The Gypsy Farmhouse – before and after

February 6, 2020

When we were lucky enough to buy the property back in 2011 that is now home to the JG store and the Wander Inn, it had a 1952 Sears kit house on it.

We lived in this house for several years as all 7 of us (mom, dad, amie, todd, me, cash baker & indie … plus 2 dogs, 1 fish, a stray cat named lassie, 4 goats, 8 chickens, 1 pony and a whole lotta junk) had just picked up and moved from College Station with no real plan on where we might actually lay our heads at night. We just knew this property was calling our name. This country side. And that the rest would fall into place. And it did. Sometimes, all 7 of us under 1 roof. With CB sleeping on a twin mattress beside our bed for countless nights (this was my favorite part because his middle of the night dream-induced giggles were priceless).

We filmed our first season on HGTV as we all piled in this house walton family style and as we built the JG store on the front of the property. It was a good house. It is a good house. It has such sweet memories.

waking up to a chilly morning after our first night in the farmhouse.
cuddles and coffee were in order.
i could just eat those chubby little wrists and hands up

And then dad made biscuits which led to this blog post years ago. And later that day, the kids decided to ride the fenceline like all good country folk and check out the property.

We didn’t make time for any renovations to this house while we were living in it but over the past year, we’ve given it a major eclectic farmhouse makeover … including a luxury bathroom (this was so needed), a completely gutted and renovated kitchen, updated flooring, vintage ceiling tins and of course, way different decor.

Keep reading for some pretty transformational before and afters. The before shots were taken the day we moved in back in 2010 so you’ll see a few cameos by 4 year old cash baker (insert crying emoji here).

before – note the popcorn ceiling, the carpet and basically everything else. it’s all gone now.
annnndddd after

Let’s break it down:

  1. we pulled up the carpet on the floor (yes, carpet. IN THE KITCHEN. people, this is likely illegal in all 50 states. do not put carpet in the kitchen. EVER.) and then stained the concrete ebony and then stenciled on top of that.
  2. we pulled out the cabinets and replaced with this retro fitted coke box we’ve been holding onto for years. we gotta admit, it’s pretty sweet.
  3. stainless steel counters (throwback to our restaurant days), industrial farmhouse stainless steel sink made complete with a retro faucet by signature hardware.
  4. new windows. all day. erday. new windows make a BIG difference.
  5. out with the taupe paint and in with the white.

major research landed us on this stove … it was the perfect size but still had a commercial look.

the refrigerator was awkwardly up on a ledge and nestled in a cove … it’s not like that anymore 🙂 we also moved the oven and knocked out that little tiny closet in the far right of this pic which really helped open up the room.
a vintage turquoise cart made the perfect microwave shelf and home for our fancy Pioneer Woman cookware. we hung the crown shelf from our pottery barn teen line above the cart for the cutest little plant shelf.
wine glasses and mason jars … the perfect combo
pretty much all you need to see in this pic is 4 year old cash baker and his excitement over moving into this house. i remember this like it was yesterday. it was as if his feet weren’t even touching the ground. life is so, so good.
elvis lives in the gypsy farmhouse

Moving on to the Living Room…

in case you’re unsure, this is the before shot.
buh bye popcorn ceiling. hello pressed tin. adios carpet and good riddance taupe paint. we also knocked out the corner cabinet for more space.
scored this old banquette circa 1950’s from an old theater in houston
say goodnight gracie. we bought this black and white george burns art almost 15 years ago…it’s still one of our faves.

We like to say home is where the record player is … or something like that.

this Jack Ingram sign we scored at finally found the perfect home. that chippy peely door to the left is a cute little powder room with maps decoupaged on the walls and a vintage turquoise pedestal sink.

On to the master bedroom and our personal fave, the master bathroom…

master bedroom before
because all the walls are sheetrock in this house, we wanted to incorporate a vintage look so we added salvage bead board to one wall in the master bedroom.

Custom handmade headboard made by Doug Forrest, cushy bedding, top of the line mattresses from Hermann Furniture in Brenham, patchwork dropcloth curtains with JG art, pottery barn rug, desert sunsets lampshades, and a fab metallic tufted sofa. Honey Hush.

master bathroom had this awkward little dressing area and the shower/toilet area was wayyyyyy too small. soooo….

Let’s break it down:

  • knocked out the wall that created the awkward dressing space in order to make a larger bathroom
  • tore up the carpet and laminate flooring and replaced with this boho star tile with asphalt colored grout from Home Depot
  • used old church doors with stained glass on sliding barn door hardware
  • installed a luxury shower with classic subway tile and signature hardware fixtures
  • installed insanely epic copper claw foot tub with insanely epic faucet
  • incorporated salvaged wood behind tub
  • swapped out 1980 cabinetry and vanity light with for pedestal sink and vintage pendant lights
  • and last but not least, added a unicorn for good luck

Now let’s move on upstairs … but first, let’s chat about this stairwell…

The obvious crimes: carpet, taupe paint, no personality, bad lighting, popcorn ceiling.

