We love Chip and Joanna Gaines. If you are a fan of the HGTV show, “Fixer Upper”, they need no introduction. If you aren’t, then know that they are a talented husband wife team who help families buy fixer upper homes, and turn them into dream homes, on budget. And dream homes they are, especially if you are a fan of their farmhouse flavored, warm yet modern approach to design.
The thing I like best about them is they aren’t doing this in New York, or L.A. They do all their homes (and run an expanding empire, and raise their 4 kids!) in Waco, Texas. Yep, Waco. So rather than a Hollywood attitude, they are relatable to the majority of us. Mom and Dad first, hardworking, caring and down to earth. Chip and Joanna’s signature style includes shiplap walls, (learn more about DIY shiplap) vintage signs and oversized clocks. (Look for an HGTV link at the end of this post for a complete guide on how to decorate like Chip and Joanna.)
So for all you DIY’ers who aren’t in the market for a home in Waco, Texas, we decided to pick some of our favorites (so hard to pick!) from “Fixer Upper” remodels and show you how easy it is for a decorator on a budget to add elements of their style to your home. Below, Chip and Joanna Gaines, photo by Zach DeSart for ‘HGTV‘. All before and after photos are from Chip and Joanna’s site, ‘Magnolia Market‘, by ‘Rachel Whyte‘. Be sure to spend some time on their site, and check out that amazing shop they have!
Our first fav pick is from Season One of “Fixer Upper”, The West Story. We love this remodel because it’s done with a small and modest home, that happens to have some history come along with it. This before and after is of the West living room. Pretty boring before, huh?
Before
The “after” is about one thing… that fireplace. They were able to remove drywall and reveal some shiplap just above the fireplace to make it a focal point in the room, but you could add your own DIY shiplap. After that, it’s just paint and moldings! If you don’t have these crown moldings in your home, or want a farmhouse style window, check out our post on DIY baseboards, moldings and trim while you are at it. Note that this fireplace is not a working one… you could build a faux fireplace as well for the same look.
After
Next, also from Season One, The Robinson House. This is a gorgeous farmhouse that was stuck in the ’80’s. Check out this kitchen before… Look like yours, maybe?
Before
After!
Love this after! Think you can’t recreate this kitchen as a DIY’er? Think again. We found tutorials for you for every part of this remodel.
Don’t forget new cabinet hardware, and a couple of plants or flowers! Voila!
From Season Two, The Unstately Manor. This before and after is another one that is an easy DIY makeover.
Before
After!
New paint and removing the popcorn ceiling, paint on the fireplace, and a new mantel transforms this room. The extra wall moldings make this room feel custom.
From Season Three, Chip and Joanna’s own vacation rental, The Magnolia House! This place is drop dead gorgeous from front door to the floorboards, but take a look at this kitchen. They removed the upper cabinets for a fresher look, then added shiplap wood walls. Open shelving and new wood floors (you could do laminate too!), paint the cabinets, and new counters. (Or paint the old ones!) A new light fixture, cabinet hardware and kitchen faucet complete this kitchen.
Before and After
Last, we have a bathroom remodel from Season Two, The Raggedy Ranch.
Before
After!
In the after photo we do see that the tub was changed into a walk in shower… but it’s the tiling, new mirror and sink that make the most impact. And of course, paint! And you can’t see it, but they did tile the floors. Learn how to tile a floor!
Still need ideas? Check out 17 ways to decorate like Chip and Joanna from ‘HGTV’! Also, make sure you take a look at our post, DIY modern farmhouse projects for those home accents that really pull the look together. (Those cool sliding barn doors you see in their homes? It’s in there!) Remember, you don’t have to do this all overnight. Make a plan, then tackle each project as time and budget allows. Even home bloggers can’t get it all done overnight! (Unless Chip and Joanna want to lend us their team?:))
We hope you love “Fixer Upper” as much as us, and that now you are one step closer to having a “Fixer Upper” of your own!
Image Credits: HGTV, Magnolia Market
I love this couple and their show “Fixer Upper”. I love the fact that they are always sweet and respectful to one another. Their natural, witty banter is fun to watch, and they are so amazingly gifted at their craft. One of my favourite shows!
Love the show I know the Gaines’ have got to be busy but I can’t wait for the next series. I live in a mobile home 14′ wide, unemployed trying to remodel with second hand finds. My father is in the Victoria, TX area and I hope to come that way he is of age.
Love Joanna’s designs, and please tell Chip proud of his work!!!!!!
Betty
Just wanted to say ,how much i love the style that joanna brings to every home she touches…i would love to have a pinky worth of her talent and vision..one day i would love to meet her and chip..i think he is the bomb to her fuse…i love his demo day…he really brings it!! He is so funny !! The kids are so adorable!! I love that they include them and that they are having another one is precious!! I cant wait to see what it is going to be , to bad it won’t be twins !! The fact that they live on a farm , just makes them so much more loveable..they are just like me..they have goats, chickens,cows…thats what people like me, like to see..just because you live on a farm ,it doesn’t mean your stupid and can’t do anything..you just like peace and quiet…
Would like to see remodels with mobile homes. Caus s there are alot of people that live in them . And there different then regular home
Moved into a small double-wide model home I love Johannes & chips flips. There’s a whole lot we’ve done but so much more we need to do but as U said one room at a time. Mobiles are different in a lot of ways. The older ones the walls r like bender board. I’d really like to C Some bathroom makeovers. For instance what can I do to cover up the back wall. That U can c from bed. The wall paper needs to be covered w/wall mud or I don’t know. The vanity is really long from wall to wall w/marble top w/1 sink built into the marble. Yuk! I’d like a real vanity w/a separate sink maybe 3 med. Size drawers w/Some shelves for towels etc. My basic colors are rustic red, sage green, a muted or light mustard type yellow & copper.
Favorite show of all!
I am about to retire and would love this couple to be the ones to update my home… where my whole family have a place to come to and celebrate US… They are great and super funny together!
Huge fan of this show. My husband isn’t into watching these types of shows but Johanna won him over and we both enjoy watching the makeovers. Everything looks so clean and uncluttered. She has an amazing touch. Really miss the show but enjoy watching behind the scenes.
Joanna Gaines weaves a magical wand over homes to create an ambiance and decor vibe that never fails to impress. I am a fan of her work and have learned so much watching her take these unloved homes and making them over into decor works of art.