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Tag: flip or flop

Posted on February 10, 2021

What the ‘Christina on the Coast’ Star Loves—and Hates—About Her Own Home

Christina Haack from “Flip or Flop” and “Christina on the Coast” may be reality TV’s darling of home design, but even she admits to regretting some choices she’s made with homes—even her own!

At least, that’s what we learned watching her new Discovery+ series “Christina: Stronger by Design,” where she contemplates her past and future plans to longtime friends Cassie Zebisch and Shannon Houston. Recently separated from her husband, Ant Anstead, she’s got a lot of thinking to do—and is jonesing to refresh their former family home in Newport Beach, CA, where she now lives alone. (The popular designer has announced she’ll now be going by her maiden name of Christina Haack.)

Granted, her house is gorgeous and she adores many parts of it, but there are definitely a few things she would change. Here’s what she loves, and hates, about her own home.

Related Articles

Hates: Wasted space in the backyard

Christina Haack designed this space to be a soccer field, but she doesn't use it as much as she thought she would.
Christina Haack designed this space to be a soccer field, but she doesn’t use it as much as she thought she would.

Discovery+

Haack’s backyard has a glamorous pool, kitchen, and plenty of lounge space. However, there’s one feature she regrets including: the soccer field.

Haack has found that she and her kids don’t use their soccer area regularly, which means all that green space often goes to waste. So she wants to change it up.

“I want to build, like, a pool house over there with a fireplace in it,” she says.

Haack has big plans for her backyard.
Haack has big plans for her backyard.

Discovery+

In addition to the fireplace, she’d like to include a TV and a big, cozy couch. She hopes this pool house can be a stylish space where she can hang out (in the shade) while watching her kids play.

Loves: The lounge area

Haack loves the look of her elegant great room.
Haack loves the look of her elegant great room.

Discovery+

While Haack will need to make some changes before the backyard feels fully functional, she’s already made her living room a convenient gathering space.

“I’m super happy with [the living] room,” she says. “I added some really cozy furniture and layered rugs, and a nice, long table to fit all my friends and family.”

Her favorite feature? The massive door to the yard.

“I love how the glass doors slide away and provide that indoor-outdoor living,” she says. “California is beautiful all year long, and we love being outdoors.”

Hates: Empty walls

Haack used to have an antique motorcycle in her living room, but now that it's gone, that space is unused.
Haack used to have an antique motorcycle in her living room, but now that it’s gone, that space is unused.

Discovery+

While Haack loves her lounge area, there is one spot here that needs fixing: an empty wall where an antique motorcycle used to be on display.

The motorcycle, which presumably belonged to Anstead, was a centerpiece and took up a lot of room. But now with it gone, Haack has a good chunk of wall space to fill.

And she already knows what to add: a drink station!

These are Haack's plans for her multipurpose drink station.
These are Haack’s plans for her multipurpose drink station.

Discovery+

She explains this drink station will have a liquor cabinet, a wine cooler, and even a spot for water and juice for the kids. Her friends love the idea.

“When you did my kitchen, one of my favorite places is my beverage bar,” Zebisch says, referring to her home renovation, which was featured in Season 1 of “Christina on the Coast.” “I have a fridge just for nonalcoholic beverages, and that’s probably one of my favorite things. I use that more than the wine bar.”

Construction is already underway for the drink station.
Construction is already underway for the drink station.

Discovery+

Construction is already underway for this fun feature, and already, it’s clear that this beverage station will be a big upgrade, which will surely increase the value of Haack’s home.

Loves: The relaxed master suite

Haack loves the tall ceiling in her bedroom.
Haack loves the tall ceiling in her bedroom.

Discovery+

Want to guess which room Haack loves the most in her home?

“My bedroom’s my favorite room in the house,” she says. “It just, like, has those high ceilings and the fireplace, and I just feel so cozy.”

