Ty Pennington's Ty Breaker Kicks Off: Rivalry and Home Renos

Should I stay or should I go? That’s something homeowners often ask themselves when faced with yet another fault with their home. Ty Pennington to the rescue! The popular carpenter, craftsman and designer helps solve the quandary on his new HGTV series Ty Breaker. The show comes with a twist – Ty is sure he can overhaul the homeowner’s current digs, while his designer opponents think otherwise: they try to coax the homeowners to move to a beautiful new customized space. Ty will face off against HGTV design experts: Alison Victoria, Grace Mitchell, or Sabrina Soto. Who will be victorious? Who knows? For now, read on about Ty Breaker and enjoy some behind-the-scenes intel on Ty.

Ty Breaker premieres Monday, Jan. 11, at 9PM et/pt on HGTV Canada and stream Live and On Demand on the new Global TV App, and on STACKTV with Amazon Prime Video Channels. HGTV Canada is available through all major TV service providers.

HGTV

1 / 10

Stud Next to Studs

Former model and actor and self-described “jack of all trades,” Atlanta’s Ty Pennington is ready to spar on his new show. “I can’t wait for folks to watch Ty Breaker! I loved meeting so many awesome families and helping them decide on their future home,” he says. And he’s a good sport when it comes to his colleagues. I’m doing all I can to sway them to stay in their current digs by adding some spectacular upgrades, but Alison Victoria, Grace Mitchell and Sabrina Soto are amazing renovators, designers and competitors – they know how to win!” We’re rooting for you, Ty.

HGTV

2 / 10

Alison Victoria Ready to Compete

Here’s Ty with Alison Victoria, the designer with the major skills you might remember from HGTV’s Rock The Block or Windy City Rehab. See her work her magic again on an upcoming episode of Ty Breaker! Ty will strive to convince clients to stay put and go for a whole-home renovation. But Alison will try to impress the clients with stunning home-renovation options. Two design plans will be presented, but only one will be the “Ty Breaker.” We wonder how it’ll all turn out.

Tell Ty what you think about his new show concept on Instagram using the hashtag #TyBreaker.

Instagram/Ty Pennington

3 / 10

Vintage Style Guy

Ty calls this shot Full Miller Jacket. Well played, sir. He says he’s “always striving to live a Champagne life on a beer budget.” Which is why he’s into vintage threads and they do have a cool factor, too.

Ty Pennington and his pet dog Georgia in Washington Oaks

Instagram/Ty Pennington

4 / 10

Georgia on His Mind

Ty’s main squeeze is Georgia, his rescue dog. She’s obviously happy about it – you can’t fake that dog smile. Ty’s been known to take his “soggy doggy,” as he affectionately calls her, to the beach. Here’s the duo in Washington Oaks. In the past, he’s put a pink wig on Georgia’s noggin (because why not?) and on Christmas a pair of tartan reindeer antlers. Last Father’s Day, Ty acknowledged her as “daddy’s little girl”. Say it loud: Awwwww!!!!

Instagram/Ty Pennington

5 / 10

He’s Got Friends in High Places

What’s this secret you’re hiding from us Ty – or should that be Sly – Pennington? You know Michelle Obama?! Indeed, he does. Our very own HGTV’s Ty Pennington wished the former First Lady a happy birthday in this Instagram post. He also shouted out to Michelle for helping to “move the bus!” a famous refrain from Ty’s previous show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Instagram/Ty Pennington

6 / 10

Ty Pennington’s a Colourful Guy

Table saw aside, Ty is well rounded. The guy paints – here’s his mini pots ready to be dipped – and he makes beautiful paint-stamped fabric. But he doesn’t hog the spotlight. He’s quick to give props to artists including the late painting prodigy Jean-Michel Basquiat, the late pop artist Robert Rauschenberg and Chris Roberts-Antieau, a fabric-appliqué artist who showcases her work at the eponymous Antieau Gallery in New Orleans.

Handmade pottery before it goes into the kiln

Instagram/Ty Pennington

7 / 10

He Slays Clay

You wouldn’t know it, but Ty’s as talented as Demi Moore’s clay-crazed character Molly Jensen in Ghost. This earthy beauty is one of his pieces. He’s proud about finally getting some height on the plant pot. “If you’ve never made pottery before, I highly recommend,” says Ty. “Difficult but incredibly fun and satisfying!”

Instagram/Ty Pennington

8 / 10

A Total Mama’s Boy

In one of Ty’s instagram posts, he’s on a bed in a hotel room with his mom, Yvonne (“his spirit mammal”) reading a questionable magazine, while mom geeks out on a book about the Roosevelts. In another, they’re wearing matching white robes on a vespa – mom’s in the sidecar. And in another she’s telling Ty about her dream of going on a date with famous singer, Bruno Mars. Ty shares a lot of these wildly hilarious scenes that he calls “mom and Ty” moments. And they’re pure magic.

Instagram/Ty Pennington

9 / 10

Music is Life

Cruise over to Ty’s Instagram page, and you’re sure to find a shot or 12 of him either singing, playing guitar or sharing his love of music. And he’s got wicked taste, too: Sonic Youth, The Velvet Underground, Pavement and Iggy Pop to name a few. We like.