You’ve probably seen her ripping out linoleum or salvaging crown molding from a dumpster, looking like she hasn’t slept in three days but still managing to out-work every contractor on the site. Nicole Curtis is the powerhouse of HGTV’s Rehab Addict, but the moment the cameras stop rolling on a Detroit bungalow, the conversation usually shifts. People want to know the personal stuff. Specifically, is Nicole Curtis married?
The short answer is no. She isn't.
Honestly, the long answer is a lot more complicated than a simple relationship status on a Facebook profile. Curtis has lived a life that is very much in the public eye, yet she has become increasingly protective of her inner circle. She’s been through the wringer—public breakups, grueling custody battles, and the kind of "personal setbacks" that would make most people hide under the covers for a decade. Instead, she buys more houses.
The Truth About Her Relationship History
There is a common misconception that Nicole Curtis was married to the fathers of her children. That’s actually not true. She has two sons, Ethan and Harper, and while their dads were significant parts of her life, she never walked down the aisle with them.
Her eldest son, Ethan, was born in 1997. She shares him with her ex-boyfriend Steven Cimini. Back then, Nicole wasn't a TV star; she was a young mom working odd jobs and learning how to flip houses to make ends meet. It was a grind.
Then came Harper, born in 2015. His father is Shane Maguire. This is where things got incredibly messy and very public. If you followed the news around 2017 and 2018, you likely saw the headlines about their custody dispute. It wasn't just a "we don't get along" situation. It was a years-long legal battle that involved everything from breastfeeding rights to travel schedules.
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"I would give anything to have a husband that took the kids out for pizza while I designed, but I have never had that," she once told Country Living. That quote basically sums up her experience with partnership. She’s been the primary driver of her own life for a long time.
Is Nicole Curtis Married to Ryan Sawtelle?
For a while, it looked like things were changing. Around 2018, Nicole started dating Ryan Sawtelle, the executive director of the White Heart Foundation. In 2019, she told People that he brought a "calm" to her life that she’d never known. They were together for several years, and fans really rooted for them.
But if you’re looking for a wedding photo, you won't find one.
By the time Nicole returned to HGTV in June 2025 after a long hiatus, she confirmed that she and Ryan had gone their separate ways. Interestingly, they didn't have one of those "Hollywood blowups." They actually stayed on good terms. In fact, she even brought him on to help with a renovation project in Wyoming for the show because he’s a talented carpenter.
They work together. They don't live together. She’s been very clear that "going separate paths was a hundred percent the best idea."
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Why she’s staying "mute" lately
If you feel like you know less about Nicole’s dating life lately, that’s by design. After the trauma of her public legal battles, she made a conscious choice to shut the door. She’s mentioned in interviews that if you aren't in her immediate circle, you basically don't get to know who she's seeing.
It’s a boundary she’s earned.
The Mystery of the 3-Year Hiatus
In 2022, Nicole basically vanished from the screen. She recently opened up about a "devastating personal setback" that rocked her to her core during that time. She hasn't given the specific details of what happened—and honestly, we might never know—but it led her to a place where she had to prioritize her mental health over her production schedule.
She spent that time:
- Traveling to places like Paris and the Greek island of Corfu.
- Focusing on her faith.
- Spending "nostalgic" summers with her kids.
- Buying houses online in the middle of the night (classic Nicole).
By early 2026, she seems to have found her rhythm again with Rehab Addict: Detroit. She’s still the same woman who will fight to save a 100-year-old door, but she’s clearly done with letting the public into her bedroom.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume that because someone is successful and famous, they must have a partner behind the scenes. Or, they assume that a woman who is "tough" on a construction site is "difficult" in relationships. Both are lazy tropes.
Nicole Curtis is a single mom who has built a multi-million dollar brand while raising two kids and fighting legal battles that would break most people. She isn't "missing" a husband; she’s just choosing to live life on her own terms.
Actionable Insights from Nicole’s Journey
If you're following Nicole Curtis because you love her style or you're navigating your own single-parenting journey, there are a few real-world takeaways from her approach to life and privacy:
- Boundaries are a Choice: You don't owe the world (or your followers) an explanation of your relationship status. If keeping your private life quiet helps your mental health, do it.
- Professional vs. Personal: You can work with an ex. It’s hard, but as Nicole and Ryan Sawtelle showed, if the respect is there, the partnership can evolve into something productive rather than destructive.
- Healing Takes Time: When Nicole hit a "setback" in 2022, she didn't just push through. She stepped away. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is stop working and go find yourself on a Greek island.
- Ownership is Power: Whether it's owning your home or your story, Nicole's "do it yourself" attitude applies to her personal life just as much as it does to a crumbling Victorian mansion.
So, while the answer to "is Nicole Curtis married" remains a definitive no, it’s clear she isn't waiting for a ring to start her next project. She’s busy saving Detroit, one house at a time.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to keep up with Nicole's latest work without the tabloid noise, the best place is her official Instagram (@detroitdesign) or catching the latest episodes of Rehab Addict: Detroit on HGTV. She frequently shares "behind-the-scenes" of the houses, even if she's keeping the "behind-the-scenes" of her heart under lock and key.