Since Fixer Upper premiered in 2013, Chip and Joanna Gaines have built a huge empire, from books to a TV network to the Magnolia Silos where fans can buy home goods and enjoy a cup of coffee. But while they have made a ton of money over the past few years and have become associated with their peaceful, calming TV home renovation TV show, it hasn't all been positive. A couple was mad at their Fixer Upper experience and the Gaines have faced several lawsuits.
Although the Gaines have made a name for themselves with their funny banter and memorable decor style, including Joanna's love of white shiplap, they made a mistake once that fans will definitely want to hear about.
Why Chip And Joanna Gaines Had To Pay A Fine On Fixer Upper
Chip and Joanna Gaines's farmhouse is indicative of the kind of work they have done on clients' homes. It looks like an ideal place to call home and has a beautiful country setting in Waco, Texas. The Gaines are all about perfect-looking interiors where families can live their lives in peace, quiet and calm, and they're all about bold kitchens or muted neutrals, depending on what they think is best for clients.
But while the couple is definitely great at what they do, that doesn't mean that their path has been super smooth. They got into some trouble a few years back because of lead paint.
Joanna and Chip Ganes paid a $40,000 fine to the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a New York Times story from 2018. Magnolia Holmes didn't follow the proper process when using lead paint and the EPA looked into 33 renovations that the couple did. The EPA has a rule called the Toxic Substances Control Act Lead Renovation, Repair And Painting Rule.
This ensures that when people are renovating houses, they make sure that there are safety protocols put in place because of the dangers of lead paint.
Susan Bodine, the EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Assistant Administrator made an official statement: “It’s important that consumers and contractors understand that improper home renovation can expose residents and workers to hazardous lead dust.
Through this settlement, Magnolia is putting in place safeguards to ensure the safety of its renovation work and making meaningful contributions toward the protection of children and vulnerable communities from exposure to lead-based paint," according to News 8000.
Chip and Joanna Gaines did take this seriously, and The New York Times reported that Joanna talked about the problematic nature of lead paint in several Fixer-Upper episodes, as she wanted clients and viewers alike to know how bad this can be.
According to The New York Times, the couple will also pay $160,000 to help areas of Waco where people are living in houses that have lead paint and could therefore lead to health problems.
The Mayo Clinic notes that lead paint can lead to lead poisoning and that kids who are under six years old are thought to be the most affected. People will have a host of health issues including seizures, stomach pain, not being hungry, and it can also be deadly.
Chip Gaines filmed a video that he shared on his Twitter account of the right way to handle lead paint. He was wearing a mask and protective gear and said that he had taped the house properly. He captioned it with "It’s important to consult a professional about lead-based paint when renovating a pre-1978 home."
Given how many people look up to the Gaines and take their advice about home decor and renovation, it's definitely smart for them to be more careful with lead paint and tell people about the dangers.
What Did Chip And Joanna Gaines Say About Ending Fixer Upper?
It was pretty shocking when the Gaines chose to end Fixer-Upper since it was such a big hit. The series finale aired in April 2018 and Chip told TODAY during an interview that they spoke to some professionals about whether this was the move that they should be making.
Chip said, “We wrestled with some counselors, for lack of a better term, that sort of helped us articulate, ‘Do we want to do this or not?’ And I would say the outstanding majority of those people said, ‘When you turn that television show off, all of this other stuff will come crumbling down.’”
Chip was on the cover of Cowboys and Indians Magazine in January 2019 and shared that he didn't feel happy filming Fixer-Upper after a while. He said that was a confusing feeling since in every episode, viewers see him joking around and he seems to be having fun.
But when he was honest with himself, this is what he really thought, and he knew that he didn't want to make the show anymore.
Chip said in that interview, “Jo and I couldn’t figure it out. I mean, why? You’re getting to have all this fun, right? But it’s like if I put a camera in your face and said, ‘Hey, say something funny.’ Or if I put a camera in your face and said, ‘Hey, be smart.’ I just struggled with that environment. Especially at the end of it.” Chip also said that he was "trapped" by Fixer Upper.
While Chip and Joanna Gaines wanted to end their successful TV show, they definitely didn't slow down and seem to be busier and more successful than ever. Besides running their Magnolia Network which is available to stream on Discovery+, Joanna has made a name for herself in the foodie sphere as well.
Joanna wrote three cookbooks that share her favorite recipes, from Peanut Butter Pie to Honey Butter Layered Biscuit Bites to Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread. The couple also runs their restaurant Magnolia Table, which has great reviews online and serves breakfast and lunch.
They also have a cafe called Magnolia Press Coffee Company and a bakery called The Silos Baking Co. Fans on Trip Advisor heaped praise upon the bakery, sharing their love for the cupcakes and cookies. This is all part of the Gaines brand, which is all about quality family time, being part of a community, and comfort food.
