All Episodes Talk: French Country in Texas?

[meep.meep]

Tonight's barn was strange.  I hated that downstairs "harvest gathering room".  The kitchen is upstairs!  Who the hell wants to carry that much food up and down the steps when you have people sitting at that 17 foot table?

 

Did they put in a dumb waiter?  Or have allowance for a footman?  What a silly use of space - make that the living/family room and have the dining room upstairs near the kitchen.

 

I agree about needing insulation!  Ship lap over barn walls is freezing in the winter and boiling in the summer.  It must be full of vermin too if it was a working barn.  

[truther]

I'm really coming to appreciate why the show devotes so much air time to Chip's shenanigans and to the family stuff.  Jo is such a one-note designer!  Every single place they do ends up looking, for all intents and purposes, exactly the same.  

 

Plus we were incredulous that she brought her own kids in to do a lego barn design for the kids' room and then redid it herself.  How can you erase your own kids' artwork?

[MoreCoffeePlease]

I love Fixer Upper, but this barn project was completely ridiculous.  TOTALLY, totally, impractical.  I will say it looked super-cute and cool from the outside.

 

For the 1st 2 properties, my husband and I said, "Just tear them down and build your dream home!"  The brick ranch wasn't a bad house and would have been a nice project.

 

 

I didn't like the black backsplash. It was too busy and dark.

I didn't mind it.  What is so funny, is a designer used a similar tile on a kitchen floor in "House Hunters Renovation" this past week, AND, I saw someone else on HGTV use it as a backsplash.  Are all designers just working out of one design book these days?  There are an infinite number of choices out there.  I don't want to keep seeing the same stuff over and over.

 

It killed me that Jojo redid the Lego artwork.  Wait until her kids see that.  Cool idea though, to have a Lego wall.

[Spunkygal]

At least, she didn't do a white blacksplash. That said, I didn't like the black backsplash. It was too busy and dark. The banquet table was nice but how often are they having that many people? The office/den was cozy look King but sort of small. The kids bedroom was down there along with a bathroom which was okay but it's sort of an odd layout. I'm sure there was a master bedroom that didn't make the edit but I'm not sure where a large master would have fit. Upstairs or downstairs? I did like the family area with the big clock. I love a big clock. LOL!!!

Edit to add: Just checked their Twitter and she replied the following:

@drpittdmd great qstn! its actually a four bedroom house w 2 baths, bc of time we cant film the entire house reveal but it is very livable

If I were on Twitter, my reply to JoJo...they'd have time to film the entire reveal if they didn't show so much of your husband's silly antics.

I wish the couple who chose the barn had picked one of the other houses. JoJo loved the barn so much that it could have been the Magnolia Barn B&B. The location in the middle of nowhere made as much sense as the B&B McGregor property does.

[txvoodoo]

BTW, Zillow mysteriously lacks the purchase price.  I listened carefully but never heard mention of either a list price or final purchase price during the episode.  IIRC from Zillow, the home was listed at 320K for about 1.5 years.  Was thinking as I viewed the episode that they should have used a strawman buyer (other than themselves) to purchase it.  Sure enough, it appeared that they did, when I dug a little further.  (I saved some of that info - will try to return and give all of you some links.)   

 

Texas real estate law prevents sale prices from being disclosed like that. A realtor can look it up for comps, but not the public. You can, however, find out owners' names. 

 

KittyS, I think you forgot white subway tile with dark grout. It just looks like the grout is old and dirty. In general, I like her work and I'm a sucker for a big clock and a farm table. Chip is annoying and he's gonna get really hurt one day and will deserve it.

 

Before our current house, I lived in a house (rental) for 10 years with tile countertops in the kitchen & 2 baths. Definitely *not* my choice, but had to make do! White tile, and grout that started out white. I vowed then never to have white grout again, because after a certain amount of time and wear, it's no longer white.

[aguabella]

Texas real estate law prevents sale prices from being disclosed like that. A realtor can look it up for comps, but not the public. You can, however, find out owners' names. 

 

 

Yes, state law controls WRT real estate matters and there are some reporting differences. As I mentioned above, I use government records, anyway, given Zillow's longstanding, well-deserved (from what I've seen), reputation for inaccuracies.

[aguabella]

That is a great idea. I'd enjoy seeing Jo take the homeowner's existing pieces and work with those.

