Help! I Wrecked My House, Season 3 Episode 1

Midcentury Mishap

Project Overview

The Homeowner

Steve - Help! I Wrecked My House Season 3 Episode 1

The Budget

$160,000

The Story

Steve recently inherited this midcentury home in Fullerton, CA from his grandparents. This was the first home his grandparents ever bought, and it’s a house they wanted to keep in the family. The Pittman family knew the house would need some significant work and updating upon being inherited, and Steve decided to take on the renovation himself. But like most homes built in the ’60s that haven’t been touched since, it needed a big-time renovation. Steve was excited to tackle this project, but then he hit some major bumps in the road.

After spending a year working on the home while simultaneously working his full-time job, dumping $85,000 into renovations, and having one awful experience with a contractor (which resulted in a literal fear of contractors), he knew it was time to call in some trustworthy help. Steve moved back in with his parents because the home became unlivable while the project began consuming his whole life. With a renovation this large, it’s safe to say Steve was a bit in over his head, but he was more than ready to start this fresh, next chapter of his life.

The Plan

I wanted to lift a weight off Steve’s shoulders by giving him a safe, renovated space while also paying homage to the original home. First things first, I had to provide Steve with an entryway that was both functional and guarded since there was an open staircase when you first walked into the house. I definitely wanted to keep the midcentury fireplace while updating it and incorporating details from its original look. Steve left me notes around the home of his ideas and visions for spaces, so I strived to give him everything he asked for—a big walk-in pantry, a pot filler, and a giant kitchen island. Because work was done with a previous contractor (a lot of it being messed up), we had a lot of question marks about what was going on internally regarding essential aspects like electrical and gas. We had seven weeks to complete this project and a lot of work to do.

The Inspiration

The Kitchen

While the intention behind this kitchen was to fill the entire room, it was important to also incorporate seating. With the kitchen island made of large marble slabs, I had the perfect bar stools in mind to add seating: three Miramar Bar Stools. I love these barstools because they can go with a variety of different kitchen designs; they have clean lines, a black-finished iron frame, and faux leather cushions. The marble waterfall island is truly a piece of art, and acts as a stand-out, showstopper element in this kitchen. A special shout out to Marbleyard for providing such gorgeous material to work with! I decided to go with white shaker cabinets throughout the kitchen, including faux cabinet panels to the refrigerator to give it a seamless look.

Steve mentioned a pot filler water fixture was something he really wanted in his home, especially because the previous contractor disregarded this and didn’t install one. I definitely had to include this kitchen feature! I love pot fillers because they make life a little more convenient when cooking, and they are also a design element that adds to the overall look of a kitchen. We decided to go with a shiny silver pot filler against the Statuary Vein Marble backsplash, the same material used on the waterfall island and countertops.

These Tatami Roman Shades add texture in the corner window of the kitchen. I wanted to keep the sink in this corner where it was initially, so Steve could have a beautiful California view while doing dishes. The windows slide open to let in a cool breeze, and I love styling a plant or two next to a kitchen sink. This big, white farmhouse sink was the perfect fit for this corner.

If there’s one thing I really love, it’s hidden features in a home. And how can you not love a hidden pantry? Since Steve knew he wanted a larger pantry, I thought it would be a fun addition to take it a step further and make it a secret pantry. With a bookcase that looks like a built-in that we found online, you would never know it’s a pantry until you slightly push the shelf inwards. The bookcase is able to hold storage and decor items while still acting as a pantry door. Plus, inside is a large walk-in pantry stocked with all of his cooking essentials.

There’s something behind this large piece of artwork in the left-hand corner that is one of the coolest features in this home. It was part of the original house, and we did a little bit of updating to it…Can you guess what it is?

It’s a mini-lift right off of the kitchen! That’s right, it leads from the second floor to the first floor and allows you to easily transport snacks, drinks, and other items. I decided to give this a little upgrade by camouflaging it and making it a hidden feature in the home behind a custom piece of artwork. After purchasing a new motor for the mini-lift, I added black and white art-deco wallpaper inside to give it a new look and feel. Inside is a serving tray with a few bowls and glasses, making it super convenient for entertaining on summer days out by the pool. I know this will be used a ton in Steve’s house…and now I really want one for my own home.

The Living Room

When I first stepped inside Steve’s house, the original faded green carpet was actually still in this living room. I couldn’t wait to give it a total makeover; I love how this turned out, and everything came together seamlessly. It’s a space where new memories with Steve's friends and family will be created.

After ripping out the dusty, outdated carpet, we added vinyl plank floors to match the rest of the home. The Edinger Sectional and two leather chairs keep the room cozy but still open and inviting. Steve and I went to a local vintage shop in Huntington Beach and picked out the midcentury modern light fixture. Window treatments and art helped give this space a new life, and I love the fun details around the room, like the record player, games on the coffee table, and chunky, coastal pillows.

Steve’s dad stopped by the house during the renovation to give us something pretty neat—the original blueprints of the house. Since this was a house that’s been in the family for so long, I wanted to do something special with them. Cait, a designer on my team, created custom watercolor art created based on the blueprints, framed them, and then hung them above the couch. Since the home has been in the family for three generations, I decided to have three different paintings of the home done. It’s a way to keep the home’s memory alive and remind family and friends of the history, while also adding one-of-a-kind art to the walls.

The Dining Room

On the opposite side of the fireplace and through the kitchen lies the dining room. The vibe in this room gives off coastal California while still bringing in the midcentury modern aspect that’s featured throughout the home. These Baeza Dining Chairs are a great addition to the dining area, adding a retro, yet modern touch. The space from the kitchen to the dining room to the living room flows nicely in Steve’s renovated home, which will make hosting for holidays and celebrations a breeze.

The Entryway

From what it was initially, we needed to make this a safer entryway, and I wanted to provide Steve with a functional space. I added a bench and a built-in console that included interior space for plug-ins and phone chargers. Steve had kept a wooden partition from the old home, and I thought it would make a great divider between the kitchen and entryway. We repurposed it, and it adds such a unique aspect to this home—it’s what I like to call “a new spin on something old.”

And that’s a wrap! Steve’s new home really turned out beyond my pretty high expectations. I’m so grateful and excited that he can settle into his new home knowing that not only is it a place filled with great family connections and memories, it’s now the perfect place for Steve to create some of his own special moments. Thanks so much for following along!

Tune in next week - Saturday, September 3rd at 9pm ET/PT for Episode 2 of Help! I Wrecked My House. Watch on HGTV when it airs live or stream it on discovery+.