Flip Or Flop - General Discussion

[TVJunkee]

I thought Christina had a new bitch face look in this episode.  When Tarek would start to look aghast at the cost of additional work or a suggested improvement she would roll her eyes with a "Not my problem" attitude.  Can't believe she gave in on the kitchen and subway tiles backsplash again.  I was looking hard to see any actual Rustic in that kitchen design and that one lame pendant lamp wasn't doing it.  I have never thought she could stand him since the beginning and was stunned when she got pregnant since it seemed like only a matter of time until they were done.

I wish H&G would get some new shows.  Even Extreme Homes on GAC gives better looks at house porn without the manufactured drama.

[ByaNose]

1 hour ago, TVJunkee said:

I thought Christina had a new bitch face look in this episode.  When Tarek would start to look aghast at the cost of additional work or a suggested improvement she would roll her eyes with a "Not my problem" attitude.  Can't believe she gave in on the kitchen and subway tiles backsplash again.  I was looking hard to see any actual Rustic in that kitchen design and that one lame pendant lamp wasn't doing it.  I have never thought she could stand him since the beginning and was stunned when she got pregnant since it seemed like only a matter of time until they were done.

I wish H&G would get some new shows.  Even Extreme Homes on GAC gives better looks at house porn without the manufactured drama.

I forgot about the pendants. I actually liked them. Usually, these flip shows use ginormous ones that overwhelm the kitchen. IMO!! Also, hasn't Christina always had the bitch face along with the long eyelashes and blonde hair? LOL!!!

[iMonrey]

Well they are finally back to airing shows post-Braydon. Watching Tarek play with the baby at the tile store made me kind of sad, they were really a cute family at one time. 

What's up with those strange kitchen windows that jut outward? This is the third one I've seen on this show. They are really strange looking - are they a California thing?

[okerry]

I don't enjoy this any longer, either, and I used to look forward to it. It was fun to see what we *thought* was a successful young couple working together for their family's success. It just makes me sad, now, because so many would love to have the kind of life they seemed to have (even without their kind of money) and they managed to throw it away with both hands.. It's just sad now.

[Broderbits]

22 minutes ago, iMonrey said:

What's up with those strange kitchen windows that jut outward? This is the third one I've seen on this show. They are really strange looking - are they a California thing?

Haven't watched the new episode yet, but maybe you're referring to "garden" windows? They're deep so you can have plant shelves and the sides open for fresh air. I think they got rid of one in last week's episode; being an avid grower of houseplants, I would have kept it. You can see one here: https://www.jeld-wen.com/en-us/products/windows/styles/garden

[freeser]

2 hours ago, okerry said:

 

Edited January 13, 2017 by freeser

[freeser]

Just now, freeser said:

2 hours ago, okerry said:

I don't enjoy this any longer, either, and I used to look forward to it. It was fun to see what we *thought* was a successful young couple working together for their family's success. It just makes me sad, now, because so many would love to have the kind of life they seemed to have (even without their kind of money) and they managed to throw it away with both hands.. It's just sad now.

I feel the same way you do.  I used to look forward to watching (even reruns) but I cannot say I enjoy it any more. It makes me sad also.  Silly, I guess, as we don't know these people really.  The flips could be fun to watch, but you can get that on many shows.  This one had the cute young couple with the darling daughter.  Then we all got involved in her pregnancy.  When Tarek said what a great feeling it was to see his son inside his wife's belly, I believed him.  I think at that time he must have meant it. 

We all went along with Tarek and Taylor when they went to the hospital to see Christina and the new baby.  I enjoyed seeing the baby around for the first few months of his life and everyone 'seemed' so genuinely happy.  This particular show was about much more than flipping houses.  I agree also that they seemed to have it all - success, money, healthy happy kids, etc.  I guess things were never quite what they seemed as they broke up when the baby was 6 months old - so things must have been going bad for a long time or that would not have happened so rapidly.  It is especially sad for the children.  The little boy took several IVF tries and they seemed to want him so much.  So sad that the parents will not be together to raise the kids. 

[okerry]

3 hours ago, iMonrey said:

What's up with those strange kitchen windows that jut outward? This is the third one I've seen on this show. They are really strange looking - are they a California thing?

They're intended for growing herbs, so you can always have fresh herbs for your cooking right there in your own kitchen. I would've kept those windows, too!