Nonetheless, she does admit there’s some room for improvement. While the room is currently filled with neutral black and white decor, Haack thinks it may be time to give the space a more feminine feel.

It’s not clear yet what the bedroom refresh would look like, but we’re sure we’ll get a look sooner or later.

Hates: The lack of bathroom counter space

There's not enough counter space in this bathroom.
There’s not enough counter space in this bathroom.

Discovery+

Unfortunately, Haack’s biggest complaint about her home doesn’t have an easy solution.

In her “Christina on the Coast” renovations, this designer is always sure to give her clients functional bathrooms, often with designated makeup vanities. However, her own bathroom doesn’t have a makeup vanity—and even worse, it doesn’t have the space to add one.

“It’s not really the best bathroom for getting ready,” Haack says, pointing out the lack of mirrors and limited counter space.

Her small bathroom shows why it’s so important for buyers to know what they need before shopping for houses—whether that’s ample kitchen counter space, a designated folding spot in the laundry room, or room for a makeup vanity in the bathroom. It’s important to know that you’ll have the feature you need, or at least the option to add it later.

Loves: Her closet with built-in shelves

Haack's closet has many convenient built-ins.
Haack’s closet has many convenient built-ins.

Discovery+

Haack’s closet is a masterpiece of organization, which is why it’s one of her favorite parts of the house. It features many built-ins, which is perfect for her accessories.

“I love the closet because I sort of have a thing for shoes, and it’s nice because they’re all on display,” she says.

Plus, the space is set up well. The closet is long and rectangular to provide plenty of space for hanging clothes, and it’s located in the perfect spot.

“This closet’s super-convenient because it’s literally right off the shower,” Haack says.

Source: realtor.com

Posted on January 27, 2021

Tarek El Moussa and Christina Anstead’s Top Tips on Flipping Amid a Pandemic—and Beyond

Tarek El Moussa and Christina Anstead are expert house flippers and real estate pros, but even these two ran into hard times in 2020.

Last year, fans who tuned in to their hit series “Flip or Flop” or El Moussa’s solo show, “Flipping 101 With Tarek El Moussa,” heard plenty about how COVID-19 had thrown a wrench into their plans. Some renovations were delayed, while others abruptly changed course to accommodate new realities like working from home. The pandemic also put the pressure on to flip homes faster and with more safety precautions than ever.

It was a steep learning curve, but these house flippers learned a lot last year—and have tons to teach the rest of us on how to buy, sell, or renovate a house during a pandemic and beyond. Here we highlight some of their hard-won lessons and the pearls of wisdom within these stories for your own abode, too.

Related Articles

Have extra space? A guest suite is a great idea

This guest room is perfect for quarantining away from the rest of the household.
This guest room is perfect for quarantining away from the rest of the household.

HGTV

COVID-19 curveball: In the “Flip or Flop” episode “Stiff Competition,” El Moussa and Anstead bought a house with an oddly large second living area. So what did they do with all that extra space?

Since the pandemic had placed a premium on “close yet separate” living quarters where families could quarantine apart from one another if necessary (say, if someone got sick), they converted this bonus space into a guest suite with a bedroom, living space, full bathroom, and even a separate entrance.

Take-home lesson: Guesthouses, in-law suites, and other living arrangements that allow some separate-but-togetherness for extended family and friends have always been a smart idea. However, the pandemic has further prioritized this feature, since it’s not just about giving people privacy; it’s also about keeping people safe in a pandemic. This upgrade is sure to remain a hot commodity well into 2021, so if you’ve got the space, consider this a great investment in your property.

A home office is a must, and doesn’t need its own room

This office space is a simple, casual place to work.
This office space is a simple, casual place to work.

HGTV

COVID-19 curveball: In an episode of “Flipping 101” titled “Bad Energy BoHo,” El Moussa helped a couple renovate a house. Yet once COVID-19 hit midrenovation, they were forced to finish up in record time.

