Chip and Joanna Gaines have sold their lake house—but you can still watch their renovation unfold on “Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse.”
A Magnolia Network rep has confirmed, “They bought the Lakehouse with the intention of flipping it, and they have sold it.”
And while details of the sale have not been shared yet, the series reveals just how unique this property is and why it was such a successful enterprise for the Waco, TX, couple.
In the episode “Midcentury Modern Reimagined,” it’s clear they’ve made major progress during Weeks 13 through 19 of work, which includes hanging all the drywall at the 5,100-square-foot Lake Waco property. Closing up the walls means the couple can now turn their attention to more flashy construction milestones, such as material finishes and upgraded features.
“For us, when we see drywall, we’re like, ‘OK, all the mechanical—all that’s done; Now it’s time for the pretty stuff,’” Joanna says.
Check out the clever strategies the Magnolia Network stars employed to help them make sound—and budget-friendly—design decisions. These techniques could come in handy when you tackle your own home upgrades, too.
Imagine yourself in the finished space
Before they start plastering, the couple take one long last look at the custom built-in shelves next to the fireplace because, as Chip explains, “We’re about to start plastering, so if there’s any modification to this, this is it.”
Jo loves the craftsmanship and look of the shelves but questions if there’s enough clearance between the top shelf and the placement of a wall sconce above. To find out if the space will be sufficient for art or a mirror, she suggests they “pretend like we’re staging this.”
Drywall scraps serve as stand-ins for framed art, and Joanna can immediately see the fixture would hang too low. She decides to bump up the electrical box by six inches to leave more room for decor.
Jo’s staging exercise demonstrates that what’s on the blueprint isn’t always what works best in real life. By physically blocking out how the space will actually be used once construction is done, potential problems can be ironed out before it’s too late to change.
Allow budget to determine which extras you add
At this stage of the renovation, there’s a lot of talk between Chip and Jo about budget. Two exterior areas in particular have them a bit at odds about what to do—and what to spend.
There are plans to turn an old flower bed inside the home’s courtyard into a koi pond with a water feature of some sort. Chip is gunning for a “cute little statue face spitting water out of like the wall,” while Jo envisions a more subtle waterfall fountain that aligns with the home’s minimal midcentury aesthetic.
“He’s thinking more like Vegas, Bellagio,” she says. “I’m thinking more midcentury minimal, quiet; and we’re just going to find that middle space.”
Then there’s the backyard deck. Chip is firmly in the “no deck” camp because he thinks they can get away with doing minimal cleanup to make it “look like a natural, beautiful backyard, and then said future homeowner can do whatever setup they choose.”
Jo leans more toward redoing the deck and replacing the existing fire pit with a larger one because the backyard deck area “is the most out in the open you can be” at the lake house, making the upgrades well worth it.
Like a lot of things when it comes to construction, it all comes down to cost. Chip and Jo each put in their two cents, decide to get bids for all proposed options, and agree to choose based on price.
Pay homage to the property’s past
Being mindful of budget doesn’t completely rule out sprinkling in some splurge-worthy details.
What was previously a basic pony wall made of drywall off of the lake house’s staircase will soon be an intricate trio of wood panels that evoke the home’s original midcentury style and serve as “a really cool architectural element that would just make it feel really special.”
Combined with the foyer’s terrazzo tile flooring, the carpeted staircase, and green brick wall, Joanna believes the wooden screens will make it “look like you’re walking into this 1965 home.”
The other significant way the Gaineses honor the home’s history is by commissioning woodworker Marvin Kegerreis II to carve something out of a stump from one of the property’s trees Chip chopped down when clearing the backyard view.
Jo’s ideas for the stump range from a simple wooden cutting board to a peace sign sculpture similar to one her dad bought back in the 1970s when he was in Korea.
It’s a good reminder that finding ways to pay homage to a property’s origins through design and decor creates a one-of-a-kind space.
Have a control sample to maintain consistency
With multiple crews helping Chip and Jo move the millwork along at the lake house, it’s important to get everyone on the same page.
Joanna admits selecting a wood stain is “harder than it looks” but finds a tone that matches the property’s trees and feels right for all the wood paneling, cabinetry, and stairs. To make sure the color is consistent in all those areas, she creates one control sample for everyone to work from.
She tells Chip, “I don’t think anybody understands the power of this little stain sample right here.”
Most renovations have many simultaneous moving parts, so whatever can be done to maintain consistency throughout the project will certainly pay off in the quality of the finished product.
Secondary features can become a main attraction
The lake house has so many upgrades happening, it’s easy to forget about the backyard greenhouse. But now that it has all-new windows, a fresh coat of light green paint, a new roof, and an extended roofline, “it’s come back to life” and commands Jo’s attention.
“What I love about this greenhouse is this was one of those buildings that we were just going to end up demo-ing because it was in such bad shape.”
Once an afterthought, the revived structure is now a showstopper, and Jo is “very excited about putting plants in that cutie little building.”
Sometimes, second chances can turn written-off elements into first-rate features.
With so many of their initial renovation plans becoming what Jo calls a “a tangible, breathtaking reality,” the couple finally have their eyes on the finish line.
“It’s starting to make a lot of sense, and I love it,” she says. “Now I’m eager to get it all together, so we can start styling this thing and get it on the market!”
“Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse” airs at 8 p.m. on Magnolia Network and HGTV and streams the same day on Max and discovery+.
