HGTV stars transformed a home into an actual Barbie Dreamhouse. See the before-and-after photos.

Samantha GrindellJul 18, 2023, 02:45 IST

HGTV professionals are turning a home into a real Barbie Dreamhouse.HGTV

On "Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge," HGTV stars compete to turn a home into a real Barbie Dreamhouse.
Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson competed against Jasmine Roth and Antonia Lofaso in episode one.

Barbie-mania is everywhere these days thanks to Greta Gerwig's upcoming "Barbie" film. Stars were wearing Barbie-inspired looks on red carpets, brands like Beis and Gap are promoting Barbie collaborations, and now, HGTV is getting in on the fun.

The network's new series "Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge," hosted by Ashley Graham, premiered on Sunday. It features HGTV stars — and one Food Network star — competing against each other to transform a Southern California home into a real-life version of the Barbie Dreamhouse.

For the series, the designers compete in teams of two on behalf of a Barbie superfan, and the winning team's fan will get to stay in the finished house. Each team was assigned an area of the house to renovate as well as a decade their design should be inspired by.

In episode one, Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson of "Married to Real Estate" faced off against Jasmine Roth from "Help! I Wrecked My House" and Antonia Lofaso, who has appeared on multiple Food Network series.

Sherrod and Jackson took on the dreamhouse's entryway, living room, and dining room with the 1990s aesthetic in mind, while Roth and Lofaso were tasked with transforming the kitchen and family room in the style of the 1960s. The teams only had one week to complete their renovations.

Insider rounded up before-and-after photos of the teams' transformations, spotlighting how they made a home fit for Barbie. You can watch "Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge" on HGTV on Sunday at 8 p.m., and it's available for streaming on MAX.

The entryway had tall ceilings, barren white walls, and wood finishing on the double doors and staircase.

The entryway before the renovation.HGTV

Sherrod and Jackson filled the room with bright colors and painted zig-zags on the fireplace to evoke the '90s. The room also had an elevator for Barbie.

The designers painted the double doors hot pink.HGTV

HGTV selected the Southern California home largely due to the curved staircase, an iconic part of the Barbie Dreamhouse toy.

The stairs were crucial to the Barbie feel.HGTV

Sherrod and Jackson painted the stairs hot pink with yellow banisters, making them a focal point. They also used purple and blue paint upstairs for a playful look.

The multi-colored walls created a toy-like feel.HGTV

The living room's high ceilings were a blank canvas for Sherrod and Jackson.

The ceilings were tall.HGTV

The designers put the Barbie logo on a plaque on the wall, and they filled the room with retro furniture, including a curved, denim couch that screamed 1990s.

The logo makes clear the home belongs to Barbie.HGTV

The dining room was dark and small, though it had a tray ceiling and a large chandelier.

The walls were a lackluster tan before the renovation.HGTV

Sherrod and Jackson used the different layers of the tray to make a rainbow effect. They also painted the walls of the dining room pink, so it's fit for Barbie.

A built-in bench added seating to the space.HGTV

Oversized windows made the dining room feel bigger, though it was shut off from the kitchen.

The dining room abutted the kitchen.HGTV

The room's acrylic furniture and patterned rugs fit the '90s theme. Roth and Lofaso also removed the wall separating the dining room from the kitchen, making the room feel bigger.

The room was full of color.HGTV

The room's acrylic furniture and patterned rugs fit the '90s theme. Roth and Lofaso also removed the wall separating the dining room from the kitchen, making the room feel bigger.

Moving on to the 1960s team. Before Lofaso and Roth worked on it, the kitchen had a dated look, including wooden cabinetry.

The kitchen didn't even have a refrigerator.HGTV

The designers bathed the kitchen in pale pink and installed retro, yellow appliances, capturing the '60s vibe. Built-in shelving doubled as a secret entrance to a pantry.

Hot pink stools sat by the island.HGTV

The designers bathed the kitchen in pale pink and installed retro, yellow appliances, capturing the '60s vibe. Built-in shelving doubled as a secret entrance to a pantry.

The kitchen lacked seating space before it was remodeled.