[iMonrey]

Quote

Haven't watched the new episode yet, but maybe you're referring to "garden" windows?

Yes, that must be what they are. To be fair, the ones they've ripped out don't look nearly as nice as the brand new ones on that link. And if I were house hunting and saw one I wouldn't like it either, not being familiar with it. But Christina and Tarek must not know what they are either, because she referred to is as "that weird bay window."

[Bastet]

Garden windows are notorious for leaking, but I think that's mostly down to improper installation.

I think the nice ones are fairly, well, nice.  (I have a bay window in my kitchen, and I like that better, but several friends have garden windows that I like.)  They're certainly common enough here in southern CA that Tarek and Cristina would recognize one.  But, hey, if you're willing to pretend you're happily married when you're actually living separately and dating other people, what's feigning ignorance of a window?

[tessaforever]

On 1/12/2017 at 1:24 PM, IndianPaintbrush said:

I don't know anything about making money from Instagram, but is it really enough to make a big difference in their net worths?  Sounds pretty fishy to me.

I know she promotes a brand of sunglasses. But I agree, her primary income must still be T & C Construction. I think he's just being petty - probably because she had the first affair (before the nanny), he thinks he has more, ahem, ammo against her and he'll be more likely to get his way in court. This is his way of getting back at her. 

Funny but sad, I used to think they were such a cute couple and got along so well together! 

[LizBug]

Strange, strange episode ... first time I've seen Christina doing household chores (i.e., laundry).  And what was up with her hair and make-up?  It's always been a bit over-the-top but this time it was bordering on bizarre.  Seeing the family in the design store made me sad; Tarek seemed to relish the time with the kids and Christina seemed to agree with him just to get it over with.

HGTV, please back away from this mess and give them privacy to work through it without cameras. 

[doodlebug]

2 hours ago, DallasGypsy said:

Strange, strange episode ... first time I've seen Christina doing household chores (i.e., laundry).  And what was up with her hair and make-up?  It's always been a bit over-the-top but this time it was bordering on bizarre.  Seeing the family in the design store made me sad; Tarek seemed to relish the time with the kids and Christina seemed to agree with him just to get it over with.

HGTV, please back away from this mess and give them privacy to work through it without cameras. 

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought Christina had taken the hair and makeup to a whole new level. I've got HD and she looked scary.  She's always worn quite a lot of slap, but this episode it was way beyond.

As far as the design choices, I just figured it was made for TV drama.  Tarek's choices were exactly the same stuff they put in all their renos.  Christina's choices were not.  No way they were going to try something new, they never do.  I did appreciate the scene for the interactions with the kids, especially Tarek with the baby.

Edited January 14, 2017 by doodlebug

[las68]

I know its been mentioned here before how Taylor sometimes snarks on her dad (like mother, like daughter, I guess).  On the last episode, when Christina was presenting her expensive (as always) design ideas for the kitchen to Tarek and he complained about the cost (as always), Taylor said something to Tarek like, "Hey, me & mommy pick what we want and you don't throw a fit."  Nice.  She continued after that, but I couldn't understand what she was saying. If T&C weren't splitting up, I guess I would find Taylor's snark kind of funny, but now it just makes me feel sad.  

[vesperholly]

On 1/13/2017 at 1:37 PM, iMonrey said:

Well they are finally back to airing shows post-Braydon. Watching Tarek play with the baby at the tile store made me kind of sad, they were really a cute family at one time. 

What's up with those strange kitchen windows that jut outward? This is the third one I've seen on this show. They are really strange looking - are they a California thing?

Greenhouse windows! That was a gorgeous black-framed one, too. I always wanted one and was so sad they got rid of the one in that house.

[tabloidlover]

I might have read too much into this episode, but I believe it was filmed right around the 911 call.   Their interactions were really off, so I was trying to gauge how old Brayden was.  He looked around 5-6 months to me, but I will admit my son is 20 so it has been a while since the infant stage.   Taylor's smart ass comment to Tarek rubbed me the wrong way too.  Not only did she have the saying not quite right (to be expected at such a young age) but the fact that mom and dad went with it was craziness to me.  I would never have allowed our child to speak to his father like that... EVER.  Nor would my husband have allowed that type of comment to me.  It's not cute and it only serves to allow disrespect. 

