Stunning Makeovers From 'The Flipping El Moussas'

Tarek and Heather Rae El Moussa are combining their real estate know-how and flipping stunning high-end homes throughout Southern California.

By: Chelsey Bowen

Show: The Flipping El Moussas

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Photo By: Gilles Mingasson

The El Moussas

Newly married with a baby on the way, Tarek and Heather Rae El Moussa, of The Flipping El Moussas, are venturing into another partnership: flipping high-end homes. For more than a decade, Tarek's success with his house-flipping business has only grown. Now it’s time for Heather to bring her vast knowledge of luxury real estate into the picture. As one of the country’s most famous real estate agents, she knows what’s needed to attract upscale buyers. Ahead: The couple shows just how awesome their joint efforts can be. (Spoiler alert: These before-and-after photos are impressive.)

see more: The Flipping El Moussas

Before: Dining Room

For Heather’s first-ever flip, the couple tackled a four-bedroom, three-bathroom home in the Silverlake area of Los Angeles. The home left much to be desired, but its biggest selling point was its incredible view.

After: Dining Room

Tarek and Heather opened up the kitchen to the dining space and installed new glass doors and glass balcony railings, all framed in black, to make the most of the picturesque view. Inside, midcentury-modern furniture and lighting complement the minimalist backdrop of light wood floors and crisp white walls.

see more: 14 Decor Items HGTV Stars Use In All Their Designs

From: Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa

Before: Living Room

Floor-to-ceiling oak paneling was a moment — 75 years ago. Located in Big Bear, California, this flip is in a prime mountain vacation spot, but it’s been left firmly in the past. The El Moussas wanted to create a vacation home that would stand out among the rest.

After: Living Room

It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do. The El Moussas whitewashed the ceiling to open up the space. Stained beams and black-painted wall paneling offers chic juxtaposition. Elegant furniture is centered on the newly painted white fireplace, which now features a locally sourced live-edge mantel.

see more: 20 Living Room Decorating Ideas From HGTV Stars

From: Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa

Before: Kitchen

There’s nothing wrong with a little retro styling, but those outdated appliances no longer worked. And the oak cabinets? A sign of yesteryear.

After: Kitchen

Right on trend, green cabinetry and a smarter layout completely transform this kitchen. The couple turned the former refrigerator into a breakfast bar with open shelving and much-need cabinet storage. And just because these homeowners couldn’t use the original appliances didn't mean they had to sacrifice the retro vibe. Vintage-inspired appliances and a petite farmhouse sink are perfect charming additions.

see more: 26 Open Shelving Ideas for Your Kitchen

From: Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa

Before: Bathroom

In Long Beach, California, this main bathroom was a study in the most basic. A huge part of Heather’s role in the flips was to bring on-trend elements into the homes to make them more appealing to buyers.

After: Bathroom

No more builder basic here. Large grout lines add a decidedly stylish touch to the vertically laid wall tiles, which Heather paired with contrasting black tile in the shower. Custom mirrors, fixtures and pulls in brushed brass bring metallic glam to the soft-gray vanity.

see more: 99 Stylish Bathroom Design Ideas You'll Love

From: Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa

Before: Living Room

This living room had great square footage and a beautiful bay window to start. It simply needed a cosmetic refresh.

After: Living Room

A matte black bay window is the stunner of this neutral living room. Gray, wide-plank wood floors ground the space, while comfy furnishings in creamy taupes form a cozy yet refined gathering area. Pillows, artwork and houseplants deliver pops of soft color.

see more: 20 Neutral Living Room Ideas From HGTV Stars

From: Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa

Before: Bedroom

One glance at the carpet in this room proved it was time for a refresh. The home’s exterior has a traditional Spanish aesthetic, so Tarek and Heather decided to renovate with a modern Spanish style in mind.

After: Bedroom

The result: The team laid dark ebony floors throughout the entire home to provide the perfect foil for pretty-in-neutral walls and furnishings. An embellished rug not only adds softness underfoot but also establishes major texture. The once-white brick fireplace is covered in stucco, a nod to the modern Spanish design of the home.

see more: 50 Dreamy Bedroom Designs From HGTV Stars

From: Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa

Before: Living Room

Heavy, dark furniture in a wood-paneled room might make one a bit claustrophobic. Built in 1955, this mountain cabin hadn’t been updated in decades. Knowing the home would most likely be bought as a vacation rental, Tarek and Heather wanted to make sure it would stand out on rental sites.

After: Living Room

Throughout his years of flipping, Tarek's approach has always been "appeal to the masses." Now that he’s working with Heather, he’s willing to play with pattern and color. For this flip, Heather enlisted the help of designer Peti Lau to come up with stylish ideas more exciting than a typical remodel. Throughout the home, they used bold hues and eye-catching wallpaper, like the black-and-white floral creation here. Opting for neutral furnishings allowed them to play with textures, colors and textiles.

see more: 30 Wallpaper Designs for Every Room of the House

From: Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa

Before: Patio

When you live in southern California, outdoor spaces are an extension of your home. This Spanish abode’s patio was a completely wasted space full of junk.

After: Patio

Instead of tearing out the concrete patio, Tarek’s contractor found the ultimate solution: floating deck tiles. The interlocking composite tiles are a simple install, super durable and look incredible. The formerly junky outdoor space is now a family-friendly hangout. Additionally, all the overgrown shrubbery was removed to make way for aesthetic flower beds.

see more: 50 Patio Ideas and Design Tips

From: Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa

Before: Kitchen

This kitchen had great square footage working for it, but not much else. The El Moussas planned on opening up the space to the other living areas and making the style current.

After: Kitchen

For a family-friendly kitchen, an island is a must for feeding kiddos, helping them work on homework or projects, and indulging in late-night chats and snacks. Heather and Tarek went with muted gray cabinets topped with white countertops. Vertical tiles add instant height to the space.

see more: 10 Times HGTV Stars Pulled Off Coastal Grandma Designs

From: Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa

Before: Bedroom

At only 928 square feet, there was limited space to work with inside this tiny mountain cabin. One of the bedrooms had furniture haphazardly shoved into it, but the El Moussas knew they could create a beautiful and functional resting space.

After: Bedroom

Embracing a modern rustic style, the finished bedroom boasts a plaid-wallpapered feature wall surrounded by soft sage walls. A simple reconfiguring of furniture placement and space-saving nightstands provide the essentials without overcrowding the petite room. Sconces are a smart solution in small spaces since they don’t take up any surface real estate.

see more: The Flipping El Moussas

From: Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa

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