I seem to recall that a hundred years ago, HGTV had a show where hosts went into someone's home and basically moved existing furniture around, painted, maybe put up new curtains and added a few new decorative items. Often it was an interesting transformation. I would love for someone to come into my living room, which I'm kind of tired of, and help me choose a few new fabrics to recover chairs, maybe incorporate fresher decorative items, to give the room an update. I can't afford to ditch ALL my furniture but some tweaks here and there would be great.

I certainly agree but as you mentioned - that'd be an entirely different job / show for Joanna. They'd need even more design assistants to maintain inventory, i.e. more than their current 25 - or whatever they're up to!

Were you thinking of the HGTV program Freestyle? It was popular but lost some of its zing when the truth came out that they'd required homeowners to front a grand or two for new items, purchased prior to filming, allowing the hosts to magically "find" them later!

[aguabella]

I remember a show from a few years ago, might have been something like "Get it Sold." They found properties that had been listed for a long time, and tried to figure out why it hadn't sold and what they could do to move it. There was a RE agent who checked the price, and there was some small amount ($1,500?) for minor repairs/coverup. Then they brought in a stager. I think there were different teams based on location, but I remember Joanna being one of the stagers.

I don't see anything on Joanna's IMDB page about earlier shows. Does anyone else remember this?

I remember a show that was probably "Get it sold". There was an episode with the most eighties of the eighties tract homes with not only dusty rose carpet to hide with area rugs, faux wood beams and six shit tons of brass, but the owner had tons of suches like those stupid bears dressed like little house on the prairie , precious moments horrors, and cabbage rose upholstery everywhere. I don't think it sold. I seem to remember watching it a lot, but don't recall Jo.

Have read multiple Chip/Jo bios from local newspapers (see links upthread, if you're interested) plus Jo's blog but don't recall anyone mentioning previous HGTV experience. And, I get the impression that Jo's basically self-taught - kind of the talented SAHM who pursued her passion privately, starting with f&f. As discussed previously, it's terrific for clients, assuming they prefer Jo's personal style.

Wasn't Get it Sold started by stager, Sabrina Soto? I believe they streamlined the standard plot by eliminating both the staging angle and Ms. Soto.

Sounds like you're thinking of Design to Sell (?), a 30 minute program that featured minimal / light renos plus staging with multiple teams across the country. Let's see, the stagers were Lisa LaPorta, John Gidding, Monica Pedersen and Taniya Nayak, among others. Can't remember Jo as either a stager or d/a.

Edited January 16, 2016 by aguabella

[sheetmoss]

Clint Harp

From flat broke to HGTV’s 'Fixer Upper' for furniture maker Clint Harp

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/lifestyles/home-garden/from-flat-broke-to-hgtvs-fixer-upper-for-furniture/np4gY/

Tuesday's ratings http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/FIXER-UPPERs-Joanna-Chip-Deliver-Record-Breaking-Records-for-HGTV-20160115

Edited January 16, 2016 by sheetmoss

[aguabella]

It is amazing to me how much they improve the exteriors of these homes with seemingly simple touches. 

 

I did love the end result of the main living space and kitchen, and I agreed with Chip about not white-washing the brick fireplace, especially after having to find matching brick. 

 

I liked the result, too and it occurred to me that Mike's probably the only homeowner who actually needs the expanded shower, etc. versus those upgrades simply being the homeowners' wants.  Same thing with the wife's craft room - she needed it for her Etsy biz v. all the other episodes where the family wants a special room for their kids to color!  Or, perhaps they want the special room to show off for f&f, lol ???

 

I could understand Chip's frustration about the whitewashing but also thought about it another way.  Typically, the largest expense in any reno is labor, by far.  Why incur extra labor costs to match the brick, if the client desired whitewashing all along?  How about asking the client upfront about their f/p finish preference before incurring the added expense?  Or, have the guys talk to Jo about it b4 going to that trouble so she could make the faux, extra expense, set-up, special F/U telephone call, lol!

[aguabella]

They've done remodels for a number of the Bayor staff, so I think that's where their rental home is going to get its referrals. For most of us, a 20 minute drive anywhere is nothing, so I don't think the town is an issue. Put a nice big BBQ grill in the back & mom and dad can spend some quality time with their Baylor undergrad, in style when they come down for a visit.

 

I agree that 20 minutes is nothing for most / many of us but after a football game?  They probably don't serve liquor at the game itself but if any of the alums stop at a watering hole afterwards - ???  It's a baptist university so does the town lack bars and/or actively discourage drinking? 

