‘Fixer to Fabulous’ Reveals the Sweetest New Kitchen Upgrade You’ll Crave as Soon as You See It
HGTV
On “Fixer to Fabulous,” Dave and Jenny Marrs often help homeowners reimagine their space, but on the latest episode, they meet an Arkansas family who truly deserve some pampering.
In “Giving Family, Sweet Upgrade,” the renovators work with Stacey and Karen McGhee. Stacey is a “local legend,” working as a barista and seemingly involved 24/7 in fundraising and on charity projects, especially for breast cancer research and awareness.
“To be able to give back to people who literally give every day of their lives, it’s exciting,” says Dave.
The McGhees’ house was built in 1999, measures about 1,500 square feet, and has two baths and three bedrooms. It hasn’t been worked on since the day it was built, and Stacey and Karen would like to update it so they can be comfortable in it for, well, forever.
They’re giving Jenny and Dave a substantial $190,000 to redo the primary suite, kitchen, living room, dining space, backyard, and exterior.
As the Marrses get to work, they add their usual whimsical touches of something new and fun, and some well-hidden architectural features. They also deliver a lot of great ideas of things we all might be inspired to do in our own homes to take them to the next level. Take a look!
Fancy ceiling trays are out
Elaborate ceiling trayHGTV
There’s an unusual ceiling coffer treatment in the primary suite over the bed. And it’s painted bright yellow.
“We need to cut out those weird, detailed arches in the bedroom,” says Jenny, in an effort to describe the indescribable.
Dave agrees and appears very satisfied once “they’ve squared off that trayed ceiling.”
“Now it feels like the room just grew,” says Jenny, enthused about the results.
Ceiling with a simplified trayHGTV
How to make an antique door fit
Home with newly installed antique doorHGTV
Karen found a beautiful antique door and bought it some time ago, but she didn’t install it because it didn’t fit the door frame.
“We might have to do a little modification,” says Jenny as they hold the antique door up to the door frame. But rather than enlarging the door frame, they decide it would be far easier to whittle down the door.
“I can have Dave take a little off the top and a little off the bottom,” says Jenny.
To make it fit aesthetically, they stain the new shutters to match the door so it not only feels like a match, but looks like a match, too.
Move the washer and dryer out of the kitchen
An inconvenient washer and dryer in the kitchenHGTV
The McGhees’ washer and dryer are very inconveniently located in a kitchen nook, and since they stick out so far, they can’t be hidden behind a door. They’re on display at all hours of the day and night.
If there’s any possible way to move the washer and dryer out of the kitchen and into a less obtrusive, more convenient area, Jenny will find it.
Jenny and Dave decide to take a little space from the large garage and build a laundry closet with stackable appliances that’s accessible from inside the house.
Then the Marrses reclaim the space in the kitchen, adding a counter and cupboards. It’s so much more practical and attractive!
Much better use of kitchen space where the washer and dryer were once locatedHGTV
Save money and time with prefab cabinets
Kitchen with prefab cabinetsHGTV
This is not a huge kitchen, and there are no weird angles or windows to contend with, so designing it with prefab cabinets is a no-brainer.
They’re the right color and size when they arrive.
“In the kitchen, we’re installing pre-finished cabinets. They are in the garage, and ready to go,” says Dave, grateful that this is one detail he will not have to spend extra time and money on.
The sweetest new kitchen addition: an ice cream bar
Stacey and Karen McGhee are overwhelmed by their new soft ice cream bar.HGTV
Jenny wanted to add something special for Stacey in the kitchen, and the first thing that comes to mind is a fancy coffee station.
But Karen informs her that he works with coffee all day long, so coffee is nothing special to him at home. What Stacey really loves is ice cream.
Jenny goes off on a flight of fantasy that becomes the coolest, creamiest reality: She and Dave will build an ice cream bar and equip it with a home soft-serve ice cream maker. But Dave cautions that they’d better put it behind doors and not just let it be out in the open all the time.
“Wouldn’t you just walk by with a spoon and, like, take a drop?” he asks, suggesting that it would be impossible for him to pass by it without enjoying a sample.
Jenny agrees.
“You know what the kids are going to do? They’re just going to put their mouths under it,” she says with a laugh.
They agree to add the doors.
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