Incredible Before and After Moments From 'Build It Forward' Season 2

Grab the tissues and prepare for happy tears. These emotional makeovers from 'Build It Forward' Season 2 are as inspiring as they are dramatic.

By: Keri Sanders

Show: Build It Forward

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What It's All About

In HGTV's Build It Forward season two, communities across the country are getting the surprise of their lives. As part of Lowe’s Hometown initiative, they’re donating 100 million dollars over five years to organizations from coast to coast. From food banks to women’s shelters to youth centers and housing for the homeless, out of thousands of applications, Lowe’s selected 100 deserving projects.

And HGTV is getting in on the action! Designer Taniya Nayak and builder Shane Duffy are traveling around the country on a mission to change the lives of five deserving individuals and the communities they work tirelessly to improve. Follow along as we unveil their incredible home makeovers and share the inspiring work they do throughout their communities!

Making a Difference in Tulsa

When it comes to selecting a deserving individual to gift a life-changing home makeover to, Doc Shaw of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was an easy choice. In creating A Pocket Full of Hope, an organization that seeks to use music, dancing, photography and more to positively change the outcome for at-risk teens, Doc has helped over 5,000 youth in the last 17 years.

While he's made his home an open and welcoming space for the community, he and his wife Brenda had left very little space for themselves. That's where Taniya and Shane came in.

Living Room: Before

In touring Doc's home, two recurring themes became the main priorities for Taniya and Shane. They would need to add light and create smart storage. In the home's living room, the windows were blocked by shelving and the television, making the already cluttered space feel even smaller.

Despite it's size, Doc and Brenda have made their home an inviting space for their large community, so ensuring the space would remain a welcoming landing spot for friends and family was top of mind for this renovation.

Living Room: After

Organizing and downsizing clutter along with moving the television to the wall opposite the front door allowed the windows to be exposed once more, flooding the space in natural light and instantly making it feel more open. A large sectional allows for plenty of seating while making better use of the space, and the light colors used throughout aid in brightening the entire room.

A Tall Order

In discussing the renovation, Doc and Brenda made it clear that the only thing they needed to keep was the kitchen door frame they used to track the heights of all the many beloved guests they had welcomed into their home throughout the years. To give the height board a more prominent space and allow a new frame to be added where future guests could participate in the family's tradition, Shane carefully removed the board to display it at the home's entrance.

Measuring Up

Placed directly by the front door where it can be seen from the living and dining areas, the home's old height board adds charm and personality to the space and is a constant reminder of the many lives that have been touched by Doc and Brenda.

Dining Room: Before

Just off the living room, the dining room was filled with boxes and other odds and ends, leaving very little space to actually enjoy a meal together. The couple is known for their Sunday dinners, when as many as 30 to 40 people may visit throughout the day, but with the crowded setup, a sit-down meal was simply not possible.

Dining Room: After

The main goal for the new dining room was to ensure it could actually function as a space to enjoy meals together. A long banquet table makes the most of the space while bench seating ensures everyone can have a seat at the table.

Space-Saving Storage

Another benefit of the bench seating is that decorative baskets below create a stylish storage option, keeping with the plan to create better storage for the couple without sacrificing livable space.

Bringing It All Together

Taniya and Shane installed gorgeous wear-resistant flooring throughout the entire home which visually pulls each room together and is a practical choice with so many people (and pets!) coming in and out of the home.

Home Office: Before

Office, laundry room, dog room, music room and more. You name it, and this room was the home for it. Doc works tirelessly to provide a better life for the children in his organization, but his home office didn't leave much space for his work.

Home Office: After

After a major overhaul, Doc now has an inspiring space to work that includes a custom desk and plenty of storage, with room to grow. Thanks to new soundproofing, the office is also an ideal spot for Doc to work on his music.

Space to Dream

With designated space to create and foster young musicians, Doc's dream will continue to grow and inspire.

“When I was younger, music was very important and made my life a lot more purposeful," explained Doc. "I started A Pocket Full of Hope because not only am I helping young people with their talents and their gifts in music, but I also make space for their issues. I wanted to be able to allow them to have a better quality of life and give them what was given to me.“

Kitchen: Before

Baker's shelves overflowing with pots and pans made the kitchen feel cramped, while dry foods and spices had no real home in the disheveled space. As an avid home chef and entertainer, Doc needed a kitchen that was better organized and would make cooking for a crowd a simpler and more enjoyable task.