 

That's just the general impression I've received from people that reside in some of the college football crazed towns, e.g. Ann Arbor, etc.  Apparently it's guys' weekends and trying to recapture that college life ...  Is Baylor / Waco any different?

 

It'll be interesting to see how they do with that business.  Does the F/U show draw so well that fans will shell out $$$ to overnight in a Waco suburb?

 

Anybody notice that Austin has a B&B named Magnolia House?  Guess someone knew about NYC's Magnolia Bakery but not a TX B&B.  In any event, it's not difficult and typically SOP for attorneys to run a simple name search when setting up a business.  Oh well - they haven't opened yet so we'll see if the name changes prior to their open.

Edited January 16, 2016 by aguabella

[aguabella]

Clint Harp

From flat broke to HGTV’s 'Fixer Upper' for furniture maker Clint Harp

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/lifestyles/home-garden/from-flat-broke-to-hgtvs-fixer-upper-for-furniture/np4gY/

Tuesday's ratings http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/FIXER-UPPERs-Joanna-Chip-Deliver-Record-Breaking-Records-for-HGTV-20160115

 

Thanks for taking the time to post the links, sheetmoss.  Everyone ready for the Harp Homes (or whatever they call it) pilot?  Didn't see that one coming.  Clint comes off as a nice guy so we'll see.  Will they focus on woodworking or his family / lifestyle, ala F/U?

 

The F/U ratings don't surprise me.  Given the constant rerun airings of S1 and S2 during S3's filming, it was obvious the first two seasons scored big.  And, the way they've been trying to replicate the formula ...

[aguabella]

I thought the shoe closet was going to be some big room. It was a broom closet with very narrow shelves. He seemed happy though. Whatever!

 

IIRC, the shoe closet was the size of the old shower so maybe 2 broom closets, lol!  That said, I believe a closet designer could have significantly increased its capacity.  Too bad they didn't use one although it was a relatively minor part of the overall reno  Jo does it all, right?

 

Like other posters mentioned, I noticed they used brand new / staged shoes to present the closet.  Not surprising - time-wise, it's probably faster to complete it that way than contact the client, arrange a pickup, etc.

[Honey]

Well, I am glad to have the show back. I know it's just as staged as all the other shows on HGTV but I find the positive tone lovely to watch. No whiny and entitled clients and no snooty and put-upon designers.

 

As for Chips goofiness - I would guess he is probably a bit goofy in real life but they make him extra goofy for the show.

 

Maybe one day Joanna will get to do a different kind of design. I would like to see her do a Mid-century Modern kind of home - though I assume those kind of homes are probably rare in the area the show is filmed in.

They did a MCM home several months ago.  She decorated it similar to every other home.  It had glass and brass (gasp) shelves in the kitchen.

[magdalene]

They did a MCM home several months ago.  She decorated it similar to every other home.  It had glass and brass (gasp) shelves in the kitchen.

I saw that episode, it was certainly not MCM as I know it. I still like the show but design wise Joanna is very much a one trick pony.  But all these HGTV designers are pretty much. They all seem to stick to their - err... stick pretty much.

[aguabella]

Agree, they've basically let go / sidelined all (well, nearly all) the actual, professionally trained designers in favor of lifestyle programming.

[mmecorday]

 

I haven't seen this episode yet, but something I've found myself thinking, while watching Flip or Flop: why is Fixer Upper a one-hour show when Flip or Flop is only a half hour?

Because audiences can only take so much of Christina screaming about bugs and complaining about odors?

[CruiseDiva]

"I haven't seen this episode yet, but something I've found myself thinking, while watching Flip or Flop: why is Fixer Upper a one-hour show when Flip or Flop is only a half hour?"

 

Because audiences can only take so much of Christina screaming about bugs and complaining about odors?

Now, now. We've all probably screamed when seeing gross bugs and complained about nasty odors. I know I have.

 

I find it interesting that more of the reno is revealed in the half-hour Flip or Flop than in the hour-long Fixer Upper. Maybe if they cut out the Chipster's silliness and the (oh, how sweet! /sarc) appearances by the 'kiddos' there would be more time to show the complete reno. And they could cut out the phone-call-of-doom as well.

[CruiseDiva]

Agree, they've basically let go / sidelined all (well, nearly all) the actual, professionally trained designers in favor of lifestyle programming.

