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Ashley and Michael are helping bring the shine back to Galveston, Texas — repairing and restoring the community's historic homes with hopes of preserving the island's history and architecture.
2021
Ashley buys a tiny home without consulting Michael, and he's shocked to discover it needs to move six miles across the island. As costs rise, they wonder if they'll be able to turn a profit.
Ashley and Michael find a charming 1930s bungalow close to the beach and jump at the opportunity to turn it into a vacation rental. With beach season approaching and a baby on the way, they must work hard and fast to get the house ready in time.
Ashley and Michael buy a shack from 1898 that's been abandoned for decades. With multiple problems, a tight budget and their second baby on the way, they face big challenges to transform it into a neighborhood gem.
Ashley and Michael take a gamble on a 1979 property as old homes become harder to find in a saturated market- with fewer historical details to honor, they must get creative with their designs.
Ashley and Michael take on a half-finished Victorian mansion in the Historic District that was too good to pass up.
When Ashley and Michael get an inside tip on an 1866 Victorian home that may have been designed by famed Galveston architect, Nicholas Clayton, they jump at the chance to restore it; at 3,500 square feet, this is the biggest house they have ever purchased, and it will be a huge undertaking to honor the historical integrity of the house, while still staying within their tight budget.
Michael and Ashley purchase the worst house in Galveston Island's desirable East End Historic District; it has a decaying porch and extensive water damage, they have their work cut out for them to make a profit on the project.
Michael Cordray
Self - Host
Ashley Cordray
Self - Host
2023
Camelbacks are not common in Galveston, Texas, but the challenge is to make this one a historic head-turner; the Cordrays transform the attic into a cozy family space and build an outdoor sofa that a Gulf storm can't destroy.
A 1915 home gets an updated layout while keeping the classic lines of beadboard throughout; the addition of a mudroom cabinet, open kitchen shelving and a workable laundry room are sure-fire ways to bring in potential buyers.
The oversized lot makes this 1920's home a great purchase, but Ashley and Michael must reverse a boring 80's renovation with the historic feel of handcrafted doors, shiplap ceilings and original floors that get a fun checkerboard pattern.
In renovating a very old, very unique backhouse, the Cordrays create a kitchen where there once was a porch, build an office space that used to be an attic, and find a distinct dining solution perfect for a small home.
Preserving the historic charm of a 140-year-old duplex is priority No. 1 as the Cordrays keep the original interior paint, reuse original exterior siding in the kitchen, and turn a contemporary shed into an outdoor sitting area.
Short term rentals are a Galveston staple, especially one a block from the beach; the Cordrays build a deck worthy of the ocean view, build a kitchen island with ship grate, and create an outdoor seating area.
Buying a newer home isn't the Cordray's norm, but adding their iconic character, style and functionality never gets old; they build a privacy fence for the deck, a herringbone design focal wall, and raise and make over the original kitchen cabinets.
The Cordrays give some much-needed love to a small 1900s backhouse.
2020
Ashley and Michael take on a house in the historic district; it's their first renovation since Ashley became pregnant, and they hope to complete the massive project before the baby arrives.
Michael overpays for a house that claims to be a Victorian but lacks details from the era; Ashley and Michael need to make this home look like a Victorian again without going over their budget, and they only have six weeks before the baby arrives.
Ashley and Michael aim to turn a tiny dilapidated 1940s-era clapboard house into a beach getaway for a small family to enjoy on the weekends.
Michael buys a house that's on the city's demo list that needs to be saved.
Ashley falls in love with an old Victorian with its original details.
Michael finds a 1931 craftsman bungalow that's near the beach, and after seeing it, they know they have to buy it.
Michael sees potential in a Victorian bungalow that has been eaten away by termites, leaving catastrophic damage.
The Cordray family has been in Galveston for over a century, and for 50 years they ran a corner drug store; Ashley wants to bring it back; with a baby due in a few weeks, Michael doesn't think it's a good time to open a new business.
2022
Ashley and Michael transform an alley home that was once filled with cats into a stylish getaway. The property is highlighted with custom features, including reclaimed wood walls and a repurposed stock tank bathtub.
Michael and Ashley remodel a property with problematic additions into a cohesive and spacious home, converting awkward spaces into a flowing floor plan with custom elements throughout.
Michael and Ashley create a charming, cozy bungalow with a coastal style by adding a hanging bed, a nautical-themed, 8-foot custom dining table and handcrafted concrete countertops.
Ashley and Michael's latest project is all about fun and games. They transform the upstairs of a two-story home into a creative play zone for kids while constructing an elegant retreat downstairs, creating a home that has something for the whole family.
