It’s Fixer Upper | The Takeaways day! If you are new to this series, I share photos from an episode of Fixer Upper and dish on the takeaways that we can all incorporate into our own homes. I was so touched when the couple was unexpectedly shown a home that used to belong to the wife’s grandmother. The 70s ranch needed a ton of work and of course Joanna and Chip worked their magic to make it absolutely beautiful. I was especially drawn to this makeover because I love a fresh, coastal vibe and this house has just that. From the charm on the facade to the meaningful music room, it was a beautiful way to keep a home in the family.
I absolutely love the outside of this home. So gorgeous. What a beautiful porch. Those chairs can be found at Ikea and are an inexpensive option for adding a cute seating area to your outdoor (or indoor) spaces.
Takeaway #1: Use Backless Barstools
I love the idea of using backless barstools because they read far less heavy. I think they are great for children as long as they are not too young (don’t want anyone falling). These are gorgeous and such a statement in the room. This is one of those times where a splurge makes a huge impact. Great choice, Joanna.
Takeaway #2: Consider Using a Barn Door
If you like the farmhouse style, these doors are not as difficult to use in a home as they used to be. Many online stores (even Lowes) are selling the hardware to hang them. Such a charming look to close off an office, a closet or even a pantry. I would love one for our laundry room, honey. Are you reading?!
Takeaway #3: Use Statement Lighting
No surprise that Joanna went bold again with the lighting in this house. I adore the glass lighting as your eye can travel right through it and they don’t take up visual space.
Similar Lighting
Takeaway #4: Paint the Island or bottom Cabinets a Contrasting Color
Yes, yes, yes on contrasting paint colors. If I had an island I would paint it a different color. Can you give your kitchen a facelift with just some paint? Nice idea to add charm for very little cost.
Takeaway #5: Hang Interesting Art Pieces
Anything with texture is so great for the walls. And it doesn’t always have to pack a punch color wise. Keeping art neutral allows you to play with color on your table for various occasions and season.
Takeaway #6: Use a White Table for the Win
I love when Joanna uses a round white table. Inviting and looks so great against all different flooring options. Love these chairs and they are a wonderful price for a set of two. I actually am thinking about using them in our playroom.
Takeaway #7: Add a Bold Striped Rug
Nothing makes a nice bold statement like a striped rug. So coastal with the navy and white. Love the look of this.
Takeaway #8: Repeat Clean Elements for Balance
Such great vases in this space. I love how Joanna repeated the same look throughout the room to really tie it all together and create balance. Don’t forget Michaels has awesome faux stems right now for 50% off which is nice.
Takeaway #9: Think Outside of the Box for above the Mantel
The oars really spoke to me! We just hung an oar that belonged to my brother on ours son’s gallery wall. Makes me smile each time I see it. And genius to hang two of them like this above the mantel. These are often sold at HomeGoods during this time of the year. Don’t forget you can paint them out if they aren’t the look you are going for.
DIY BIG IDEA
For just about $200 you could easily replicate a table that Joanna used in the room. I love the lines on this and the sides. If you are up for a DIY you could paint the table white and either leave the top as is or stain it a darker color. Not bad for a couple of hundred dollars.
Takeaway #10: Be Brave with White Slipcovers
This isn’t the first time we have seen the white slipcovered furniture. Such a pretty look and if you are brave enough, they are a great way to go to keep things fresh in your space.
Takeaway #11: Floor Lamps Save on Space
If you have a smaller room, forget the end tables next to everything and stick with a floor lamp. The one I found below is so similar to the one I have in our master bedroom and LOVE it. Awesome price, too.
Shop This Room
Fairly certain this is the exact chandelier installed in this space. So pretty.
Takeaway #12: Mix Weighty Chairs with a Streamlined Table
I like how the chairs that fill so much visual space are paired with a table that is the opposite. Such great balance.
Takeaway #13: Shiplap or Textured Wallpaper
If you aren’t up for adding shiplap to the walls or if your DIY skills just aren’t there (yet), don’t under estimate the power of textured wallpaper. You can pick up a grasscloth pre pasted paper for not very much money at places like Lowes. I love the dimension the texture on the wall creates.
Shop This Room
Takeaway #14: Pay Attention to your own Needs
What I love is that Joanna and Chip really paid attention to the homeowner’s needs. This was a garage! Can you believe it. He needed a music room and they created such a gorgeous “mancave.”
Takeaway #15: Incorporate Passion into Artwork
Due to the homeowner being passionate about music, Joanna incorporated the guitars as artwork. So great. Use what you love. What makes you happy and feel passionate? Use that in your home. It creates so much more of a personalized space.
Opening Shelving Ideas
rug (on sale) | desk idea | chair | fiddle leaf | globe | light
Takeaway #16: Consider a Dining Table for a Desk
I really like the idea of rethinking furniture. It reads so much lighter than a big heavy desk that can impose on a small space. Do you have an old dining table in the family or one you don’t use anymore? Maybe Craigslist? This one is a great raw table that you could stain any color.