And that is a real shame. I tune in to HGTV for house porn, not silliness by a host or appearances by their 'kiddos'--I still cringe whenever I hear Jo say that when referring to children. Perhaps I am sensitive to that because my mother taught us that kids are goats, not children. Growing up we weren't allowed to use the word kid in reference to other children.

 

I really wish HGTV would bring back the pro designers/decorators. I find myself watching the DIY network more frequently these days.

Edited January 18, 2016 by CruiseDiva

[Mu Shu]

I didn't get the barn with the "dining hall". It just looked like some particle board structure and wasn't even old. Why would you ever need a 17 foot table, and why would you sacrifice space and layout for it? Who carries everything down from the kitchen and back up?

I did like the kitchen , but the lay out was wonky. Were the little kids staying in the stalls on the first floor? Was there even a bedroom on the second floor? The whole house was too bifurcated for my taste, and I like defined spaces. But not dining halls, since I am not King Arthur.

[CN42]

Joanna proudly said, "Now that's a banquet table!" Well, yeah, but who needs a 17' dining table? If they're going to BBQ outside and bring it directly into the "gathering room" then I can see it, but to schlep food downstairs (and back up) for that many people is unrealistic. It looked pretty, but it was a waste of space, IMO. As usual, Clint did a great job on the table; it was gorgeous. Thanks, Sheetmoss, for the link to Clint's story. I'm happy for his success and that he's doing what he loves. Ahhh, the power of television - just ask the authors who were touched by Oprah and her book club.

Edited January 19, 2016 by CN42

[Ottis]

and I like defined spaces. But not dining halls, since I am not King Arthur.

 

 

Haha. Thanks for the laugh. Now I need to find a way to use that in conversation.

[WildPlum]

I liked tonight's house quite a bit, it had a lot of touches that I think were directly for the client. Sure, there were a lot of staged Magnolia pieces, but the basic design and pieces looked good. I liked the concrete counter tops and rock back splash in the kitchen (although I always worry about staining concrete, no matter what it is sealed with) and the terra cotta floor.

 

Also, in the last episode, while I thought the downstairs table was an odd touch, I doubt that was entirely Joanna's idea, I bet that came from the customer - remember that they likely already owned the barn before filming and had thought about what they wanted done. And there HAS to be a dumbwaiter from the upstairs kitchen.

[GaT]

They tried so hard to make it look like there were other houses they might want instead, it was so stupid, of course they’re going to keep the house they inherited. At least they got to make the stupid phone call to tell them it was going to cost more. 

[chessiegal]

I turned this on last night to watch the new episode (I usually record and watch later, as my husband doesn't care much for these types of shows). I mentioned to him the other how this show was getting great ratings. After a few minutes, he asked me if this was the show with the good ratings, and I said yes. His response - I can understand that, they are such a likeable couple. Hee.

[truther]

I liked tonight's house quite a bit, it had a lot of touches that I think were directly for the client. Sure, there were a lot of staged Magnolia pieces, but the basic design and pieces looked good.

Agreed.  The finished product was refreshingly distinctive.  Looked good.

 

I'm sorry if this sounds ignorant, but I really don't know anything about this stuff -- were the homeowners Mennonites?  Some other such sect?  All the men wore those big hats and shirts everywhere and it seemed a little unusual, even for Texas.  

[mmecorday]

I loved the couple on last night's show! The wife especially. I smiled every time she said "Yes, ma'am." Someone raised her right!

 

Chip should have known that a house that has been pretty much a nature reserve for 10 years would have some structural issues. He should have told the couple to have some funds in reserve just in case the foundation was cracked and in need of extensive repair. That's just a given with older homes that have been sitting idle for a while.

[MoreCoffeePlease]

 

I loved the couple on last night's show!

 

They were very sweet. I like how she asked him, "But you must want something in the house?"  and he basically said that he just wants her to be happy.

 

Joanna really looked sort of dumbfounded going into the house, like "What the heck am I going to do with this?"  She was right about the front porch though ... it was smart to take advantage of the view.  Maybe it should have gone the entire length of the house though, so that the whole family could be outside.

 

I liked the wood trim and the rustic touches that Joanna used.  It looked a little bit different from her usual designs.  Kitchen was gorgeous.  Will have to check it out online to see more of the details since they go through it so quickly.

 

How about Joanna when she has the homeowners over to the farm? She always has a plate of cookies, she has cute drinking glasses with water and lemon, and the dogs are right there.  What type of dogs are those, by the way?

