Windows of Hope—A Story of Renewal through Renovation with Fixer to Fabulous stars Dave & Jenny Marrs
HGTV’s Dave and Jenny Marrs help a storm-displaced family shed new light on their battered home with Simonton windows and doors.
Every home renovation is unique, but some go beyond structural changes and aesthetic updates. A trifecta of life-changing events disrupted the Trewett family’s sense of safety, security and peace of mind. The Trewetts, Mandy, Thomas, and their three young daughters were displaced by a tornado that brought destruction to their small town of Rogers in Northwest Arkansas. The family was at home when the tornado struck, huddling together in a tiny bathroom. A total of 11 trees fell on their property, with two directly hitting their home. They caused significant damage, even tearing a large hole in the roof. But the tornado wasn’t the only traumatic event that the family endured. Only a month before, Thomas and Mandy’s daughter was hospitalized with a serious illness, and a month before that, Mandy’s mother passed away. Having already spent three months away from their home in a small rental apartment, the family was eager to return to a life with more calm and normalcy.
HGTV’s “Fixer to Fabulous” stars Dave and Jenny Marrs were more than ready to roll up their sleeves and take the first steps in reimagining the Trewett home and making it a haven where the family could feel comfortable and safe again.
The Challenges: Dated, Dreary Design Compounded by Severe Storm Damage
The first priority was assessing how extensive the structural damage was, especially to the roof. On the Trewett’s wish list was a general brightening-up of the home’s darker, dated colors, and making better use of space in the kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms. Also of great importance to the family was visually bringing the outside in and being able to watch their daughters play outdoors, where, according to Thomas, “they create their own little worlds because they have very high imaginations.”
Built in 1978, the Trewett home had a dated brick exterior and an oversized fireplace that overwhelmed the interior. The inefficient layout was dark, and the small rooms needed more light and a better connection to the outside, as the original windows were old and inefficient.
The Solutions: Expansive Walls of Light to Renew and Restore
The Marrs team got to work tackling the basics by removing fallen trees, clearing debris and shoring up the tattered roof with new trusses, rafters and shingles. The damaged garage door was replaced, new lighting was installed, and a light two-tone paint was chosen for the exterior. To complete the exterior transformation, Dave and Jenny chose Simonton 5500 Double Hung windows. The black beveled exterior frames of the windows contrast dramatically with the light paint color for a stunning visual effect. The easy-to-clean exteriors will require minimal maintenance for many years to come.
Simonton 5500 Double Hung Window Features
A sophisticated beveled frame provides an aura of elegance
The sash tilts in and lifts out for easy cleaning from inside the home
Dual, low-profile, color-matched cam locks secure the window against the elements
Fusion-welded frame and sash ensure longevity and durability
A wide array of exterior and interior colors and grille options allows stylish customization
With an “all-hands-on-deck” approach, Dave and Jenny began conquering issues inside the house. In the large primary bedroom, Dave and Jenny were able to steal some space to create a large bathroom with his-and-hers basins and a walk-in closet with built-in storage for clothes and shoes. Simonton 5500 Double Hung windows elevate the sophisticated new look of the primary bedroom. Luckily, the team quickly discovered that the ungainly fireplace was actually a “fireplace within a fireplace.” On either side, the extra brick could be torn down very easily and quickly removed. The payoff was 32″ of extra space and a much more open and pleasant ambiance in the entryway. The outdated sunken floor in the living room was filled with cement to level it with the rest of the floor.
Dave and Jenny decided that the transformation of this much-used family space would be even more dramatic with a wall of light. They chose a Simonton MaxView Multi-Slide Patio Door to fit the bill. This door not only highlights the living room’s modern style but also helps provide year-round comfort. “The giant, 16-ft. sliding door runs along the entire wall,” Jenny said. “It lets so much natural light into the house.” The door is as functional as it is beautiful, with smooth-operating panels and a premium vinyl construction that is easier to maintain than wood or aluminum.
According to Jenny, brightening up the kitchen was one of the most challenging tasks. “The layout didn’t flow well, and everything felt really dark, heavy and clunky,” she said. Dave and Jenny decided that relocating the appliances to the far side of the room and opening up the dining room area was the best solution. They also agreed that the Simonton MaxView™ Multi-Slide Patio Door would be the perfect focal point of the enlarged room and would bathe the entire area in sunlight. With a maximized view and energy-efficient glass, the large Maxview door will let Mandy and Thomas watch their girls play outside while sipping their morning coffee in the cheery, sun-drenched space.
Simonton MaxView Multi-Slide Patio Door Features
Doors are available in 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 6-panel options
A unique seal is engineered to operate with remarkable ease
Available in custom sizing up to 10’ high or 30’ wide.
MaxView configurations include pocket, bypass, bi-parting and combinations of each.
The beauty of premium vinyl rivals that of wood but requires minimal upkeep
Panels can slide from one side to the other or open from either end.
The Joys of Home Rediscovered
After having experienced the traumatic storm and resulting damage to their home, the Trewetts needed a renewed place to feel happy, safe and secure again. Thanks to bright, happy colors, a more open and airier floor plan and spaces filled with sunlight through Simonton windows and doors, the Trewetts once again feel like this is home.
