Resort Ready: Meet The Power Duos Competing For The Title of Renovation Resort Champions

The stakes are higher than ever as Home Network’s Renovation Resort returns for its third season on Sunday, April 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Home Network and streams on STACKTV. This year, real estate expert Scott McGillivray and builder Bryan Baeumler are heading to the lake to oversee the transformation of a long-neglected resort into a premier vacation destination. Four elite contractor-designer duos are moving in for an eight-week battle, competing for a life-changing $100,000 prize and the ultimate bragging rights.

We’re sitting down with this season’s competitors to go behind the scenes of the build. From blending Japanese Minimalism with entrepreneurial grit to bringing a “Modern-Funk” Bahamian flair to the Canadian lakeside, these teams are sharing what they learned about themselves under pressure and why they’re obsessed with the art of the renovation.

• Tatianna and Thomas (Vancouver): Co-workers who merge Red Seal craftsmanship with a “Modern-Organic” aesthetic.
• Marcy and Melissa (Niagara): Sisters who pair design finesse with hands-on execution in a “Rustic Coastal” style.
• Chalon and Liz (Texas): Friends bringing “Modern-Funk” design and sharp business acumen to the competition.
• Taylor and Mehrdad (Vancouver): A duo pairing “Japanese-inspired Minimalism” with serious grit.

Our interview with Chalon and Liz below! —Noa Nichol

The Shoreline Signature: This season, you’re tasked with transforming a neglected resort into a premier vacation destination. How did you translate your specific design aesthetic—whether it be Modern-Organic, Rustic Coastal, Modern-Funk, or Japanese-inspired Minimalism—into a lakeside retreat that feels both luxury and functional?

We leaned fully into a Modern-Funk aesthetic meets Caribbean luxury—using sleek lines, a bold yet serene palette, and layered textures to create a space that feels rich, intentional, and a little unexpected. Our lake house is a bold love letter to the Caribbean—rooted in creativity, luxury, craftsmanship, and comfort.

From there, the focus was on pushing the space beyond concept—introducing custom-built elements, unexpected textures, and details that feel handcrafted rather than assembled. The goal was to create something joyful yet refined—playful in moments, but still grounded in a strong sense of luxury.

For us, it came down to one mindset: design with intention, not hesitation. That balance is what makes the space feel like a true escape. Because at the end of the day, guests aren’t just sleeping there—they’re escaping there. Every detail has to earn its place.

The Duo Dynamic: From co-workers and sisters to long-time friends, every team brings a unique personal history to the construction site. What was the most surprising thing you learned about your partner’s “entrepreneurial grit” or “design finesse” while working under the eight-week pressure cooker?

I (Chalon) was most impressed by Liz’s ability to adapt under pressure. She’s used to working independently and without a ticking clock, but this experience demanded a completely different pace. By the end, she wasn’t just taking feedback—she was trusting herself and making bold, decisive moves. You could actually see the shift happen in real time—she stopped second-guessing and started moving with confidence.

Chalon’s strength was her ability to push past what’s expected and think about the space as a full experience—not just a finished room. Her design instincts, especially in the final styling moments, brought everything together in a way that felt cohesive and complete.

Our shared superpower is perseverance and resilience. Each day came with new challenges, but we showed up ready—focused, present, and able to step into the moment when it mattered most.It wasn’t always seamless, but our dynamic ultimately strengthened the work. The push to keep things moving, paired with the instinct to refine and complete, created a balance we couldn’t have achieved on our own—and that’s what pushed the work further than either of us could have done alone.

The “McGillivray & Baeumler” Factor: Scott McGillivray and Bryan Baeumler are titans of the renovation world. Without giving away any spoilers, what was the most valuable piece of “tough love” or expert advice you received from them that completely changed how you approached a specific challenge?

The most valuable advice we received was simple, but not easy: trust your vision and execute it fully.

Our design concept was very different from the other teams, and there were moments where we questioned whether the Caribbean influence would fully translate to the judges. But once we committed, everything changed. The moment we stopped questioning our direction—that’s when everything clicked.

We stayed rooted in our perspective and brought a sense of warmth, vibrancy, and culture into the space—something that feels distinct, intentional, and fully realized. That clarity shifted how we approached every challenge moving forward. Instead of second-guessing, we made decisive choices and saw them through.

The Resort Evolution: Renovating a resort is a different beast than a standard home flip. What do you love most about the “vacation destination” aspect of home renovation, and how did you ensure your space offered that “wow factor” needed to compete for the $100,000 prize?

What we love about designing for a vacation destination is the freedom—you’re not just solving for function, you’re designing for memory. Every detail should enhance how someone feels when they walk in. You’re not just designing a room—you’re designing an experience.

We created that “wow” factor through bold color, playful moments, and built-in features that draw you in, while still making the space feel comfortable and livable—like somewhere you can truly exhale.

The DIY Takeaway: For the Vita Daily readers currently staring at their own “neglected” spaces at home, what is one professional secret or mindset shift you gained on the show that every DIYer should adopt before picking up a sledgehammer?

The biggest mindset shift is this: it’s your space—own it.

You don’t have to follow every trend you see online. The most memorable spaces are the ones that feel personal, intentional, and a little fearless. At the end of the day, the best spaces aren’t trendy—they’re unapologetically personal.