Ep 12. Budget-Busting Victorian

In season 3 episode 12 of Good Bones, titled "Budget-Busting Victorian," the mother-daughter duo, Karen E Laine and Mina Starsiak, take on a daunting project of renovating a Victorian-style house in the Fountain Square neighborhood of Indianapolis, Indiana.

The house, built in the late 1800s, has great potential but is in need of a total gut-job. Its current state is far from the beauty it once was, with outdated and rundown interiors that the previous owners had left untended for years. The vastness of the project and the tight budget the clients have given them to work with challenge the seasoned home renovators.

Karen and Mina first assess the antique features of the home, such as the intricate rose-filled corbels on the exterior, the wide court door on the porch, and the beautiful original oak doors. They plan to maintain and restore these architectural details, blending them with modern amenities to give the house an updated look and feel.

One of the major hurdles in the renovation is the area's strict historical regulations. Despite almost every corner of the house needing repairs, the pair must ensure that any changes they make comply with strict historical guidelines to preserve the home's character and value. Challenges like this, however, do not deter the duo, who have shown time and again that even the most arduous of projects can be accomplished if one has the right mindset and skills.

The interior of the house is partitioned into smaller rooms, much like the era it was built in. The mother-daughter team plans to open up the space by rearranging the floor layout and removing some walls, thus creating a more open plan, which will increase the home's flow and functionality. They also hope to give the house a modern touch with an updated kitchen, new appliances, new electrical, and plumbing systems.

Another focus of the renovation is making the unfinished master suite functional and luxurious. They merge two rooms to make a more spacious bedroom and create a walk-in closet and a modern bathroom. For that luxurious touch, they opt for statement wallpaper in the bathroom and a stunning built-in headboard in the master bedroom.

Maintaining the home's period charm without sacrificing modern conveniences is at the core of the renovation. To achieve this balance, the duo sources unique and classic materials such as patterned tile design for the kitchen backsplash, hardwood flooring, and antique elevated light fixtures in the living room.

As with most home renovation projects, several surprises lay hidden within the walls and floors of the house—the team's expertise allows them to navigate and tackle these challenges with ease and creativity. One such surprise is the lack of structure and support in the ceiling, so they had to figure out how to add a bulkhead near the bed and within the larger room that would support the ceiling, but also give the room a grander, more proportioned look.

Like most budget-busting projects, this renovation doesn't escape the challenges that come with such an extensive overhaul. Karen and Mina have done well to stay within the client's budget, but at some point, decisions must be made on where to splurge and where to cut costs. The family also shows up unexpectedly midway through the renovation, and Karen and Mina must manage the emotions and expectations of their clients.

In conclusion, Good Bones season 3 episode 12, "Budget-Busting Victorian," is a perfect demonstration of the lengths Karen E Laine and Mina Starsiak will go to transform an old rundown estate into a vibrant, modern-day home. The episode's charm and character are plainly evident in the mother-daughter duo's passion for renovation and design, their can-do spirit and unwavering dedication to their craft. The duo demonstrates that with enough creativity, skill, and patience, it is possible to breathe new life into any old or rundown property, regardless of the budget constraints.