‘Fixer Upper’ hosts Chip and Joanna Gaines answer Star readers’ questions
Chip and Joanna Gaines, stars of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper,” were in town last weekend for the Greater Kansas City Home Show at Bartle Hall, where they drew thousands of fans for two appearances. Large screens were set up on either side of the stage so people sitting and standing at the back of the voluminous space could see the couple, who hail from Waco, Texas.
Their projects, which usually have a farmhouse aesthetic, are beautiful. But it’s the way the two interact — you can tell they genuinely love being around each other — that seems to speak to their fans, especially those in Kansas City. Many commented on it during the Gaineses’ appearances.
Joanna, the designer, plays straight man/bemused wife to Chip, the smart, thoughtful, yet goofy contractor, who clowns around by eating cockroaches and throwing his body through walls as a means of demolition.
The pair didn’t disappoint while onstage Saturday. Chip, an incessant talker, interrupted his wife several times to add long-winded, highly animated descriptions. She swiped his microphone twice so she could finish what she was saying and keep the presentation moving .
They showed outtakes from “Fixer Upper” that included one of Chip chewing a snakeskin he’d found on the ground and spitting it out. Joanna stood next to him, squirming and shuddering in disgust. He’s truly hilarious.
They also explained how they were discovered by High Noon Entertainment, which specializes in creating unscripted, character-driven programming for channels such as the Food Network, Animal Planet and TLC.
They showed the “sizzle” video that High Noon shopped around to channels, including HGTV. Chip was so stiff in front of the camera during the first four days of taping that producers told the couple it was a disaster. They then asked if he had something he could surprise Joanna with to lighten things up.
Sure enough, he’d just ordered — sight unseen, off the Internet — a small, decrepit houseboat for them and their four small children (who couldn’t swim) to live on while they renovated their farmhouse. The scenes that unfolded when Chip presented it to Joanna (disbelief, followed by ‘How can we fix this?’) pretty much won them the show, said Chip. They forgot for a while that the cameras were rolling, allowing their true, wacky-love chemistry to show.
Before their appearance, I had a chance during a news conference to ask Chip and Joanna readers’ questions.
▪ Bill Galey wanted to know how clients are chosen, and if they keep all the furnishings and accessories that Joanna uses to stage the houses.
Their clients either come through their construction company, Magnolia Homes, or are solicited and picked by High Noon Entertainment.
Joanna said that when she stages homes for the show, she mixes some of the clients’ furnishings with those from Magnolia Market and gives the clients the option of buying whatever they want at wholesale prices.
▪ Mark Davidson asked what the Gaineses do to prevent lightning strike damage to the metal silos that house their Magnolia Market boutique.
Chip said they had tall lightning rods atop each one but didn’t fully understand the physics of how they worked.
▪ Judy Forbes asked if they show buyers only three houses and redo only the rooms they show on TV.
Chip estimated that each client sees between 10 and 12 homes, then the producers pick the clients’ three favorites to feature on the show. Joanna said they usually repaint and install new flooring in the other rooms.
The Gainses also offered other suggestions:
If you’re going to do only one room, they suggest either the kitchen or the master bathroom.
And if you have a super-tiny budget, say $1,000, Chip recommends putting it toward curb appeal by landscaping, painting your front door and putting sconces on either side of it. Joanna suggests making simple updates with high visual impact to the kitchen, such as tearing out the backsplash and installing tile.
She also thinks you should make changes that suit the way you live, for instance by repurposing that formal dining room you never use.
“People want practical spaces,” she says. “If you say, ‘I don’t use this room anymore,’ spend your money in there. Under your stairs, rip out that closet, put shelves in and make it a little library.”
This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 4:00 AM with the headline "‘Fixer Upper’ hosts Chip and Joanna Gaines answer Star readers’ questions."