You guys. I kind of feel like a cool kid today… but not so much at the same time because I didn’t get anything done on my to-do list today & my sheep came into my house tonight and I caught her eating out of our trash, but for 5 minutes today I got to feel like a cool kid because little old me got to interview THEE Chip Gaines! If you remember earlier this year I actually got to meet him & take a class on Kilz primer with him which was a HUGE honor that I will never ever forget. Well, this week I had the opportunity to send Chip some of our basic DIY questions & I LOVED his responses. If you want to hear more from him, leave your questions you would ask him below in the comments below! As many of you know KILZ has partnered with Chip Gaines, owner of Magnolia Homes and star of HGTV’s Fixer Upper, for their primer & paint & also to share the importance of having vision and how choosing the right products for your project can bring your dream home to life. As a fellow “Visionary,” [honored that they even called me that… Thank you!!] KILZ offered me the exclusive chance to ask Chip questions about painting, primer and renovation to use on my farmhouse flip.

 

 

Question: When living in a fixer upper, what room would you recommend to start with?

Answer: I’d start with the room where your family spends most of their time together. Resale value is big, so from a real estate standpoint, kitchens and bathrooms are always a safe investment. But if your family spends the bulk of their time in the family room, start there. Money well spent is definitely something to think about, but your family getting use out of your newly renovated space is equally (if not more) important. Make it worth it for you, because that’s what matters most in the end—not what the next buyer is after.

Question: What additional steps do you take when priming/painting wood trim with a lacquer/varnish finish?

Answer: When painting trim, Jo and I always recommend a 2.5” angled sash brush. You’ll want to start with a good coat of primer, like KILZ MAX, and tape off the wall unless you’re planning to paint the walls after the trim. Once the primer is dry, work slowly in small sections with the paint, making sure your brush strokes go in the same direction for a smooth, even finish. I also like to feather the edge to keep the paint even.

When we began developing the Magnolia Home Paint line with KILZ, we wanted to make sure our paint options would work well for this type of high-traffic area to ensure the look would last through just about anything you throw at it.

Question: Have you ever redone a space in your house that you knew you were going to re-do later when you had more time and money?

Answer: Each house Jo and I lived in after we were first married was like inventory to me—though they may have all felt like forever homes to Jo. She took so much time and put a lot of care into each of those houses. But since we were renovating in order to eventually flip it, we didn’t do anything extravagant or over the top. Over the years it’s become more important to us to renovate rooms that will work for our family and the season we’re in, rather than trying to make these pristine rooms that look perfect.

Question: What’s your favorite technique to paint shiplap?

Answer: I’ve painted so much shiplap in my day, I could do it in my sleep. Some people like to paint the boards before they’re hung, but I recommend painting after they’re up, so you can more easily putty and smooth out the nail holes before painting, if that’s the look you’re going for. When it comes to painting shiplap, just like all other painting projects, I can’t stress enough how important it is to start with a good foundational primer. It will cover any imperfection, so you don’t need as much topcoat. When you’re about ready to start painting, I like to roll horizontally—just be careful to not oversaturate the roller with too much paint or it will drip and turn into a mess.

Question: What are jobs that you recommend hiring out for most of the time?

Answer: Even if you’re a seasoned renovator, I recommend phoning a pro for more technical work— like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, foundation, etc. These projects can get you into trouble if they are beyond your skill set. I always tell people to ask around for a good recommendation, because word-of-mouth is usually the best way to find a reliable, professional partner for a project in your area.

 

 

Question: What is your favorite color from the Magnolia Home Paint line, and why?

Answer: Hmm, that’s a good question. If I had to choose one, I’d say Demo Day. It’s named after my favorite day on the job site, for obvious reasons.

 

I hope you enjoyed reading through these & gaining a little insight into Chip’s mind… I know I did! What an awesome down to earth man who really knows what he is talking about when it comes to a lot of things. We can all learn a thing [or 1,000] from him. I can’t wait to hear what you think & what you would ask him! You can learn more about the partnership with KILZ [HERE]. Thank you guys SO MUCH for stopping by my blog today, it means the world to me!!