In the world of remodeling, sometimes one only has to do a little patching and painting to transform a space, but in the case of Columbus graphic designer Trent Beers, the project turned into a total makeover. For more than three years, Beers and his stepfather have been rolling up their sleeves and going to town on his 1,800-square-foot home in the Weinland Park neighborhood. Their efforts converted dilapidated former Section 8 housing into a retro-fresh haven.

“I totally gutted it,” Beers said. “Just about everything you see, we did. My stepdad is in construction, and he built his own house when he was like 20 years old, or something ridiculous like that, so I showed him this place and he said he thought he could do it. He said it would take a year, and it took like three and a half. It was a little trying, but we eventually got it finished.”

The remodel involved modifying the floor plan slightly to incorporate a modern kitchen, complete with stainless steel appliances. Granite countertops and new tile were added, and a window frame was altered to create space for the sink, as the room used to be a living room. An antique coffee grinder installed on a cabinet and two beer taps make the kitchen truly deluxe.

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“We can put two small kegs in this cooler and the line runs through the wall,” said the appropriately named Beers about his awesome tap system, which was featured recently in an issue of This Old House. Both taps are attached to an antique furnace cover imbedded in the wall. “I got this furnace cover on eBay for $20, and my stepdad welded the frame on and we stuck it on the wall. The CO2 is in the next room in a book shelf.”

The furnace cover for the beer taps is just one of the throwback items that adorns the home of Beers and his girlfriend Kim Byce. Both are avid collectors of vintage items, many of which have been integrated into the decor, including a set of gym lockers utilized for storage, along with countless posters, old tins and an array of animal-themed works of art. At her own admission, Byce is just shy of a packrat.

“He reigns me in a little bit, because I tend to collect stuff,” said Byce. “He’s taught me how to make it more of a composition rather than just clutter. It’s like little mini collections of stuff now.”

Though the couple concedes that the urban neighborhood they live in is still in the process of being revitalized, they are excited to be a part of an up-and-coming area; both are active in their local community and frequently attend civic association meetings.

“This neighborhood’s a good opportunity for people to do something like this, if they have the energy and the people to help them,” explained Beers.