Takeaway #17: Keep Your Bedroom Neutral with a Dose of Color
Always love a bedroom that reads neural overall. Such pretty texture with the layered bedding and the white linen drapes. The heavy bed is nicely juxtaposed with the more lightweight bedside tables. Love that mix. The metal also works beautifully against the wood of the bed.
Shop This Room
Takeaway #18: Use Greenery, Candles and Books
This is a calling card of Joanna and it always works. So gorgeous. I have been impressed with the faux stems at Michaels lately and that would be perfect for this. Here is a very similar dresser.
Shop the Post
Love the porch chairs. My daughter has them and they have held up nicely (even through two moves). Side note…I believe you meant “inexpensive” 😉 And, the slipcovered chairs look like the ones IKEA carries as well. We have two that anchor our dining room table and love them!
Yes! Love those chairs. Such a great buy and I agree. . those are the white Ikea chairs. I also love those. In fact I have rarely seen ones that I like better. We have one in our playroom. (thank you for the catch. . . oops! lol). Enjoy your week, friend.
Those porch floors!!! Love. I love how fresh everything looks just by shifting colors. Whites and blues are always favorites.
Aren’t those floors amazing. And I agree. . . blue and white is such a fresh and pretty combination. And always stays classic. Thanks for popping in.
Love this post! It’s a gorgeous space. I especially love the chandelier over the kitchen table – do you know where it’s from? (Or where I can find something similar?)
Thank you, Kara! I agree. Such a beautiful makeover. I LOVE that light too and have looked everywhere. I will keep looking and let you know if I find it. Maybe I should just call Joanna 😉 Have a great week!
Ballard Designs has a similar light with the rope, on sale right now actually (20% off) and no, I don’t work there or for them! Just saw it in their catalog last night because I like it as well. 🙂
OMG, I love this series you do! I adore the lighting, chandeliers, pendants….just gorgeous. It all looks so fresh and modern 🙂
Awe. Thank you so much, Cynthia. I always love their lighting choices. So good. Makes me want to work on a blank space again. Have a great day.
I love your Fixer Upper takeaways! So much practical inspiration we can all apply to our homes. Thank you! 🙂
Thank you so much! I just adore Chip and Joanna and think they are so talented. I’m so happy you like the series. xo
Great recap! I really love how clean the lighting is. Does Joanna know that you’re available if she needs you?
Oh, I love it, Patrice. You are adorable. Maybe I should let her know my schedule is wide open. Ha. Have a great day.
You do a great job with this series Courtney! I love that the couple settled on this house, her grandmother’s, and kept it in the family. So so special. I am a very sentimental person so I loved this. My husband is using a dining room table as his desk in his home office. It’s actually an old farm table that belonged to my mom’s great grandmother and came from her farm in Minnesota. Love that you have an oar that belonged to your brother in G’s room.
Thank you so much, Allison. I love that they kept that house, too. When R was watching it she kept saying, “Well why wouldn’t they pick their grandmother’s house. It is special.” I loved that. And that is so cool that your husband uses such a sentimental piece in his office. So much more meaningful. Enjoy your day, my friend.
Does anyone else always wonder where they would put the tv? Most people have a big screen tv in their family living area. I admit a room always looks better without one but that’s not practical for most people.
The Nester just sent me your way and I’m so glad! I’ve been binge watching Fixer Upper. I love their style and I’m so glad to see more info on the results!
This is such a great series! Thank you for putting so much thought into it and finding all those sources!
I immediately clicked over from Nester when I saw that Diningroom…. Can we just chat about that please?
Where is that lovely print of shells from??? Love it, Want it, where can I buy it?? Also want to buy that hairpin legged table as I’m so tired of table legs in my way on my current table. Thank you so much for the link but I have to ask– Doesn’t the Fixer Upper picture look like the table top is not a dark wood?? More like gray cement or a metal? And with what did they set the table with?? Is it craft paper and then a runner and then chargers? Input and answers are very much welcome here…….
Came over from the Nester. What a great house! Love the print in the dining room – the blue seashells one. Can you please provide details where it was printed or purchased from ? Thank you!
What a beautiful makeover! Love the gorgeous chandelier, candle holders and the porch chairs. Every detail gives a modern yet fresh look to this house. Thanks for sharing these amazing takeaways Courtney.
Can you tell me the paint names used on the kitchen walls and trim? I never know what type of white trim to use with a really light gray wall. Do you go with bright white or a soft white. We will be painting our living areas same color and the kitchen cabinets the same white as the trim. Feel free to answer here or email to me. Thanks, Sue
Does anyone know the name of the wall color in the main room of Coastal Makeover on Fixer Upper that just aired again today? Its such a nice light gray. Thanks in advance.
Michelle