Gail Kernes hired designer and builder Scott Trettle to transform the house she purchased in the West Hills neighborhood near Kansas University.

Gail Kernes knew exactly what she wanted when her house search began in 2007. Having previously lived in San Francisco, then relocating from Chicago to Lawrence, this city girl and single mother wanted an “urban, city house in an older, established neighborhood.”

Her search resulted in undertaking the complete transformation of a 1950s home in the West Hills neighborhood, a short walk from Kansas University. The three-bedroom, one-bath rancher blossomed into a four-bedroom, three-bath modern, efficient oasis.

“I wanted it all,” says Kernes, who partnered with designer and builder Scott Trettle to help make her dreams become reality.

“My goals were to have a cool, modern, green, efficient home and to do it as affordably as possible,” she says.

Big trees, a diverse neighborhood and quality schools were also on Kernes’ priority list.

The dramatic transformation is detailed on this week’s “Home and Away,” when Kernes and Trettle are guests of host Lori Carson.

“Home and Away” premieres at 6:30 p.m. Monday on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6.

Each show replays at 9:30 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tuesday; 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 10:30 a.m. Friday; 10 a.m. Saturday; and 9 p.m. Sunday.