Fixer Upper has taken the nation by storm, all thanks to the relentless efforts of the dynamic husband and wife team, Joanna and Chip Gaines. This power couple has a knack for transforming run-down homes in the Waco, Texas area into breathtaking abodes that look like they’ve been plucked straight from the glossy pages of a magazine. With a fan base that includes celebrities like Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Taylor Swift, it’s no wonder that season three has us all hooked.
In a recent interview with Glamour magazine, the couple revealed some lesser-known facts about themselves. Here are three things you probably didn’t know about Chip and Joanna Gaines.
Joanna’s Design Skills are Self-Taught
Joanna’s incredible talent for design has left viewers in awe of her ability to create stunning spaces from the ruins of dilapidated homes. Surprisingly, she has no formal background in interior design. “I was actually a communications major and had never done design,” she says. “I had always had a dream to open up a boutique of some sort. I didn’t know what kind of boutique, but we found this little fixer-upper building and tackled that project together in the first year of marriage, and that’s when Magnolia opened, our retail location. I sold a bunch of products that would go in the home.”
Chip and Joanna Don’t Own a TV
Despite being television stars, the couple admits they haven’t owned a TV for 12 years. Before getting married, their pre-marital counselors challenged them to go without television for the first six months of their marriage. More than a decade later, they’re still going strong without one!
The Origin of the Name ‘Magnolia’
The name ‘Magnolia’ has a special significance for the couple, dating back to their courtship days. “When we were just dating, I would pick these blooms from Magnolia trees,” Chip shares. “If you’ve ever seen them, they are almost just bowl-like, and that whole thing just always inspired us. So when we had the opportunity and were trying to figure out what to name her little boutique, Magnolia Market just stood out to us.”
The couple also has some fantastic advice for homeowners: “Be intentional with your space,” Joanna says. “Don’t be afraid to step on a limb and design your home the way you love it.” Chip adds: “Do what you love. Do what is important to you and your family. I just want to encourage people to just go for it and do what makes sense to you.”
For a sneak peek at the latest episode, Joanna has shared a couple of shots from her Instagram account, which we’ve posted below (with her captions). It’s shaping up to be another great episode!
I’m working from the “office” of the Fixer Upper home we are revealing tomorrow! Had to take a break from decorating to finish a chapter in our book #themagnoliastory and finalize new amazing product shots for my online store @magnoliamarket LOTS of fun things coming your way!
Can’t decide which I like better… the French doors installed as sidelights or the antique tool bin turned into a filing unit??
And of course, there’s this:
#FixerUpper @TheMagnoliaMom @chippergaines pic.twitter.com/BCimG5iZDp
– HGTV Canada (@hgtvcanada) February 2, 2016
Fixer Upper airs on HGTV Tuesdays at 9pm EST
Photos via Joanna Gaines
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