Christina honey, your hair was a fucking mess this episode.  The braid was all jacked up and was quite distracting.  Just stop. 

[iMonrey]

Quote

Taylor said something to Tarek like, "Hey, me & mommy pick what we want and you don't throw a fit."  Nice.  She continued after that, but I couldn't understand what she was saying. If T&C weren't splitting up, I guess I would find Taylor's snark kind of funny, but now it just makes me feel sad.  

It sure gives the situation a whole new perspective. I'm sure the kid is just trying to be "on" for the cameras, but clearly she has picked up on the formula for the show - Christina always gets her way, and Tarek always gives in. Why she would say "don't have a fit" is interesting. Is this something she hears her mother telling her father a lot?

[amcfar]

14 hours ago, tabloidlover said:

I might have read too much into this episode, but I believe it was filmed right around the 911 call.   Their interactions were really off, so I was trying to gauge how old Brayden was.  He looked around 5-6 months to me, but I will admit my son is 20 so it has been a while since the infant stage.   Taylor's smart ass comment to Tarek rubbed me the wrong way too.  Not only did she have the saying not quite right (to be expected at such a young age) but the fact that mom and dad went with it was craziness to me.  I would never have allowed our child to speak to his father like that... EVER.  Nor would my husband have allowed that type of comment to me.  It's not cute and it only serves to allow disrespect. 

Christina honey, your hair was a fucking mess this episode.  The braid was all jacked up and was quite distracting.  Just stop. 

On Christina's Instagram page she said that this episode was filmed when Brayden was about four weeks old. Looks like she has since deleted the post. 

[tabloidlover]

Hmmmmm    He looked older than 4 weeks to me. 

[amcfar]

1 hour ago, tabloidlover said:

Hmmmmm    He looked older than 4 weeks to me. 

He's a big boy.

My youngest son is roughly a month older than Brayden and they are of similar size and have been throughout. When my son was two months old this lady said, "He's so cute but he's the size of a six-month-old!" Needless to say, I heard many "he's so big!" comments for quite some time; he's still what you'd call "solid" at almost 18 months (28 lbs!) but his baby fat isn't as much anymore.

[iMonrey]

Quote

On Christina's Instagram page she said that this episode was filmed when Brayden was about four weeks old. Looks like she has since deleted the post.

Well it was obviously filmed over a span of a month or more, because Tarek's hair was noticeable buzzed in the scene where they are in the tile store and then back to its regular length by the time they had the open house. Several episodes from Season 5 were the same - his head kept going from buzzed to not-buzzed in different scenes. They apparently film several episodes - if not the entire season - all at once, going from house to house during its various stages of reconstruction. Given that the past few episodes had a still-pregnant Christina in them I'm guessing most of these "new" episodes were actually filmed with the Season 5 episodes, which were filmed prior to the "Selling Summer" episodes. Meaning late 2015, early 2016. Before whatever incident took place in May.

[LazyToaster]

On 1/13/2017 at 1:37 PM, iMonrey said:

Well they are finally back to airing shows post-Braydon. Watching Tarek play with the baby at the tile store made me kind of sad, they were really a cute family at one time. 

What's up with those strange kitchen windows that jut outward? This is the third one I've seen on this show. They are really strange looking - are they a California thing?

I knew someone that had one of these windows - in the midwest.  It was a 90's think maybe?  Anyway, she loved it and used it like a mini-greenhouse and had a lot of plants in the window.  Not what I would pick even back then - but, it was pretty in that house.  

[seacliffsal]

When I had some remodeling work done several years ago I had a greenhouse window added.  Loved it-it actually really opens up the look and adds quite a bit of sunshine/light to the kitchen.

[Westiepeach]

23 minutes ago, seacliffsal said:

When I had some remodeling work done several years ago I had a greenhouse window added.  Loved it-it actually really opens up the look and adds quite a bit of sunshine/light to the kitchen.

We have one in our main bathroom and I love it.

[Portia]

In the most recent episode, when Christina was folding clothes with Taylor, did anyone besides me notice Christina very awkwardly holding up an item of clothing and letting the camera zoom in on it? I think the piece said something like "H is for Home."  Am I correct in assuming she got some product placement $$$ for that?  Man, it must be nice to make money that way. 

