Want to take a tour of the Big Fish House after Home Town Takeover gave it an EPIC makeover? Come take a tour of this amazing home in Wetumpka, Alabama where Tim Burton filmed the 2003 hit movie, Big Fish.
As you arrive in downtown Wetumpka, it’s impossible to miss this huge Victorian home towering over downtown. You can see it from nearly every vantage point in town. The view from the second story goes clear across the river! For the past few years, the owners Shelly and Wade Whitfield have been renovating it to bring it back to it’s former glory.
The second story of the home was actually built by the Big Fish movie crew back in 2003, so it definitely needed some love and attention. In 2020, had the honor of being a part of the design team at Home Town Takeover that helped Erin and Ben Napier come up with a plan to make it shine again.
The kitchen had not changed at ALL since the day it was featured in the movie. I took a quick selfie to document the history of the place where Jessica Lange and Albert Finney once stood.
During construction, the dining room wall was taken out to add in french doors with a transom that lets in plenty of light.
The wall between the dining room and kitchen was removed, and the foyer doorway was widened for much better traffic flow.
Josie from Russell Construction gave the house some instant curb appeal with the pressure washer.
The night before filming the big reveal, the design team gathered around Shelly’s new kitchen island for a quick meal of take-out pizza before putting the finishing touches on the house. I can say from experience that it is the perfect kitchen for gathering with friends, just wish we could have lingered longer!
Katie and Lann taped out that foyer wall for the giant collage of family photos. Wait til you see how it turned out!
Let the big reveal filming begin!
The film crew in the NEW updated kitchen with Ben and Erin! So exciting!
Here is the AFTER!
Isn’t this the happiest, most welcoming front porch you ever did see?
Love this little pop of sunshine yellow on the front door.
And now, come on in…
As a quick reminder… here is what the foyer looked like BEFORE:
And here it is NOW!
I am still swooning over this foyer. It is absolutely magnificent!
Little reading nook at the end of the foyer.
And now head into the dining room and kitchen. It is SO much more open now!
Check out those new french doors.
The dining room nook got a fresh coat of paint.
And here is the new kitchen. SWOON.
I am in love with this simple vent hood with vertical V-groove paneling backsplash above the range.
And the chunky open shelving on either side of it! Obsessed.
And on the right side of the kitchen.
But I think the star of the show is this amazing island with glass cabinet doors and a closed toe.
But this beautiful brass faucet in the farmhouse apron sink is a close runner-up.
Over in the living room, Erin preserved the history of the Big Fish house by recreating the wallpaper from the movie. Isn’t it fabulous?
After all the film crews rolled out, the Whitfields were able to kick back and enjoy their new living areas! Congratulations, guys!! I’m so happy for you!
What’s upstairs at the Big Fish house ? Is it a hollow space to make the house look bigger ?
The upstairs is fully finished with bedrooms, a beautiful bathroom and a huge living space inside the turret room! It’s very bright and welcoming. Shellie and Wade actually started renovating it first and really nice. The views of town from up there are unbelievable!
I was wondering what kind of refrigerator that is? Thank you!
I don’t know brand but it double door fridge on top and freezer and ice drawer below
Dianne C
Here is a link to the fridge from the local company that supplied it: Kitchenaid White Fridge from Big Fish House
I’m so happy to be a part of this event. Learned a lot from the most influential people and brightest minds within the community as well as countless opportunities for networking, code sprints, and informal conversations.
What color & code was used for the kitchen base cabinets?
Would be interested in finding out the paint color manufacturer and code of the kitchen cabinets? Exactly what I’m looking for 👍🏼 Thank you
We will be in town on March 26th . My sister is turning 60 and we would love to tour the big Fish house. Is this at all possible?
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I love this house so much. It is spacious and fully equipped.
The renovation results looks really impressive.
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Wow! The transformation is incredible! The kitchen island looks like the perfect spot for gatherings. Also, recreating the movie wallpaper in the living room is such a cool touch!
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This iconic Victorian home, featured in the 2003 film “Big Fish,” has been lovingly restored by Shelly and Wade Whitfield with help from a skilled design team. Notable changes include the removal of the dining room wall to add French doors, the renovation of the kitchen while preserving its historical charm, and the creation of a more open and welcoming foyer. The home now boasts a vibrant yellow front door, a cozy reading nook, and beautifully updated living spaces. Congratulations to the Whitfields on their stunning new home!
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