The historic Victorian in Harrisburg, PA, needed a refresh, and HGTV transformed the property without erasing its original charm.
Even in its third season, HGTV’s “Scariest House in America” is able to continue unearthing the most unsettling homes in the country—and transform them into gorgeous abodes the owners are proud to call home.
After touring a whopping 20 terrifying properties across the country, interior designer Alison Victoria and comedian Retta have finally decided which home takes the cake for spookiest: a spine-chilling former nursing home in Harrisburg, PA, where the homeowners have reported a series of suspicious experiences.
Upon moving into the home from their previous dwelling in Vermont, Donovan claimed that “strange things started happening almost immediately,” and told Penn Live that the family witnessed unexplained noises, water pouring from the kitchen cabinets, and even their dryer setting ablaze.
In one particularly unusual moment, the owners told camera crews that “there were wet footprints leading from the side of the tub, and the tub was dry.”
When speaking to “Good Day PA,” Donovan said the family “immediately loved” the property when they first toured it, and even noted “the spooky stuff never really bothered” them.
After touring 20 homes across the country, Alison Victoria and Retta awarded a Victorian in Harrisburg, PA, with the title of "Scariest House in America." (HGTV) 
The family received a $150,000 renovation, updating the home's outdated features. (HGTV) 
The kitchen was transformed with new flooring and a lighter color palette. (HGTV) 
Additional storage was added with new cabinets carefully selected to look like an original part of the home. (HGTV) 
The kitchen received fresh appliances and dazzling new finishes. (HGTV) “There was no aggression. It was just weird stuff,” said Herzig.
Still, there was room for improvement. The family was awarded a $150,000 home makeover, where the “Sin City Rehab” host stepped in to switch up the home’s dated layout, give it a fresh color palette, and renovate the bathrooms.
The renovation also included a refashioning of what the family agrees is the “most haunted room of all”—their daughter, Aoife Herzing's, bedroom, which was brightened up with playful floral wallpaper.
Herzig and Donovan recalled having just 48 hours to relocate to a temporary rental after learning their home had won the title of “Scariest House in America,” and spent the summer away from home so Victoria could step in and flex her design skills.
Although Herzig noted that they were not active participants in the renovation, they were asked to share their “design preferences” with HGTV, and to flag what to avoid and which items they “really want to keep” at the home.
The dark parlor room was rarely used by the family before the renovation. (HGTV) 
Victoria gave the space a much-needed refresh, sourcing vintage pieces to keep the look cohesive. (HGTV) 
Before, the primary suite had lots of unused space. (HGTV) 
With the addition of a walk-in closet and some lovely green paint, the room felt brand new. (HGTV) Victoria told HGTV her goal for the project was to “find the balance between a little old and a little new.” To make that dream a reality, she worked with Retta to source treasures from local antique stores and added new elements that carefully considered the house’s existing character.
The home's exterior was painted sage green—a vibrant upgrade from the dreary white siding it showcased previously.
“This is truly the scariest part of ‘Scariest House in America’ for me: painting someone’s entire house,” Victoria said.
While the decision was difficult for her to make, the TV personality ultimately landed on the hue she chose for a very good reason.
“Green is a very statement color that gives classic Victorian vibes,” she said.
The daughter's bedroom was previously a dimly lit space that needed attention. (HGTV) 
New floral wallpaper and a colorful trim gave the room a new look without throwing away its original charm. (HGTV) The previously dark and dismal kitchen was brightened up with a calm, neutral color palette and fresh furnishings. It also received an upgrade to its functionality with a new range and hood, plus plenty of storage.
Victoria and Retta found some antique corbels to bring character to the large parlor space that the owners said had been underutilized. The room also received a custom mantel and a pair of vintage chandeliers.
The primary suite may still be the site of “footsteps and giggling” that the owners can’t quite pinpoint, but it also now boasts a recently added walk-in closet and a rich forest green color palette.
The en suite bathroom takes a modern approach to Victorian style, with vintage-inspired sconces framing a moody freestanding tub.
To make better use of the room’s space, Victoria also relocated the sauna—which was previously housed indoors—to a spot out back, where the landscaping also got some love.
The process also included restoration of the home’s original hardwood floors—an element Herzig was thrilled to see renewed.