Fixer Upper Season 3 Episode 13

“Newlyweds Take On A Run Down Fixer For Their Future Together”

Introduction

The popular home renovation American reality TV series Fixer Upper running for 5 seasons started in
May 2013 and aired on HGTV. The series features a married couple from Waco, Texas – Chip and Joanna
Gaines who own a home renovation and redecoration business. In Episode 13 of Season 3 they meet up
with newlyweds Ken and Kelly Downs who are interested to move into a home of their own in Waco,
Texas. After choosing a house they entrust the Fixer Upper team to redecorate the place from a shabby
house into a beautiful home. The redecoration process sets a few challenges for Chip & Joanna as they
take on this massive project and try to deliver everything in budget and in time.

Choosing the Right House

Before the Downs meet with Chip and Jo they reveal a wish list for their dream house, which includes
wood floors, open kitchen, office space and three bedrooms. With a budget of $250,000 they wish to
buy and redecorate a house with the help of the very experienced Fixer Uppers. Ken and Kelly Downs
are given a tour of a few houses around the Waco neighborhood where they first come across a vintage
50s style house with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths with a price of $110,000 but the chic “Chalk Ranch
House” falls short of their expectation as it feels too small for Kelly. A second “Cutie Tudor” house for
$95,000 with brick walls and a very small kitchen holds room for a lot of improvements like the master
bedroom. Estimating a renovation cost of around $115,000 for new exteriors, living room space, kitchen
and additional work, Chip and Jo take the Downs to a final option to present. Although a bit unsure from
the shabby lime worn out exterior, Chip still assures Ken and Kelly about the potential for their final
showing which their lovingly calls – “The 3 little pigs house” referring to the house from the story of
three little pigs. The house showcases tall ceilings and beautiful wooden windows, the small master
bedroom needs renovation and so does the porch. Although this house value is at a cheap $35,000
renovations would take both a lot of work and time. After careful consideration the Downs declare the 3
little pigs house as their dream home and hands the fixer uppers with a big challenge. Jo and Chip are a
bit nervous as usually fixer upper houses take about 8 weeks to finish, this house requires a lot of
renovation. Foundation, roof & living space would cost about $40,000 while a new kitchen and the
master suite would be a total of $70,000. With additional renovation costs of $50,000 a total of
$160,000 is estimated for only renovation of the new house.

Deconstruction

Before renovation, Chip and Jo surveys the attic for any hidden problems other than roof, electrical,
plumbing and air conditioning problems and to their surprise they find something very interesting. The
attic has chimneys for three fireplaces while the house only features one. Which means the chimney
chutes are hidden inside the walls that were to be removed for more space. Regardless of this early set
back Chip promises to come up with a little surprise for everyone using the newfound fireplace chute.
So, the next day Fixer Uppers call in two crews to take apart the dry wall, wooden panels and all
electrical wirings. The wooden boards are carefully kept aside for reusing later in the project but during
demolition almost all the parts of the house are taken down. This goes to show what a big renovation
job they are facing with this house.

Remodeling with the Downs

While the house is being take apart by Chip and the demolition crew, Joanna sets up a meeting with Ken
and Kelly to show them a virtual design of how their house would look and also let them share their
ideas for improvements within their budget. Ken and Kelly are instantly impressed by the front porch
redecoration of brick stairs and blue walls. The kitchen and living room are built around the fireplace
making it cozy and spacious especially after the partition wall being taken down. The master bed, office
and bathroom designs are also well received by the down. Since they still have $2,500 left in their
budget Joana let’s the newlywed couples choose between three design ideas – brick columns on the
front porch, bench seats in the dining area or wallpaper in the master suite. Kelly lit up immediately
when Jo showed her the craftsman style bench in the dining and that is what they decide to do with
their remaining $2,500.

A Little Setback

The series Fixer Upper also shows us glimpses of Chip and Joanna’s farm life and family. One of their
cows have given birth to a calf and the children enjoys feeding the farm animals. After meeting with the
downs when Joanna visits the new property Chip shows her the odd placement of the fireplace. The
fireplace has become a troublesome structure to deal with as they want to keep the quirky element, but
it seems like they would need to relocate it. Jo is instantly hit by a new floor plan design idea that would
relocate the fireplace incorporating both the office and the living room. This new idea for using a double
fireplace sets back Chip about a week as new floor plans must be factored in. Although it is a little set
back the Fixer Uppers’ crew believes it is worth taking on as the final design would really look amazing.
Chip also manages to convince Jo over a cup of coffee about his secret plans to make a little coffee
counter at the kitchen promising Jo that they will not have to sacrifice much kitchen island space for it
either. New tables have been ordered and now Jo takes over the project for decorations and furbishing.

Interior and Final Touches

Joanna takes her two daughters to pick out furniture and kitchenware for the Downs’ project. The Fixer
Upper couple makes it feel like a family project as they also involve their children and it really makes all
their effort much more beautiful. They have about two weeks left at this point to finish up all the interior
and set up the furniture for the grand reveal to Ken and Kelly. Jo beings with decorating the front of the
house with new grass and overseeing the installing of kitchen cabinets, electricals and the plumping. Jo
meticulously sets up every room of the house with beautiful new furniture, their friend Clint bring over
the handmade wooden table with gorgeous finishing and it makes the dining area look rustic and
complete. Chip comes over with the children to deliver some freshly picked apple as housewarming gifts
for the downs and everyone appreciates the beauty of the 100 year old house which the Fixer Uppers
have really brought to life. Everyone gets excited as deadline approached and it’s time to show the
Downs their dream home.

The House for the Newly Weds

Ken and Kelly arrive at the project site which is covered by the Fixer Upper billboard for the big reveal.
Their initial renovation estimate of $160,000 had to be readjusted to $215,000 but they were able to
finish within the original budget of $250,000. Jaws drop as Ken and Kelly are in disbelief that the old run-
down house has transformed into a gorgeous modern craftsman style home losing the ugly lime exterior
to beautiful blue and white walls. The board covering up the front porch has been removed and the
white columns make for a beautiful viewing of the front of the house, finished with the antic brick stairs
Ken and Kelly are impressed beyond words. Although Chip’s coffee corner did not make it into the final
design, it allowed for a bigger kitchen Island and the Downs are very happy with the classic blue cabinets
and stainless-steel basin instalments. Ken even makes a little joke about how the kitchen itself is more
spacious than their previous bachelor pad, where they used to live. Finally, the master suite with a large
walk in closet and craftsman style sliding door makes Kelly feel right at home and at peace. The
bathroom fittings are beautiful and overall, the Downs are ready to move in. Last but not least they tour
Kelly’s office space with repurposed wood from the original house and Ken’s office with a cozy fireplace
to inspire them both every day. The Downs and Gaines sit by the fireplace where nothing but praises
shower the work of the wonderful Fixer Upper team. The newlyweds are finally ready to move into their
new home.

Conclusion

This renovation project has made me realize that with hard work and planning even a 100-year-old
house can become a lovely home for new beginnings. Throughout the steps of the project from choosing
the house, demolition, planning and decoration to the final reveal it felt slowly taking life as the Fixer
Upper team puts all their hearts in their projects. Understanding and planning accordingly with budget
and timeline is just as important and every set back can be taken positively as a challenge to learn and
grown from. I am glad to be able to write this paper on such an interesting and wonderful project and
wish best of luck to the Downs family for their new beginning.