The black appliances looked dated.HGTV

But Lofaso and Roth extended the island to offer seating. A teal-and-pink patterned tile backsplash connected the pink cabinetry and teal ceilings.

Dark wood accents on the side of the counters made them fit the 1960s vision.HGTV

The kitchen had big windows, but its overhead lighting was lackluster.

The big windows had potential.HGTV

Roth and Lofaso added retro chandeliers, bringing more light to the room. The counter also featured secret shelves that rose up with the push of a button, revealing Barbie's blender and toaster — which were also pink, of course.

The kitchen had two sinks.HGTV

Roth and Lofaso added retro chandeliers, bringing more light to the room. The counter also featured secret shelves that rose up with the push of a button, revealing Barbie's blender and toaster — which were also pink, of course.

The family room didn't have much personality before Lofaso and Roth worked on it, with blank walls and a brown ceiling fan.

The off-white carpet was out of style.HGTV

The designers made the room pop with yellow walls covered in pink and white polka dots. All of the furniture had a mid-century modern look, which was fitting for the 1960s-inspired space.

The shag carpet completed the retro space.HGTV

The designers made the room pop with yellow walls covered in pink and white polka dots. All of the furniture had a mid-century modern look, which was fitting for the 1960s-inspired space.

The family room's black fireplace didn't offer much in terms of design.

The room was all-white before the renovation.HGTV

Roth and Lofaso made the fireplace a centerpiece of the room by placing wood paneling and gold accents around it. They also included a human-sized replica of Barbie's original 1962 sofa.

A large, white chandelier tied the room together.HGTV

Roth and Lofaso made the fireplace a centerpiece of the room by placing wood paneling and gold accents around it. They also included a human-sized replica of Barbie's original 1962 sofa.

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HGTV stars transformed a home into an actual Barbie Dreamhouse. See the before-and-after photos.

The entryway had tall ceilings, barren white walls, and wood finishing on the double doors and staircase.

Sherrod and Jackson filled the room with bright colors and painted zig-zags on the fireplace to evoke the '90s. The room also had an elevator for Barbie.

HGTV selected the Southern California home largely due to the curved staircase, an iconic part of the Barbie Dreamhouse toy.

Sherrod and Jackson painted the stairs hot pink with yellow banisters, making them a focal point. They also used purple and blue paint upstairs for a playful look.

The living room's high ceilings were a blank canvas for Sherrod and Jackson.

The designers put the Barbie logo on a plaque on the wall, and they filled the room with retro furniture, including a curved, denim couch that screamed 1990s.

The dining room was dark and small, though it had a tray ceiling and a large chandelier.

Sherrod and Jackson used the different layers of the tray to make a rainbow effect. They also painted the walls of the dining room pink, so it's fit for Barbie.

Oversized windows made the dining room feel bigger, though it was shut off from the kitchen.

The room's acrylic furniture and patterned rugs fit the '90s theme. Roth and Lofaso also removed the wall separating the dining room from the kitchen, making the room feel bigger.

Moving on to the 1960s team. Before Lofaso and Roth worked on it, the kitchen had a dated look, including wooden cabinetry.

The designers bathed the kitchen in pale pink and installed retro, yellow appliances, capturing the '60s vibe. Built-in shelving doubled as a secret entrance to a pantry.

The kitchen lacked seating space before it was remodeled.

But Lofaso and Roth extended the island to offer seating. A teal-and-pink patterned tile backsplash connected the pink cabinetry and teal ceilings.

The kitchen had big windows, but its overhead lighting was lackluster.

Roth and Lofaso added retro chandeliers, bringing more light to the room. The counter also featured secret shelves that rose up with the push of a button, revealing Barbie's blender and toaster — which were also pink, of course.

The family room didn't have much personality before Lofaso and Roth worked on it, with blank walls and a brown ceiling fan.

The designers made the room pop with yellow walls covered in pink and white polka dots. All of the furniture had a mid-century modern look, which was fitting for the 1960s-inspired space.

The family room's black fireplace didn't offer much in terms of design.

Roth and Lofaso made the fireplace a centerpiece of the room by placing wood paneling and gold accents around it. They also included a human-sized replica of Barbie's original 1962 sofa.