Farmhouse Facelift

There are some good remodel ideas on the show. However, because there is only one designer on the show by episode six all the redos look alike. I'm not sure where the construction takes place. The quoted price for the project is around $150,000. That seems considerably lower than it would be in many parts of the country. I have to admit after the first five episodes I watched the intro and fast forwarded to the final results.

Billy is a wonderful man, the concept of the show really works. What doesn't work, is Carolyn. Every design she has, has no personality. She strips every house she touches of the characteristics that make it unique. She takes cozy family homes and turns them into the target furniture section at every store. She always takes historical pieces and modernizes them and makes them ugly. Someone get that woman some interior design classes because lord she needs it. Billy's cool tho. Love how he tries to incorporate the families history into most of his designs. I'm never shopping at Lowes again, Home Depot all the way.

Carolyn has the worst taste in designs. The whole act of pretending to do the work consists of holding a tool or cutting a piece of wood. The fake banter doesn't help. Like a over the top version of Fixer Upper. But better than Good Bones for sure!

So, the first couple of episodes are a bit overplayed, though never ad bad as many "reality" reno shows (property brothers is disturbing). It does have somewhat of a feel goof trashy reality tv bibe, but it's the mildest i've coke across. The content is interesting. There ate lots of good ideas. It's not as technival as tbisnold bluse or an instuctional, but it's somewhete in between. I don't think it's fake. Thr lady does design, and the guy seems to be doing consteuction. Of course they get other people in. They are project managers with particlar desgn and craftwork skills.

Our home is a 120 year-old farmhouse in far northern Minnesota, so I was delighted to discover this show. The easy going vibe and natural give and take between Carolyn and Billy is so pleasant. They compliment and support each other. On each renovation, they take the time to give positive feedback and encouragement. There is gentle banter and teasing, but nothing mean-spirited or snarky. Their enthusiasm and passion for their work warms my heart! Plus, their Dad taught them their craft and pops in occasionally to help.

I'm one of those people who is REALLY animated when I talk and that ramps up 10x when I'll excited. Carolyn's enthusiasm is genuine and bubbles out when she going and uses her hands for an extra exclamation point! I was confounded by how many people were annoyed by her use of her hands. Having seen a fair number of farmhouses from growing up in Mississippi, then Dallas and the last 25ish years in far northern Minnesota and many of them use a lot of green and blue. Greens and blues naturally work well with living in a more natural environment. She does a great job of opening up the homeowners floor plans while keeping the farmhouse vibe. I'm delighted I stumbled across this little Canadian nugget of a show!