Coastal Chic Living Room Transformations from Drew and Jonathan Scott

The brothers are hitting the beach for their most challenging season of Brother vs. Brother yet. See the incredible living room transformations from Drew and Jonathan’s waterfront homes in Galveston, Texas.

By: Jessica Galliart

From: Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

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Photo By: Paul Ladd/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Paul Ladd/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Paul Ladd/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Paul Ladd/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Paul Ladd/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Paul Ladd/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Paul Ladd/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Paul Ladd/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Jill Hunter/AP Images

Photo By: Paul Ladd/AP Images

Photo By: Paul Ladd/AP Images

Brothers Take the Beach

Looking alive for five, guys! In the season 5 opener of Brother vs. Brother, Jonathan and Drew invite guest judges and fellow HGTV hosts Egypt Sherrod (Flipping Virgins) and David Bromstad (My Lottery Dream Home) to deliver a verdict on their favorite living room transformation. The brothers each throw in $600,000 of their own cash to renovate two very different beachside properties in Galveston, Texas, and compete to make the biggest profit. Each week, guest judges designate a winner for each space in the home. Will Egypt and David pick Drew’s open and airy common room or Jonathan’s modern luxe entrance?

Drew’s Renovation Plan

In this destination beach town, Drew is specifically targeting buyers looking to get into the vacation rental market. Therefore, he wants a beach house with “lots of beds for a lot of heads.” To begin, he plans to tear remove every last inch of wood paneling and stone from the living area — not an easy task! — and turn the lackluster fireplace into a major focal point for the room. The staircase will also get a major makeover with custom glass railings.

Drew’s Living Room, Before

Are we in Galveston or the backwoods of Texas? Drew’s two-story home is covered top to bottom in wood paneling, and though the beams offer up some potential, the layout is closed off and leaves much to be desired.

Drew’s Living Room, After

The new living space is barely recognizable after the paneling is replaced with crisp, white walls, the gnarly carpet is swapped for beachy hardwoods and the closed off staircase is opened up to highlight the gorgeous high ceilings.

Drew’s Living Room, Before

Drew opted for a project house, and, oh boy, did he get one. A few structural issues aside, the house hadn’t been updated or worked on in decades, but had serious potential with high ceilings, interesting angles, a fireplace and an open concept already in place.

Drew’s Living Room, After

Do we spy shiplap? The classic Texas design feature blends nicely with the classic coastal dream home vibe Drew was gunning for in this first challenge.

Drew’s Living Room Staircase, Before

Think that luxurious carpet will stay?

Drew’s Living Room Staircase, After

Nope! Hardwoods to match the rest of the new flooring on the first floor replace the dated carpet, and mosaic tiles add a pop of texture and interest to the risers.

Drew’s Living Room Staircase, After

Though it was nearly a buzzer beater, Drew managed to get custom glass railings created for the new staircase in just under a week (no easy feat!).

Custom Glass Railings

The new railings create some serious luxury vibes in this modern but cozy coastal beach house.

Finishing Touches

Drew and his designer aimed for a classic coastal, cozy vibe in the new living space. Accents like decorative surfboards and flowers will make potential buyers want to settle in for good.

Have a Seat

Sticking with his “lots of beds for lots of heads” mentality, Drew made sure to include plenty of seating options in his layout plans for the living room.

Ay Ay, Captain!

How’s this design feature for a pop of nautical?

Last Look: Drew’s Living Room

The transformation of Drew’s living room from paneling pariah to high-class hangout is an incredible one. But how will it stack up to reigning champ Jonathan’s space?

Jonathan’s Renovation Plan

The advantages here are plenty: single-story home, dated but in good structural shape and Jonathan with two winning Brother vs. Brother titles under his belt. But despite his headstart to brother Drew, Jonathan ends up having his work cut out for him as he discovers rotted duct work and wrestles with support beams after knocking out an exterior wall in favor of a collapsible door.

Jonathan’s Living Room, Before

Some may call this fireplace “retro,” but Jonathan just calls it “ugly” and not fit for his visions of a modern, sophisticated living space. Though the main area is basically a blank slate to start with, the cosmetic issues of white paneling, popcorn ceilings and dated carpet can be a bit difficult to see past.

Jonathan’s Living Room, After

Hello, gorgeous! Deep blue paint, rich flooring and a raised ceiling with wood accents transform this space into the luxurious living and dining room of any vacationer’s dreams.

Jonathan’s Living Room, Before

Unnecessary walls and partitions separate the living area into several awkward spaces, disrupting the potential for ideal sightlines and flow from the front door to the back patio.

Jonathan’s Living Room, After

After knocking out the exterior wall, Jonathan took advantage of the new space to build an industrial chic fireplace with a concrete finish.

Jonathan’s Living Room, Before

Where’s the grand entrance? The awkward points of entry and dividing walls throughout the living area were confusing and a bit disorienting for buyers looking for entertaining space.

Jonathan’s Living Room, After

Views as far as the eye can see! Now buyers can enjoy the company of guests from nearly any spot in the living room.

Jonathan’s Entrance, Before

Vertical blinds and sliding doors aren’t exactly ideal for creating a grand entrance into your waterfront paradise.

Jonathan’s Entrance, After

And that’s how you welcome people into your home! New partition walls at the front of the home create a foyer area for settling in.

Bold, Beachy Prints

The combo of a modern front door and bold wallpaper in the foyer leave a lasting first impression.

Have a Seat

Jonathan is also gunning for buyers looking to turn this property into a desirable vacation rental, so plenty of dining room seating was a must.

It’s Lit

Modern light fixtures ensure there’s something to catch your eye everywhere you look in Jonathan’s new living space.

Last Look: Jonathan’s Living Room

Will this inviting and sophisticated living room seal the deal for reigning champ Jonathan to kick this season off with a win?

The Judges Deliberate

Oldest brother J.D. referees as judges Egypt Sherrod of Flipping Virgins and David Bromstad of My Lottery Dream Home debate which space has the edge in this challenge. Who’s going to set the pace for the season with a first-challenge win?

Drew Wins!

Egypt says she likes how Drew’s space encourages you to “leave your cares at the door,” while David notes how the space was a bit more gender neutral than Jonathan’s more “masculine” room. Jonathan is taking the loss well (until he is forced to endure more than five go-rounds on a rather spinny ride at Galveston’s Pleasure Pier).

Stay tuned for the results of the next challenge: kitchens!

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