When Tarek did the little thing with Taylor about the matching necklaces, I found it incredibly uncomfortable and kind of sad.

[txvoodoo]

On 1/13/2017 at 4:24 PM, okerry said:

They're intended for growing herbs, so you can always have fresh herbs for your cooking right there in your own kitchen. I would've kept those windows, too!

I like them, but my husband says they have problems with leaking, so we can't have one.

[topanga]

On 1/13/2017 at 5:24 PM, okerry said:

They're intended for growing herbs, so you can always have fresh herbs for your cooking right there in your own kitchen. I would've kept those windows, too!

Christina (and other flippers) have called those windows dated. I'm not sure why. Maybe people don't grow fresh herbs anymore?

On 1/13/2017 at 1:56 PM, okerry said:

I don't enjoy this any longer, either, and I used to look forward to it. It was fun to see what we *thought* was a successful young couple working together for their family's success. It just makes me sad, now, because so many would love to have the kind of life they seemed to have (even without their kind of money) and they managed to throw it away with both hands.. It's just sad now.

I agree that the show is no longer fun. It breaks my heart whenever I see them smiling (or not smiling) together during a flip. The only thing I disagree with is the common opinion that Tarek and Christina have thrown away their marriage and their family. We've heard their public statements, but no one really knows what goes on between two people in a marriage. Maybe they grew apart or got married for the wrong reasons, or one of them is suffering from mental illness. We don't know if they spent long nights talking and crying about how they need to make their marriage work for their children. We don't know how long they've wanted to separate but stayed together for the sake of the show and the children. I certainly don't like the way they're handling things now, but I don't think getting a divorce is a decision they made lightly. Then again, I really don't know. 

Edited January 18, 2017 by topanga

[SimoneS]

7 hours ago, topanga said:

 The only thing I disagree with is the common opinion that Tarek and Christina have thrown away their marriage and their family. We've heard their public statements, but no one really knows what goes on between two people in a marriage. Maybe they grew apart or got married for the wrong reasons, or one of them is suffering from mental illness. We don't know if they spent long nights talking and crying about how they need to make their marriage work for their children. We don't know how long they've wanted to separate but stayed together for the sake of the show and the children. 

Exactly. No one knows what goes on in a marriage so if two people decide to walk away, it is their business and their decision should be respected. Maybe they walking away before their relationship deteriorates further. It never ceases to amaze me how people ignore the danger of Tarek running around with gun when so many men murder their wives, ex-partners, and children everyday. 

[Ringthane]

But he wasn't "running around with a gun", according to the reports.  He took it with him for protection in an area where many wild animals are known to be.  It's not like he was using it as a hammer on one of their flips, or something.

[Rabbittron]

Just watched the first episode of this boy were they were unsure about everything.  They even had a designer come in to tell them how to do the remodeling.

[Broderbits]

I liked just about everything in tonight's new flip except the shiny kitchen cabinets. The lights constantly reflecting would drive me crazy, and the deep grey color made them look like shop cabinets from someone's garage. The snowflake tiles were beautiful, especially with the distressed mantel. 

[iMonrey]

I did not like the shiny gray cabinets either: are they metal? They're the first thing that will go when the owners decide to remodel in five years. 

I also did not like that they painted the wooden ceiling white. Yes, I get that it's a more modern look and that it's "beachy" but while some buyers might go "Oh, look, how bright and new," other buyers are going to say "Dammit, they painted over all that beautiful wood!" It's going to have to be stripped, sanded and stained to return to normal. Calling Rehab Addict!

I also thought the exterior color was far too dark for a house that small and I hate those white-washed looking wooden floors. Imagine how much dirt they show. And I didn't care for the snowflake patterned tiles - I guess they were OK for the bathroom floor but not for the fireplace. I would not want the same tile on my fireplace that I have on my bathroom floors.

Clearly, someone came along and touched up that mantelpiece after Tarek was through with it, because when they showed it after the house was staged it was all shiny and even like it had been stained and shellacked.

Continuity was a problem again with Tarek's hair. I guess they filmed all the "shopping for tile" scenes at once for this season.

I notice they never show the name of the shops they use anymore. In the early seasons they made a point of showing the store names where they were buying flooring and tile - clearly they got some kind of discount in exchange for the free advertising. Not anymore. 

