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You are here: Home / Local Love / An Interview with HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler

An Interview with HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler

October 17, 2019 By Kari 8 Comments

What life is really like renovating a resort in the Bahamas! I chat with HGTV Canada star Bryan Baeumler ahead of his appearance at The Edmonton Fall Home Show. Plus, details on how you can meet him this weekend!

Island of Bryan-1

When life gets overwhelming and crazy busy my husband Ryan and I often joke about just packing everything up and moving to a tropical island in the middle of nowhere! 🙂 Well, that’s exactly what HGTV Canada star Bryan Baeumler and his wife Sarah actually did two years ago.

However, it’s not all sipping cocktails poolside. The couple bought an abandoned boutique resort on the Bahamian island of South Andros and moved themselves and their four kids there. Island of Bryan (on HGTV Canada) chronicles their life on the island and a massive renovation of this rundown resort.

Baeumler will be in Edmonton this weekend for The Edmonton Fall Home Show where he’ll be sharing all sorts of stories from their adventure. I had a chance to connect with him ahead of his Edmonton appearance to chat about life on the island!

Island of Bryan-2

How did you come to the decision to move your family to the Bahamas to take on this mega project?

We love spending time in the Bahamas on the boat, and found the hotel during our travels. It was a 5 minute decision really…I think it was just the right time in our lives, the resort was in the right state of disrepair, and at the right price. We love adventure…and this was definitely an adventure!

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BeforeIsland of Bryan-4

AfterIsland of Bryan-5

Describe your typical day as a family on the island. How do your kids keep up with school? How do you access resources for the reno and for daily life?

We all live in a 550 sq’ villa together, so it’s a little different than being home and everyone having their own space. We get up and have breakfast with the camera and construction crew in the hotel restaurant, then get to work! The kids keep up with school either by attending local school and supplementing with tutors to keep them on track back home, and of course we help out with homework and projects in the evenings. Our days are filled with filming, building, tracking down material shipments…and of course we sneak away for a swim or island adventure whenever we get the chance!

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What has been the biggest surprise in taking on this project?

I think all of our perspectives have changed a lot. When you live on an island in a small community, you really start to learn what things we ‘want’ and what things we really ‘need’. The people here are the happiest and warmest people we’ve ever met, and they survive, and thrive with very little. It really has surprised us how little you need to be happy and fulfilled.

 

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AfterIsland of Bryan-8Island of Bryan-9

Is the adventure what you expected it would be?

It’s probably much more of an adventure than we anticipated! There have been lots of unexpected issues and problems that we’ve had to solve. We’ve made great friends, had so many new experiences, and living so closely together with the kids and Family has been amazing.

BeforeIsland of Bryan-10

AfterIsland of Bryan-11

Is this a one-time thing or could you see yourself seeking out other resorts and vacation properties to revamp?

We do have some future plans for expansion and development…that being said, we’re not quite open yet, so we’re going to see how it goes for a year or two. Or maybe not! 😉

The Caerula Mar Club resort has 22 hotel rooms and 22 villas and is set to open November 28, 2019. Check out the hotel’s website here and Instagram page here. Season two of Island of Bryan will premiere in 2020, while season one episodes are available on hgtv.ca.

Resort and Show Photos: HGTV Canada

Edmonton Fall Home Show Giveaway!

Island of Bryan-12Bryan will be live on stage at The Edmonton Fall Home Show this Friday, October 18 at 6pm and Saturday, October 19 at 1pm sharing tales from the island, lessons learned and the REAL value hiding inside your home. I’m giving away a VIP meet and greet package for two to Bryan’s show on Saturday where you will get to hang out and chat with Bryan!

How to Enter:

#1: Follow me @kariskelton and @yeghomeshows on Instagram.

#2: Tag up to three friends on my latest Instagram post about the Edmonton Fall Home Show.

#3: Comment below telling me whether you’re a DIY’er or you leave it to the professionals. 🙂
(Please include your Insta handle so I can find you on social).

Island of Bryan-13

This post was sponsored by The Edmonton Fall Home Show. As always, thoughts and opinions are mine. 

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xx

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Filed Under: Local Love, Play Local, Travel

Comments

  1. Jessica McGregor says

    October 17, 2019 at 9:41 pm

    I am a DIY’er for sure! @jessmcgregor

    Reply
  2. Deanne Bolton says

    October 17, 2019 at 9:53 pm

    I’d like to say I’m a DIY ‘er, but really depends on how complex the project is. I don’t hesitate to bring in the Pros if I think I might really mess it up. Ha ha
    @deab84

    Reply
  3. Julianne says

    October 18, 2019 at 12:06 am

    DIY’r! I like keeping busy with projects

    Reply
  4. Dawn Merkel says

    October 18, 2019 at 6:33 am

    We are definitely DIY’rs. We just completed our kitchen Reno. My husband made all of our new cabinet doors and even cut the granite slabs etc. we have watched Bryan throughout the years and I’m sure my husband learnt a lot of tips from him. @dmerkel1

    Reply
  5. Shanin Neff says

    October 18, 2019 at 7:18 am

    I’ve been a DIY’er all my life. As a child I watched a show about a lady and her dogs (yes of course it had dogs lol) who would fix stuff. My folks would come home to a disassembled tv or toaster and then I would put it back together. Lol. When I moved to my acreage my DIY stuff tripled ! But is more fun to see my hubby who has ways just hired people become a serious die hard DIY guy this last year making us a fabulous enclosure for our chickens and ducks and he’s about to tackle winter enclosures for our goats AND we want to do a rental private dog off leash area in our front field soon!
    Love this contest. We adore Bryan and his family and love watching leave it to Bryan. And island of Bryan.

