Television series
Farmhouse Fixer
- Light-hearted
Farmhouse Fixer follows Jonathan Knight and designer Kristina Crestin as they restore weathered New England farmhouses, preserving their history while making them livable for modern families. It's a genuinely warm show about respecting old bones and architectural character. Perfect for anyone who loves seeing genuine craftsmanship and isn't just after the before-and-after shock value.
Should you watch it?
Watch it if you like house-renovation shows where the pleasure is watching old timber, original details and worn charm get respected rather than gutted, and you're happy with a gentle, warm hour.
Skip it if you want high-stakes competition or fast cuts, since this is a gentle, unhurried hour-long format where the work of each project unfolds at a measured pace.
What it asks of you: Sixty-minute episodes, twenty-two in all across three seasons, asking you to sit with patient plaster-and-paint work and modest, warm payoffs rather than dramatic cliffhangers.
Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.
If you liked this
Get Organized with The Home Edit2020
A joyful, calming series about organizing spaces with intention and aesthetics. It has that same sense of care and respect for a home's potential that makes Farmhouse Fixer so satisfying, but focused on what's inside rather than the structure itself.
But The twee factor can be high, and if you prefer watching actual construction work to curated interiors, this skews lighter and more design-focused than you might want.
Maine Cabin Masters2016
Chase Morrill and his crew revive rustic Maine properties with real craftsmanship and historical sensitivity. The setting overlaps beautifully with Farmhouse Fixer's aesthetic, and there's genuine problem-solving rather than just cosmetic fixes.
But Pacing is slower and more methodical than typical HGTV fare. Some episodes get bogged down in technical troubleshooting that won't grab everyone.
This Old House1979
The gold standard of restoration television. Multi-season deep dives on single projects with expert tradespeople who actually explain what they're doing. It's where the genre's soul lives, and it influenced everything that came after.
But At 40+ years and still running, it can feel overwhelming in scope. Modern production values are absent; it looks exactly like what it is, a PBS show from decades ago.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Farmhouse Fixer
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi2011
Like Farmhouse Fixer, it's built on the belief that mastery comes from respect—for materials, for history, for the work itself. Both suggest that care, not speed, is the point.
A master sushi craftsman pursues perfection through decades of repetition and refinement. It's hypnotic, spiritual, and about dedicating your life to one thing done right. The obsession and respect for materials mirror what makes farmhouse restoration genuinely compelling.
But It's slow and meditative to the point of stillness. If you need narrative momentum or conflict, this is a mood piece, not a story. Some find it precious rather than profound.
More like this (4)
Fixer Upper2014
Chip and Joanna Gaines built their empire here, and for good reason. They blend modern living with architectural respect in a way that feels genuine, and the chemistry makes every project feel personal rather than transactional.
But It's become a cultural juggernaut and feels oversaturated. If you've already seen it extensively or find the magnolia-everything aesthetic exhausting, there's nothing fresh here.
Farmhouse Rules2013
Two sisters run a farmstead in upstate New York, and the show captures real rural life and seasonal rhythms alongside some home projects. It's less polished than typical HGTV but has authentic charm and genuine cooking content.
But The format meanders between renovation, cooking, and farming—it never quite commits to being one thing. That unfocused energy will frustrate people wanting pure restoration content.
Wood Work2017
A craftsperson restores and creates wooden furniture and architectural elements with genuine skill. The meditative pace and focus on materials and technique scratches the same itch as watching real work happen rather than quick transformations.
But It's beautifully slow. If you're looking for drama or quick payoffs, it will feel like watching paint dry—because you basically will be.
Grand Designs1999
Kevin McCloud follows ambitious building and renovation projects across multiple episodes, so you see the real complexity and setbacks. It's intelligent, unsentimental, and treats the homeowners and their ambitions with genuine respect rather than condescension.
But Projects sometimes fail or disappoint. If you need the guaranteed happy ending that typical renovation shows promise, this won't always deliver it.
