So, here’s the story: Karen E. Laine, the beloved HGTV personality from "Good Bones," was ready to dive into renovations on her new Wilmington, North Carolina, home. Joined by her team of contractors, Karen was all set to tackle the project head-on. But things took a bit of a tumble—literally—during the episode that aired on Wednesday, August 21. While pulling up the "rotten" floors, Karen ended up falling right through them. Talk about an unexpected twist in the renovation journey!
Oh No! Karen E. Laine Falls Through the Floor
Imagine this: you're knee-deep in a renovation project, and suddenly, you're not just standing on the floor—you're falling through it. That’s exactly what happened to Karen when her team started tearing up the old flooring. When someone asked if she was okay, Karen, ever the trooper, quipped, "I’m fine, I landed on my squishy part." Classic Karen humor, right there. But beneath the lightheartedness, it was clear that this mishap signaled bigger issues with the house's structure.
It didn’t take long for Karen to realize just how much work this old home needed. Built back in the 1900s, the two-bedroom, one-bathroom house was clearly showing its age. "I already fell through the floor once, alright, which means this entire floor system needs to be replaced," Karen admitted in a confessional. "And I can already see that the foundation needs some serious attention too." It was becoming clear that this wasn’t going to be a quick fix—it was going to be a full-scale overhaul.
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As Karen assessed the situation, she couldn’t help but voice her concerns. "This is a lot more money than I thought," she confessed. The costs were starting to pile up, and Karen knew she had to make some tough decisions. The first phase of the renovation would involve lifting the house and rebuilding the foundation—a massive undertaking, to say the least.
"What we need is a brand new continuous pour foundation all the way around the outside of the house," Karen explained. She estimated the cost at around $30,000, which wasn’t exactly pocket change. The weight of the decision was evident in her tone: "How do I live the rest of my life if I spend that much of my nest egg on this house?" It was a question that resonated with anyone who’s ever faced a big financial decision.
But even with the challenges ahead, Karen wasn’t ready to throw in the towel. During her confessional, she admitted, "There’s no way I’m giving up on my dream. I’m just not." And that determination? Pure Karen.
Raising the Stakes: Lifting the House
Next up on Karen’s renovation to-do list? Lifting the house with a jack. Now, that’s not something you see every day. Viewers watched with bated breath as Karen and her team worked on this precarious task. At one point, the team panicked when they noticed the beams wobbling. Karen quickly jumped out of the way, showing just how unpredictable these types of projects can be.
"The house is in the air, which is fine, but it’s wobbling," Karen explained. "It made some noises like it wasn’t happy about its situation, but it’s holding. We’re OK." It was a nerve-wracking moment, but Karen handled it with her usual calm and collected demeanor.
Adding a Splash of Color
But it wasn’t all heavy lifting and structural work. Karen also had big plans for the home’s decor. She wanted to make the place "bold and colorful," and she teamed up with a local muralist to bring her vision to life. Together, they decided to paint the mural on the back fence, adding a vibrant touch to the property.
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Of course, life has a way of throwing curveballs, and Karen was no exception. While filming in Wilmington, she had to head back to Indianapolis because her daughter Kelsey was pregnant with her first baby. Before leaving, Karen’s contractor called with some troubling news: a hurricane was set to make landfall near her new home. "Hurricanes are not something I’ve ever had to worry about in Indianapolis," Karen joked over the phone. Thankfully, all the storm-proofing her team had done paid off, and the house emerged unscathed.
Karen Gets Some Help From ‘Good Bones’ Royalty
Back in Indiana, Karen enlisted the help of MJ Coyle, her trusted "Good Bones" collaborator, to assist with the Wilmington home’s design. "There’s a lot to do with this Wilmington house, so I’m bringing MJ in little by little," Karen explained. "I asked MJ to help me with the Wilmington house because although I am designing it myself, I have a lot of ideas, and maybe he can help be a filter and reel me in a little." It was a smart move, and MJ’s expertise was sure to elevate the project.
During the episode, Karen also got a heartwarming visit from some of her grandkids. She admitted that the thought of moving to Wilmington, away from her family, made her a little sad. But she was excited about the possibility of having them visit her new home.
In a touching moment, Karen returned to Wilmington and was surprised by Cory Miller, who had completed the mural. Seeing the finished piece brought Karen to tears. Later, MJ stopped by to check out the progress and offer his design insights. The episode ended on a high note, with viewers eagerly anticipating the reveal of the completed project next week.