 

As silly as Chip and Joanna are, especially Chip, they really do appear to love and LIKE each other, and that is nice to see.

[CN42]

 

 

I'm sorry if this sounds ignorant, but I really don't know anything about this stuff -- were the homeowners Mennonites?  Some other such sect?  All the men wore those big hats and shirts everywhere and it seemed a little unusual, even for Texas.  

 

Truther - No Mennonites, just Texas cowboys. Those are typical straw hats worn by ranchers, cowboys and cowboy wannabes. If you noticed, all the men had removed their hats indoors and placed them on the table brim-side up. That's standard procedure. The official uniform is a long-sleeve shirt (snaps optional), Wrangler jeans (no Levis!) and boots or athletic shoes. Headwear is either a cowboy hat or a trucker hat with a feed store name on it. I consider the homeowner a "real" cowboy since he had acreage and horses.

 

I loved how the wife answered all the questions, made all the decisions, and hubby just quietly agreed. I see this marriage lasting a long time. I was put-off by Jo and Chip saying it was such a pleasure and honor to restore Poppa's house, when the family consistently called him Pawpaw. Having a Poppa and a Pawpaw in the family, I'm sensitive...

Edited January 21, 2016 by CN42

[MoreCoffeePlease]

 

I was put-off by Jo and Chip saying it was such a pleasure and honor to restore Poppa's house, when the family consistently called him Pawpaw. Having a Poppa and a Pawpaw in the family, I'm sensitive...

 

Oh, come on.  I think you are being a little overly sensitive. (Not to mention that sometimes I think Chip can hardly speak English.)  I think it is incredibly sweet and kind of Joanne and Chip to recognize that they are not just fixing up houses and decorating them ... they are helping make people's dreams come true.  I know they are now rich and famous because of it, but do you think other contractors care one bit about your family, your history, and your future?  I don't think so. They just want your money.  It could all be an act, but it is a pretty convincing and entertaining one.

[truther]

Truther - No Mennonites, just Texas cowboys. Those are typical straw hats worn by ranchers, cowboys and cowboy wannabes. If you noticed, all the men had removed their hats indoors and placed them on the table brim-side up. That's standard procedure. The official uniform is a long-sleeve shirt (snaps optional), Wrangler jeans (no Levis!) and boots or athletic shoes. Headwear is either a cowboy hat or a trucker hat with a feed store name on it. I consider the homeowner a "real" cowboy since he had acreage and horses.

Thanks, CN42.  Yeah that ending scene was what got me thinking.  During the ep I'd just figured he liked his funny cowboy hat but then when I saw that all the men had the same ones and they all did the same thing with them I got to wondering whether there wasn't something a little more formal going on.  

[CruiseDiva]

I really liked that they saved PawPaw's table, although the 'rebuilding' removed some of its character.

 

Also, who wants to sit on benches at an indoor dining table? Maybe it's just me, but benches are more appropriate for a picnic table outside where people would be dressed casually. If I'm wearing a dress for dinner at a friend's home I wouldn't want to hike it up to get seated on a bench and, if people are seated on either side of me, it would be uncomfortable to get up from a bench if, for instance, I had to go to the bathroom. I hope the homeowners were consulted about their seating preference before Jo went to the trouble and expense of having benches made.

[mbutterfly]

I doubt that a Baylor grad would actually speak that way. I've lived in the south for more than half my life (Texas, Louisiana, Georgia) and even rednecks don't speak like that. Most of them have more pride.

 

We are working with a contractor right now who's adding a screen room to our house and he and his carpentry crew all speak like professionals. In fact, the contractor has come up with design suggestions that would put HGTV "designers" to shame. And he refers to money as dollars, not bucks.

I'm binge watching right now. There are a lot of Baylor connections with the clients. 

Edited January 24, 2016 by mbutterfly

[aguabella]

Truther - No Mennonites, just Texas cowboys. Those are typical straw hats worn by ranchers, cowboys and cowboy wannabes. If you noticed, all the men had removed their hats indoors and placed them on the table brim-side up. That's standard procedure. The official uniform is a long-sleeve shirt (snaps optional), Wrangler jeans (no Levis!) and boots or athletic shoes. Headwear is either a cowboy hat or a trucker hat with a feed store name on it. I consider the homeowner a "real" cowboy since he had acreage and horses.

