‘Happy To Be Property With the Benkos’

Chip and Joanna Gaines could be truth TV’s first partner-and-spouse renovation team, but nowadays there are so several more—and the most current to be part of the spouse and children are on their individual Magnolia Network.

“Happy To Be House With the Benkos” stars Mike and Gray Benko in Summerville, SC. As normal, Mike serves as the weighty lifter in construction, Grey as the designer. But in a new twist, Gray’s father “Grumpy” will work as the standard contractor.

In the episode “Happy To Make a Household a Household,” this trio visits Sarah and Colin Simon, whose home was constructed in 1861, when Abraham Lincoln was president.

This is not unconventional as the location is “filled with historic homes,” says Gray. “It’s seriously crucial to us to maintain these historic houses.”

And the way the team pulls it off is refreshingly unconventional, with plenty of color and curveballs to maintain factors interesting. Here’s how they could possibly inspire you to make some modifications close to your very own house, much too.

Cupboard curtains can get the job done sometimes

The house previously has a colorful nation kitchen with an “arsenic-colored” floor (in accordance to Grey) and blue and white gingham curtains instead than doorways on the reduce cupboards. Remarkably ample, Sarah likes all those previous-timey curtains, but she’s not very contented.

“I wish that we had a minor additional storage. There is a great deal of unused area and a ton of appliances that do not will need to be seen,” Sarah suggests, pointing to a pressure cooker that is on an open up shelf. “This is Mr. Equipment, and I really really don’t like on the lookout at him.”

Gray provides upper cabinets (with doorways) and retains the curtain on only just one decrease cupboard that matches the kitchen window shade. It is just the appropriate nod to this quaint design and style without going overboard on all the cupboards.

Islands are not for absolutely everyone

You can in no way have enough counter area in a kitchen, and generally, an island has been the perfect remedy for bringing in a lot more prep location without having growing the kitchen by itself.

However, Gray knows that a constructed-in kitchen island is also modern day for this country kitchen area. So she’ll insert “a seriously amazing farm table,” she tells the Simons. “Your kitchen begs for a farm desk.”

It is great for the area. You can eat on it, you can do the job on it, you can even go it all-around if you have to have to. Who requirements an island?

Eliminate shutters to permit in additional light-weight

The Benkos are turning a den/laundry place into an art studio for Sarah. Still the place is rather dim, because of to shutters that block the mild coming in.

“With it staying an art studio, you want all the mild that you can get,” Gray tells Sarah. “Those shutters are not first to the residence.”

“If they are not initial to the residence, I do not really feel really as linked to them,” suggests Sarah, providing Gray the go-in advance to clear away them.

The place is absolutely flooded with gentle when the shutters are absent.

Straightforward on the demo—you by no means know what is underneath

In Sarah’s studio, Mike and his crew diligently take out what seems to be like 1980s wall paneling. Guiding it they obtain buried treasure: beadboard.

“Beadboard is some thing that originated in England in excess of 4 generations in the past,” states Mike. “And a large amount of settlers that arrived to The usa would deliver this with them to remind them of what they remaining guiding.

“Why an individual would cover it up with low-priced siding is over and above me,” he proceeds, shaking his head. “But I know that Gray’s likely to see this and tumble in like with it. She’s going to want to repurpose it.”

And without a doubt she does, on the walls and on the ceiling. Good matter Mike was mild when prying the panels off!

Wallpaper provides lots of identity

“I’m a enormous admirer of wallpaper, for the reason that it’s 1 factor you can do to a area that will make a big impact, like that,” Gray suggests, snapping her fingers.

Boy, does she ever love wallpaper: She uses it in the kitchen area, in the laundry space, and even in a bed room, wherever she adds a scalloped wallpaper border to the fire and molding.

“I’m incredibly fired up about this actually lovely scalloped wallpaper border,” suggests Gray. “We talked about placing it close to the hearth, but I’m definitely tempted to set it all around the wall.”

And to everyone’s surprise, even that is effective.

Although some viewers could be worried that the style and design could be a tiny mad for this household, the owners are thrilled with the benefits.

“That went perfectly, I’m so relieved that they’re so content,” suggests Gray.

“Watching them wander all over and say things like, ‘I’m going to retain locating specifics for months to appear,’” claims Mike. “It’s just so wonderful to be capable to give that to an individual.”