HGTV star Carter Oosterhouse and his actress wife, Amy Smart, are giving Chip and Joanna Gaines a run for their money with one of their latest transformations: a total overhaul of an abandoned Michigan barn that saw the space transformed into a stunning dwelling.
Oosterhouse, 48, and Smart, 49, opened the doors to their run-down barn, which is situated at the back of their Traverse City, MI, property, for Magnolia Network‘s hit series “In With the Old.”
The couple confessed that they have been wanting to transform the barn into a real living space for quite some time, but they struggled to get the project started.
But with the Magnolia Network cameras following them, Oosterhouse—who has hosted multiple shows on HGTV—and Smart were no longer able to ignore the task that had sat unchecked on their to-do list since they purchased the home in 2005.
“The barn has been existing since 1890. It’s had so many lives. It’s had so much character, to bring it to this next state of its life, it’s overwhelming, but it’s also just going to be fantastic,” Oosterhouse said.
He explained that he “fell in love” with the barn in 2005 when the couple purchased the home, branding the area as “raw” and “untouched.”
However, the dad, who shares daughter Flora, 9, with “Just Friends” star Smart, noted that when they snapped up the home, they focused on fixing the main property and forgot about the barn.
Years later, with their main residence overhauled in full, the couple finally found themselves with enough time on their hands to tackle Oosterhouse’s dream space—and give it a new lease on life as a place where the duo can spend time with their loved ones.
“The real intention behind that is to create that space that people can use and people can gather and people can break bread. That to me screams of what that barn should be,” he explained.
When cameras entered the barn, viewers saw a run-down, dusty and empty space that boasted wooden panels that needed to be touched up.
The dad and home expert began by adding glass doors to the east and west sides of the barn so that natural light could flood inside.
He explained that he wanted one half of the barn to be turned into a living area that can be used “all season long” for guests to relax by the fireplace, while the other half will be a guesthouse with a main bedroom and two twin beds for visitors.
He added, “The main wall separating the space will be filled with insulated glass, keeping the heat in when it gets cold in the winter, but also bringing in light and spaciousness.”
While tearing apart the barn, the expert discovered the original rock wall that hadn’t been touched since the 1800s.
He added that, although most of the barn has maintained its structure, the south side wall will need to be replaced.
“This gets a lot of the elements, sleet, snow, rain, all that jazz. I want to seal up the entire barn,” he said.
Smart and Oosterhouse also showed viewers the other things that come into designing a space, including their shopping trips to buy new glass windows.
After picking up new windows, the dad brought in his sister, Sienna, who is an interior designer in Los Angeles.
“She is a rock star,” he said. “I know something like this barn is a great project that she can be a part of because she knows me. She knows my family.”
Starting with the kitchen, Sienna revealed that she would be putting in dark blue cabinetry and a light-toned backsplash.
Sienna also helped her brother and his wife decide where the bed should be placed in the main bedroom.
“We want my sister to stay there with her family. And that’s the whole idea behind this barn renovation is it’s a restoration, but it’s also a family gathering space. I want to make sure that it’s completed here for the holidays,” Oosterhouse said.
Showing off the transformation, the couple revealed the main floor of the barn now boasted a rustic chic aesthetic, came with a large dining table, a big couch, and multiple chairs—making it the perfect place for the family to gather.
The renovated kitchen featured navy cabinets, exposed beam, a white backsplash, and a matching white breakfast table.
The main bedroom also follows the same exposed beam theme and comes with a king-sized bed and a small window that allows guests to look out at the sweeping trees.
The other room in the barn overlooks the main floor and comes with two twin beds and lots of space for their daughter to play.
Finally, the bathroom now features gorgeous ivory penny tiles and a light green vanity.
“I love it, I think it turned out great,” the home pro said before thanking his family for “putting up with me for the last 10 months” as he renovated the space.
