Not Your Average Fixer-Upper

Stunning home transformations— and ideas to steal

BY KARIN VANDRAISS

HOME RENOVATIONS AREN’T for the faint of heart, whether you’re handling everything from demo to design yourself or you have a full team of subcontractors at your disposal. But for buyers who can see past dated carpeting and countertops (and maybe a structural snafu here and there) to a property’s full potential, the process can be as rewarding as the end result. All it takes is good bones and a strong vision to transform a fixer-upper into a dream home.

FOX ISLAND, WASHINGTON

Monica Gujral and Terrence Wallace have a strategy when searching for their next property to develop: Find the listing that seems too big to tackle. “We look for homes with high-end potential but low-end finishes—projects that might scare others away,” Gujral says.

The sprawling acre of waterfront property on Fox Island fit the bill, with its off-white stucco exterior with aqua trim, rolled vinyl flooring, chunky fluorescent lights, and bubblegum pink bathrooms. The updates needed weren’t just cosmetic; replacing leaking skylights, shoring up the deck, and improving the flow of the interior would be on the to-do list as well. But with a little over 5,000 square feet to work with and generous nine-foot ceilings throughout (plus rare tideland rights to all the fresh clams, oysters, and geoduck you can catch), the couple jumped to make an offer.

“They weren’t looking for a teardown,” says Windemere’s Kari Haas. “It was about taking the existing structure and improving the architectural, interior, and exterior design.”

Gujral and Wallace, who recently transitioned to developing properties full time, have completed a handful of residential and commercial projects in California and Washington. They do the lion’s share of the work themselves, and Gujral, who describes her role as “interior architect,” hand-picks everything from tile to light fixtures to landscape materials. Wallace, a master carpenter with a background in commercial construction, executes on her vision.

Luxury finishes are their hallmark. “The aim is for the buyer to not need (or want) to change a thing,” Gujral says. She draws inspiration from high-end boutique hotels around the world, hoping to re-create the same sense of luxury in a residential setting. That meant incorporating many bespoke pieces, such as a cobalt blue range from Italy, dumbwaiters with custom steel doors, and coffered ceilings in the library.

The aesthetic leans “coastal rustic,” but Gujral avoids limiting her designs to a few buzzwords. “We’re creating something more, a certain lifestyle,” she says. This lifestyle involves a wine cellar with a custom barrel-arched ceiling, an impressive home theater, and a yoga studio.

After dedicating two years to the renovation, Gujral and Wallace recall sharing a similar thought upon entering the completed space: “I want to live here.” And with that, they knew it was a job done well.

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ESCONDIDO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

I always been intrigued by the houses on the hill behind us but had never seen one on the market,” says Bonnie Conrad. “Then we received a flyer with just a glimpse of the view, and I started making calls.”

One of six custom-built homes in a private community surrounded by avocado groves and overlooking the San Pasquale Valley, the nine-acre property was undeniably impressive. But there was a catch—the house required serious work.

Bonnie and her husband, Pat, had thoroughly enjoyed renovating their current home and were up for a challenge, but the borderline hazardous exterior and retro layout and finishes (think walnut cabinets and harvest gold tile countertops) gave them pause. “If it weren’t for the view, I’m not sure we would have tackled it,” Bonnie says.

But a pool for the grandkids to enjoy and maintaining their proximity to family and friends helped seal the deal. So did the price point, which would allow them to take on an extensive remodel. “There wasn’t a single area of the home or property that didn’t need some type of work,” says Windermere’s Jessica Adams. “But Pat and Bonnie saw possibilities in the house that I didn’t even know were there.”

The Conrads had looped in their contractor, Steven Ames, from the start, and he had his work cut out for him. Everything was a little off, from windows that didn’t quite close to plumbing and electrical that needed replacing. (The only positive note from the inspector’s eight-page report had been that the foundation was in perfect condition.)

