Scott and Susie Swearingen live in a charming two-bedroom, two-bathroom home steeped in family history. Built in the 1950s by Scott’s grandfather, the house sits on a lot that has been in the family since 1907. Their daughter is now the sixth generation to live on this property, which carries a deep sense of legacy. With so much history tied to this home, we felt a tremendous responsibility to honor its integrity while giving it a fresh, updated feel.

Scott’s family has lived in Rogers since the late 1860s. His parents and sister live on the same street as him. It’s just family fun all around, all the time, and we love it!

BEFORE

The house was a little outdated, especially the front, which had an old door and small windows that barely let in any natural light. We absolutely wanted to keep the 1950s look but refresh it by updating the entrance and creating a more welcoming feel.

Dave and Derek built a gorgeous custom door with sidelights to fit the style of the house and bring in natural light. To accentuate the entrance even more, Dave built metal planters that follow the shape of the front steps. This elevated the concrete steps and created additional areas for greenery. I chose a dark olive color for the front door and trim to make the brick pop and added new landscaping along the front.

AFTER

SOURCES

Flag | Allegiance Flag Supply

Door Handle | Emtek

Exterior Light | Kichler

Exterior Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Cromwell Grey

BEFORE

Before the remodel, a wall separated the kitchen from the dining room, making the space feel closed off. Susie wanted to open it up and create a larger, more functional kitchen. However, a large fireplace wall and a washer and dryer in the kitchen posed challenges.

Initially, we planned to minimize the fireplace while removing the wall and shifting the kitchen to the dining nook. However, the fireplace’s structure couldn’t be scaled back, so we worked around it. By relocating the washer and dryer to a former hall closet, we gained a full wall of storage.

We added a peninsula, new cabinets, and updated appliances. The white sink and cream-tiled backsplash pair beautifully with the dark countertop. A new bar area with green tile and a sink became the perfect spot to showcase coasters made from their stash of onyx stone. Susie wanted a fresh, sophisticated, and timeless look, and we delivered.

The drop zone was enhanced with upper and lower cabinets for extra storage, and we replaced the back door with a custom mahogany one—sturdy and true to the home’s 1950s style.

AFTER

SOURCES

Furniture | Howse

Tile | Tile Bar

Sconce | Kichler

Countertops | Santa Margherita

Cabinet Pull | Emtek

Cabinet Knob | Emtek

Kitchen Art | Juniper Print

Runner | Turkish Trunk

Chandelier | Kichler

Dining Room Art | Buddy Whitlock

Can Lights | Kichler

Bar Tile | Daltile 

Drop Zone Cabinet Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Green Smoke

Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Simply White

BEFORE

For the Swearingens, the most important part of the living room was the fireplace. However, the dark brick and orange-toned mantle felt outdated. The mantle held hooks where, for years, everyone in the family had hung a stocking. It was clear we needed to keep a mantle and the beloved hooks but find a way to repurpose them.

The plan was to update the fireplace, refresh the built-ins, and install new lighting to modernize the space. We kept the onyx stone hearth, replaced the brick with large subway tile and painted the wooden mantle to match the built-ins. Of course, the stocking hooks stayed.

We displayed the original home plans right at the entrance to the front door (and they look gorgeous with the natural light streaming in). And, the revamped Swearingen photo book, filled with pictures of generations hanging stockings on this mantle, deserved a proper place of honor. Dave built a wooden stand to display it, and now it sits beautifully, just as it should.

AFTER

SOURCES

Furniture | Howse 

Ceiling Fan | Fanimation 

Art | Juniper Print 

Can Lights | Kichler

Cabinet Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Cromwell

Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Simply White

BEFORE

Originally, the floor plan placed the first bedroom in direct view from the front door. The first thing we knew we needed to do was improve privacy and create more of a suite feel, so we added a door off the main entrance.

The floors throughout the house are original, so we sanded and refinished them to remove the orange tone, creating a more modern, natural wood color. Susie and Scott wanted to preserve the original trim, so we painted the walls to coordinate with the trim and added new lighting. The serene green wall color creates a calming oasis.

Susie had been sharing the bathroom with her daughter, while Scott used the small hall bathroom. The plan was to make this bathroom functional for Susie and Scott while giving their daughter her own space. We updated the tile and gave Susie the shower and soaker tub she wanted. New flooring and a dark countertop completed the transformation. As a special touch, we framed the door from the hall bathroom’s medicine cabinet, where Scott’s family once kept their labeled toothbrushes, and placed it in their newly remodeled bathroom.

AFTER

SOURCES

Furniture | Howse

Ceiling Fan | Fanimation

Art | Buddy Whitlock 

Bedroom Wall Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Treron

Sconces | CB2

Mirror | Amazon

Shower Tile | Bedrosians

Floor Tile | Bedrosians

Cabinet Pulls | Emtek

Cabinet Knobs | Emtek

Runner | Turkish Trunk

Water Heater & Installation | Dixie Plumbing

Bathroom Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Simply White

Previously Scott’s bathroom, this small and outdated space was reimagined for their daughter, incorporating her love for gold and pale pink.

We removed the tub/shower combination and replaced it with a larger shower. The new tile adds a luxurious touch, while the ombre effect of pink and gold creates a fun yet classic design. We updated the vanity, added storage, and included a mini fridge for her skincare products. Gold hardware elevates the cabinetry, making this bathroom adorable yet elegant.

SOURCES

Sconces | Amazon

Mirror | Amazon

Shower & Wall Tile | Bedrosians – Shoji White, Tatami, & Momoiro Blush

Floor Tile | Bedrosians

Cabinet Knobs | Emtek

Runner | Turkish Trunk

Art | Juniper Print