No matter where you’ve spent your life, there’s something appealing about the thought of living in an old farmhouse. Whether you’re from the city, suburbs, or the middle of nowhere, country living is a dream many people share. It’s an aspiration that HGTV Canada’s Carolyn Wilbrink has made a career out of. We recently sat down with Carolyn to find out what she’s been up to since we last saw her on Farmhouse Facelift.
Watch Farmhouse Facelift on HGTV Canada, available to stream Live or On-Demand with STACKTV. Try it free today!
View this post on Instagram
Life Lately
For Carolyn, her love for farmhouse renovating doesn’t end when the HGTV cameras stop rolling. “I’ve completed a 5,000-square-foot farmhouse for two-and-a-half years, which was featured in Style at Home and in American Farmhouse Style. I also started renovating my own farmhouse.”
Related: Get to Know Billy Pearson and Carolyn Wilbrink From Farmhouse Facelift
View this post on Instagram
Sentimental Jobs
“We were actually asked to come back to renovate the farmhouse that I was doing when I was discovered for HGTV.” It’s impossible not to notice the excitement in her voice whenever she speaks about all her projects. Each one seems to have a special place for her. “It was very sentimental. We became friends with the homeowners that purchased it from us. They asked us to come back just to add a back porch, then two days later they were like, could you add a 300-square-foot addition.”
View this post on Instagram
Downtime
Despite having a passion for her work, she’s making time for like outside of design. “I work 24/7 as a mom of 4. We go to the cottage and dirt biking. I’ve been to Mexico three times since I’ve last been on TV, for family vacations. I went to Italy for the first time last year.” Despite the heavy workload, she’s still finding time for fun and adventure.
Check out: Carolyn and Billy Create a Tuscan Farmhouse for a Family of 17
View this post on Instagram
Fresh Designs
With a new season of Farmhouse Facelift in the works, we wanted to know if there were any new designs she was excited for fans to see. “Oh my gosh, they’re all so good. Honestly, season 3 is our best season yet. There was one, it had black and white tiles with rustic walls. I built a custom table on that episode. The bathroom is all black, it’s beautiful, just totally different.”
View this post on Instagram
New Challenges
“We have a big project that we’re starting next year. It’s a stone farmhouse and they want to build a bat cave garage, like a garage in the hill.” It would be easy to assume that because she specializes in older homes that her designs are all traditional. Clearly, she’s not afraid of blending the traditional with some contemporary flair. So, expect some jaw-dropping renos the next time you see her.
Read more: A Three-Year Farmhouse Search Concludes With a Dream Makeover From Carolyn and Billy
View this post on Instagram
Latest Inspirations
“I actually just started scanning brownstones in New York City. So, that’s been a big, huge thing that I’ve become obsessed with at night. If my husband is watching a show that I don’t watch, I’m searching brownstones in New York City.” There’s something oddly reassuring that even our favorite HGTV hosts go down the real estate rabbit holes too. Either way, we can’t wait to see what brownstone influences Carolyn brings to her next big project.
View this post on Instagram
Job Perks
When working on older homes, like she does, there’s no shortage of challenges and hurdles. However, people often forget about the hidden blessings that these homes can bring. “The house that I just completed was an almost three-year project. There were these old carpets on the floor, under the carpets were these boards, but under those boards, the most incredible inlay wood flooring. I have it all over my Instagram, they were stunning.”
Related: Carolyn and Billy Restore an 1886 Farmhouse After a 1990s Reno Gone Wrong
View this post on Instagram
Details That Excite Her
“Plaster work!” To most people those two words wouldn’t elicit anywhere near as much joy as it seems to for Carolyn, but it just goes to show that when it comes to design, it really is all in the details. “I can’t explain it, I’ve yet to find a home in this area that has the same plaster work as my old house had. So, whenever I do, I get really excited.”
Her Forever Farmhouse
It’s hard not to be charmed by Carolyn’s excitement as she swoons over architectural details and the history behind these homes. “Here’s a crazy story for you.” She says. “The farmhouse I’m working on currently, we found out after we bought it, that the house was actually built by my great grandfather. We have all the paperwork. So, this will be our forever farmhouse.”
Watch Farmhouse Facelift on HGTV Canada, available to stream Live or On-Demand with STACKTV. Try it free today!
