A year ago, my partner and I purchased our first home. Not long after, I stumbled upon the captivating world of home renovations through the HGTV series, Renovation Revelation. If you haven’t watched it yet, consider yourself warned. You’ll find yourself racing to the nearest flea market searching for rustic wooden shelves and eagerly tearing down walls, hoping to unveil some hidden treasures.
Unfamiliar with the term “shiplap”? I was too, until I became enchanted by it. Suddenly, I crave shiplap, subway tiles, a cozy neutral-gray color scheme, and vintage lighting. I dream of shopping at a trendy market like Magnolia, regardless of the fact that it’s nearly 1,900 miles away from my home. (Yes, I actually checked Google Maps.) Maybe I should just relocate to Waco, Texas.
It’s astounding how Chip and Joanna, the stars of the show, have inspired countless viewers to fantasize about moving to Waco.
I’ve always enjoyed HGTV programming—the playful exchanges in Love It or List It, the stunning locations in House Hunters International, the attractive Property Brothers, and the equally charming Cousins Undercover. Yet, nothing has ignited my DIY enthusiasm quite like Chip and Jo. Each episode feels as if Joanna has tapped into my thoughts to craft my dream home. She seems to perfectly understand my style and how I would arrange everything if only I had her expertise. She is, without a doubt, my muse.
I often envision Joanna entering my home, dressed in her signature flowing attire, advising me on which walls need to go. I can see Chip breezing in with his infectious charm and playful humor, ready to dismantle my home while preserving its vintage appeal. If they were to show up at my door tomorrow, I would not hesitate to overhaul the entire space, discarding every piece of furniture and décor that doesn’t align with our shared vision of perfection.
Let’s ignore the fact that the show’s staging is primarily for entertainment. Let’s also overlook the reality that new homeowners must figure out how to organize their lives amidst the chaos. And certainly, let’s forget that we don’t have an extra $85,000 for a complete renovation, especially since housing prices in our area are significantly higher than those in Waco. I simply can’t resist the allure of shiplap.
There’s an undeniable allure to home renovation shows like Renovation Revelation. While I adore the series, I recognize that it plays on our aspirations. The producers excel at tapping into our dreams, drawing us towards stunning homes and dramatic transformations. They create a desire to replicate what we see—making us believe we can achieve it.
However, these shows fail to portray the complete truth of home renovations. My partner and I have taken on significant remodeling projects, including gutting a bathroom and repainting every room. The reality of these tasks is that they take far longer than the hour-long episodes suggest, and the costs can vary dramatically. Why does a remodeled kitchen appear to range from $10,000 to $25,000 in different episodes? You never see the renovators making multiple trips to the hardware store for forgotten supplies. And the notion that a full renovation can be completed in six weeks? That requires an army of workers!
They occasionally throw in a curveball—a surprise issue like asbestos, leading you to believe the project might stall. Yet, post-commercial, everything’s resolved with seemingly endless funds. Real life, however, would entail a week of phone calls, budget discussions, and lengthy delays—what is a two-minute setback on screen could easily translate to two months in reality.
Yet, we remain captivated by these perfect, concise narratives. We crave the simplicity they portray. Chip and Joanna have become our beloved figures, our style icons, our television friends. We return episode after episode, drawn to Joanna’s brilliance and beauty, Chip’s humor, their charming children, their idyllic farm—all of which evoke a deep yearning to live through them.
Perhaps they could make a house call? After all, 1,898 miles isn’t really that far in the context of their show. Come on, Chip and Jo, let’s make some shiplap magic happen. I’m ready to transform my space.