And with people suddenly working from home, El Moussa knew a home office was a must—yet with no time or space to build a separate room, they did the next best thing: They plunked down a desk in a far corner of the living room. It wasn’t as private as a dedicated workspace, but buyers were nonetheless drawn to this feature, proving that any office is better than none.

Take-home lesson: Not all households have room for a dedicated office, but don’t give up! A workspace can be carved out in some surprising places, from living rooms to garages and beyond.

For a fast upgrade, never underestimate the power of paint

This painted fireplace looks just as good as tile.
This painted fireplace looks just as good as tile.

HGTV

COVID-19 curveball: In the “Flip or Flop” episode “Busy Flip,” El Moussa and Anstead pondered how to upgrade a fireplace. While they typically loved covering this feature in bold, patterned tile, they also knew this upgrade would take a lot of time. Plus, since the pandemic had buyers flooding this suburban market, they’d have to flip fast to fetch a high offer.

That’s when El Moussa came up with a shortcut: They decided to simply paint the fireplace instead.

“This fireplace is actually in really good condition,” El Moussa told Anstead. “What if we just blasted the entire thing a bright white, see how it comes out?”

This solution not only saved time, but also $2,000 in tiling costs.

Take-home lesson: Sometimes it pays to take your sweet time renovating a house. But in a pandemic, if buyer demand is high, it may pay instead to just slap on a coat of paint and get your listing up, pronto!

While house flippers, owners, and sellers should never cut corners in terms of renovating safely, quick cosmetic shortcuts (like paint rather than intricate tilework) can save time and money and help you sell a house when the market is hot.

Fruit trees provide food and beauty in a backyard

Tarek El Moussa and Christina Anstead weren't sure what to do with this yard.
Tarek El Moussa and Christina Anstead weren’t sure what to do with this yard.

HGTV

COVID-19 curveball: In the “Flip or Flop” episode “Better Be Quick,” Anstead and El Moussa wanted to give their latest flip a great quarantine yard. With so many people stuck at home, flashy outdoor amenities had become all the rage. They knew that a pool, outdoor kitchen, or fire pit could make the next owner’s quarantine seem a little easier.

Still, Anstead also saw value in something that wouldn’t take them any time to renovate at all: the yard’s orange and avocado trees.

“We have a full, really awesome avocado tree out there. This is actually a big selling feature,” Anstead pointed out.

In the end, El Moussa and Anstead decided to keep the trees. After a simple pruning, the backyard looked like the perfect oasis, even without a pool or other posh features.

Sometimes, a simple backyard is best.
Sometimes, a simple backyard is best.

HGTV

Take-home lesson: With so many people spending more time at home, backyards with pools and outdoor kitchens have become more popular than ever. But never forget that trees—particularly trees that bear fruit you can eat—have their own special allure for anyone who wants to grow their own food. (Victory garden, anyone?)

Building shade for outdoor seating is a worthy investment

This patio would look even better with a pergola.
This patio would look even better with a pergola.

HGTV

COVID-19 curveball: While green space was a must-have in 2020, outdoor sitting areas were also in high demand. And so, in the “Flip or Flop” episode “Back House Flip,” El Moussa and Anstead tried to create a comfy back patio, and pondered adding a pergola to create some shade.

While they worked hard to make the yard and patio look beautiful, they decided that adding a pergola was too expensive. This was a big mistake. Without a pergola, the patio was too hot under the California sun.

“The tile looks really nice,” Anstead said when she walked out to the backyard, but “it would definitely be nicer if I was in the shade right now.”

Take-home lesson: Whether it be a front porch or a bench on the back deck, homeowners like having somewhere to hang out and enjoy some fresh air, in COVID-19 times or not. Still, sitting spaces need to be comfortable and well-designed if people are going to spend their time there. Spending a little extra money on a backyard covering can be a great investment—a lesson El Moussa and Anstead are sure to apply to future flips.

Source: realtor.com

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