[Angeltoes]

This episode was sad to me.  They really looked like they were having fun teasing each other.  When they were walking, with their daughter in the middle holding both their hands, they just looked like such a cute family.  All I could think was,"That poor kid is never going to have her family together this way again."  She just had her whole world implode at the age of four or five.

[Maharincess]

1 hour ago, Angeltoes said:

This episode was sad to me.  They really looked like they were having fun teasing each other.  When they were walking, with their daughter in the middle holding both their hands, they just looked like such a cute family.  All I could think was,"That poor kid is never going to have her family together this way again."  She just had her whole world implode at the age of four or five.

I felt the same way. They were having so much fun doing the mantle,  I think it's the first time I ever saw any genuine personality from either of them.  

I never liked her, she always seems like such a snooty snob to me. 

[ByaNose]

I didn't really like the inside or outside. Everything looked so mismatched. The outside of the house looked country with the ugly gray paint color. I hated the wood mantle with the ugly floor tile. The kitchen cabinets were nice looking but not my taste at all. The backyard looked awful with the little over hang that they left. It just looked weird. Overall, one of my least favorites Flips of the series. Maybe, I'm not into mid century modern or their version of mid century modern.

[seacliffsal]

I am just in shock...I was watching a rerun, and Christina painted the interior beige instead of gray.  I had not ever witnessed that before.

[millennium]

I am seeing promos for new episodes with the two of them pretending to be happy together, wearing big joyless grins and striking stupid poses.    They have never seemed so fake.   

[iMonrey]

Quote

I am just in shock...I was watching a rerun, and Christina painted the interior beige instead of gray.

Beige used to be the go-to neutral color. At some point that turned into grey. I think gray can work sometimes but now I'm sick of it. The show really might as well end now because how many times do we really want to see Christina redo houses in gray and white? They're all starting to look alike. You'd think they'd realize that and try to mix it up a bit. I guess snowflake patterns on the tiles and distressed wood for a mantle is their idea of variety.

[mojito]

This was a better flip than the last two. Didn't care for the painted wood ceiling or the whitewashed floors. 

I finally decided what it is that disturbs me sometimes about Tarek and Christina's flips. It's when they cheap out on things that might set them back $5-6K (like putting in a pool liner instead of redoing the pool or putting in a room heater instead of central air and heat). While I know that they can never be sure what they'll make on a project, they still frequently know they'll make money. So when they cheap out on something and then make $90K+ on a home, it feels that they're greedy and are more concerned with profit and superficial touches to a home than really giving buyers a quality home. This would not be how I would do business. I'm with Mike Holmes: Do it right the first time.

[WildPlum]

I like those concrete snowflake tiles - they are called encaustic tiles - but, while those tiles have been around a long time, it is only in the last year or so that I have seen them heavily used on remodel shows and promoted in stores. I think it is one of those things where you use them and someone walks through the house and says - "Remodeled in 2016/17, eh?"

The shiny cabinet surface is (usually) what is called thermofoil - it is pretty much just a vinyl wrapping over particle board. The ones I have seen (lipstick red, for instance) don't hold up that well. If the cabinet frames were painted solid wood, at least you could have new doors made when you got tired of them - there are companies that specialize in just making cabinet doors, you go up on the website, specify wood to be finished or painted, pick corners, moldings, etc.. It isn't cheap, but it isn't as expensive as replacing the cabinets entirely.

The dynamic between them is definitely creepy, they haven't figured out how to make the show work if they are not keeping up a facade about being a happily married couple. And I don't care what some celebrity magazine says about the relationship and the gossip about who did what to whom, you can never actually know and it is just repeating offensive baseless gossip.

Edited January 21, 2017 by WildPlum
removed a line

[Rabbittron]

The shiny cabinets and snowflake tile reminds me of my great gmas house. She had them.

[freeser]

I just viewed the episode where Taylor said  "Me & mommy pick what we want and you don't throw a fit."  in the tile store.  Even if we were not aware of the problems between Christina and Tarek (we are presuming that Taylor had heard such talk from her Mom about her Dad before) that was not cute or funny to me at all.  It was a little girl being nasty to her father about his opinion.   If they had said to Taylor that it was not a nice thing to say or something like that, it would have at least looked like they were trying to instill proper behavior in their daughter. 

