Bargain Mansions Season 1 Episode 5 From Studs to Spindles

From Studs to Spindles, the 5th episode of season 1 of Bargain Mansions follows Tamara Day and her team as they aim to transform a dilapidated 1903 Craftsman bungalow in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Kansas City into a magnificent modern single-family home with traditional and sophisticated finishes.

Tamara and her team encounter a daunting challenge in this episode due to the home's condition. The house has no electricity or plumbing. The foundation is cracked, and all the rooms have walls coated with wallpaper which have been painted over repeatedly. Additionally, they cannot install air conditioning because of the absence of proper ventilation.

Tamara starts by updating the outside of the house and replacing all the door, window, and trim sections. She extends the platform in front of the door, and replaces the worn out lattice with a new Craftsman design. She keeps the color scheme natural and simple to match the surrounding trees. The new porch railing is also impressive as it is custom designed and unique to the house.

Once inside, Tamara removes the wallpaper from most parts of the house while retaining a piece of it that was stapled over the original built-in bookshelf in the dining hall. The team sprays the plaster walls with paint to create perfect colors that will highlight the stained-glass windows which Tamara intends to preserve. She adds a contemporary twist to the lighting by choosing a chandelier that is both classic and modern to suit the ambiance of the living area.

No room in the house has an open concept. Therefore, the team decides to take down a wall in the kitchen to create the airy space that the buyer desires. Tamara takes her time to unclog the original built-in cabinets, and smoothens the remaining open shelf for use. Tamara also installs new windows to let in the natural light of the sun and provide an excellent view of the backyard. She utilizes subway tiles with a flat and shiny finish to cover the backsplash and also substitutes the countertop with the high-end Carrara quartz.

The team also uncovers an additional room which was initially a closet but had been later converted to an office. Tamara added a refined finish to the space by ensuring that everything matched perfectly. She aligns the shelves, cabinets, and countertop to make a cohesive and functional room.

Finally, Tamara transforms an old bedroom into a new bedroom with a modern approach. She designs the room with clean lines to provide a serene and soft balance. She uses soothing colors, geometric wallpaper, and navy-blue carpet to bring some fun and empowers symbolism to the room. Tamara also swaps out the single door for a double one to create a more unique and bespoke look.

Ultimately, From Studs to Spindles captures Tamara and her team's creative approach to renovating large homes. They meticulously worked from each section to create a house that is up-to-date, yet with a traditional and modern feel. Tamara's ability to keep costs low and never compromises quality, as well as her team's positive outlook and flexibility, contributed to turning the house into a beautiful home that anyone would love to own.