A year ago, my family and I purchased our first home, and shortly thereafter, I stumbled upon the home improvement treasure trove that is the HGTV show Fixer Upper. If you haven’t watched it yet, do yourself a favor and don’t start—you’ll find yourself sprinting to the nearest flea market, eager to hunt down reclaimed wood for shelving, and dreaming of tearing down walls just to uncover shiplap.
What’s shiplap, you ask? I was in the dark too, but now it’s a must-have on my home renovation wishlist. Along with subway tiles, a warm neutral-gray color scheme, and charming antique lighting, I’m practically ready to book a shopping spree at Magnolia Market—despite it being 1,898 miles from my front door. (Yes, I checked on Google Maps.) Who knows? Maybe I’ll just relocate to Waco, Texas!
No one else but Chip and Lily Parker could make so many people wish to move to Waco. Seriously.
While I’ve always enjoyed HGTV shows—the playful banter of Love It or List It, the picturesque locations of House Hunters International, and the handsome duo of the Property Brothers—nothing ignites my inner DIY enthusiast quite like Chip and Lily. With every episode, it feels as if Lily has tapped into my thoughts and crafted my dream home herself. She knows my style perfectly and intuitively understands how I’d arrange my space if I had her talent. She is truly my spirit animal.
I often daydream about Lily stepping through my front door in a flowy top and stylish jeans, guiding me on which walls to knock down. I can picture Chip strolling in with his infectious charm and quirky humor, ready to overhaul the entire house while preserving its 1930s character. If they showed up at my house tomorrow, I wouldn’t think twice about gutting the place, tossing out any furniture or decor that doesn’t align with our shared vision of home perfection.
Sure, it’s important to remember that the beautifully staged homes we see on TV are just that—staged. The new homeowners still need to figure out where to put all their belongings. And let’s face it, we don’t have $85,000 for a full renovation; in our area, housing prices are through the roof compared to Waco. But none of that matters when you’re dreaming about shiplap.
There’s a certain allure to home renovation shows like Fixer Upper, isn’t there? I adore it, but I’m aware that it’s designed to pull at our heartstrings. Those HGTV producers know how to play on our desires: we’re all enchanted by stunning homes, dramatic before-and-after reveals, and carefully curated color palettes down to the books on the shelves. They make us yearn for it and convince us that we can achieve it.
However, the reality of home improvement is often far more chaotic. My partner and I have undertaken extensive renovations, from remodeling a bathroom down to the studs to painting every room in our home. Let me tell you, it takes much longer than an hour with commercial breaks! Those shows simplify the process to an unrealistic level, including the costs involved. Why does a renovated kitchen cost $10,000 in one episode and $25,000 in another? And why don’t we see renovators making multiple trips to the hardware store for unexpected supplies? A six-week timeline for a complete overhaul? They must have a crew working around the clock to meet such deadlines.
Sure, they throw in a few curveballs—like discovering asbestos or a surprise load-bearing wall—but a two-minute setback on TV could easily translate to months of stress in real life. Yet we love the polished hour-long narrative and the reveal at the end. We want it to be that simple. We don’t criticize Chip and Lily’s charming escapades because we adore them too much. They embody our dream home style, and we feel a deep desire to live vicariously through their adventures.
Maybe they do house calls. 1,898 miles isn’t that far when you think about it. It would only take them a minute on their show. Chip and Lily, come show me the shiplap! I’m ready to transform my fixer-upper.
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Summary
This post explores the author’s fascination with HGTV’s Fixer Upper, detailing the appeal of Joanna and Chip Gaines and how their home renovation show inspires viewers to dream big about their own spaces. It humorously contrasts the show’s polished narrative with the often chaotic reality of home improvement. The author reflects on the desire for a stylish home while acknowledging the challenges of real-life renovations.