Kitchen: After

New upper and lower cabinets were installed around the entire kitchen to provide stylish concealed storage and eliminate the visual clutter that made the space feel smaller. The spice shelf was a special project for Doc that houses his many custom spices but is also a hidden door leading to the newly designed laundry room.

Open + Bright

Shane and Taniya took a wall down in order to expand the kitchen right into the dining room and add new shelving to eliminate clutter. The open concept also creates a more communal space for entertaining.

Laundry Room: Before

Before the makeover, the laundry room was rolled up into Doc's office and the dogs' room. Despite being too crowded to be very functional, Taniya noted that the many windows gave this room the best natural lighting in the house.

Laundry Room: After

Now reserved specifically for laundry, this newly designed space makes the most of the natural light with creamy white walls that add warmth and create a more welcoming space. New appliances and custom touches, like a framed portrait of Doc and Brenda's dogs, aid in making laundry day a more enjoyable experience.

Like what you see? Find many of the products featured in Doc's home on Lowes.com/BuildItForward.

Making a Difference in Denver

On the second episode of Build It Forward season two, Taniya and Shane moved on to Denver, Colorado, where they surprised Cuica Montoya with the exciting news she would be receiving a home renovation. As the Safe Outdoor Space Program Director at Colorado Village Collaborative, Cuica works day in and day out to create hope and shelter for people experiencing homelessness in Denver, but finding time to work on her own home had not been a priority.

Exterior: Before

As someone who had once experienced homelessness and substance abuse herself, Cuica's current home means so much more to her than simply a place to sleep. “Being able to buy a home was so huge, especially coming from homelessness," explained Cuica. "What I’d love for this house to be is the homebase for my family, an oasis for me sit and relax.”

Exterior: After

In order to make the home an inviting spot for entertaining family, Taniya and Shane opted to spend most of their funds expanding the front entrance to allow for a larger living space. Adding 200 square feet to the entry allowed for a larger front porch with room for a charming sitting space and welcoming plants.

Living Room: Before

Rather than a traditional entryway, the home opened to a multi-use space that served as a living area, makeshift dining room and mini office space. Cuica's hope was to turn the space into a family room with space to host large family dinners.

Living Room: After

After adding the additional square footage, there is plenty of room for a large sofa to anchor the new living area. To delineate the living from the dining area, Taniya chose a stylish area rug and chic DIY plaster artwork made my Cuica's mom and niece.

A Warm Welcome

Opposite the sofa, a brand new electric fireplace serves as a stunning focal point that adds both ambience and warmth without creating a huge electric bill.

Dining Room: Before

Though Cuica dreamed of hosting big family dinners where everyone could come together to enjoy a meal, her dining room before the makeover simply didn't have the space, leaving family to sit wherever they could find a spot any time they would get together.

Dining Room: After

With the added space, Taniya and Shane were able to design a long custom table to create the dream dining room Cuica had always wanted. To fit with Cuica's style, Taniya made sure the overall design felt organic and clean with natural materials and an overall midcentury modern vibe.

More Than Just a Table

Cuica was overwhelmed by the new dining area, not only because it meant she could finally host her entire family for dinner, but also because it reminded her just how far she's come on her journey from once struggling with homelessness and substance abuse to now being able to provide for not only herself but also her family.

Kitchen: Before

Before the renovation, the existing kitchen was already in good shape. Cuica and Shane both noted they liked the dark wood cabinets, and it was even one of the main reasons Cuica was initially drawn to the home. Instead of redoing what already worked, Taniya and Shane opted to only make minor changes to the kitchen and instead reserve their budget for the home's expansion.

Kitchen: After

A wider gas stove fills the gap between the fridge and the cabinets, creating a more uniform look, while a stainless steel hood was added for extra style and function. Cuica noted that the continuation of the existing white subway tile makes the whole space feel brighter.

Home Office: Before

Though it is not the largest bedroom in the home, Cuica opted to make this space the main bedroom in order to maximize the space of the larger bedroom. From a quick look, Taniya deduced Cuica's new bedroom should be a comfy space with neutral accents and clean lines.

Home Office: After

With the new addition, Taniya and Shane opted to move the main bedroom to the newly renovated space and turned her old bedroom into a spacious office, complete with a custom desk.

