Entertainment

Clint And Kelly Harp Of ‘Fixer Upper’ Fame Debuts DIY Pilot ‘Against The Grain’

Published on: June 14, 2016 at 11:57 AM
By Charlinda Robinson

Fans of Chip and Joanna Gaines are very familiar with the Harp family. Clint Harp is Joanna’s go-to guy whenever she needs a beautifully crafted piece of furniture. He never disappoints with what he turns out and his craftsmanship is remarkable. Apparently, the DIY network has taken notice. Now, the couple will co-host a special pilot episode of Against the Grain , and if it does well, they could eventually be launching a new series of their own.

According to the Waco Tribune-Herald , the couple and their children originally moved to Waco so that Kelly could pursue her master’s degree at Baylor University. Two years later, Harp Design Co. opened, and Clint began making high-end designer furniture from salvaged or reclaimed wood. Clint has definitely come a long way from when he used to make things with wood in his garage back in Houston.

As fate would have it, Clint met Chip Gaines in a gas station parking lot. Chip and Joanna started ordering several pieces from Harp, and over time, Clint and Joanna developed what they call her Book of Jo , where she sketches the piece she wants and hands it over to Clint. He then works his magic, taking a simple sketch and turning it into an expertly crafted piece of furniture. The Harp’s began to develop a fan base when Clint began appearing more regularly on Fixer Upper . In the beginning, Clint had one employee in 2013, and now the couple employs more than 20.

“My wife and I took a leap to try and go for this dream with no idea where it was going to take us,” he said.

Kelly has been instrumental in helping Clint develop their furniture line, and he says that his wife brings a creative design aspect to the project. Besides crafting large pieces, Clint and Kelly also make other items for the home, ranging from beautifully carved candlesticks to cutting boards and more.

“With her touch, it took it from being, ‘We do furniture’ to, ‘We offer everything to decorate your home,’” he said. “She’s been able to expand our offering.”

As for the pilot episode, Kelly Harp told the Waco Trib that she wished she could find the words to describe how excited they are. However, for Kelly and Clint, the focus is still mainly on producing quality work for their clients.

“Business goes on even when you have a premiere coming,” she said with a laugh.

“I haven’t even seen it,” Clint remarked concerning the pilot. “I’m nervous. I’m inviting everybody and their brother all across everywhere to come and watch this thing. I have family that are having watch parties back in Georgia where I’m from and I’m like, I really hope this doesn’t suck.”

According to DIY’s Against the Grain page, Clint will be taking his woodworking skills outside the home, building custom furniture and creating breathtaking, beautiful spaces for their clients. Clint and Kelly will transform outdoor areas by using all types of pieces, ranging from massive banquet tables and benches to masterfully created pergolas and decks. Together, Clint and Kelly share their creative touch so that families can enjoy and make the most out of their outdoor spaces.

The premiere will feature Clint and Kelly’s team building three pieces of custom furniture for three families, including a two-story play fort and re-purposing an old fence into a bar top island. Fans of Fixer Upper will get a special treat when Joanna Gaines makes an appearance. She will be ordering from Clint and Kelly a large, 12-seat table for one of her customers.

Will you be checking out Against the Grain ? Leave your comments, thoughts, and opinions below. The pilot episode airs on Tuesday, June 14 at 10:30 p.m. ET on the DIY network.

[Image via Clint Harp/ Instagram ]

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