The Property Brothers Battle Goes to Hollywood in Brother vs. Brother

In a fun twist, Jonathan's mansion is actually located <em>right next door</em> to Drew and wife Linda Phan's Los Angeles abode. (Not surprisingly, Drew has already tried to sneak a few peeks at the reno from his <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/bedrooms/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bedroom</a> window.) With a budget of $190,000, Jonathan had his work cut out for him – this four-bedroom, three-bathroom historic home hadn't been touched in decades. Originally built in 1922, Jonathan wanted to keep the original character of the house while giving it a modern, California-cool vibe. And what better place to start than the <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/best-entryway-design-ideas-1920668/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">entryway</a>? <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/property-brothers-forever-home/photos/modern-and-transitional-stylish-his-and-his-details-1941966/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Property Brothers Mix Modern and Transitional Design With Stylish His-and-His Details</a>

In what can only be called a miraculous transformation, Jonathan dives head-first into this challenge by entirely transforming the front entrance. Gone is the (unintentionally spooky) Halloween aesthetic of the original ramshackle entry in favour of a contemporary reno with a Spanish flair that still manages to pay tribute to its <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/tags/celebrity-real-estate/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hollywood</a> roots. The irregular tile pattern is a show-stopper while the stark black doorway acts as a perfect contrast to the cool, neutral tones. Talk about a first impression!

Let's admire this reno from a different angle, shall we? We're loving the Spanish-influenced patterns on the staircase leading off the front entrance. It also further proves that matte black and neutral tones are the colour combo we didn't know we needed. Find more <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/surprising-colour-palettes-1941038/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">colour palattes that go surprisingly well together</a>.

It's not hard to see how gorgeous this <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">living room</a> would have looked during its heyday in the 1930s and 1940s. Bonus for this Property Brother: There's so much for Jonathan to play around with in this cavernous space. To start, he opts to liven up the room by introducing a new ceiling style. So, say "goodbye" to this run-of-the-mill example.

To help further open up the sightlines, Jonathan added a groin vault ceiling to the home's original substantial support beams. After a close call in which his plan almost didn't come to fruition (gotta love unreliable old wood), Jonathan was able to raise the roof and give the living room some extra breathing space. He sprinkled more of that rustic, organic wood vibe throughout the room, specifically with the fireplace that, much like the entryway, blends modern sensibilities with some Spanish flair.

Although Jonathan introduced some <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/lifestyle/photos/homeowners-dont-trust-smart-home-technology-1935894/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">smart technology</a> to the living room, he didn't neglect the mansion's original vintage vibes. This rustic side table and accompanying <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/how-to-pick-art-for-every-room-1922988/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">artwork</a> are a throwback to the home's original build date. Spoiler alert: Jonathan did all this and managed to stick to his $190,000 budget. Applause is in order. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/property-brothers-forever-home/photos/the-property-brothers-transport-a-1950s-family-home-into-modern-times-1940364/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How the Property Brothers Took This 1950s Home Into Modern Times</a>

Meanwhile, in a not-so-faraway mansion of his own, Drew kept busy with a corner-lot chateau overrun with so much weeds and foliage that it gave us major haunted house energy. Despite all the sunshine in California, this five-bedroom, three-bathroom build from 1923 is dark – with a fair bit of water damage. Basically, it's in need of some major TLC. To bring out the dark accents while honouring the California vibe, Drew had to completely gut the space. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/property-brothers/photos/is-this-picture-perfect-renovation-the-property-brothers-best-1940207/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Is This Picture-Perfect Renovation The Property Brothers' Best Yet?</a>

Yes, this is the same mansion: Drew completely overhauled the entryway of his "storybook chateau" (as he's taken to calling it) by adding on-trend herringbone floors in a (successful) attempt to immediately draw eyes upon entry. The bright whites and dark accents are the perfect combo for this expansive hallway that comes complete with its own mudroom-meets-cubby nook.

A closer look at this genius space reveals storage space, coat hangers and a place to sit if you're waiting on someone. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/property-brothers-buying-and-selling/photos/black-white-designs-1929758/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">See How the Property Brothers Integrate Black and White Into Their Designs</a>

Water damage and pink walls abound for Drew during this first challenge. That being said, the historic home housed plenty of hidden gems – from the original coffer ceilings to an original fireplace that just needed a little attention. Despite a close call with potential water damage on the original glorious ceilings (thank goodness it turned out to be a wrinkled tear-away canvas), Drew set his sights on giving the parlour a contemporary feel that it was seriously lacking. Got your own problem areas? Check out our <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/ultimate-household-maintenance-checklist-1938101/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ultimate home maintenance checklist</a>.

Since Drew had one extra (albeit tiny) room to renovate (hello, parlour!) compared to Jonathan, he would up going a bit over his budget of $245,000 – but only by a mere $2,000, an impressive feat. This contemporary revamp features a new gas fireplace, and classic Drew character additions such as the subtle wallpaper and pops of colour in the curtains and area rug. And those coffer ceilings? 100 per cent gorgeous! <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/property-brothers/photos/the-property-brothers-deliver-a-stylish-dream-home-with-a-hint-of-frou-frou-1939895/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Property Brothers Deliver Stylish Home With a Hint of Frou-Frou</a>

Not to be outdone, Drew kept with the black and white palette in this gorgeous living room that also boasts a gas fireplace in addition to French windows and classic Drew finishing touches with the artwork and greenery. <br><br> ...So, who won the first round? Before clicking to the next slide, <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/brother-vs-brother/videos/brother-vs-brother-challenge-1/273ca6ba-f46e-11ea-b9f5-0242ac110005/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">check out this video </a>for the whole challenge experience!

Although it was a tough call, Jonathan came out victorious this first round thanks to his stellar work on House #1's front entryway and living room. This week's guest judge, interior designer Orlando Soria, loved the California cool vibe and marveled at the fact that Jonathan was able to completely transform the space while staying true to its classic Hollywood sensibilities. We'll find out next week if Drew is able to level the playing field... <br></br> Watch the full premiere episode of <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/brother-vs-brother/videos/brother-vs-brother-701/HGTV0056393620000000/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brother Vs. Brother</a></em>