The next episode was the shiny gray kitchen cabinet/snow flake tile home.  What struck me about that show was that poor Tarek seemed so defeated when confronted for the millionth time by Christina basically demanding to use higher cost materials.  In the bathroom, Christina was showing them the expensive tile that she wanted.  She also wanted some kind of tub that cost I think $3000 more.  I believe the things she wanted added $10,000 to the bathroom.  Tarek said did she really want to do that.  She just kind of shrugged and said Yes.  It felt like he knew there was no way to get around her decision.  It felt sad to me that again he had to give in to her.  Knowing these shows, I assume that all that stuff is preplanned in advance and that it really comes as no surprise to Tarek.  But it still felt like he was being put down again.  If these things are really fake and everybody knows what is really going on, I wish they would let Tarek win once in a while.  At least it would add a little balance to the show for him to stand pat on the budget sometimes. 

I watched these last two shows because they were listed as "New" and I had not seen them before.  But once is enough.  Unless there is something that really draws me back, I won't be watching any repeats.  It is so hard to watch knowing what a mess their lives are now.

[iMonrey]

Quote

While I know that they can never be sure what they'll make on a project, they still frequently know they'll make money. So when they cheap out on something and then make $90K+ on a home, it feels that they're greedy and are more concerned with profit and superficial touches to a home than really giving buyers a quality home. This would not be how I would do business.

You would if you were a professional house flipper. The whole idea behind flipping is you spend as little as possible to make as much profit as possible. "Flips" generally have a bad reputation for this very reason. T&C are generally doing a much better job than most standard flips; if they weren't on TV they'd probably be doing much less.

Quote

The dynamic between them is definitely creepy, they haven't figured out how to make the show work if they are not keeping up a facade about being a happily married couple.

I'm pretty sure these episodes were filmed before the gun incident in May so at this point they weren't necessarily faking it for the cameras. They seemed pretty genuine with each other when they were distressing the mantle piece. 

According to the latest scuttlebutt, Tarek found some inappropriate texts on Christina's phone between her and that contractor guy she's seeing now, which is what set him off back in May. Prior to that I don't think anything was "wrong" with their marriage - at least as far as he knew. She'd apparently been carrying on with this guy - to some extent - behind his back.

That's what I read on the internet, anyway. So you know it has to be true.

[zoeysmom]

On ‎1‎/‎20‎/‎2017 at 11:00 AM, iMonrey said:

I did not like the shiny gray cabinets either: are they metal? They're the first thing that will go when the owners decide to remodel in five years. 

I also did not like that they painted the wooden ceiling white. Yes, I get that it's a more modern look and that it's "beachy" but while some buyers might go "Oh, look, how bright and new," other buyers are going to say "Dammit, they painted over all that beautiful wood!" It's going to have to be stripped, sanded and stained to return to normal. Calling Rehab Addict!

I also thought the exterior color was far too dark for a house that small and I hate those white-washed looking wooden floors. Imagine how much dirt they show. And I didn't care for the snowflake patterned tiles - I guess they were OK for the bathroom floor but not for the fireplace. I would not want the same tile on my fireplace that I have on my bathroom floors.

Clearly, someone came along and touched up that mantelpiece after Tarek was through with it, because when they showed it after the house was staged it was all shiny and even like it had been stained and shellacked.

Continuity was a problem again with Tarek's hair. I guess they filmed all the "shopping for tile" scenes at once for this season.

I notice they never show the name of the shops they use anymore. In the early seasons they made a point of showing the store names where they were buying flooring and tile - clearly they got some kind of discount in exchange for the free advertising. Not anymore. 

Christine is unaware of the term "ten yards for a dollar".  She believes repeating makes for a cohesive design.   I believe it dilutes the originality of the original design by regurgitating it throughout the house.    I agree with same flooring as it keeps thinks neutral and please let them stop with the laminate.  When I read they made, $30k, $60k, $100k I always think tight wads spring for hardwood.

[PepperMonkey]

On ‎1‎/‎18‎/‎2017 at 4:49 PM, SimoneS said:

Exactly. No one knows what goes on in a marriage so if two people decide to walk away, it is their business and their decision should be respected. Maybe they walking away before their relationship deteriorates further. It never ceases to amaze me how people ignore the danger of Tarek running around with gun when so many men murder their wives, ex-partners, and children everyday. 

