Hello everyone! I love love love this house!! It’s so charming and it was such a treat to work on! Every house I design has a unique story behind it. This one in particular has a few unique stories behind it… :)
Our Jefferson house sat vacant for 10-15 years. Evidently, the man that lived in the house before was loved by everyone! So much so that the side street was named after him! When he passed away, the family couldn’t part with the house, so they tried to maintain it as best they could. Unfortunately, it wasn’t maintained as well as needed. It ended up needing a ton of work, but it was a sweet story and we loved every second of designing this home!
Another funny story about this house is that 10 years ago, my brother was designing a house 3 doors down and he was approached by someone who was casting for local commercials. She got his name and number and through a series of events, I met my current producers and now we have a TV show!
This house was really cute, but it had a TON of difficulties. The sewer had to be dug out from the basement all the way to the middle of the street. When the home was built, the sewer was joined in the neighbors front yard! That took a huge toll on my budget, but you have to expect these things when you’re designing huge, old homes like I am!
The front of the house had red brick, red roof, and pink trim around the windows. It was dated and didn’t do any of favors for the house. With the brick buildings surrounding, my team and I felt like the house didn’t stand out. We opted for a bright white, black windows and blue front door. We feel like this made all the difference. I love how charming it looks now :)
Landscaping: Berry Outdoor Living Construction | Door Paint: Sherwin Williams | Shutter Paint: Benjamin Moore | House Paint: Benjamin Moore
The entryway of the house had beautiful stair spindles, and thankfully we were able to get the white off of the woodwork! I’m so glad we were able to save this beautiful railing because it adds to the character and charm of the home! New stair spindles wouldn’t have been the same :)
Unfortunately, all of the trim in the house had already been painted and poorly done. We were able to clean it up and make it look awesome!
The rest of the entryway was pretty simple! We cleaned up the walls and window. Then added a new light fixture!
Rug: Kaleen | Plant: Suburban Lawn & Garden | Rug: Kaleen | Bench: Contact us to purchase! | Light Fixture: Kichler
The kitchen was barely a kitchen! This home and a lot of the older homes I design often have back staircases. In this home, it had a back staircase, but it had 5 steps that led to the main staircase. It took up space and didn’t make any sense! My guys removed it and that added a TON of space. My guys also removed the brick stack in the corner to open the space up. Now, it’s a great space for entertaining and looks like it always should have :)
Countertop: Daltile Luminesce | Backsplash: Daltile Matte Desert Gray | Countertop Fabrication: Rocktops | Flush Lights: Kichler | Appliances: Ferguson | Wall Color: Sherwin Williams | Cabinets: Crestwood | Sink: Kohler | Faucet: Kohler | Brass Shelves: Wahoo Designs | Flowers: Branches and Twigs | Kitchen Accessories: Contact us to purchase! | Tile Install Materials: Laticrete | Insulation: Henges Insulation | Insulation Materials: Knauf Insulation | Barstool Chairs: Contact us to purchase!
I wanted to do something historic yet modern. My team and I opted for a natural beautiful stained wood, bright white counters and beautiful herringbone gray subway tile. We made those awesome shelves out of the same material as the countertop. Then added the brass brackets! If you can’t tell, I love the brass brackets. I’ve used them in a number of homes this season! How awesome do those look?!?
Plates & Bowls: Cultivare Goods | Rug: Kaleen | Kitchen Furniture & Accessories: Contact us to purchase!
I think the most interesting part about the kitchen is the lights! The kitchen and dining areas are tied together because of these beautiful school house styled lights. Laying the lights in a grid like pattern adds such a dramatic touch and it’s much more interesting than a simple can light. I love it!
Table: Unruh Furniture | Rug:Kaleen | Bench Fabric: Thibaut | Bench Designer: Weave Gotcha Covered | Artwork: Audrey Benskin (Contact us to purchase! ) | Plants: Suburban Lawn & Garden | Flush Lights: Kichler
Thankfully, we were able to save all of the windows and doors in the house. We opted to paint the inside of the windows black to add some much needed definition to the space. We also opted for a matte finish on the floors and I’m glad we did because it felt like it had always been there! To top it all off, we were able to add some extra room in the dining by utilizing the built in banquette. Now, you can fit so many more people in this area!
I feel like this space really modernized beautifully, but still saved all of the character and charm.
Artwork: Audrey Benskin (Contact us to purchase! )
Now onto the living room…. The fireplace tiles were falling off and the bookcase was jankey and rickety. We wanted to save the beautiful mantle, so we added black tile and changed out the insert. Now, it’s a functioning fireplace. We painted the entire mantle and up a beautiful black to give a striking appearance. It adds a touch of charm and drama to the area!
