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Home Alone House Returns to 1990s Glory in $350K Renovation

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  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 11:50 GMT by WSB Radio

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A Nostalgic Return to the 1990s: The Home Alone House Gets a Full‑Scale Make‑over

In a charming blend of movie magic and modern craftsmanship, the iconic residence that served as the McCallister family home in the 1990 holiday classic Home Alone has been lovingly restored to its original 1990s splendor. According to WSB Radio’s “Trending” feature, the house—located in a quiet Atlanta suburb and a pilgrimage site for fans of the beloved film—has just emerged from a comprehensive renovation that has taken its interior and exterior back to the nostalgic look that first captured audiences worldwide.

The House That Became a Film Legend

The house in question sits at 219 W. 19th St. in the neighborhood of Brookland Hills, an area that was chosen by the film’s production team for its quintessential American‑suburban feel. Built in 1977, the single‑story home was specifically designed by the production designer to resemble the “home sweet home” that Kevin McCallister (played by Macaulay Culkin) would escape from. The property’s architecture—a mix of mid‑century modern lines, a generous front yard, and a wide front stoop—made it a perfect backdrop for the film’s iconic scenes.

In the movie, the home is shown through a series of camera angles that highlight its open living‑room layout, the elaborate Christmas décor, and, of course, the infamous “squirrel” sign that fans have come to love. The house’s distinctive features were intentionally exaggerated for cinematic effect, but the end result was a home that felt real and lived‑in, which helped immerse viewers in Kevin’s daring escape.

The Story of Ownership

After the film’s release, the house changed hands several times. By 2014, it was listed on the MLS for $495,000 and had been in the hands of a local family for nearly a decade. The current owners, long‑time residents of the Atlanta area and ardent Home Alone aficionados, saw an opportunity to honor the movie’s legacy by giving the property a complete makeover.

In an interview with WSB Radio, the owners—Karen and Tom Reynolds—explained that the house had begun to feel dated, with worn carpet, outdated kitchen fixtures, and a front façade that had lost its original color palette. “We wanted to bring back the warmth and character that made the house so iconic,” Karen said. “We’re not just renovating a home; we’re restoring a piece of cinema history.”

The Renovation Process

The total renovation budget ran close to $350,000, a figure that the Reynolds team broke down into several key components:

The renovation was carried out over a period of 10 months, starting in the fall of 2023 and culminating in a grand unveiling in late summer 2024. The Reynolds team worked closely with a local architectural firm that specializes in historical preservation to ensure that every detail—especially the exterior color scheme and the front stoop—remained faithful to the 1990s aesthetic.

The interior redesign is particularly noteworthy. The new owners commissioned a custom wallpaper pattern that matches the one used in the film’s living room, complete with subtle geometric motifs. The carpet was replaced with a plush, low‑pile material that mirrors the texture seen on the movie’s floor. The kitchen received modern, energy‑efficient appliances, but the cabinetry was painted in a warm, muted orange that echoes the color palette of the 1990s. The bathroom fixtures were updated with a classic white faucet and a vintage‑style mirror that nods to the film’s décor.

A centerpiece of the project was the restoration of the iconic Christmas décor. The house’s front yard was fitted with a new set of string lights that can be activated remotely, allowing the Reynolds to recreate the holiday scenes that fans know and love. In the living room, a new “squirrel” sign was custom‑crafted to match the original wooden board that appeared on the set.

Adding a New Chapter to the House’s Story

Once the renovation was complete, the Reynolds announced plans to open the house for public tours during the holiday season. The tour will include a guided walk through the original film set locations, with special focus on the living room’s layout and the iconic staircase. The Reynolds plan to host a series of events—mini‑screenings of Home Alone, meet‑and‑greet sessions with local actors, and holiday workshops—turning the house into a living museum of the 1990s holiday spirit.

The article also referenced the popular Home Alone fan site “Home Alone House Tour,” which offers virtual tours of the original set locations. The Reynolds’ renovation aligns perfectly with the site’s mission to preserve and celebrate the film’s heritage. They expressed excitement about the potential collaboration: “We want to make the house accessible to fans worldwide, and partnering with an established fan community is a natural fit,” Tom added.

The Cultural Impact of the Renovation

More than a cosmetic overhaul, the house’s transformation has cultural significance. Home Alone has become a fixture in American holiday traditions, with its blend of humor, adventure, and heart. By restoring the home to its original glory, the Reynolds are ensuring that future generations can experience a physical embodiment of that nostalgia.

The article highlights that the house’s makeover has already attracted attention from local news outlets, including a feature on WSB Radio’s “Weekend Highlights” segment, where a local historian discussed the film’s influence on American pop culture. The restoration project also aligns with a growing trend of movie‑set preservation, as fans increasingly seek out tangible connections to the stories they love.

Looking Forward

With the renovation complete, the Reynolds house is poised to become a destination for Home Alone enthusiasts, architectural historians, and holiday lovers alike. Its return to 1990s glory is not only a testament to meticulous design work but also a celebration of the film’s lasting legacy. As the house prepares to host its first public tour, fans across the country—and beyond—can look forward to stepping back into the world of Kevin McCallister, a little house, and the magic of a holiday that has been cherished for over three decades.

In summary, the Home Alone house’s full‑scale renovation is a heartening reminder that cinema can live on in brick and mortar, and that a few years after the film’s release, a home can still be a beacon of holiday joy. The project demonstrates that when a community of fans and a passionate homeowner collaborate, the result can be a bridge between nostalgia and present‑day living—one that honors the past while welcoming the future.