Trying to find the perfect new home is no easy task, especially if you are on a budget. There are so many options to choose from, but oftentimes, the most desired properties aren’t exactly priced for first-time buyers.
That’s what Alice Matthews found out when she looking for a place to call her own.
Luckily though, she was able to team up with Erin Napier, a designer from HGTV’s Home Town who is well-known for her ability to transform dumps into palaces.
View this post on Instagram
Matthews only had a small budget to work with.
However, for Napier and her crew, that was no problem.
“I really want to stay under $75,000, being a young single woman, find something that I can call home,” explained Matthews.
Ultimately, they all chose to purchase a fixer-upper, priced at only $12,000. The rest of the money would be spent making repairs and customizing it specifically for her while still preserving the old home’s history.
The tiny home was the last remaining structure of the Bush Dairy Farm, a former popular landmark in Laurel, Mississippi.
About 18,000 residents live in the small town and most of them would easily be able to point out the house if you asked them about it. It has always had a very distinct color.
“If you grew up in Laurel, it’s very iconic. It’s been blue since the day it was first painted, and I want to keep it blue,” Napier explained to her crew.
Because the house was located on a property with a lake nearby and lots of trees, they also decided to incorporate nature-inspired patterns into their design.
The idea was both to make the home both livable and comfortable while retaining its original charm.
Judging by the photos though, it wasn’t going to be easy. Most of the house had already been stripped down.
The kitchen was a wreck.
The bathroom was incredibly rundown.
In the main living area, the fireplace was falling apart and the floors were totally destroyed.
Not to mention, if you went around back, you would find a porch that definitely didn’t look safe.
However, Napier and the crew went to work and quickly fixed up everything.
Since they were on a budget, they knew they wouldn’t be able to install luxuries such as marble countertops. Yet, they discovered that alternatives look just as good. The designers used a marble laminate instead. Then they created a smoky see-through backsplash using spray paints, vinegar, and water.
They didn’t stop there though.
Room by room, they used their skills to totally transform the house. The before and after pictures will blow you away.
From the outside, it still looks like the same iconic farmhouse, however, with a whole new paint job. All of the structural support problems were repaired as well, assuring that the old house will stay standing for many long years to come.
The kitchen was made to look a beautiful mix of modern and rustic.
They included stainless steel appliances set up against olive-colored cabinets.
The open floor plan into the living area gave the small house a very large and inviting feeling.
They really made excellent use of the tiny space.
Of course, the bathroom got an upgrade as well.
Our favorite part is how they managed to squeeze a washer and dryer combo in there.
Lastly, heading around to the backside of the farm, you’ll notice that the formerly unsafe porch was converted into the coolest part of the home.
It looks like such an amazing place to hang out and enjoy the scenery with friends.
It was completed with multiple tables, seating areas, and even a fireplace.
We can tell you one thing, it certainly doesn’t look like a $12,000 home anymore. That’s for sure!
Check out the full video showing the before and after pictures of the home makeover below.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