From installing outdoor showers to planting lush, coastal landscaping, Michael and Ashley reveal some of their favorite and most memorable beach bungalow transformations.
Michael and Ashley offer tips for creating the ideal kitchen and explain why it's the heart of the home. Looking back at some of their most dramatic transformations, they share the spaces that became kitchen masterpieces.
The Cordrays tackle one of their most expensive projects ever in a town they both love. Close to the beach and parade routes, the brick home exudes class, functionality and becomes one of Michael's favorite projects.
Michael and Ashley save a family's two-story 1800s home from a flip that would have been a flop. They restore the original features while working to preserve the property's historical integrity.
When it comes to selling houses, bathrooms play a huge role in making a buyer's decision; Michael and Ashley talk viewers through six unique bathroom spaces and how they add value to a home.
Michael and Ashley look back at their most memorable underdog remodels, including properties that were abandoned for decades, scheduled for demolition or destroyed by weather.
Ashley and Michael let the fun and games begin as they tackle his and hers shotgun homes in a friendly competition to bring style and new life back to these two unique houses located just a couple blocks from the beach.
Ashley and Michael transform a neglected bungalow into a coastal retreat ideal for a weekend getaway offering the best of Galveston without ever leaving the comforts of home.
Michael and Ashley revisit some of the most gorgeous exteriors they were challenged to create and share behind-the-scenes tips and tricks to maximize a home's curb appeal.
Michael and Ashley revisit their most memorable antique finds -- whether buried in the trash or hiding in an antique store.
A look back at Restoring Galveston's best interior transformations.
Michael and Ashley talk behind-the-scenes about some of the biggest gambles they took as they risked their money, as well as their safety, for a big payoff.
2024
2019
Michael and Ashley have their work cut out for them while restoring a dilapidated 1914 fixer-upper. Together they create a light-filled breakfast nook and repurpose a vintage wooden sign to help transform what was once a condemned eyesore into a quaint pink corner house.
Ashley and Michael see hidden potential in a fire-damaged Victorian and decide to save it from demolition. They're opening up the formerly cramped space by turning a breezeway into a brand-new kitchen before turning trash into treasure while repurposing an old safe.
Michael surprises Ashley when an 1893 raised cottage that he purchased before seeing the full interior. The duo soon finds themselves in over their heads when they realize it's not quite the hidden gem Michael thought it was.
Michael and Ashley learn that a coveted property is for sale while crabbing off the Galveston coast. Knocking down walls and restoring the original staircase is only the beginning of their biggest undertaking yet as they begin converting the 1899 duplex into a single-family home.
Ashley and Michael take on a rundown, family-owned 1939 craftsman. The project is an emotional journey for the duo as the bland home is transformed into a breath-taking abode with room expansions and some inspired flooring choices.
Michael and Ashley revisit a house they tried to purchase a year ago and find the small 1920s craftsman has been stripped of all its original features. Now it's all hands on deck as the Cordrays add modern flair to the island property while working to preserve its antique charm.
Michael and Ashley get the opportunity to renovate a bizarre Galveston icon that may harbor a few surprises inside. The spaceship-shaped landmark is soon brimming with life as the Cordrays bring their unique charm to the one-of-a-kind house.
Michael and Ashley stumble upon a pre-1900s Victorian after some curbside dumpster diving. They hit New Orleans for some perfect vintage decor then return to combine two rooms into one spacious kitchen and make this the dream house worth of its own name.
2024
Michael and Ashley turn a 1904 single story bungalow into an adorable home with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and enough garage space to satisfy any buyer. A built-in banquette, nostalgic cabinet casings and accent wall highlight the interior design.
Upstairs, the Cordrays' new home gets a kid-friendly playroom with a climbing wall slide and storefront windows, as well as a homework space with desks that grow as the kids grow, and a library with wallpapered shelves and a vintage sliding ladder.
To balance design, family and functionality, Michael and Ashley build a staircase with custom newel post, add a fireplace with an old-wood mantel, build legs for their 12-foot island, and put 5-foot cast iron kitchen sinks in their primary bathroom.
The Cordrays renovate Michael's childhood brick bungalow for his supportive mom; they add a new fireplace, handmade window treatments, upgraded kitchen hardware and a surprise.
The Cordrays bring beauty, impeccable design and increased value to this renovation by adding a bedroom, vintage doors to separate the kitchen from the living space and retro tile found under the house for a one-of-a-kind back splash.
Michael and Ashley turn a dilapidated wood mill from 1908 into a wedding venue complete with limestone-like stamped concrete, a wedding arbor, lathe table bar, a grand staircase and two dressing suites.
