HGTV Stars Dave and Jenny Marrs Breathe Fresh Life into Lakeside Home with Mastic®

“We’re using polypropylene siding that gives the look of shake, but it will last forever. It’s going to be pretty.”

When new grandmother Wittney Jones asked remodelers Dave and Jenny Marrs to renovate her newly purchased lakeside home, the stars of HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous immediately knew they needed to create a space that would let Wittney spend as much time as possible with her growing family.

“The key to this renovation is to set Wittney up so she can enjoy this place and not have to worry about managing upkeep all the time,” said Jenny.

Dave agreed, saying, “We want Wittney’s house to be something that she doesn’t have to mess with.”

Dave and Jenny turned to Mastic® to help bring the home back to life with a fresh exterior that will maintain its charm and integrity for decades to come.

The Challenge

Situated on a scenic lake in Rogers, Arkansas, this 2,494-square-foot house is the start of a new family adventure. Built in 1990, the home’s exterior showed the wear and tear that comes from three decades in a wooded area; the siding was dingy and poorly painted. A misoriented staircase and front yard that was more dirt than grass added to the bedraggled look and detracted from curb appeal.

“We want to make this home more welcoming and warm,” says Jenny, designer and partner with her husband in Marrs Developing, which renovates and restores old homes in northwest Arkansas.

“The exterior of the house really sets the tone for daily living, so a new entry, fresh landscaping and refreshed siding were at the top of our list,” Jenny said.

In addition to the aesthetic benefits of an updated exterior, Dave and Jenny wanted to reduce Wittney’s future maintenance responsibilities to allow the mother of three boys and new grandmother of one to enjoy family time.

The Solution

“Mastic was an easy choice for the siding because of the realistic textures that give it a real wood look but low maintenance, so Wittney can enjoy every minute of lakeside living,” Jenny said. “Plus, the Mastic color palette gave us the flexibility to choose the perfect shade for the look we were trying to create.”

To revamp the exterior, Jenny handpicked Mastic Cedar Discovery Hand-Split Shake in Scottish Thistle. The pale gray with hints of green ties into the natural surroundings while brightening the façade. The rustic look of the hand-split shake adds warmth to the updated style through rich, realistic texture and deep random grooves.

“Instead of painting the existing wood siding, we’re using polypropylene shake siding that gives the look of shake, but it will last forever,” she explained.

As a complement to the siding, Jenny selected Ply Gem trim in white for an on-trend palette. This combination, as well as others curated by Jenny, are available on the Mastic Home Visualizer, meaning anyone can quickly and easily visualize their home transformation.

“We wanted the home to feel like a cozy cottage,” Jenny said. “We added the white trim to make it really clean and make it pop.”

When it came time for the installation, Dave was ready.

“I love that Jenny chose Mastic hand-split shake for this renovation, and here’s why: It looks like real wood, it’s easy to install, and, when you’re working in a natural landscape like this lakeside setting, you want to use products that are good for the environment. It just feels good,” he said.

“Mastic is a great choice for any home, but especially this one,” says Dave, a general contractor and craftsman. “It really gives that authentic look Jenny was looking for in this design. The color stays forever – they’ll never have to re-stain or paint. And, this stuff is strong and durable.”

“Upkeep of the home’s new exterior won’t be a worry for Wittney,” Dave said. “With this particular siding, you never have to touch it. You just come here and you enjoy your family.”

Mastic Cedar Discovery Shake & Shingle siding is easy to maintain. A few rainy days are all that’s typically needed to keep siding and accessories clean; during dry spells, clear water from a garden hose will take care of moderate dust and dirt.

And with Mastic’s 50-year V.I.P. Limited Lifetime Warranty, Wittney will be able to enjoy her home – and views – without worrying about wear or rot associated with many other siding choices, such as wood.

“We always want to create welcoming spaces that invite families to gather together,” Jenny said.

With the combination of Mastic’s timeless appeal and ease-of-care, Dave and Jenny are assured this lakeside renovation will last for generations.

“This house is for Wittney, but it’s also for her kids and grandkids,” Dave added. “You can see her building a life here with her family. It’s awesome.”