A Roundup of My Favorite Magnolia Network Shows

I can’t tell you how long I’ve been a fan of Joanna & Chip Gains, but I can tell you that I’ve seen every single episode of Fixer Upper at least 3 times. They’re my favorite design duo because their work is always a reminder of the possibilities of where your brand can grow if you remain consistent and true. In 2018, after six years of filming and five seasons under their belt, Joanna and Chip announced that Fixer Upper would be coming to an end. This same year, they made an appearance on the tonight show to reveal that they’d be launching their own network. Fast forward to today, Magnolia Network officially launched on Discovery+ in 2021 and has since taken over the broadcast slot held by the DIY Network. In the Summer of 2022, the network expanded its streaming to HBO Max. My favorite thing about being a Discovery+ subscriber is it allows you to watch Magnolia content for free on their website and get discounts across the site.

As a creative, I love so many incredible things about the network and the content they produce. Their omnipresent lifestyle brand has served as the blueprint of what I hope to achieve in my career. With over 50-plus original shows, Magnolia Network has really set the tone for curating quality, wholesome content. I spend a lot of my time binging the content when I need a burst of inspiration. Here is a roundup of my favorite Magnolia Network shows.

Homegrown

I am an unshameful supporter of all things with Black artists, designers, and creators. In other words, I am rooting for everybody Black. Jamila Norman hosts her own show on the Magnolia Network. Homegrown follows Jamila, an Atlanta-based farmer who is using her gift to help families transform their outdoor spaces into beautiful and functional backyard farms while exploring the joy and benefits of growing your own food.

Artfully Designed

This show is relatively new to my watch list. What initially attracted me to this show is it is a unique and unexpected combination of creators coming together to make great spaces. Designer Natalie Papier, muralist Racheal Jackson and abstract artist Frankie Zombie take an art-forward approach to creating beautifully curated spaces for their clients by exploring the intersection of art and interior design.

The Established Home

One of my favorite shows on the network because it shows you that designing homes and being great at it can be achieved at any stage of your life. Designer Jean Stoffer takes on some of her most ambitious projects to date around her hometown of Grand Rapids, MI. She shares the inspiration behind her stunning designs and her family's critical role in her life and business. What I love most about Jean is that her family truly is the center of her life and show. It’s such wholesome content because it documents how much her family supports and champions her work and how they breathe life into her brand with the roles they play, working closely with her to design spaces.

Inspired Interiors

I first fell in love with Sarah’s work through Instagram. Oddly, what made me love her work more was hearing how highly her husband spoke of her and her passion for what she does. There was a moment when her husband (Rupert Sherman) burst into tears while explaining how proud he was of her. It was at that moment that my heart warmed because you can sense genuine love and support. In her show, Sarah Sherman Samuel balances work and family while designing inspiring homes and furniture as she re-establishes her design studio in her home state of Michigan, having recently moved from Los Angeles.

Rental Redo

Again, this is me championing and rooting for anyone who is Black. Rental Redo is one of my favorite shows because there should be more knowledge or educational resources for what can or can't be done as a renter. Many people spend years in rental properties, and it feels like a place they go home to and not like home. I love that this untapped market is being charged and led by a Black woman on a major cable/streaming network. Designer Keyanna Bowen is passionate about renovating rental properties, showing you don't have to spend a lot of money to make a significant impact. She reveals cost-saving tips while updating rentals to help tenants feel more at home.

Capturing Home

Designers Amy and Kate take inspiration from homeowners' personal stories to create custom, one-of-a-kind spaces for their families to gather.

Point of View: A Designer Profile

I have probably sat and binged every season of this show a handful of times; it’s just that good. For me, it’s inspiring to hear how some of my favorite designers got started and what motivates them. This show gives a behind-the-curtain look into the minds of interior designers; this anthology series lets us in on their creative processes and introduces the inspirations and influences that shape their designs. One of my favorite episodes is season two, episode four, with Faith Blakeney. I’ve been a fan of the Blakeney family for years; they have a unique, eclectic outlook on design and interiors. What I loved most about Faith’s episode was the family history and her introducing the world to her brother and his story, which is so beautiful. No spoilers; you have to watch.

Where We Call Home

I can’t keep saying every show is my favorite, but I will. This show is unique because it opened my eyes to the idea that home is wherever we make it. It is always one of the biggest inspirations behind the Dvn Oasis series “Defining Home.” In this show, homeowners and designers reveal how commercial properties and unconventional spaces were reimagined into modern homes. My favorite episode is season one, episode two, The Schoolhouse. In this episode, a California family takes on how they turned an old, abandoned schoolhouse into their dream home. The outcome is immaculate.

Making Modern

Married duo Brooke and Brice Gilliam have flipped the script on traditional home renovation roles -- with Brooke as the builder and Brice as the designer and this is precisely why I fell in love with this show. Traditionally, the man holds the title and role of the builder, but in the case of this couple, Brooke builds, and she is damn good at it. I love when people have the opportunity to document their real lives, and their reality shatters societal norms in the most inspiring ways. What’s also incredibly inspiring about this duo is that they are both entirely self-taught and have built out their business while maintaining full-time jobs — Brice is an orthodontist, and Brooke is a pharmaceutical rep. It’s an inspiration and positive representation for creatives like myself who work full-time but need to see that it is possible to build a business while working.

Fixer Upper: The Castle

Chip and Joanna take on their most prominent fixer yet: the famous castle in Waco, Texas. As they breathe new life into the historical landmark, they must also tackle its challenging infrastructure while preserving its original beauty. In my honest opinion, this is by far Joanna’s best work. I also loved watching and learning about the rich history of this property and seeing how effortlessly Jo and Chip preserved what gave the property character and beauty.

Magnolia Table

I discovered my love for the kitchen and cooking only in my late 20s. One day, I found that I loved how cooking made me feel. I loved trying new recipes, buying gadgets for the kitchen, and the excitement and joy a good meal gave the people I love and me. Magnolia Table is a show that reminds me why cooking became one of my favorite pastimes and the power of preparing a good home-cooked meal for family and friends. Infused with her warmth and passion for all things family, Joanna Gaines shares her favorite recipes, where they come from, and why she returns to them over and over—filmed in Texas with the support of the Office of the Governor, Texas Film Commission. I love making myself a cup of coffee on Sunday mornings and catching up on episodes I've missed. I binge-watched this show while pregnant, so my son loves it now too. We often sit and watch episodes together. A mom-hack, something is soothing to Kaleb when he hears Joanna speak. Her voice usually has him drifting off to sleep after a few episodes; I play her audiobook for him as well when momma needs her alone time, lol