HGTV’s ‘Saving Galveston’ Features A Stunning Home Renovation

Michael and Ashley Cordray love older homes and state on their website that they are working hard to save as many dilapidated and neglected homes as possible. The couple hates to see Galveston’s older homes that are full of character and charm demolished and lost forever. The Cordrays strive to bring these homes back to their former glory through preservation and restoration; meshing original design elements with updates that blend seamlessly into the unique character of every home.

They recently posted to their Save 1900 Facebook page, which is the name of their restoration business, that the first episode of Saving Galveston, “Is amazing and we can’t wait for everyone to see it. We are so proud to have the opportunity to work on these beautiful houses in a vibrant community with such a rich history.” The sneak-peek video of Saving Galveston included with the post provides a glimpse of just what viewers can expect.

“All of these homes — they have character, they have nice trim work, they have the gingerbread detail,” Ashley says as several of the neglected homes are shown on the Saving Galveston clip. “They all have their own story.”

Comments from those who have seen the trailer for Saving Galveston show that they are excited about this pilot, which may eventually become a new series. Some remarked that they loved seeing older homes restored, calling them beautiful works of art that should be saved. Others shared that same sentiment, adding that they can’t wait for the pilot episode of Saving Galveston to air.

Michael added on the preview of Saving Galveston that they take homes that are scheduled to be demolished and give them new life. From the clip, it is obvious that they have a true passion for bringing back these historic homes, and the transformations are impressive and quite stunning. HGTV’s Saving Galveston page shared that the first episode involves the restoration of a run-down 1913 beach bungalow that is scheduled for demolition.

Their plan on the pilot episode of Saving Galveston is to completely renovate the kitchen by turning it into a modern, open-concept area while using vintage touches and uncovering the hidden charm of the bungalow. The original hardwood floors and shiplap walls will be restored as well on this pilot episode of Saving Galveston. The Cordray’s enjoy turning reclaimed materials into something new, and undoubtedly, some of their projects end up in their renovated homes. Renovating these homes is an admirable endeavor, but the Cordray’s need to make a profit in order to save even more of Galveston’s history. Hopefully, the time, effort, and money invested will be worth the return on this Saving Galveston renovation project.

Photos posted to their Instagram account reveal that many of the homes they renovate are in poor condition with rotting pipes, foundations, floors, and ceilings. Sometimes, the homes are full of trash, and many of the fixtures look to be beyond saving. Landscaping seems to be just as neglected at these homes, and often, there’s a lot of overgrown foliage and debris strewn around. These are the types of homes most flippers and renovators wouldn’t touch, but the Cordray’s see the potential in each home and what they are able to achieve is truly amazing on Saving Galveston.

Last fall, the couple received an award for their restoration of the 1907 George and Lucile Murray House. According to their website, the Sally B. Wallace Preservation Awards “Recognize outstanding projects and craftspeople involving the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of Galveston County’s historic buildings and neighborhoods.” The website describes the late Sally B. Wallace as one of the driving forces behind Galveston Island’s preservation movement and acknowledges her as a pivotal figure in saving the antebellum Ashton Villa from demolition. Clearly, the Cordray’s share the same passion and vision for the preservation of Galveston’s historic homes.

Are you a fan of home-renovation shows? Will you be checking out Saving Galveston? Leave your comments, thoughts, and opinions concerning Saving Galveston below. Currently, the pilot for Saving Galveston is scheduled to air one time only on Saturday, June 10 at 2 p.m. ET on the HGTV Channel.

[Featured Image by HGTV Channel]