The solution: white paint, no more popcorn ceilings, copper risers on the stairs, boho chandeliers, marquee letters gifted to you from your good friend, Miranda Lambert ….

Anddddd always throw in a cute weenie dog for good measure!

We wanted this farmhouse to be space for large number of people to gather … so we incorporated 2 queen beds into each of the upstairs bedrooms. So y’all can stay in this house walton family style like we did!

upstairs room #1: this was cash baker’s old bedroom … we love the “treehouse” feel of both of these upstairs rooms.

Handwoven Matazlan blankets top off matching queen Wander Inn duvet covers. Rodeo Roses lampshade looks even prettier when the lamp is turned on.

upstairs room #2 – the beds are close which gives it a real slumber party feel.

And the upstairs bathroom ended up being a pretty simple project…we changed out the sink vanity, the mirror, the vanity lights and completely gutted the shower.

we used an old grand piano leg and chippy peely bead board for the sink. we also replaced the door with this salvage barn style door because it has awesome pinkish paint on it.
snagged this sign at the Country Living Fair in Ohio this past September …
pretty much love it here.

Lest us not forget the back porch … custom adirondacks handmade right here in Round Top, vintage patio set underneath the most classic of old fashioned ceiling fans, a Hunter original.

for stargazing, marshmallow roasting, and priceless fellowship with family and friends…

Well, that about wraps up your official Gypsy Farmhouse tour…the only thing left to do is for you to come see it in person!

And yes, we have a horseshoe above every door. Always turned up for good luck. 😉

Even more fun details coming to the Wander Inn, y’all! We’re currently working on a bath house for camping and events, a dry sauna, and maybe a pool will be in the near future! What do y’all think of a pool? Does that influence where you like to stay on vacations? Tell us what you think! We’d love to know! Also, let us know what you think about the Farmhouse!!

XOXOOXOX!!! The whole Sikes fam…

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31 Comments

  • Reply Lois Pendley February 10, 2020 at 12:34 pm

    What a transformation!!!! What a Blessing!!! I love everything you have done. I LOVE the Coca-Cola sink!!! What a good idea!! You ladies are so creative. I watched your show when it was on and thought about all the things you have accomplished!
    Be Proud!!! You and your families have earned every bit of the love that others are giving you.
    Is your program ever aired anymore? I keep looking for it. I am so looking forward to getting to you store. I live outside of the town of Liberty Hill, Texas. We only moved here about a year ago. I have been using your book as an inspiration for my new home. I will probably get to your place sometime in the Spring or Summer to shop.
    God Bless Y’all.
    Love, Lois

    • Reply Susan February 10, 2020 at 6:24 pm

      Great house I live in the sear Kit in Massachusetts

    • Reply Jolie Sikes February 11, 2020 at 1:08 pm

      love this comment so much! thank you so very much for sharing! we came up with the idea for the sink but our dad was the mastermind behind making it happen. good ole dad! 🙂

  • Reply Christine Wampler February 10, 2020 at 12:53 pm

    YES on a pool! Especially in Texas. Please heat it too and have a hot tub. Definitely influences where I stay.

    • Reply Jolie Sikes February 11, 2020 at 1:07 pm

      noted!! and thanks for the input!

      • Reply Tami November 27, 2021 at 8:02 pm

        Jolie,
        I’m considering stainless countertops in my barndo …. How have your held up? Do the scratch? Did you have to order them from a restaurant supplier?

  • Reply Becky Murray February 10, 2020 at 1:28 pm

    I absolutely LOVE your Renovation on this house!! Favs: Coca-Cola sink; sink in upstairs bath, wood ceiling upstairs, copper tub, signs and Everything else you did!!! And, of course, the Turquoise!! Great vision!!

    • Reply Jolie Sikes February 11, 2020 at 1:07 pm

      THANK YOU sooo much!! love hearing your faves!

  • Reply Connie Hinkle February 10, 2020 at 1:32 pm

    Where can I find one of those Thunderbird lights like you have over the fireplace. The whole house is lovely and unique!

    • Reply Jolie Sikes February 11, 2020 at 1:07 pm

      this was part of our line with Round Top Collection. unfortunately, they are not producing these any longer.

  • Reply Kimberley Christy February 10, 2020 at 6:16 pm

    What is not to love about all of it!! You need to come and help me add those touched to my house! You girls/guys never disappoint~love your style. Please keep sharing. I will come glamp as soon as the glamper is done! So work on that camp area!!

    • Reply Jolie Sikes February 11, 2020 at 1:06 pm

      thanks so much! you’ll definitely have to come glamp!!

    • Reply Priscilla Patureau-Lemoine February 25, 2020 at 9:54 pm

      Oh my heart!! It’s just as fabulous as I expected it to be. I cannot wait to take a girls trip & stay in it for a few days. Unfortunately for me, it’s already booked for April & October Round Tops. When can I book for 2021 Round Top?!?!