Music Therapy

In the good times and bad, music has always been a source of comfort for Cuica. But her original setup was cramped with no place to sit. In her new office space, a custom walnut keyboard stand and new seat create a more intentional place for Cuica to enjoy this healing pastime.

Main Bedroom: Before

Since her original living space was so small, Cuica had used the main bedroom as a family room and office combo.

Main Bedroom: After

After expanding the space, Taniya and Shane surprised Cuica with a gorgeous new bedroom in the light colors Cuica loves along with plenty of textures to add warmth and visual interest.

Ensuite Surprise

A brand new ensuite bathroom may have been the biggest surprise from the new addition. Though the space isn't huge, Taniya chose to keep everything clean and classic. Matte porcelain hexagon tiles add visual interest while a new vanity ensures the small bath offers plenty of storage.

Like what you see? Find many of the products featured in Cuica's home on Lowes.com/BuildItForward.

Making a Difference in Ontario

On the third episode of Build It Forward, Taniya and Shane traveled to Ontario, California, where they surprised Patty Lopez with the exciting news that she would be receiving the home makeover of her dreams. Patty is the transportation coordinator at Anthesis, which is a non-profit that provides services for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Exterior: Before

Before the makeover, the home's exterior needed a refresh but wasn't in terrible shape. Patty expressed how much the house meant to her and how hard she'd worked to keep it during trying times, inspiring Taniya and Shane to work their magic, making it the dream home she'd always envisioned.

Exterior: After

A light blue paint job, fresh mulch and a few flowers make a huge difference in the overall impression of the home, going from drab to punchy, bright and welcoming. Patty's daughter, Danyelle, who lives in the home with Patty, potted a special lemon tree for the front porch that will eventually be planted in the yard.

Living Room: Before

Taniya immediately fell in love with the natural light in the living room but wanted to give it a more updated and cohesive look that still prioritized comfort for family movie nights.

Living Room: After

New furnishings, a new layout and a rich new stain on the existing hardwood floors make a drastic difference in the space, while cheery white walls make smart use of the natural light to visually enlarge the room.

Kitchen: Before

Patty's biggest pain point in her kitchen was the set of cabinets to the left of the sink that visually cut off what would have been the dining room but was instead seemingly forgotten space.

Kitchen: After

For this drastic change, the entire kitchen was demoed. New cabinets, sleek appliances and quartz countertops give Patty the bright kitchen with clean lines that she wished for, while the colorful tile is just the right pop of pattern to create movement in the space.

Dining Room: Before

Because it was visually cut off from the kitchen, the area that would have been the dining room was generally overlooked and certainly not reaching its full potential.

Dining Room: After

After removing the awkward cabinets, the dining room and kitchen became one large, useful space. Shane built a custom banquette to make the most of the dining area, finally giving Patty and Danyelle a place they can enjoy meals together.

Danyelle's Bedroom: Before

While Danyelle admitted to still loving the color purple, she hoped for a more sophisticated bedroom to spend her current college years.

Danyelle's Bedroom: After

For a more subdued take on the bright purple wall color, Taniya chose a muted lavender, which instantly brightened the room and makes the small bedroom feel more spacious. Plenty of subtle textures throughout add interest without adding clutter which would quickly become distracting in such a petite space.

Room to Work

To give Danyelle more space for her studies, Taniya and Shane opted to steal space from the hallway's linen closet and reallocate it as a charming bedroom nook where Danyelle can do her schoolwork.

Main Bedroom: Before

Dated furnishings and dull carpeting that was far past its prime were begging for a makeover. And since Patty felt the room offered plenty of natural light, she made it known she would be up for a dark, cozy wall color in her new space.

Main Bedroom: After

Earthy, organic and definitely cozy, Patty's new bedroom is now the comfy, inviting space she had dreamed of. The carpet was removed and replaced with new flooring and a beautiful area rug, and light textured bedding adds instant warmth.

Main Bathroom: Before

Before the makeover, Patty's tiny bathroom was dark and dingy with peeling wallpaper and a shower that was almost too tight to be functional.

Main Bathroom: After

To make the bathroom larger, Taniya and Shane removed a sewing nook from the main bedroom and reframed the space to create a spa-like main bathroom that is roomy enough to include a bathtub, double vanity and dramatic chandelier. Natural herringbone floor tile and brass accents throughout give the room the touch of glamour that Patty deserves.

