“Plus, older houses have so much character,” Jeff says.
“For me, the older the house, generally the better.”
Their 1970s ranch wasa time capsule for its era, and every room needed updates.
Credit: Brie Williams
The Whittakers kept thebest ’70s elements, including this slate porch that extends into the entry.
“Our biggest goal was to make the house feel bright and open,” Catherine says.
“We wanted it bright and happy and really livable.”
The result is a sunny ranch that’s befitting the 2020s.
Jeff and Catherine considered IKEA cabinets for their kitchen, but a local shop had better prices.
Because Jeff is handy and loves a project, he and his brother installed them over four days.
Jeff tweaked a pair of over-refrigerator cabinets to fit under theapron-front sinkin the island.
The storage bank consists of six upper cabinets stacked two wide and three tall.
Jeff built a wood platform to elevate them off the floor.
Credit: Brie Williams
Catherine found one of the chandeliersat a neighbor’s garage salefor free.
She commissioned a local lighting shop to create another to match it.
Two for the price of one!
Credit: Brie Williams
The vent hood of tongue-and-groove boards is a Jeff original.
Jeff converted one corner of the kitchen into a dry bar anddrink station, complete with beverage fridge.
In very groovy ’70s fashion, one corner of the living room featured a wet bar behind bifold doors.
The Whittakers converted the space tobuilt-ins for display and storage.
Catherine commissioned the painting above the fireplace from a local artist she discovered on Facebook.
“I love original art,” she says.
“It’s a worthwhile investment.”
Vaulting the ceilingrevealed that cinder blocks met the roof line instead of the fireplace bricks.
Jeff sheathed the wall in white-painted tongue-and-groove boards for a cohesive look.
Credit: Brie Williams
White paint everywhereturned the room from dark and dreary to bright and fresh.
Jeff built a slim rack next to the hearth to keep firewood in easy reach.
The furniturea mix of new and vintageis family-friendly.
Credit: Brie Williams
The Whittakers modernized the living room’s French doors to the sunroomwith black paint.
Catherine nabbed this Lucite-and-glass table at a local thrift store.
The Whittakers were wise about what they renovatedand what they left alone.
Once the hall bath’s faucets were repaired, the bath was totally functional.
Catherine snapped up the pricey burlwood nightstand for a song at a thrift store because its drawer was broken.
It was an easy fix.
Catherine hunted high and low for matching vintage spindle beds.
She finally found two similar Jenny Lind beds from different sellers and painted them white to unify them.
The pink curtains were a Facebook find.
Credit: Brie Williams
Catherine let out some of the pleats so they’re wide enough to cover the big window.
The hanging chair is another Facebook score.
“It’s vintage and so fun!”
A neighbor who is a graphic designer whipped up silhouettes of 6-year-old twins Margot and Louise in Photoshop.
Catherine framed and hung them over their beds.
In 8-year-old Hazel’s bedroom, a gleaming brass bed takes center stage.
It shined up just enough and kept a beautiful patina."
We picked their brains for tips on finding the best deals.
That consistency pays off with big bargains.
Credit: Brie Williams
“You have to cast a wide net,” Catherine says.