Artwork: Audrey Benskin (Contact us to purchase! ) | Window Treatment Fabric: Thibaut | Window Treatment Designer: Weave Gotcha Covered | Light Fixture: Kichler | Plants: Suburban Lawn & Garden | Furniture & Accessories: Contact us to purchase!
Tile: Daltile Matte Ebony | Faucet: Kohler | Light Sconce: Kichler | Wallpaper: Wallquest | Mirror: World Market
How gorgeous is this half bath?! Originally, the home didn’t have a bathroom on the main floor, so my guys took out a closet and added in this gorgeous bath. I love how the tile on the floor looks intentional, like it was always here! You all know I love adding a touch of fun wallpaper and this bathroom was no exception!
Garage: Overhead Door
Thank you for stopping by the blog! Leave a comment below and I’ll try to get back to you as soon as I can :)
-Tamara
Is this home for sale?
Unfortunately, it’s already sold!!
Hi Tamara,
This is a long shot, but here goes. You installed a stackable washer dryer in this home in an upstairs closet. It looked really small. I have a small closet in my home and a stackable washer dryer set I purchased doesnt quite fit. Can you give me the information on the stackable set you put in this house? I would be eternally grateful!
I thought that your renovation of the Jefferson house was your best yet. The transformation was especially thought out in the kitchen and dining room. That dining table is killer and fits in beautifully. Thank you for sharing these before and after photos as while watching the show it is hard to pay attention to all of the details and this lets me explore the changes at my leisure. Your show is my favorite on DIY Network!
awww thank you, Susan!! I lot of work went into renovating this home and I’m glad it was one of your favorites. That means a lot! <3
Nice job! The shutters really set the front off nicely. Inside you did another beautiful job! The house always tells you what it wants, it’s up to you to figure it out. It’s not easy but you do a great job of solving the puzzle!
It is like solving a puzzle! One of the reasons I love design :)
Love your renovations. I watch your show all the time! Hope mom will continue with you (on a lighter scale) but I miss the two of you together!
SO fresh, so you, Tamara – love how you love on homes :)
Thank you!! :)
Hi!
I love the kitchen and have a similar layout, I’m curious as to where you put a microwave? Mine is currently over the stove and I’d like to move it and do a hood like this. Thank you.
I usually hide the microwaves in drawers! :)
Saw that show and loved it. I also liked how you exposed the real problems that occur when you renovate a home.
The front door was incredible!
aww thank you!! I love that front door!! :)
Looks great – what part of town is this in? Will it be for sale?
Vonda
It’s already sold!! I’m so glad you like it :)
Love Love Love the design.. That is actually the same color scheme I have at my house, but I have grey deck…. You are giving me great ideas for when we re-do our bathroom, THANKS!!! make more shows, I’m not sick of seeing you….lol
awww I’m so happy I inspired you!! And I love that you’re loving the show! Thanks for the sweet comment :)
Beautiful house! Can you share the name of the wallpaper in the half bath?
I linked it below!! I’m so glad you like it! It’s beautiful in person!
I love to watch you renovating these historic homes in my home town!
aww thank you!!
Hi Tamara,
Congrats on signing on for season#3! So happy for you. Heard you were just in Knoxville filming the promotional for the new episodes. Glad you liked her banana pudding!
Allison’s Mom and faithful viewer,
Mary Weyand
I agree…my favorite so far. I love the interior design and colors. I would love to know where the master bedroom pillows came from as well as the artwork in the master. Perhaps you are still going to post a blog for the upstairs??
This may seem like a weird question, but where did you get the pink and gray pillows used in the master bedroom? I loved the style of that bedroom, and loved those pillows, but I can’t find them anywhere. By the way, you did an amazing job on this house! Probably my favorite one so far!
You did such an amazing job on this house, it was probably my favorite one so far! Gorgeous! I wish I lived in that area, it’s exactly what my dream home would be! Also, this may seem odd to ask, but the pink and gray pillows you used in the master bedroom, where did you get those? I fell in love with them, but I can’t find them anywhere.
aww thank you!!! They are from home goods!!
Tamara how can I find out went you have a house on the market for sale.
Hi Deborah! Every house from season 2 has been sold already!
Could you please provide some information about the metal supports you used for the back deck on this house. I saw them being installed and think I could use something similar for a freestanding porch at my house but I failed to get the name of the support system that held up the back porch.
I love love love your show. I think it’s terrific that you fix up so many grand houses in KC area. Although I am not originally from KC I have lived in this area off and on for several years now and have always thought the variety of architectural styles is interesting. I applaud your hard work and enjoy seeing your close relationship with your father, even the fireplace collapse. 😁