HGTV
You already know and love Christina Anstead from “Flip or Flop,” the HGTV hit that follows Anstead and her ex-husband, Tarek El Moussa, as they transform grungy, run-down houses into jaw-dropping neighborhood gems.
Now, Anstead is also hard at work helping homeowners create the home of their dreams on “Christina on the Coast.”
And while Anstead’s signature beachy, SoCal design aesthetic usually impresses homeowners and buyers, she does sometimes miss the mark. (Hey, she can’t be perfect all the time!) Don’t make the same mistakes Anstead has made—instead, take notes on these home design flops so you can learn what not to do with your own home.
A kitchen that’s all white
HGTV
It’s no secret that Anstead loves white kitchens—they’re clean, contemporary, and elegant. But sometimes she takes this white obsession a bit far. During one renovation, Anstead transformed a couple’s kitchen by adding white cabinets, a white farmhouse sink, a tan tile floor, and light-gray countertops.
The fix: Luckily, Anstead learned from her past mistakes while renovating another kitchen on “Christina on the Coast.” Though she selected white cabinets and countertops, she installed a bold, navy-blue backsplash throughout the kitchen, which adds just the right amount of color to what could have been a bland design.
Bathtubs rather than showers
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Even while renovating her own master suite with her new hubby, Anstead made sure to incorporate a bathtub into the bathroom’s design. But bathtubs aren’t always the answer, since they can make a bathroom look dated and cluttered.
The fix: In another renovation, Anstead ditched the existing bathtub-shower combo and replaced it with a stunning shower-only design. With floor-to-ceiling glass shower doors, the renovated bathroom looked large and inviting.
Too minimalist an aesthetic
Anstead loves a modern, minimalist style with hard lines and industrial materials. She often chooses white or neutral paint colors, hangs very few paintings or photographs, and features just a few tastefully staged knickknacks. But that style doesn’t necessarily work for everyone, especially families who want their space to feel homey and personal.
The fix: In her own home, Anstead experimented with more bold statement pieces than ever before. She added huge, custom sayings to the walls, including lyrics from Elvis Presley‘s song “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Her new home was anything but sterile; it was nice to see a more personal touch.
Too many cabinets
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Like many of us, Anstead typically gravitates toward traditional upper kitchen cabinets—big, tall, and, perhaps most importantly, with doors. But in a small kitchen, huge, bulky upper cabinets can sometimes make the room look small and stuffy.
The fix: Anstead gave one couple the best of both worlds by installing open shelves on one wall and traditional upper kitchen cabinets on another. The open shelves created a light, airy vibe that was perfect for showing off the couple’s unique style.
Not enough storage
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Can a home really have too much storage? Probably not. Even so, Anstead sometimes skimps on storage. While renovating her friend’s master bedroom, Anstead removed an entire wall of closet organizers to make the room feel larger.
The fix: Anstead has learned to use every available nook and cranny to create extra storage space. In one episode, she added a row of lower cabinets and floating shelves to a spacious dining room for added storage.
Too much stone and metal
HGTV
It’s no secret that Anstead loves crisp, clean design. She often uses industrial metal fixtures and stone countertops and backsplashes, including marble, granite, and quartz. But these stone and metal design elements can sometimes make a room feel cold and uninviting.
The fix: Anstead has started to incorporate wood tones into her renovations. She has used natural wood to help warm up a room by adding wooden barn doors, reclaimed wood accent walls, and wooden fireplace mantels.
Busy backsplashes
HGTV
In one “Christina on the Coast” kitchen remodel, Anstead decided to combine two separate tiles to create one unique backsplash. The reason? The homeowners just couldn’t decide on a single backsplash they both liked. But by trying to offer a compromise, Anstead created a busy and downright bizarre backsplash.
The fix: In other renovations, Anstead has kept the backsplash simple yet powerful. She has installed monochromatic tiles in an unexpected geometric pattern, or chosen tiles with a pretty pattern in neutral colors.
Going over budget
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Boy oh boy does Anstead love to spend money—in fact, it’s practically one of her signature moves on “Christina on the Coast.” She loves to incorporate high-end finishes and expensive structural changes into her projects.
The fix: Anstead knew she needed to rein it in with one couple, whose budget was fixed at a mere $1,500. Somehow she managed to completely transform their master bedroom into a relaxing retreat with just a few simple changes. Big wow factor, small budget—she can do it, after all!
The post Christina Anstead’s Worst Design Fails That’ll Make You Cringe appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
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