 

I loved how the wife answered all the questions, made all the decisions, and hubby just quietly agreed. I see this marriage lasting a long time. I was put-off by Jo and Chip saying it was such a pleasure and honor to restore Poppa's house, when the family consistently called him Pawpaw. Having a Poppa and a Pawpaw in the family, I'm sensitive...

 

I noticed the same difference between the names used.  You're not being sensitive, CN42 - it's just good business practice.  One of the most basic business tenets is to "know your customer".  That starts with their name.  As business professionals, we learn that to anyone, hearing their name is basically music to their ears. 

 

It's a great social skill, too - remembering names.  Conversely, if you want to purposely disrespect someone, butcher their name in either written or verbal form.

 

Chip and Jo have absolutely no excuse for that error.  They're currently up to what, 125 (?) staff people?  Besides that, they have the film crew plus an editing team that reviews episodes in detail. 

 

Yes, in real life, if they only made that single error, in the greater scheme of things, I'm sure it'd be forgiven.  But, if/when you start noticing these faux pas and they accumulate ... it does make you wonder.

Edited January 27, 2016 by aguabella

[aguabella]

Thanks, CN42.  Yeah that ending scene was what got me thinking.  During the ep I'd just figured he liked his funny cowboy hat but then when I saw that all the men had the same ones and they all did the same thing with them I got to wondering whether there wasn't something a little more formal going on.  

 

Speaking of something a little more formal ... I wondered about that scene, too.  IIRC, until this season, the show hasn't typically closed with a family meal.  (Yes, they did it a few times but not that frequently.)  Logistically, I'm sure they're anxious to remove the staging, etc.

 

That home was in Marlin, correct?  So, about 30 minutes outside Waco.  Don't know that area but am curious if it's somewhat remote.  That group was so Texas that it felt somewhat set-up or formulaic.

 

Anyone else think about that?

[ByaNose]

Young couple looking for Old World Charm. It was okay. They used a dark gray/black paint inside which I actually liked. Joanna did her usual white subway tile with the dark grout in the kitchen. It always looks dirty to me and unfinished looking. The outside looked nice with the landscaping. Overall, it was a nice house but not really my taste and/or style.

[Dawning]

I liked the house overall. I'm not the biggest fan of the subway tile in general, but I think I'd rather have the gray grout with it, rather than white grout that quickly turns grayish. 

 

No Clint project? That's unusual. 

 

But my big take-away from the episode was that I loved that last house they saw, the Victorian. I understand why they "picked" the other one, but I would have snapped that one up so fast. Someone needs to buy that house and not do to it what Joanna did to that "bed and breakfast". 

[GaT]

I did not like the “German Schmear” stuff on the outside, the brick looked much better without it IMO. I also didn’t like the black & white floor in the entry, I thought it was too overwhelming in that space.

[ByaNose]

I liked the house overall. I'm not the biggest fan of the subway tile in general, but I think I'd rather have the gray grout with it, rather than white grout that quickly turns grayish. 

 

No Clint project? That's unusual. 

 

But my big take-away from the episode was that I loved that last house they saw, the Victorian. I understand why they "picked" the other one, but I would have snapped that one up so fast. Someone needs to buy that house and not do to it what Joanna did to that "bed and breakfast".

It's funny. I fast forwarded to the last 10 minutes since I'm tired of the "same script. Anyway, I didn't hear Clint's name and I thought had forwarded too much and didn't feel like rewinding. LOL!! I thought he might have done the table until I saw how small it was. Nice to know that Joanna let Clint do his real job....whatever that is. LOL!!!

[kimberussell]

I always gasp in horror when people paint, "smear," or otherwise eff with brick. But I liked how it turned out - it was a little out of Joanna's design sphere and I always like seeing some color.  I'd have rather had Clint than Max Lucado, to be honest. Then again, I unapologetically ship Jo and Clint.

[chessiegal]

I really was not happy with the schmer when Chip started it, but actually liked the final product. That said, no way I would let someone do that to my house - I like brick the way it was meant to be.

 

She really did go out of her comfort zone with this house. And for all those who find Chip's antics not funny and getting too much air time, my husband loves them.

[Mu Shu]

Poppa. Paw paw. Some people are fast talkers. Paw paw becomes Poppa. If that's an unforgivable error, we are all going to hell.

Like another poster said, Chips ass barely speaks English. I think the business will survive.

Poppa/paw paw's house was straight up Jo to the 100th power.

[WildPlum]

The "german smear" technique definitely looks better from a distance. It was okay, but then I don't really care for brick exteriors, naturally red, painted or, my LEAST favorite, the natural muddy yellow-brown.