Like what you see? Find many of the products featured in Patty's home on Lowes.com/BuildItForward.

Making a Difference D.C.

On the fourth episode of Build It Forward, Taniya and Shane made their way to Washington D.C. to surprise Shandell Richards with a home renovation. Shandell is the chief program officer as Horton's Kids, which is an organization that empowers children in under-resourced communities to graduate high school and prepares them for college, a career and life.

Cousin's Bedroom: Before

As someone who is always giving and rarely receiving, Shandell opened up her home to her cousin and aunt. Though her cousin's room is small, Taniya hoped to use a few design tricks to make the existing space feel less cramped and more welcoming.

Cousin's Bedroom: After

After fixing the holes in the wall that were once strategically hidden by houseplants, Taniya chose a serene light gray paint color for the walls, replaced the old fan that could not be turned off with a more modern and functional option and created an overall more cohesive look with new furniture and complementary finishes. Pretty plants were added back in, though they were no longer needed to disguise damage.

Aunt's Bedroom: Before

As an example of her constant consideration of others before herself, Shandell gave the main bedroom to her aunt when she moved in. She wanted to make sure her aunt had access to her own bathroom and felt comfortable in her home.

Aunt's Bedroom: After

To complete the comfortable suite Shandell desired for her aunt, Taniya and Shane first repaired all the wall damage before dressing the space in luxurious fabrics, a peaceful paint color and elegant hardware. Shandell pointed out that her aunt loves flowers and would undoubtedly adore the space.

Shandell's Bedroom: Before

Though it lacked an ensuite bathroom, Shandell's bedroom did offer lovely natural lighting, an attached private deck and a reoccurring issue seen throughout the home: wall damage. But this bedroom was slotted to get a lot more work done than simple wall repairs.

Shandell's Bedroom: After

After reconfiguring the room, a custom tufted headboard was created to take up the length of the wall facing Shandell's private deck, creating a dramatic moment and mimicking the style of a luxury hotel. A new door leads to Shandell's newly added walk-in closet and another big surprise.

Bathroom: Before

Before the makeover, Shandell had given her aunt the only bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Taniya hoped to find a way to utilize an under-utilized office to expand the bathroom and make it accessible to both Shandell and her aunt.

Bathroom: After

Shandell was stunned to discover a lavish shared bathroom on the other side of her new walk-in closet. A double vanity is ideal for both women to utilize, while funky pink tile, gorgeous brass fixtures and pretty pendant lighting perfectly reflect Shandell's feminine, bold style.

Surprise Soaking Tub

To add another element of luxury to the new space, both a shower and a freestanding soaking tub were added, ensuring this bathroom offers the relaxing experience Shandell deserves.

Deck: After

Just outside Shandell's bedroom, a private deck got a mini refresh with a new bar made from local reclaimed wood and plenty of seating, perfect for casual entertaining or a peaceful escape.

Salvaged Cedar

Shane used some gorgeous cedar planks discovered while demoing to create a one-of-a-kind planter for the deck that will always remind Shandell of the home's roots and how far she and the home have come.

Mini House Mailbox

As an adorable final touch to this incredible makeover, Shandell's father helped assemble a custom mailbox that is a petite version of her newly renovated dream home.

“She’s giving back to her aunt, her cousin, and she gives back to everybody," said Taniya. "Now that we can take all of those little to-do checklist items off her list, I know that she’s going to have a lot more time to enjoy herself."

Like what you see? Find many of the products featured in Shandell's home on Lowes.com/BuildItForward.

Making a Difference in Charlotte

Taniya and Shane paid a surprise visit to Theressa Freeman on the fifth and final episode of Season 2 of Build It Forward. Theressa is currently the laundry manager at Hope Haven in Charlotte, North Carolina, and she has worked with the organization for the past 10 years. Hope Haven is a "therapeutic community," designed to give back give, particularly helping those affected by substance abuse disorders.

“Hope Haven is a place where we love people back to life," said Theressa. "They come to us in a broken state, either from mental disorder, substance disorder or homelessness. We empower them to be self supporting once they leave Hope Haven. This is not just a job for me. This is a passion.”

