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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!

Island of Bryan-3

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!

Island of Bryan-6

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.

 

BeforeIsland of Bryan-7

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. 

Other Posts You’ll Like

Teaching Kids How To Garden

How To Pull Off The Modern Farmhouse Trend

How To Become A Resilient Parent

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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…but first - SAVE this so you can come back to it later. Below you’ll find the important reason I’m sharing this. 🫶

✨️Post your hot tips for saving cash in the comments ⤵️ so we can all help each other. Here’s a few of mine:

1️⃣ Make sure your bank cards are giving you something back. Do some digging and find out what your debit and credit cards get you. Example: I have a Scene debit card which earns me free movies (and snacks at the theatre) for us and the kids. 

2️⃣ Check your favourite brand’s tagged posts on Instagram. When you’re looking to make a new purchase always check here first! It’s where you’ll find partnership posts from Creators you may not follow who have a discount code you can use with that brand (Of course, if you do use the code - thank the Creator with a ‘follow’ and/or share.)

3️⃣ FREE CHILDCARE at City Rec Facilities. Now, this may depend on where you live but it doesn’t hurt to check. Where we’re at in Edmonton, Canada, four City of Edmonton rec facilities offer free childcare with your rec pass for up to two hours (you must stay in the building). I used to do this with our oldest and pop over to a quiet area and work. You could also do this to get a workout in or meet a friend for coffee without having to spend on childcare. 

4️⃣ Library books - as much as we love treating ourselves to a new book,these are FREE and it's a fun experience with your kid

5️⃣ Shop online where you can. This will help you stick to your list and budget and not get thrown off by all the shiny things. 

➡️ I’m sharing this to shine the spotlight on @civicserviceunion52 - a union representing over 6,000 city workers - 83% of whom haven’t seen a pay raise since 2018! That’s bonkers. Factor in inflation - that’s a pay cut. It’s just not fair, AND there’s something you can do about it. 

These are our community members - Our 9-1-1 dispatchers, library staff, fitness teachers, 311 reps and so many more who keep our city running. 

Email your City Councillor to show your support. Find a template to do so in my Stories right now or just go to edmontonforeveryone.ca!

#sponsored #budgetingtips #frugalfamily #CSU52 #moneysavinghacks
Who can we call to get these lyrics changed? 😄 Who can we call to get these lyrics changed? 😄 ... but seriously? 

Actually listened to the lyrics while Miss. Rachel was on.🙈 Side note- i love her.

 What else needs changing? ⬇️
#motherhoodjourney #wheelsonthebus #1950scalled
Feel this? ⬆️ Share if you do. ❤️ You kno Feel this? ⬆️ Share if you do. ❤️

You know what drains a kid's emotional cup - being overscheduled. We've lived it and I'm here to say it's SO MUCH BETTER on the other side.

📍Last year, our goal was to give our oldest (now 8) every opportunity to try things to figure out what he loved. His schedule was packed with activities (I realize this is a privileged point). We were running - sometimes literally - from school to activity every night of the week and on weekends.

📍Fast-forward to this year - he has so much more time to just be a kid and we're all happier! He's picked a couple of things he's passionate about, but we've cut so much out and now most of our after-school time is open. Maybe we'll run an errand, maybe we'll come home and hang out, maybe we'll play at the park with friends and get ice cream. 

✨️ If one day he decides he wants to pour more time into one of his passions - we support that, but for now this is it and it's awesome! 

➡️ Have you lived this? How do you balance wanting to expose your kid to different activities so they find what they love with wanting your kids to just be a kid? Share below.

this video ⬆️ is from @fairmontjpl's Lac Beauvert. On every summer visit, Wyatt and I have a tradition of renting a kayak from The Boathouse and cruising the lake. 

❤️ Follow @kariskelton for more motherhood moments and helpful Reels to make your journey a little easier and even more enjoyable. Send me a DM to say hi. 

