On “Flip or Flop,” Tarek El Moussa and Christina Haack have been known to spend a pretty penny on their renovations, but their latest project is their most expensive ever.
In the Season 12 episode “Townhouse Flip,” Haack and El Moussa buy a fixer-upper in the luxurious beach city of Corona del Mar, CA. They pay a shocking $1.4 million, which leads them to believe that their upgrades should be nothing but the best.
“The value is so high here that we can spend a lot of money,” El Moussa says at the beginning of the project.
“We can do whatever we want,” Haack adds.
Read on to find out how Haack and El Moussa go all out on this ultraexpensive flip—and whether their gamble pays off. Along the way, you’ll learn some ways to give any home a high-end look, some of which don’t even cost that much.
Replace brick for a sleek, chic look
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When El Moussa and Haack first see the townhouse, they know the exterior will need some work. The patio is covered in brick, and El Moussa wants to completely update the look.
“What I’m talking about is this entire patio, gone, rebuilt,” El Moussa says. “Maybe we put in some bi-fold doors right here, some big glass doors, open this up this way.”
They replace the brick with gray tile, put in sliding doors, and add a $4,750 custom fire pit.
“It makes you want to hang out outside, which, you know, that’s what we were going for, the indoor-outdoor feel,” Haack says.
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While the expensive doors and the new fire pit elevate the space, it’s the new tile that really transforms this space into a chic, resort-style hangout. While brick can feel both charming and classic, modern tile will give any outdoor space a more luxurious feel.
A black and white house provides a dramatic contrast
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El Moussa and Haack want the exterior to make a real impression on potential buyers. So Haack suggests adding dramatic colors.
“As far as paint colors go, I really like the idea of doing this area right here black,” she says, gesturing to the first floor. “And then, up there we can do white. That way it pops.”
They give the home a bold black and white upgrade, which looks great. The high-contrast exterior sets the stage for the modern interior, and it helps set the house apart from other homes on the block. This color scheme also proves that a high-end, modern look doesn’t always cost a fortune.
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Watch: 6 Kitchen Improvements That Are Guaranteed To Pay Off
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Add wood tones to warm up a modern kitchen
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Inside, El Moussa wants to add an all-new, top-of-the-line kitchen but grossly underestimates the cost.
“Custom kitchen, high-end appliances, 25 grand?” El Moussa asks contractor Israel Battres.
Battres laughs, saying, “Just the appliances are going to be, like, 15 grand!”
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Still, El Moussa and Haack spare no expense, spending extra on custom black oak cabinets on the perimeter with a white oak island.
“We’re kind of going for an industrial-rustic look,” Haack says when showing El Moussa the samples.
The custom cabinetry is perfect for this high-end townhouse, offering a nice balance between a modern and natural style. The combination of black and white oak beautifully warms up a modern kitchen.
Backsplash not quite right? Paint over it
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‘Flip or Flop’ Unveils Its Most Expensive Renovation by Far—Does It Pay Off? appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.