capital Lighting
Cabinet Pulls | Emtek
Murphy Bed | Murphy Wall Beds
Wall Paper & Art | Kelly Ventura
Curtains | Amazon
Curtain Rings | Amazon
Flooring | Tarkett
Entry Art | Buddy Whitlock
Wall Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Lichen
Kitchen
BEFORE
Fashionable back in the 1980s, the kitchen had a dropped ceiling that made the whole space feel heavy and dated. If you already watched this episode, you saw how passionate I was about raising it to match the rest of the house. Thankfully, Dave agreed—because lifting that ceiling completely transformed the room.
To save money, we opted to reface the existing cabinets rather than replace them. We used a beautiful veneer, which is thicker, far more durable than paint, and a much more sustainable choice than installing all-new cabinetry. I picked a classic, soft green that feels calm and timeless. I love this shade so much; it’s actually very similar to the color in our own laundry room cabinetry at home.
We updated the countertops with quartz and carried that same material up the wall as a full backsplash. It’s nice and bright, and more durable against stains and cracks. We added a sconce over the window that came from the barn. I originally picked it for the Welcome Inn. It didn’t work there, but here it’s perfect!
AFTER
SOURCES
Cabinet Refacing | Front & Center Color: Sage
Refrigerator | Home Depot
Hood Vent | Home Depot
Faucet | Lowes
Cabinet Hardware | Emtek
Flooring | Tarkett
Kitchen Blinds | Select Blinds
Art | Buddy Whitlock
Art | Stephanie Carignan
Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore White Dove
Family Room
BEFORE
The biggest transformation in this space came from the picture frame trim work that Dave installed on the walls – it was a low-cost way to really elevate the room. We also installed new flooring, which we carried throughout the entire house for a seamless, cohesive feel. We did have a moment of concern when we saw a crack in the original floors, but by installing a floating floor on top, we were able to restore everything beautifully without worrying about the foundation.
Fresh window treatments and a modern ceiling fan instantly brightened the room, but it was the layered older pieces—a wooden table, art pieces and vintage rugs from our shop—that brought warmth and balance. The mix of new and old makes the space feel lived-in and cozy.
AFTER
SOURCES
Ceiling Fan | Kichler
Sconces | Capital Lighting
Curtains | Amazon
Curtain Rods | Amazon
Art | Shea Frakes
Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore White Dove
Main Bedroom & Bathroom
BEFORE
The main goal for this bedroom was to make it feel more elevated and fancy. The color and style needed to be soothing and work for anyone. Dave made picture frame molding for all the walls that completely transformed the space. With fresh window treatments and the new flooring tying everything together, the room now feels polished and intentional.
In the bathroom we kept the original floorplan, but completely gutted the space to create a fresh, modern, hotel-style bathroom. By choosing neutral colors and classic marble, the room feels timeless and serene. We used large slabs instead of smaller tile to make cleaning much easier. The result is simple, sophisticated, and beautifully functional
AFTER
SOURCES
Curtain Rings | Amazon
Curtains | Amazon
Curtain Rods | Amazon
Woven Shades | Select Blinds
Art in Bedroom | Juniper Print Shop
Bedroom Wall Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Pigeon
Bedroom Ceiling Paint Color | Benjamin Moore White Dove
Bathroom Sconces | Re-Bath
Faucet & Shower Kit | Moen Greenfield Collection
Mirror | Re-Bath
Cabinet Pulls | Re-Bath
Cabinet Knobs | Re-Bath
Floor Tile | Re-Bath
Shower Wall Surround + Shower Caddy | Re-Bath
Shower Kit | Re-Bath
Cabinets | Front & Center
Bathroom Wall Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Pigeon
Hall Bathroom
BEFORE
Similar to the main bathroom, our goal here was to create a space that felt modern, universally appealing, and incredibly easy to maintain. We chose a marble-look acrylic for the shower surround — it gives the elevated feel of stone but with the durability and easy-clean surface that’s perfect for a busy family or frequent guests.
AFTER
SOURCES
Sconces | Re-Bath
Floor Tile | Re-Bath
Shower Tile | Re-Bath
Mirror | Re-Bath
Faucet & Shower Kit | Moen Align Collection
Cabinet Hardware | Re-Bath
Vanity Paint Color | Farrow & Ball DeNimes
Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore White Dove
Backyard
BEFORE
The backyard is an unexpected bonus. It’s a great space for families and friends to enjoy time together. Dave built a firepit and matching grill from an old air compressor that had stopped working. With the addition of a pergola to anchor the seating area, the whole backyard is ready to be enjoyed.
We can’t wait for new memories to be created here!
AFTER