#parentingjourney #overshedulingkids #letkidsbekids
This ⬆️ make you want to be a better parent? M This ⬆️ make you want to be a better parent? Makes me want to be a better human. ✨️✨️

Words by @wordsof_emmaheaphy 

📍Save this to come back to and share with your friends in motherhood. Be sure to check out my Reel two back on 'Glimmers' - that one has helped me with the tough days.❤️❤️

➡️ Follow @kariskelton for more motherhood moments and helpful Reels to make your journey a little easier and even more enjoyable. Send me a DM to say hi. 👋

#motherhoodjourney #momquote #parentingquotes
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kariskelton

Wait for it and read this ⤵️ …but first - S Wait for it and read this ⤵️

…but first - SAVE this so you can come back to it later. Below you’ll find the important reason I’m sharing this. 🫶

✨️Post your hot tips for saving cash in the comments ⤵️ so we can all help each other. Here’s a few of mine:

1️⃣ Make sure your bank cards are giving you something back. Do some digging and find out what your debit and credit cards get you. Example: I have a Scene debit card which earns me free movies (and snacks at the theatre) for us and the kids. 

2️⃣ Check your favourite brand’s tagged posts on Instagram. When you’re looking to make a new purchase always check here first! It’s where you’ll find partnership posts from Creators you may not follow who have a discount code you can use with that brand (Of course, if you do use the code - thank the Creator with a ‘follow’ and/or share.)

3️⃣ FREE CHILDCARE at City Rec Facilities. Now, this may depend on where you live but it doesn’t hurt to check. Where we’re at in Edmonton, Canada, four City of Edmonton rec facilities offer free childcare with your rec pass for up to two hours (you must stay in the building). I used to do this with our oldest and pop over to a quiet area and work. You could also do this to get a workout in or meet a friend for coffee without having to spend on childcare. 

4️⃣ Library books - as much as we love treating ourselves to a new book,these are FREE and it's a fun experience with your kid

5️⃣ Shop online where you can. This will help you stick to your list and budget and not get thrown off by all the shiny things. 

➡️ I’m sharing this to shine the spotlight on @civicserviceunion52 - a union representing over 6,000 city workers - 83% of whom haven’t seen a pay raise since 2018! That’s bonkers. Factor in inflation - that’s a pay cut. It’s just not fair, AND there’s something you can do about it. 

These are our community members - Our 9-1-1 dispatchers, library staff, fitness teachers, 311 reps and so many more who keep our city running. 

Email your City Councillor to show your support. Find a template to do so in my Stories right now or just go to edmontonforeveryone.ca!

#sponsored #budgetingtips #frugalfamily #CSU52 #moneysavinghacks
Who can we call to get these lyrics changed? 😄 Who can we call to get these lyrics changed? 😄 ... but seriously? 

Actually listened to the lyrics while Miss. Rachel was on.🙈 Side note- i love her.

 What else needs changing? ⬇️
#motherhoodjourney #wheelsonthebus #1950scalled
Feel this? ⬆️ Share if you do. ❤️ You kno Feel this? ⬆️ Share if you do. ❤️

You know what drains a kid's emotional cup - being overscheduled. We've lived it and I'm here to say it's SO MUCH BETTER on the other side.

📍Last year, our goal was to give our oldest (now 8) every opportunity to try things to figure out what he loved. His schedule was packed with activities (I realize this is a privileged point). We were running - sometimes literally - from school to activity every night of the week and on weekends.

📍Fast-forward to this year - he has so much more time to just be a kid and we're all happier! He's picked a couple of things he's passionate about, but we've cut so much out and now most of our after-school time is open. Maybe we'll run an errand, maybe we'll come home and hang out, maybe we'll play at the park with friends and get ice cream. 

✨️ If one day he decides he wants to pour more time into one of his passions - we support that, but for now this is it and it's awesome! 

➡️ Have you lived this? How do you balance wanting to expose your kid to different activities so they find what they love with wanting your kids to just be a kid? Share below.

this video ⬆️ is from @fairmontjpl's Lac Beauvert. On every summer visit, Wyatt and I have a tradition of renting a kayak from The Boathouse and cruising the lake. 

❤️ Follow @kariskelton for more motherhood moments and helpful Reels to make your journey a little easier and even more enjoyable. Send me a DM to say hi. 

#parentingjourney #overshedulingkids #letkidsbekids
This ⬆️ make you want to be a better parent? M This ⬆️ make you want to be a better parent? Makes me want to be a better human. ✨️✨️

Words by @wordsof_emmaheaphy 

📍Save this to come back to and share with your friends in motherhood. Be sure to check out my Reel two back on 'Glimmers' - that one has helped me with the tough days.❤️❤️

➡️ Follow @kariskelton for more motherhood moments and helpful Reels to make your journey a little easier and even more enjoyable. Send me a DM to say hi. 👋

#motherhoodjourney #momquote #parentingquotes
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