HGTV makes home makeovers look effortless—fast timelines, flawless finishes, and smiling families walking into their “dream homes.” But off-camera, things can look a lot different. Some homeowners have come forward to share how they were left with unfinished projects, unexpected costs, or designs that didn’t hold up once the cameras stopped rolling. These are real…
Some celebrities don’t just step back from city life—they leave the grid altogether. For them, privacy, self-sufficiency, and quiet are worth more than red carpets. A few still keep city homes, but these off-grid or semi-off-grid setups show how fame doesn’t always mean flashy living. Darryl Hannah Actress Darryl Hannah has lived on a solar-powered…
Celebrities don’t exactly settle for cozy cottages. When they buy a house, it usually means sprawling estates, private gyms, entire wings for entertaining, and views most of us only see on vacation. Some of these places are so massive they feel more like resorts than homes. But behind the jaw-dropping price tags, a lot of…
The ’90s gifted us unforgettable homes—from the snowy suburbs of Home Alone to the iconic Painted Lady in Full House—and a handful of those places are still standing. Some became tourist stops, others quietly endure in neighborhoods, unchanged or gently restored. Here’s a look at seven of those homes that survived time and pop-culture’s lens….
Chip Gaines isn’t just a TV personality—he’s living proof that common sense and solid planning work better than flashy shortcuts. Whether you’re jumping into your first fixer or mapping out a big project, his advice still applies today. Here’s a look at seven tips from Chip that work when you’re investing sweat equity in your…
HGTV has turned home renovations into entertainment, and while a lot of their ideas look great on camera, real life isn’t a perfectly staged reveal. Some of the upgrades that keep showing up on their shows are either too high-maintenance, too expensive to maintain, or simply don’t fit the way actual families live day to…
When Fixer Upper first took over HGTV, the Gaines style felt new and exciting. Viewers loved how approachable it seemed, and for a while, everyone wanted their home to look like the show. But not every idea has stood the test of time. Some of the tricks that looked perfect on camera now feel overplayed,…
When Chip Gaines first brought his ideas to the spotlight, a lot of those home trends took off instantly. But as styles shift and people think more about how their homes actually function long-term, some of those once-loved looks are starting to wear out their welcome. You might still see them here and there, but…
When Fixer Upper first aired, Joanna Gaines had a huge influence on color trends. Her go-to paint picks became the default in homes everywhere—especially for people chasing that clean, modern farmhouse look. But design keeps moving, and the same soft grays and muted neutrals that once felt fresh are starting to feel flat or dated….
HGTV makes design look easy. Every reveal is glossy and beautiful, and the budget breakdowns make things feel doable. But behind the scenes, some of the most popular “wow” moments on these shows are a headache for real contractors. Whether it’s poor planning, budget-sinking details, or ideas that just aren’t built for long-term living, these…