Ep 5. Rhapsody in Beige

In episode 5 of season 2 of Bargain Mansions, titled "Rhapsody in Beige," the mother-daughter renovation duo, Tamara Day and Tammy, take on a massive 1950s Mid-century modern home which has fallen into disrepair. The home is situated in a picturesque neighborhood in Mission Hills, just south of downtown Kansas City, MO. The episode unfolds with Tamara and her team taking a quick tour of the massive estate, including its charming mid-century details and a large pool area.

Tamara expresses her excitement for the renovation of the home, which she believes has high potential for renovation, given its unique architectural and design features. Tamara's complete renovation of the property will require her to draw on her creative renovating skills, as the home has been untouched since the 1950s, requiring the renovation team to update everything from electrical systems to cabinetry.

The home boasts an incredible amount of natural light, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors found throughout the property. The first floors have not changed much over the years but are laden with dingy and outdated paint. Tamara's renovation will remove much of the beige paint that covers the walls and will replace it with a pop of color to give it a more modern and fresh look.

Tamara and her team quickly get to work to modernize the 50-year-old structure, beginning with a complete overhaul of the property's foundation. The team uses a Wrecking Bar to knock down walls, break up concrete, and remove the foundation. With the foundation removed, Tamara can start to add new elements, such as wiring, plumbing, and the framework for the new walls.

Tamara decides to embrace the home's Mid-century modern style by creating an open-plan design with a seamless connection between the home's indoor and outdoor spaces. To achieve this, Tamara expands the kitchen to encompass one of the house's unused spaces, allowing the owners to cook and entertain guests from the heart of the home, enjoying the home's beautiful outdoor spaces.

Throughout the episode, Tamara focuses on refitting the home with modern and highly functional features while respecting the original structure's integrity and design details. One of the most significant changes was creating more living spaces by adding a new living room on the first floor, which could be utilized as an entertainment hub for guests. Tamara's expertise in using upcycled design elements is in full effect in Rhapsody in Beige.

The renovation team focuses on the home's living spaces' refurbishment, returning it to its former glory, complete with bespoke shelving and a fresh coat of paint. Metallic trim on the highlights complement the property's Mid-century design features, which the renovation team expertly highlights throughout the property.

Episode 5 of season 2 of Bargain Mansions drops subtle hints on how the home's outdoor area will be updated during the renovation process. Tamara hints at adding either a summer kitchen or an extended deck area to the vast outdoor space that rests between large swaths of green lawn and walled pool area. The new additions will not only transform the space but provide the perfect relaxing retreat where the lucky owners of the property can entertain guests or unwind after a long day.

Rhapsody in Beige wraps up with a complete renovation of the historic building, remaining true to its roots while channeling a modern aesthetic. The renovation team modernized the home with high-end finishes and practical designs while preserving its Mid-century design features and elegance. Their passion for renovating and preserving the building's historical elements shines through in this episode as Tamara and Tammy give it a new lease on life and a fresh start for the next owner of this magnificent home.