Before-and-after photos show how a couple turned a fixer-upper into a dream home

"We really wanted to find a house that we could be able to put our own personality and style in," Ware told Insider.

The St. Louis, Missouri, couple, who got engaged in the summer of 2019, intended to buy a home they could renovate themselves, fixing it up with love and time.

"We wanted to find that hidden gem that everybody else is a little nervous to take on," she said.

Their home cost $215,000, which was below what their budget would have been for a larger or newer house.

"We wanted to find a house that was below our typical budget so we were able to touch every part inside and outside," Ware said.

Ware hoped to give the home what she calls a "clean" aesthetic with a modern farmhouse vibe. "I'm not very good with clutter," she said.

The couple did most of the renovations themselves, working mostly at night and on weekends since they both have full-time jobs.

"There was a wall that ran down the entire length of the middle of the house, basically," Capps told Insider, and he took part of it out to make the space more open.

Likewise, there was a wall near the front of the house that they removed to make the entryway larger. The change allowed the couple to add a large double door to their home, elevating the space.

The open concept made the space feel larger, and it makes the main area of the house optimal for entertaining.

"We just wanted it to flow from the front to the back," Ware said of the home's setup.

The changes made the space more functional and inviting.

Ware thought the bright color scheme would make the space inviting.

"I want people to walk in and still feel welcome and warm and at home," she said of the space. "I don't want it to be any sort of museum where people feel like they can't relax."

The couple also got rid of the home's carpet, an old bathtub, and a ramp, as well as a myriad of other junk.

They were able to sell a lot of the items that they removed on Facebook Marketplace, which helped mitigate some of the renovation costs.

"We sold everything. We even sold the carpet," Capps said.

"It was great to have additional money to be able to upgrade things," Ware added.

The new refrigerator, microwave, and oven immediately make the space feel newer, and they complement the white cabinetry.

The updated light fixtures also give the home a modern appeal and make it brighter.

The kitchen is Ware's favorite room in the house. "It makes a statement when you walk in from the front door," she said.

"We actually added a wall to kind of section that off from the garage," Ware said of the spacious pantry.

The large shelves give them ample space, and they use a combination of baskets and jars to keep their food in order.

"It's more of our dog's room right now," Ware said of their dog Luna, who they adopted during the renovation process. "She's very glamorous having her own little space."

Rather than the harsh overhead lighting, the couple makes use of bedside lamps for a softer feel.

Likewise, the removal of the carpet is a welcome update. Textured pillows give the space character as well.

The vanity adds a glamorous touch to the home, with the lit mirror making the space look official.

The space also combines storage and decor, as Ware hangs hats on the wall.

The large closet looks just like the front door, creating continuity in the house.

They're finishing up painting the exterior of the home, and they're starting to update the bathrooms, which they know will be time-consuming because of the plumbing needs.

Ware is excited about adding small touches to the exterior. "I want someone to see our house in the same vibe from the exterior to the interior," she said.

The couple had a lot of help from friends and family, and they're still working on their home eight months after starting the project.

"Luckily, we have a lot of friends and family who were electricians and people that could give us advice or complete that work for us," Ware said.

"Another piece of advice would be not to give up," Capps added. "There are a lot of times where I just hit a spot where I didn't know exactly how to do something. You just have to use your resources and take your time and figure it out."

They also encouraged people not to rush through renovations, as you'll regret it later.

"We love this house and we want to touch every square inch that we can here and make it a home for the short term," Ware said. "I definitely think doing it this way to where we're living in the house and being able to work on it all the time and make it our own and enjoy it is great."

In a few years, they hope to sell their home and do the same kind of renovation with a new space.

"Ideally, at some point, we would love to make this a career or hobby in the future because this is something we're so passionate about," she added. "But you have to start somewhere."

You can follow Ware's and Capps' home renovation journey on Instagram.

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