Chip and Joanna Leaving HGTV Fixer Upper

It’s a sad day in the home design world. If you haven’t heard yet, Chip and Joanna Gaines announced today on their blog that the current season 5 of HGTV Fixer Upper will be their last season (pass me a tissue).

Yep! That was pretty much me this morning!

On their blog, Chip and Joanna said “Our plan is to take this time to shore up and strengthen the spots that are weak, rest the places that are tired and give lots of love and attention to both our family and our businesses.”  

As sad as I am about this, honestly, it was probably only a matter of time before this happened because it amazes me how many irons in the fire these two amazingly talented people have. They now have a magazine (Magnolia Journal), a furniture line, rug line, paint line, a huge store in Waco (Magnolia Home), a bed and breakfast in Waco and now plans to open a restaurant. Whew!! Not to mention that they have four small children! Yep! I totally get it!  

This is one of my favorite pictures of the Gaines family! Isn’t this just perfect?!

When I spent the day with Chip and Joanna back in April with a group of bloggers, we asked a lot of questions about their journey and how they balanced everything. The pair were very honest and said it was a challenge for them balancing family, work, life and their career dreams.  I can only imagine the balancing act these two do. 

It was very clear during my time with them that their family comes first and everything else is second. They talked about their kids almost the whole day and shared so many funny stories with us about their families. They both lit up talking about their family and you can just tell that their family is their biggest passion.

 Of course, I knew it would be amazing meeting them (I am such a fan gurl).  However, I was most surprised by how down-to-earth and open they were with us, which was so refreshing.  So often celebrities have that permanent exterior front that everything is perfect, their life is perfect, it’s all so easy, etc… Nope, not with Chip and Jo! They are very gracious and humble but they’ll be the first to say that the balance is not easy and they’re just like us constantly dangling from the tight-rope barely balancing it all.

Here’s a collage from our day with Chip and Joanna.

 While I was inspired by Chip and Joanna’s DIY and paint tips during my day with them, when I left and drove home, I kept thinking about how I was even more inspired by the joyful impression they made on me. 

These two are just two very happy, inspiring and hard-working people and it makes seeing all of their success all the sweeter.  

We also laughed a lot that day! Chip and Joanna are just as funny in person as they are on Fixer Upper! Chip told us a lot corny jokes and Joanna rolled her eyes but sweetly smiled while listening to Chip. 

The great news is that we won’t stop seeing the Gaines’ and their inspiring projects but it is a sad day because their show has brought so much joy and inspiration to so many of us. Hopefully, Chip and Joanna will one day decide to come back to our TV’s down the line in some fashion. In the meantime, we hope they continue to share their projects in their magazines and on their blog.  

Ironically, I had just written an article for Better Homes and Gardens online here with Chip’s must-haves for his toolbox. Of course, his answers were just as funny as practical.

So to cheer us up, I thought I would share a few of my favorite Fixer Upper projects to inspire us today. 

I think the most amazing before and after transformation that I have ever seen on all the episodes of Fixer Upper is actually from their first season. Chip and Joanna turned a dilapidated home into something extraordinary.  

I have seen this before/after picture a million times and it still blows my mind! So amazing! You can read more about this transformation on HGTV here.

Episode 9 title the Chip 2.0 House is another one of my favorite Fixer Upper homes.  Again, jaw dropping transformation that really inspired me.

You can read more about this transformation on Chip and Joanna’s blog here.

Of course, we all love all the interior designs that Chip and Joanna dream up and one of my favorite spaces is this awesome under-the-stair bookshelf nook in their Waco Bed and Breakfast. It epitomizes what Chip and Joanna do so well- beauty and function.

via Country Living

Speaking of nooks, I loved this attic nook in the season 4 of Fixer Upper.

This nook was in the Giraffe House episode and this whole home is amazing.  You can read more about it here.

There are so many more favorite projects that I have from Chip and Joanna’s Fixer Upper shows.  I can honestly say that I have never watched an episode and didn’t absolutely love what they did. I can’t say that for other shows. I can’t tell you how much I will miss their show! I will just have to go back and re-watch all the seasons!

Although this Chip and Joanna inspired fan girl is sad about them leaving Fixer Upper, I know that they’ll keep sharing their projects and endeavors with us.  In the meantime, you can keep up with the Gaines’ on their blog here.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Cheers!

Cyndy