Who would have guessed that former “Teen Mom” star Chelsea DeBoer would wind up with her own home renovation show?
On “Down Home Fab,” Chelsea and her husband, Cole, prove that they have real talent making over homes for clients in their hometown of Sioux Falls, SD.
In the episode “Cozy Sophisticated,” they help renovate the home of Jenny, a real estate agent, and Neil, a pastor. Given their professions and connections throughout the community, the pressure is definitely on!
“I feel like this is kind of a big one,” says Chelsea. “She knows a lot of people in that home space. This could really be huge for us, or it could be really bad for us.”
“Well, geez,” says Cole. “I can’t tell if I’m nervous or excited.”
As Chelsea and Cole make their signature bold choices, you might be surprised by how many of them could work in your own space as well. Check out some of their design moves, including a whole new style Chelsea might have perfected all on her own.
The style ‘cozy sophisticated’ is modern yet comfortable
“Cozy sophisticated” island
HGTV
When discussing an overall design for Jenny and Neil’s home, Chelsea comes up with another new style she calls “cozy sophisticated.”
“I get ‘cozy sophisticated’ from their personal style, and I feel like their house should represent that,” she says. “It should be updated, a little bit more modern, but also still homey, welcoming, and cozy at the same time.”
“Established and comfortable,” adds Cole.
“Bold but not too bold is the epitome of cozy sophisticated,” says Chelsea as she selects what she considers to be the ideal cozy-sophisticated countertop for the new kitchen island.
“It has the cozy with the blue, which is Jenny’s favorite color,” she explains. “Then for the sophisticated, it has the dramatic waterfall sides and the big copper veining throughout.”
Update the staircase
Old staircase
HGTV
If the staircase is the first thing you see when you walk in the door and it hasn’t been touched since the house was built decades ago, it may need a refresh.
Jenny and Neil’s Colonial wood staircase with pile carpeting could definitely use some work.
“Staircases and catwalks should not be overlooked,” says Chelsea. “They can really impact the vibe of a room, make it feel outdated or clunky. But on the flip side, updating them can really turn that vibe around.”
To renovate this staircase, the DeBoers save the treads and risers, but pull all the carpet, cut the handrail off, and take out the spindles and newel posts.
The new handrail will be custom-made, with black, powder-coated steel.
“Having a nice, metal railing really does update the space,” says Cole. He’s not wrong.
Updated staircase
HGTV
Take a chance on painting wood trim
Original woodwork
HGTV
Jenny and Neil have a gorgeous great room, featuring soaring two-story windows with ornate woodwork and molding around them. The woodwork does look dated, however.
“I do have to ask you, because this is something not everyone’s into, painting wood?” enquires Chelsea. “I wanted to get your feeling on that.
“It is a little bit of a dated color, and it would make such a difference,” Chelsea continues, remarking on the honey-colored oak trim.
“I’m not opposed to it,” says Jenny. “When I do just glance at it, I see a lot of orange.”
Chelsea decides to paint the walls a soft white and the wood trim a little darker, very subtle gray.
“We know that painting the woodwork in this house is very controversial,” she says. “Ultimately that’s what Jenny and Neil said they wanted. If we were to sand and stain it, that would cost a lot more than it’s going to be if we paint it.”
Painted wood trim
Ceiling beams can make a bold statement
Updated beams
HGTV
Chelsea wants to make the most of the design elements that already exist in the house, and looks up to find beams that are simply painted white.
She immediately considers her options to help them make more of a statement, saying they can be wrapped, painted, or stained.
“I love using beams— you can stain them all different colors, all different finishes, so it’s really endless options,” she says.
The staining option wins.
“This house’s vibe is very cozy-sophisticated, and I think anywhere you can put beams or wood, I think that is that cozy vibe,” she adds.
A cowhide rug adds low-maintenance style
Cowhide rugs
HGTV
“I’m a firm believer that everyone needs a cowhide in their house,” says Chelsea, as she shops for design accessories in her stepmother Rita‘s home design store.
“This one’s been on the floor here for a while,” says Rita. “But look at it! People walk on it all day long, and it still looks nice.”
Rita has a selection of all Brazilian cowhide rugs, and Chelsea selects several.
“Whatever one we don’t use [for Jenny and Neil], I want to use in our house,” she tells Cole. He’s all for it.
Do Chelsea and Cole’s bold designs pay off?
Chelsea and Cole are a little nervous about this makeover. They think it looks great, but will Jenny and Neil?
Their questions are answered the second the clients step in the door.
“I love it! I love it, I love it, I love it,” says Jenny. “It looks like it’s in a magazine.”
“It feels like a brand-new house,” says Neil. And yes, they can’t overstate the elegant difference made in painting the wood.
So Cole gets down to brass tacks.
“Are you going to recommend us to other people?” he asks.
“Well, naturally,” says Jenny. “This is like a two-way street. I’ll help the couple buy the house, then you can turn around and help them renovate.”
Everyone wins!
The post A Close Look at ‘Teen Mom’ Chelsea DeBoer’s Latest, Craziest Design Moves on ‘Down Home Fab’ appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.