Detroit and suburban fans of DIY and HGTV Rehab Addict contracting/design star Nicole Curtis got to see the final product firsthand today as she opened the doors to 4926 North Campbell, a fire-damaged Detroit home Curtis saved from the dozer.
Click here to check out our 2014 Tour Season
A self-taught home rehabber and designer, Curtis has developed a cult-like following not only because she swings a mean sledgehammer but because she advocates for saving old homes. Rather than quickly renovating homes with modern products and flipping them, Curtis tries to salvage as much of the original materials as possible. When she can’t do so, she looks for products of the same era to keep as true to the home’s original build.
Curtis’ feisty attitude and passion endear her to many too!
A native of Lake Orion, Michigan, Curtis now resides in Minneapolis where her on-air rehabs usually take place. Earlier this year, however, Curtis purchased a Detroit home. I believe a fan somehow made a plea for her to save this house. Anyway, this week, the shows showcasing the Detroit rehab will finally debut.
Check out photos from Season 6, 2015 East Grand Boulevard Project
In what has become a Nicole Curtis tradition, she holds “open houses” so that fans can see the finished product. Today’s open house was scheduled for 1 PM to 2 PM – only one hour! I expected her to have a huge turnout. How could we all see the house in an hour? I arrived a few minutes after one and the line was long. Periodically, Curtis spoke from the porch and assured us we’d all get inside, even if they had to stay open ’til 10 PM. Not too many people were standing in line after I exited the house, so open house probably ended around 3:30ish.
Not only did people get a glimpse inside 4926 North Campbell and the opportunity for a photo op with Curtis, at $5 a person, the open house was a successful fundraiser for the Brian Thomas Cancer Fund. Thomas, a friend of Curtis, is the founder of Road Warriors Corp, an organization that promotes running as a means to raise funds and awareness for numerous causes.
Last year, the Okeechobee Middle School science teacher and two former students ran from Palm Beach, Florida to Lake Orion, Michigan to raise funds and awareness for colon cancer. In May 2013, Thomas stood on the sidelines as students and teachers ran to raise funds to support his battle with skin cancer which was diagnosed during spring break. The melanoma weakened his body so much he was unable to finish teaching the rest of the year.
In true Detroit and suburban Detroit spirit, 600 people (according to Curtis’ tweet as she made her way to the airport) turned out to support their native daughter in her efforts to restore our beloved city one house at a time and generously support another in need.
Will one nicely restored home be enough to turn around a neighborhood where a few doors down and across the street, a burned out house stands along with five or six boarded up homes? The future will tell. It would be wonderful if even just 1% of those in attendance today would be inspired enough to purchase a neglected home on the block and further extend Nicole’s vision by restoring them. The rest of us, who don’t have the funds, could provide the muscle. This collective, transformative effort could become Detroit’s version of Curb Appeal – The Block.
HOMETOWN HISTORY TOURS 
Have watched with interest the total restoration. Always enjoyed it. Worked with Habitat For Humanity and really came to like what we did, always new homes. Would have liked to rehab one, never did. Keep going. Is there a budget site as I would be interested .
J. Pierce
She is doing a good thing I’m a fan of the show
Someone needs to explain how a medicine cabinet and a sink passes as a kitchen.
Just google earthed this house & a year later, garden is in disrepair, boarded up windows on a fully restored home, paint peeling off front of the house, etc. Back to a downward slide for this house being ruined once again
Haven’t been by in awhile so can’t say what yard is like. I just googled it and image shows furniture in the front. Either someone moving in or Nicole was moving staged furniture out.
Nicole keep up the good work. We do appreciate all your hard work and effort in making our City awesome once more. Detroit has been a major part of my life and will continue to be.
Does Nicole Curtis sell the furniture with the homes that she remodels?
Thanks for asking Patricia. Not sure what she does with the furniture.