Ep 2. Young Family Takes on History

In Fixer Upper season 1 episode 2, titled "Young Family Takes on History," Joanna and Chip Gaines help a young couple, Corey and Katie, bring new life to an old historic home in Robinson, Texas.

The couple is moving from a small apartment to a larger home to accommodate their growing family, and they have their sights set on a historic fixer-upper that's been in Corey's family for generations. The home is in desperate need of an update, with outdated wallpaper, a cramped layout, and a lack of functionality for modern living. But the young couple is up for the challenge and excited to breathe new life into the old property.

Joanna and Chip see this as an opportunity to blend the old with the new and preserve the home's historic charm while bringing it up to date with modern amenities. They start by tearing down the walls between the living and dining rooms to create an open-concept space that's perfect for entertaining. Joanna then works her magic in the kitchen, updating the cabinets and countertops and adding a spacious island for food prep and dining.

One of the challenges of the renovation is preserving the home's historic details while adding modern elements. Joanna does an excellent job of incorporating vintage pieces into the design while also adding modern lighting and fixtures. In the master suite, she creates a beautiful accent wall with vintage shutters from an old house and adds a new chandelier for a touch of modern elegance.

Chip takes on the exterior of the home, removing the outdated shingles and replacing them with a more modern siding. He also improves the curb appeal by adding new landscaping and a front porch, perfect for enjoying the beautiful Texas weather.

The home's original details are not the only thing that make it unique. Corey, a passionate historian, has uncovered an interesting piece of the home's past. When removing the old wallpaper, he discovers an advertisement from a traveling medicine show that took place in the house back in the early 1900s. Joanna and Chip are excited to learn more about this fascinating history and honor it in the new design.

Throughout the episode, there are some fun moments involving the couple's young son, Duke. He has a fascination with construction and is thrilled to be involved in the renovation process, even helping his dad with some demolition work.

Overall, "Young Family Takes on History" is a heartwarming and exciting episode that showcases the amazing transformation of an old and outdated home. Joanna and Chip expertly blend the old with the new to create a functional and beautiful space for this young family to grow and thrive. The preservation of the home's history adds an extra layer of charm, making this renovation one for the books.