Exterior: Before

Before the renovation, the home was not living up to its potential. And with several grandchildren who love to visit and two twin grandsons who live in the home with Theressa, Taniya and Shane were one a mission to make the space as beautiful and functional as it could be while preserving the elements that make it so special to Theressa.

“This house was my mother’s, and I inherited it when she passed away," explained Theressa. "Getting a renovation like this is mind-blowing. It’s going to be a new beginning.”

Exterior: After

After an early hiccough that left Taniya and Shane scrambling to figure out how to get approved for a building permit, the entire home was lifted 6 feet off the ground in order to get the home out of a flood zone. Once in compliance, the home was ready for a reno, and a new staircase and storage space were added to the home.

Living Room: Before

Upon entering the home, dark leather seating and very little natural light make the home appear cramped and a bit dingy. On the opposite wall of the sofa, a large cabinet and tv block the living room's window, prompting Taniya and Shane to contemplate a new layout.

Living Room: After

After the makeover, the living room is almost unrecognizable with plenty new lighter furnishings, sheer curtains that allow the sunlight in and rich refinished oak floors. Opposite the window, the wall that had separated the living room and kitchen has been torn done creating an airier and more open feel throughout the space.

Kitchen: Before

For someone who has a passion for cooking and loves to entertain over 20 guests for holidays, Theressa's kitchen before the makeover was seriously tight. The space lacked storage, but it was also in need of a design refresh.

Kitchen: After

By opening up the wall between the living room and kitchen, the space already felt twice as large, but new appliances, bright patterned floor tiles and all new lighting made it the open concept kitchen of Theressa's dreams. A center island where the twins can do their homework while Theressa makes dinner means more meaningful family time on busy weeknights.

Dining Room: Before

Mostly used as a second living room, the area right off the kitchen was underutilized. To make the most of the space, they opted to reimagine the room as a dining nook right off the kitchen. Since the home was filled with so many memories of Theressa's mother, Shane chose to leave the paint over the dated pine paneling rather than remove it, a decision Theressa immediately noticed and appreciated.

Dining Room: After

Dark gray paint on the existing paneling adds drama to the new dining room which will serve as a sweet spot to enjoy weeknight meals as well as larger family gatherings. New lighting and a neutral round area rug work together to anchor the space and add warmth to balance the deep gray paint color.

Theressa's Bedroom: Before

Before the renovation, Theressa's bedroom mostly consisted of only a large bed, which she explained was to accommodate all her grandchildren when they stay over. Taniya and Theressa agreed she needed a calm space that was only for her, so her bedroom would become the boys' shared bedroom instead.

Theressa's Bedroom: After

Taniya and Shane moved Theressa's bedroom to the twins' old bedroom in order to create a primary suite complete with a new bathroom so that Theressa would no longer have to battle for bathroom time with the boys. For the decor, Taniya migrated toward calming colors to create the serene space Theressa was lacking before.

Twins' Bedroom: Before

The boys' room was practically a blank slate, so while Taniya and Shane knew they would be moving it to Theressa's old bedroom, the colorful new decor would also make the bedroom feel like an entirely new space.

Twins' Bedroom: After

Taniya wanted the room to feel youthful and fun but not childish, so she went with two classic wooden beds that could match any style the boys chose and topped them with graphic bedding that added a vibrant dose of color that could serve as a base for the twins to add their own decorative touches later on if desired.

Theressa's Mother's Bedroom: Before

Though it has been 27 years since her mother's passing, Theressa had never been able to change her mother's bedroom, instead leaving it as a sort of shrine to her mother and a space that she would often go to be alone with her thoughts. Trusting Taniya and Shane with the space was not an easy choice, but they promised to make the room more useful to Theressa while still honoring her mother within it.

Theressa's Mother's Bedroom: After

Now an updated guest bedroom, the room still holds many memories of Theressa's mother with framed family pictures, a sitting space for Theressa at the foot of the bed and a bookshelf filled with mementos.

An Homage With Art

A local artist was commissioned to create an original painting of Theressa's mom's favorite flower for the new bookshelf, adding a special touch that brought Theressa to tears.

“Now that I’m walking in this room, I didn’t make any mistakes trusting them with it," said Theressa. "They captured the serenity, the peace that I get in that room, but most of all, they captured my mom."

Like what you see? Find many of the products featured in Theressa's home on Lowes.com/BuildItForward.