Fixer to Fabulous Makes This Young Couple's First Home Their Dream Home

Joshua and Madison were newly engaged – and new homeowners. While they prepared for their upcoming wedding, they were at a loss for how to make their first property – a 1,240-square-foot, three-bedroom home that was built in the 1970s – fit their needs as a young couple that loves to entertain. Luckily, Dave and Jenny Marrs knew just what to do: they expanded the closed-off floor plan, transformed the kitchen and made the backyard an entertaining oasis – all while adding cool, custom details and tons of character.

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white house exterior with black front door and flag

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Exterior Paint

Before, the home’s brick exterior was dated, covered with haphazard landscaping and not aligned with the young couple’s taste, or feeling of home. While a fresh coat of white paint instantly made a major curb-appeal upgrade, Dave and Jenny’s idea to reposition the front door to the centre of the house transformed the exterior by adding visually pleasing symmetry – and a welcoming front porch space for the couple to enjoy.

white before kitchen with split flooring and white fridge

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Cooking up New Ideas

The home’s original kitchen wasn’t terrible, but it was definitely in need of an update. It lacked an island for cooking space (which was high on the wish-list for Joshua) or a pantry for food storage – it was lacking practicality and panache.

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Smart Solutions

The storage solution? Dave and Jenny moved the entire kitchen forward by a few feet to allow for a hidden walk-in pantry to be tucked-in behind. This change solved the couple’s kitchen storage issue, while also opening up some extra space for luxe surprise addition to the master bathroom.

grey and white kitchen with kitchen island with bench and dining table

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Increased Seating

For the cabinets, Jenny chose a new-neutral pale grey colour for a sophisticated feel. To create a prep area, they added a sleek kitchen island along with a custom bench on the opposite side to maximize seating space and evoke a seamless look.

white living room with brown couch, art on wall and green plan

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Lighting Matters

Because Madison and Joshua love to entertain, it was important to them to open up their living spaces. To help, the Marrs expanded the wall that was dividing the kitchen and living room. This small change went a long way to letting in more light and to creating effortless flow for entertaining.

white living room with ladder and television on top of wood dresser

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A Next-Level Living Room

Another super-cool, contemporary touch that the Marrs created for the couple was this one-of-a-kind television stand. The Marrs refurbished an old cabinet with a unique trick top and lifting mechanism. With the customization, Joshua and Madison can bring the TV up when it’s time to watch their favourite shows – or use the remote to hide it away when they are entertaining or wanting a break from the screen.

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A Fun Focal Point

Dave and Jenny made sure to add character-rich touches in the primary bedroom. Behind the bed, custom (but affordable) decorative trim and deep-hued blue paint created a stylish focal point in this cozy space. Dave also built a bed for the couple – that even has a special pet bed for their dog, River.

modern bathroom with wood vanity and mirror

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Spa-Like and Spacious Bathroom

The original master bathroom was tiny – not a great way to start the couple’s newlywed life. To enhance the functionality of the room, the Marrs installed a huge vanity with a single sink – but plenty of counter space.

bathroom with arch leading into patterned-tile shower

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A Wonderful Walk-In Shower

Madison dreamed of a walk-in shower, but the original space could barely fit a small tub. To make the primary bathroom feel truly luxurious, the Marrs took advantage of the pocket of space they’d gained by moving the kitchen to add an incredible shower with a distinctive custom-made arched entrance and gorgeous patterned wall tiles.

white house exterior back with swings on porch

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From Backyard Disaster to Outdoor Oasis

With a limited budget for their first home, Joshua and Madison wanted to focus their investment on indoor updates. However, the combination of a flooded backyard and an unsafe back porch meant that the outdoor space could be off limits. Thankfully, Madison’s father, Mark, saw an opportunity to save the day (and the backyard) with a wonderful wedding gift. Mark contributed to the installation of a drainage system and a unique back deck complete with swings, a custom-made neon sign and plenty of fun features for entertaining.