I agree if two people decide to walk away, it is their business BUT for the fact that their entire show's premise has been them as a family. Also, from everything I've read, they're dedicated to "working together" and keeping the show going, which (and admittedly, this is JMHO) to me feels like greed, pure and simple. Additionally, Christina spends tons of time on social media and, apparently, makes a lot of money that way, so she can't have it both ways. Either their lives are private or they're not.

The gun thing does scare me, but they went out of their way to make it sound like not such a big deal. Once again, I interpret that as an attempt to keep the "brand" strong.

I think they should work on their business OFF cameras and work on their family, which they can still do while separate. I'll continue to say I think the show should end, especially if they really feel their family is THE most important thing. Taylor and Brayden don't need to be on television. They need support from Mom and Dad, whether they live together or not.

[mojito]

Quote

You would if you were a professional house flipper. 

I knew someone would come up with that one. But you really don't know that. As for as the "whole idea of flipping", well, that's the whole idea of business.

I go the extra mile for the client when I can get away with a lot less. I leave money on the table all the time. I make enough money doing things the best way I know how.

Edited January 23, 2017 by mojito

[zoeysmom]

17 hours ago, mojito said:

I knew someone would come up with that one. But you really don't know that. As for as the "whole idea of flipping", well, that's the whole idea of business.

I go the extra mile for the client when I can get away with a lot less. I leave money on the table all the time. I make enough money doing things the best way I know how.

I would hope that would include installing shower doors.  Someone pays 600k and they get a $30.00 shower curtain? 

17 hours ago, PepperMonkey said:

I agree if two people decide to walk away, it is their business BUT for the fact that their entire show's premise has been them as a family. Also, from everything I've read, they're dedicated to "working together" and keeping the show going, which (and admittedly, this is JMHO) to me feels like greed, pure and simple. Additionally, Christina spends tons of time on social media and, apparently, makes a lot of money that way, so she can't have it both ways. Either their lives are private or they're not.

The gun thing does scare me, but they went out of their way to make it sound like not such a big deal. Once again, I interpret that as an attempt to keep the "brand" strong.

I think they should work on their business OFF cameras and work on their family, which they can still do while separate. I'll continue to say I think the show should end, especially if they really feel their family is THE most important thing. Taylor and Brayden don't need to be on television. They need support from Mom and Dad, whether they live together or not.

They are still a family they are just not intact.   If divorced people are expected to work together in the best interests of their children, I would think keeping a family business together would be far easier.  Usually family businesses get screwed up because on the principles wants to introduce their new spouse/significant other into the mix.  Most business are founded on the idea of making money.  If viewers tune in for the sole purpose of the family time with Tarek and Christine they can stop watching and HGTV will feel the burn.  If viewers watch for ideas then I doubt they really care about the family scenes. 

[iMonrey]

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I would hope that would include installing shower doors.  Someone pays 600k and they get a $30.00 shower curtain? 

If there's a tub it often makes more sense to have a curtain because it's easier to keep clean and it shows better that way. 

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I go the extra mile for the client when I can get away with a lot less. I leave money on the table all the time. I make enough money doing things the best way I know how.

Well, maybe you wouldn't remodel on the cheap, but the fact remains that most "flips" are known to be done on the cheap and have a bad reputation. A lot of reputable contractors do not want to be associated with flips because they do not want their names attached to shoddy work. 

T&C make it look like you can make tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars on flips but their situation is unique because of where they live. Not all housing markets are like that and it's just as common to lose money on flips. That's why a typical flip cuts a lot of corners and uses the cheapest materials - the flippers want to get in and out of there with as little money as possible so they can make a profit. 

[dleighg]

31 minutes ago, iMonrey said:

If there's a tub it often makes more sense to have a curtain because it's easier to keep clean and it shows better that way. 

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We did a high end remodel of our "family bath" and installed a curtain with a shower/tub combo. We were replacing an old-fashioned glass sliding door. The reason? We remember in the dark ages when we had little ones (and we expect to eventually sell our home to someone with little ones) that washing a kid in a tub with a metal track for the door is a PITA. 

[Angeltoes]

Not to mention that those metal track and doors are one more thing that is a chore to keep clean.  Much easier to throw a shower curtain in the laundry, and sometimes a peppy curtain can give a bathroom a whole new look for a reasonable price.

Edited January 24, 2017 by Angeltoes