      • Reply Jolie Sikes February 27, 2020 at 11:49 am

        yesss!! please come!! give kelley a call regarding 2021 … 979.249.5865

  • Reply Diana February 10, 2020 at 10:53 pm

    Love every nook and cranny of this house! My daughter and I are junk gypsies and visit you as often as we can!! We just love you all and every single thing you create! God has bless you with great creativity and the ability to spark a revival for all things junk!!! Thank you!!

    We sure miss your show and hope it comes back sometime in the future. For now, we are content to make the 3 hour drive from Comfort to go see y’all and everything y’all are doing! Cannot wait to see what more you will be doing!

    Blessings,
    Diana

    • Reply Jolie Sikes February 11, 2020 at 1:06 pm

      THANK you sooo much!!! So glad y’all have made it down to our neck of the woods! y’all come back soon!

      • Reply Joni Paxton February 13, 2020 at 5:40 pm

        Please, please let me know when you have your junk Gypsy barn sale! We were there and walked into the barn, the guy hurried us out and said it was only open a couple of times a year!!! What!!! But I see a chandelier there on the floor I desperately need in my life!!! Lol Jolie, you came out to see pictures of our school bus, we even got you dad to see them!!! We so loved meeting you both, next time maybe we can meet Amie and the matriarch of your family, your Mom!!!

        • Reply Jolie Sikes February 27, 2020 at 11:50 am

          are you on our email list? that’s the best way to stay up on when the barn will be opened! so sorry you didn’t get to spend some quality time in there! so great meeting y’all!!!!

  • Reply stephanie February 11, 2020 at 10:17 am

    so Damn Daring. cant wait to see it in person one day, headed down for the Prom in April. Beyond excited!!

    • Reply Jolie Sikes February 11, 2020 at 1:05 pm

      ahhhh thanks so much!! you’ll definitely have to come for a stay! see ya this april!

  • Reply Denise February 12, 2020 at 1:17 pm

    LOVE, love, love everything you did !!! Question…is the copper tub new or a refinished old one?

    • Reply Jolie Sikes February 27, 2020 at 11:51 am

      it’s new! from signature hardware!

  • Reply Connie Polito-Nunn February 14, 2020 at 4:55 pm

    I am a huge fan! Visit the Antique Fair every season and your store is ALWAYS my first stop. My sister-in-love travels from Illinois to attend with me. Love the Wonder Inn and the farmhouse. Looking forward to staying on site on my travels to Round Top soon. You guys ROCK! and YES on the pool…..definitely YES!

    • Reply Jolie Sikes February 27, 2020 at 11:50 am

      thanks for the pool vote! we’ll keep ya posted when we get things underway!!!

  • Reply Mary Beth Wood March 2, 2020 at 9:00 pm

    I just LOVE before & after pics!!! So satisfying. While I’m loving everything y’all did, I’d have to say my favorite is the painted/stenciled floor. So. Much. Fun. Great Job!!!

  • Reply Carol Green April 15, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    You people. You people. You are MY PEOPLE! No one gets my style like you do. Thank you for being you.

    • Reply Jolie Sikes April 15, 2020 at 5:23 pm

      ahhhh thanks!!! hopefully you can come stay when all of this craziness blows over!

  • Reply Lacey welch-trobaugh April 30, 2020 at 8:10 am

    Much love from up here in Tennessee! How about a round galvanized watering trough as the pool (so the kids can play and splash without mama having to fight their water wings 🧘🏼‍♀️) and an oval watering trough as a hot tub 🌊🔥 ?!
    My husband and I revamped his grandparent’s old country store/gas station and turned it into our classic truck restoration shop/house about 8 years back. We did every bit of the revamp ourselves…while running the shop….with what cash we had on hand…. as we lived there…. with 2 kids….. talk about mama trying…. So I definitely understand that circus ladies!! Nothing beats turning somewhere you’ve made so many memories into a home…
    That being said, I’m a glutton for punishment so I bought a farmhouse built in 1908 right after I had my 3rd son, Rowdy Sue, and we revamped it from “aww poor thing has been a rental house for 15 years and the kitchen looks like a cut rate horror movie (dead mouse next to the Bible on the counter and all)” to “Oh My GoOoOdNeSSsSsS, ridiculous, make yo mama proud, honey hush-ery!” So I LOVE that y’all share these before and after revamps because it keeps me on the hunt for the next revamp of my own and proves to my husband that I am not the only wild woman out there… Cue Martina McBride’s “Wild Angels”….
    Our lil fam of 5 can’t wait to come down and stay with y’all! It’s awesome that there seems to be plenty of room and the atmosphere looks so family inviting because so many places are a lil too buttoned up for my crew’s taste these days…
    Y’all keep at it, and we will too. Deal?
    @The_Pink_Buffalo
    Pinky 🎰💋✍🏻

    • Reply Jolie Sikes May 1, 2020 at 9:56 am

      love all of this! we actually have plans for an outdoor “cowgirl hot tub” here at this farm house ….it’s coming soon! Love the story of your farm house reno! it keeps every day interesting, huh?! We would love to have y’all down here anytime!!!

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