 

There was a lot in this episode that was definitely the client's request and taste, filtered through Joanna's taste. Didn't really like the dark gray/black in the house, felt it made everything look dark and ponderous, but then you can never tell with the interior lighting for TV. Didn't care for the fake mantle in the bedroom, either, I would personally have gone for a big shallow book wall, but then it would have been too cluttered for Joanna's sparse style.

 

That 8-piece beam was one of the biggest they have ever put in - surprised that they managed to stay on budget with some of the massive structure stuff they have to do.

 

The little shot of Chip "welding" at the silo? That bit of his arm between the glove and the rolled-up shirt sleeve would have gotten a horrible UV sunburn if he'd done more than about the 5 seconds they showed in the shot. Either he does no welding and doesn;t know any better or it was just a little goofy set-up for filming.

 

Also, on the last house they were shown, what the heck was up with the three over-sized columns supporting the porch roof? Those were odd. The interior was actually lovely.

[Spunkygal]

Ugh.. I so liked this couple last year, but Chip has become so goofy and asinine. I could not believe it in the intro when he's hugging her, she starts to pull away and he starts flicking his tongue at her ear repeatedly. Gross! So NOT necessary, you idiot! Antics like the tree climbing and the seed spitting would probably not bother me if these things were one stupid antic per episode but it's almost like every segment has something childish.

The house was okay. The crystal sconces in the master bedroom were pretty but seemed a bit too large for that space for me since there were two. I kind of liked the darker wood paint/trim. It was interesting and different, as was the mercury glass finish in the pantry panels. I just wish the producers would let Chip dial down the goofiness.

[aguabella]

Poppa. Paw paw. Some people are fast talkers. Paw paw becomes Poppa. If that's an unforgivable error, we are all going to hell.

Like another poster said, Chips ass barely speaks English. I think the business will survive.

Poppa/paw paw's house was straight up Jo to the 100th power.

 

Yes, I'm sure we all agree (and hope) that Jo made a one-time error.  That said, given the wife's love for her grandfather, she might have noticed it.  And, I can't help wondering why so many staff, including editors, missed it.  Details matter.  (And, in the construction business, details matter a bunch!)

 

Hopefully, that's part of Chip's shtick.  If not, the production company might want to invest in some vocal training for him.  Speaking on camera is not as easy as it looks.

 

 

P.S.  Anyone call that error "unforgivable"?  If so, it probably wasn't me b/c I make mistakes constantly!

Edited January 28, 2016 by aguabella

[psychoticstate]

I loved the house, I thought it was gorgeous.

 

Anytime we see a "house for sale" with nothing but a piano in it, it's a dead giveaway that's the house the clients already own.

[MoreCoffeePlease]

What would you call the style of the re-done exterior of that home?  It sort of had a cabin-feel to me, even though the house itself was more of a Cape Cod with the dormer windows.  I liked it from a distance.

 

 

Didn't care for the fake mantle in the bedroom

 

I wasn't sure about this either.  I know it was a narrow space, but as a critic I might say, "You know you DON'T have a fireplace here, right?"

 

I didn't like the wife when they pulled up to the first home.  "It is so small."  Give it a chance, babe.  This is your first home.

 

I was surprised to the see the last house, the red door house, since it is so different from so many of the homes in the area.  Very nice, and I thought for sure that they would get that one since the wife really perked up when seeing it.

 

On a shallow note, I need to know the nail polishes that Joanna wears.  Her nails are always gorgeous, painting in on-trend colors.  Loved the bluish-gray polish.  How the heck does she find time for manicures?  I'm sure her schedule is pretty crazy.

[Ringthane]

Didn't really like the dark gray/black in the house, felt it made everything look dark and ponderous, but then you can never tell with the interior lighting for TV. 

 

 

Speaking of the lighting, is there some reason why the house hunting and reveal scenes are always lit so yellow?  They just look really yellow to me.  Almost Deus Ex: Human Revolution yellow.

Edited January 28, 2016 by Ringthane

[CruiseDiva]

I grew up in Germany and never saw "German Schmear" treated brick on houses there. I hate it when they paint (or schmear) brick. Painted or whitewashed brick is a bitch to keep up.

[GaT]

I grew up in Germany and never saw "German Schmear" treated brick on houses there. 

Maybe it's like French bread, in France it's just bread, maybe in Germany "German Schmear" is just "schmear" :-)