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"I think when people have the freedom to tell their own story rather than trying to be specific to a certain design or style, there's more freedom, and it ends up feeling more like home. Those spaces we see in magazines and on the Internet are beautiful, but if there's not that story there, then it's going to lack that feeling of home." Joanna Gaines should know what it feels like to be at home, and to have a space that feels like it belongs to the person living there. Along with her husband Chip, she has worked tirelessly to renovate old houses and make them into homes for people on their show Fixer Upper (2013-2018). But where did Joanna Gaines get her start, and what does she have in store for the future of decorating and designing? Read on to find out more.

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Fixing Up Houses for Others to Love

Airing on HGTV, Fixer Upper is based in Waco, Texas. It stars Gaines and her husband Chip. There are also frequent appearances by Gaines' four children. The pilot for the show aired in 2013, and Gaines has been a big presence on the show since the very beginning. The first full season began in April of 2014, and in January of 2015 it was time for season two. December of that same year saw the start of the third season of the show, and season four began in November of 2016. The show's final season started in November of 2017, and ended in 2018. There were a total of 79 episodes. March of 2017 saw Gaines and her husband getting a spin-off, half-hour show that premiered in April of 2018.

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The show was called Fixer Upper: Behind the Design, and it was based on showcasing how Gaines came up with the designs that she produces for the show. Both Chip and Joanna star in the show. Once a couple on Fixer Upper chose between three homes that Gaines and her husband showed them, Gaines would design the home and her husband would work as lead contractor. Gaines shopped for decorations and furniture, and located unique finds that would fit with all the things the buyers loved. Her children were a part of the show, as well, as she often took them to places where they were going to shop for stylish options that would fit into the budget and design aesthetic of the home's residents. 

Family, Motherhood, and Other Ventures

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Joanna Gaines isn't just a pretty face on TV. She's also a serious interior designer and someone who's very focused on making sure everyone she designs for is happy with the space they have. Of course, that includes her own home, as well. She has said, "A few years ago, I realized I was decorating and designing my house around what was beautiful rather than practical for my family. When I made that realization, everything kind of clicked for me. I started being intentional about designing spaces with my kids in mind rather than picture-perfect rooms." Having a lovely room is a good thing, but having one that she can really feel at home in and use is much more important to Gaines. With her children in mind, she has moved toward comfort combined with style and quality.

In 2017, Gaines partnered with Target Corporation on the Magnolia Collection. Now people who shop at Target can purchase items inspired by the style of Gaines and the creations she put together on Fixer Upper. There are more than 300 pieces of bedding and other products to suit a farmhouse-chic inspired lifestyle. In February of 2019, Gaines also created a collection of pillows and rugs for Anthropologie that are globally inspired. A new media company was also launched by Gaines and her husband in April of 2019. A streaming app and a TV network will both be included in the company over time.

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Gaines has created a bit of a revolution in the way people buy homes and what they look for. In the late 2010s, homes that had features that were commonly seen or mentioned on the show typically sold for more money across the country than homes that didn't have those features. More people are moving to Waco, too, and are also stopping through the town to visit. This has improved the economy there, and caused real estate prices to rise. Many people who have seen homes on the show want to buy or rent them, and several are available on AirBnB or VRBO, with a typical price range of between $250 and $350 per night. Gaines will continue to design for houses in the future, along with working on her media company and raising her children. Fans haven't seen the last of her!