‘FIXER TO FABULOUS’ hosts on DIY:
‘Experiment, don’t be afraid to fail’
Dave and Jenny Marrs have gone back and forth to Italy at least half a dozen times over the past year with their five kids in tow. The reason? The hosts of HGTV’s “Fixer to Fabulous” have just finished renovating a 400-year-old Italian villa — their most challenging project yet. The six-episode “Fixer to Fabulous: Italiano” aired on Tuesday, March 12. “We were completely out of our element, and it was very stressful,” Jenny Marrs said. “But it was an adventure. I think it was the most creatively fulfilling project we’ve done.”
The couple, married for 18 years, abandoned corporate jobs in 2004 and moved to Arkansas. Dave Marrs launched his own construction company and the couple started working together renovating houses.
“We were really young at the time and didn’t know any better,” Jenny Marrs joked, but the couple knew they wanted the creativity their business would give them. Before settling in Arkansas, they’d moved six times, experimenting with different renovations and designs along the way, and since launching their business, they’ve renovated hundreds of homes together.
A realistic look at renovation
HGTV approached the Marrses in 2016 for a concept that would follow their remodeling journey. “Fixer to Fabulous” is now in its fifth season.
Part of what has made the show so popular is the couple’s down-to-earth approach and the fact that they don’t sugarcoat it when problems arise—like discovering that a leaking fridge flooded a home’s crawl space with eight inches of water. Even as experienced home renovators, unexpected situations frequently arise, a great example for people thinking of tackling a home renovation on their own.
“I would start by telling anyone, even someone with experience, to hire a home inspector,” Dave Marrs said. “I still hire home inspectors. They’re not that expensive, but it’s another set of eyes to look at the project, and make sure you’re not missing anything.”
Even after 20 years in the home renovation business, they say there will always be unexpected challenges that pop up, but that going in with as much information as possible can mitigate and lessen the blow of discovering something once a remodel is already underway. It’s also a good idea to make a plan, and if you’re out of your depth on a renovation project, don’t be afraid to call in a professional.
“There are times when I feel like I’m overwhelmed with a project, and I need to throw in the towel. If you’re going to pay a lot of money on a project, call in an architect, because having a plan and executing it will make all the difference,” Dave Marrs said. “At the end of the day, a house is just sticks and bricks. You can change things. You can fix problems. If a remodel is starting to impact your relationship, it might be time to hire a pro.”
When it comes to finding a professional contractor, Dave Marrs thinks the best way is still word of mouth, asking neighbors and people you trust for references. He also advises getting a few different people to bid on the project so you have options and feel comfortable.
“Building is like any other industry. You can look at it as the three points on a triangle: fast, good, and cheap ,” he says. “You can’t pick all three—you can pick two of them—if you want it cheap, it’s probably going to be fast, but it probably won’t be good.”
Then, there are Instagram DIYers that inevitably give followers fear of missing out.
Jenny Marrs reminds people that they shouldn’t use what they’re seeing on social media to set the bar for their expectations. Oftentimes, influencers are getting products from companies for free, in order to feature them on their account, she said.
“Don’t compare your home to someone else’s. Use Instagram as a tool and a way to gain inspiration,” she noted. “Don’t assume that you know everything behind the pretty photo. There’s probably a lot more that you don’t see.”
Experiment, start simple, no fear
When it comes to budding DIYers, the couple has some advice: Don’t be intimidated or afraid to do something on your own.
They say it’s important to start with something small and simple, gain confidence and experiment while staying within your comfort zone, but don’t be afraid of failure.
“Our show is authentic because it shows our failures and the things that don’t work out for us,” Dave Marrs said. “But when we get together as a family, we figure it out, and we move forward. Rarely does it ever go right the first time, but you bounce back and do it again and you learn from those experiences.”
There are plenty of DIY projects someone with little or no renovation experience can easily take on themselves, and even some that give a space a refresh with no major effort required. The couple advises homeowners to start with smaller rooms in the home and work in a small area to demolish and then finish it before moving on to the next project.
They say they frequently meet with people who buy a home, demolish everything and are left with shallow spaces, which then becomes overwhelming.
“In the kitchen, which gets dated quickly, you can change out hardware, add a pretty backsplash, or change cabinets. There are things you can do without having to gut it or rip things apart,” Dave Marrs said. “A bedroom is just four walls, a light and a door, so all you need is paint, tape and a weekend.”
Jenny Marrs suggests putting up new artwork, framing new photos, rearranging furniture and changing out lighting, or adding layers of lighting, as quick ways to refresh a space without having to remodel. She says they’re always looking for inspiration, no matter where they are, even in restaurants or hotels. The key to their timeless yet contemporary style is to focus on classic materials and things that are handmade, like real stone, brass, marble, natural tile, and wood.
“Anything handmade or natural is always going to feel more timeless and classic,” she says. “We are not at all focused on trends because we want our homeowners to make their homes something they love. We try not to do something super trendy. We want it to be a timeless reflection of them.”
After their Italian adventure, the Marrses aren’t slowing down. They’re already renovating new places and getting ready to film the next season of “Fixer to Fabulous.”
“Jenny and I are dreamers—we love the challenge of a new project,” Dave Marrs said. “I don’t know what’s next beyond that, but that’s part of the joy in this. We’ll fall into something else.”