    Reply
  6. Danielle Toffoli says

    October 18, 2019 at 7:44 am

    My husband and I are DIY’ers but sometimes those projects dont turn out quite as we visualize. We’d love to learn more and hope to get comfortable enough to be able to flip a house one of these days!
    @Danielletoffoli

    Reply
  7. Dezeray Brown says

    October 18, 2019 at 8:37 am

    We are do it yourselfers! My husband absolutely adores Bryan and would be a dream come true to meet him. We own a small residential construction company in Sherwood Park. We now have 10 FT employees and book up 1.5 to 2 months in advance. He uses tools he’s learned from the show in our own business plans. Thanks for the amazing chance to win this great prize!

    Reply
  8. Donnalea says

    October 18, 2019 at 12:23 pm

    Love to DIY, but sometimes I have to leave it to the pros!! @aroundthenook

    Reply

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➡️ Give yourself a break this year and just order your Easter dinner from @fresonbros!

📍These delicious chef-prepared Easter Dinner Boxes are totally customizable. Your main course  is mouth-watering, tender Mountain Park ham, with a delicious ham glaze, roasted garlic parmesan baby potatoes and honey dill carrots.

Customizable add-ons include:

- Granny’s Stuffing
- macaroni salad
- Alberta sourdough
- iconic sourdough hot cross buns
-choice of desserts like
coconut macaroon cookies, sourdough cinnamon buns, and sweet coconut cream pie!

➡️ Order online (link in my bio) from now until April 16 and pick up at your nearest Freson Bros. location. Save this idea and make sure to share with your friends!

{partner}

#cateredeasterdinner #easydinner #easyEasterdinner #yegfood #easterbox #ordereaster
Disney photos! Having a blast! ❤️ Noah got to Disney photos! Having a blast! ❤️ Noah got to go on a lot of the rides too. 🤗 

What's your favourite food to get at Disney? A must-try. Share ⬇️
We surprised our seven-year-old with a trip to Dis We surprised our seven-year-old with a trip to Disneyland! I highly recommend surprising your kids with adventures - no matter how big or small. ❤️ This was so much fun! What he said at the end was the best. :) 

#disneyland #disneysurprise #disneyparks
Choose the one you can't live without. That cares Choose the one you can't live without. That cares enough to put in the work every day - especially when it 'aint so pretty. That fights for the life you've built together. The one that's willing to grow in new ways together and open their mind and heart to new possibilities.

You're the one I want to go through all the times with - the good and the tough, the happy and sad. Thank you for being the guy that folds all of our laundry and respects that I don't want you to wash mine. 😄 Thank you for changing the garbages - cause you know I hate it. Thank you for building us epic fires in the summer and making THE BEST popcorn ever. ❤️ Thanks for watching The Bachelor with me (and providing hilarious commentary throughout). Thanks for being a gentle parent with our kiddos. ❤️❤️❤️

To the love of my life, my partner in life, and greatest Daddy - Happy 14th!
@ryanjespersen
Load More… Follow on Instagram

kariskelton

your go-to mom friend 🙌
Here's what works best for me and my family. Share ⬇️ what works best for you + yours!
❤️ Wyatt, Noah, Moses🐾 Monroe🐾
❤️ Ry

Kari Skelton | Motherhood Community
Easiest Easter Dinner! ➡️ Give yourself a bre Easiest Easter Dinner!

➡️ Give yourself a break this year and just order your Easter dinner from @fresonbros!

📍These delicious chef-prepared Easter Dinner Boxes are totally customizable. Your main course  is mouth-watering, tender Mountain Park ham, with a delicious ham glaze, roasted garlic parmesan baby potatoes and honey dill carrots.

Customizable add-ons include:

- Granny’s Stuffing
- macaroni salad
- Alberta sourdough
- iconic sourdough hot cross buns
-choice of desserts like
coconut macaroon cookies, sourdough cinnamon buns, and sweet coconut cream pie!

➡️ Order online (link in my bio) from now until April 16 and pick up at your nearest Freson Bros. location. Save this idea and make sure to share with your friends!

{partner}

#cateredeasterdinner #easydinner #easyEasterdinner #yegfood #easterbox #ordereaster
Disney photos! Having a blast! ❤️ Noah got to Disney photos! Having a blast! ❤️ Noah got to go on a lot of the rides too. 🤗 

What's your favourite food to get at Disney? A must-try. Share ⬇️
We surprised our seven-year-old with a trip to Dis We surprised our seven-year-old with a trip to Disneyland! I highly recommend surprising your kids with adventures - no matter how big or small. ❤️ This was so much fun! What he said at the end was the best. :) 

#disneyland #disneysurprise #disneyparks
Choose the one you can't live without. That cares Choose the one you can't live without. That cares enough to put in the work every day - especially when it 'aint so pretty. That fights for the life you've built together. The one that's willing to grow in new ways together and open their mind and heart to new possibilities.

You're the one I want to go through all the times with - the good and the tough, the happy and sad. Thank you for being the guy that folds all of our laundry and respects that I don't want you to wash mine. 😄 Thank you for changing the garbages - cause you know I hate it. Thank you for building us epic fires in the summer and making THE BEST popcorn ever. ❤️ Thanks for watching The Bachelor with me (and providing hilarious commentary throughout). Thanks for being a gentle parent with our kiddos. ❤️❤️❤️

To the love of my life, my partner in life, and greatest Daddy - Happy 14th!
@ryanjespersen
Load More… Follow on Instagram

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