But over the next seven months, they replaced the crumbling front porch, rebuilt the deck, and updated the garage. Inside, they opened up the floor plan, re-creating the entryway with raised ceilings that continued in varying heights throughout the home. Capitalizing on the view was a top priority, which meant raising the sunken living room, replacing existing windows with nearly floor-to-ceiling versions, installing additional windows in every room with a view, and adding a private porch off the master bedroom. When it came to décor, Bonnie opted for neutrals, favoring a comfortable, unfussy feel.

When their work was complete, Pat and Bonnie invited the previous owner to the house to see the transformation. She smiled as she walked in, and said, “This is what the house was meant to be.” The Conrads couldn’t agree more.

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VASHON, WASHINGTON

Kassana Holden and Windermere’s Mary Margaret Briggs got out of the car, looked at one another, and nodded. This was it. Holden was looking to return to Vashon

Island after several years of living in Wisconsin. Secluded from the main road, with sunlight pouring through the trees, the property itself was breathtaking. But the two-story home hadn’t seen much attention in the past decade or more, and it showed. Briggs had hoped her longtime friend could see past the neglect, and from the look on her face, she could. “It felt like quite a reach but ended up being exactly the right property for me,” Holden says.

Structurally, the house was sound, but all surfaces and floors needed updating, inside and out. And while Holden appreciated the eccentricity of the 1979 design (including solar features, suspended bedrooms, and a circular entryway), she preferred a more contemporary concept.

Holden, Briggs, and a contractor embarked on the seven-month project with Holden still out of state, save for a handful of site visits. “It was beautifully orchestrated,” Holden says. “We pulled something together remotely that completely exceeded my expectations.”

She chose to lean into the 1970s-style sunken living room, adding an additional step from the main level to make the transition feel more intentional. The layout was opened up between the kitchen and the dining room for entertaining large groups, and to better connect the indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Other dated holdovers—like fuchsia carpet and red Formica countertops—were replaced with light oak and a neutral color palette. Interior walls were painted white and the slate floor charcoal, creating a clean canvas for Holden’s eclectic mix of furniture and decor. With slate gray paint accentuating its strong vertical angles, the house looks almost sculptural against the deep green surrounds. The exterior is a work in progress, but Holden looks forward to making it her own. “It had always been my dream to build a house,” she says, “and I’ve fulfilled that, as much as I would have if it were built from the ground up.”

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MERCER ISLAND, WASHINGTON

Windermere’s Deirdre Doyle knew she’d found a needle in a haystack. Tucked in a quiet corner of Mercer Island, a dated three-bedroom midcentury had just gone on the market. The property was prime for a refresh, and she knew the perfect duo for the job.

Axel Iverson and Anya Gericke have a dozen restoration projects under their belts. Iverson, who comes from a long line of carpenters and has a background in home building, manages construction. Gericke, who received her design degree in Cape Town, covers all things interior and landscape. “This type of project is hard to pull off, but Axel and Anya are a dream team,” Doyle says.

While they appreciate a Pacific Northwest craftsperson, the two are particularly drawn to midcentury architecture. The house checked that box and more: It was in a great location with a view, had a solid floorplan, and possessed plenty of original features they could preserve, from a chandelier over the stairway to beams and paneling. Knowing that finding the right property can take a year or even two, they made an immediate offer.

As with all of their projects, Iverson and Gericke approached the house as though they’d be moving in themselves. Is there enough storage? Does the flow of the layout feel right? These questions led them to include a master en suite bathroom, a private family den, attached parking, and a more natural transition to the patio, among numerous updates. The aesthetic is warm and inviting, with classic midcentury touches. “We aim for a timeless design that won’t have to be updated in 15 years,” Iverson says.

The home’s midcentury lines allowed Iverson to utilize existing siding and patterns. They focused on updating the paint scheme and window treatments, refinishing the front deck with Ironwood flooring, and adding steel retaining walls to complete the modern look.

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