Before and After: HGTV’s “Love It or List It” Turns Designer Hilary Farr from Star to Client

After years of redesigning the houses of others, HGTV star Hilary Farr decided to put her skills to the ultimate test. In the latest episode of “Love It or List It,” the designer opted to renovate her own recently purchased home. Along the way, she had to impress co-host David Visentin, who was skeptical of the cramped house and encouraged her to list it and buy a different property nearby. 

“I want to consider a different lifestyle,” Farr said, “And I like the idea of living in a smaller but fabulous space.”

Although Farr was initially looking to simply renovate and keep some of the house’s classic cottage charm, structural issues and a termite infestation led her to eventually demolish the entire property and build from the ground up (and add in a second floor). She kept a similar footprint to the original house, in an effort to use the same permit and avoid further delaying the project, which helped her maintain some of the property’s original aesthetic appeal. 

Even before she started the renovation, Farr knew that she wanted a total brick home. The original exterior was a one-story structure with green-gray siding and a simple porch. The yard was expansive and lush, with a few massive bushes that shielded the front of the property. After laying the foundation and building the structure of the house, Farr chose a lighter brick that would complement her black roof and windows. 

“I chose this specific spray foam insulation, along with natural bricks for the exterior, both of which will help reduce energy consumption,” Farr explained.

Inside the house, Farr went for a modern white look with a few strategic pops of color. In the kitchen, she opted for contemporary luxury and ease. The countertops were entirely white (with a black, storage-filled base). Farr had her team add a kitchen island and four chairs for casual mealtimes (outside of the dining room). She included a fridge, double ovens, a stovetop, sink, dishwasher, freezer, and small wine fridge to help get the most out of the large space. “This kitchen is a huge selling feature for people who love to cook,” Visentin remarked, upon seeing the final reveal. Farr also chose light wood herringbone flooring, which extended from the kitchen into the living room. 

The living room, which was built off of the back of the house, featured lots of natural light. Farr added large glass doors, which led out to the deck and yard. Like the kitchen, the walls were a bright white, but the fireplace (the focal point of the room) added a simple gray to the room. Farr brought in a blue couch, blue accent chairs, a white coffee table, and a bare-bones rug. The simple, minimal layout of the room was designed so that Farr’s grandchildren could run around with ease during big gatherings.

Although she was displeased with some of the developments, Farr ultimately decided to “love” the property and stay in it — for now.

“Love It or List It” airs Mondays at 9 pm E.T. on HGTV and discovery+.