Home renovation shows are everywhere. You can't flip through a streaming service without hitting a dozen couples tearing down drywall in slow motion. But Making Modern with Brooke and Brice hit differently when it landed on Magnolia Network. It wasn't just another cookie-cutter "fixer upper" clone. Honestly, it felt like watching your two most talented, slightly chaotic friends finally get their own camera crew.
Brice and Brooke Gilliam aren't your typical TV contractors. They didn't start in a sawdust-filled workshop or at an architecture firm. Brice was an orthodontist. Brooke worked in pharmaceutical sales. They were corporate professionals who just happened to have a freakish amount of talent for spatial design and custom builds. That pivot—from high-stakes medical and sales environments to the gritty reality of Nashville construction—is what gives the show its weirdly relatable edge.
People crave authenticity. We’re tired of the staged drama where a "budget crisis" is solved by a convenient commercial break. In Making Modern with Brooke and Brice, the tension feels real because the stakes are their actual reputation in a competitive Nashville market.
The Non-Traditional Background is Their Secret Weapon
Most HGTV-style hosts grew up in the trades. They talk about "bones" and "joists" because that's all they know. Brice approaches a house like he’s looking at a patient's x-ray. He's precise. He's obsessed with the math of it all. It’s kinda fascinating to watch an orthodontist translate the discipline of dental surgery into the structural integrity of a cantilevered deck.
Brooke is the engine. Her background in sales means she knows how to talk to people, how to manage expectations, and how to source the "impossible" materials that make their designs pop. She isn't just picking out throw pillows. She’s often the one pushing the boundaries of what a space can actually do.
They flipped the script. Usually, the husband is the builder and the wife is the "decorator." On this show, Brooke is often the one getting her hands dirty, leading the charge on the design-build front, while Brice handles the intricate technical executions. This dynamic isn't forced for the sake of "modern" TV; it’s just how they work. It’s refreshing.
Nashville’s Influence on the "Modern" Aesthetic
Nashville is a weird place for design right now. It's caught between its rustic, "Music City" roots and a massive influx of coastal wealth that wants sleek, glass-and-steel minimalism. Making Modern with Brooke and Brice thrives in that friction.
They don't do "farmhouse." Thank goodness.
Instead, they lean into what they call "functional modernism." It’s about clean lines, sure, but it has to work for a family that actually lives there. They use a lot of:
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- Raw wood accents to warm up cold concrete.
- Bold, dark exterior palettes that stand out in leafy suburban neighborhoods.
- Integrated smart home tech that doesn't look like a spaceship.
Their projects often involve taking a mid-century home that’s been neglected for forty years and turning it into something that looks like it belongs in a design magazine, without losing the soul of the original structure. They aren't afraid of color, either. While most of the industry was stuck in a "sad beige" loop, Brooke and Brice were playing with deep greens, matte blacks, and vibrant tiles.
The Reality of "Making Modern" Behind the Scenes
TV magic is a lie, mostly. We all know the "six-week timeline" is usually closer to six months. What makes the Gilliams' show stand out is the transparency regarding the custom nature of their work.
They do a lot of the fabrication themselves. If you've watched the show, you've seen the shop. They build custom furniture, specialized cabinetry, and architectural features that you simply cannot buy at a big-box store. This is where the "Making" part of the title actually carries weight. It’s a maker-culture show disguised as a renovation show.
Why Custom Matters (And Why It Costs So Much)
Custom work is a nightmare for a timeline but a dream for a homeowner. When Brice spends hours obsessing over a specific weld on a metal staircase, it’s not just for the "cool factor." It’s because that specific piece solves a problem that a pre-fab version couldn't.
However, this level of detail comes with a price tag. One of the biggest criticisms of modern home shows is the lack of budget transparency. While Making Modern with Brooke and Brice shows the high-end results, it also hints at the massive investment required for this level of craftsmanship. You aren't getting a Gilliam-designed kitchen for the price of a used Honda.
Dealing with the "Expert" Label
There’s always a bit of skepticism when "lifestyle experts" show up on TV. Can they really build? Is it all for show?
If you look at their actual portfolio in the Nashville area, the work speaks for itself. They aren't just TV personalities who put on a hard hat when the red light goes on. They’ve built a legitimate design-build firm. Their transition from "orthodontist and sales rep" to "renovation power couple" happened years before the cameras arrived. They put in the "boring" years of learning code, managing subcontractors, and dealing with permit offices.
That’s the part most people get wrong about them. They think it happened overnight. It didn't. It was a slow burn of passion projects that eventually became a career.
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Why the Show Connects with the "Discover" Audience
Google Discover and social feeds love this show because it hits the "aspirational yet attainable" sweet spot. You might not be able to afford a total gut-reno of a Nashville bungalow, but you can steal their ideas for lighting or their approach to mixing textures.
The Gilliams also have a very specific "look" that translates well to thumbnails and short-form video. It’s high-contrast. It’s sharp. It’s trendy without being trendy.
But deeper than the visuals is the relationship. They argue. They disagree on tile choices. They have different ideas of how a floor plan should flow. Watching them navigate those disagreements—using professional logic rather than manufactured drama—is actually educational. It teaches homeowners how to talk to their own partners or contractors during a build.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Own "Modern" Build
If you’re inspired by the show and want to bring a bit of that Brooke and Brice energy to your own home, you don't need a TV budget. You just need their mindset.
Prioritize Architecture Over "Decor"
Stop buying stuff to fill rooms. Look at the room itself. Can you change the trim? Can you open up a doorway? Can you add a vertical element that draws the eye up? The Gilliams focus on the "bones" first. If the architecture is right, you don't need much furniture to make it look expensive.
Embrace High-Contrast Palettes
One of the easiest ways to get that "modern" look is through contrast. If you have light walls, go with black window frames or dark hardware. It creates a visual rhythm that feels intentional and upscale.
Don't Fear the "Pivot"
Their entire career is a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to try something else. If you’re miserable in your "corporate" life but love working with your hands, the Gilliams are basically your patron saints. Start small. Do a bathroom. Build a table.
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Focus on the "Maker" Element
Try to have at least one thing in your home that wasn't mass-produced. Whether it’s a hand-turned wooden bowl or a custom-built shelving unit, those "maker" touches provide the soul that's often missing in modern minimalism.
Be Realistic About Timelines and Quality
High-quality modern design takes time. If a contractor tells you they can do a "Gilliam-level" renovation in three weeks, they’re lying. Good things—especially custom metalwork and precision tiling—cannot be rushed without sacrificing the very thing that makes them look good.
The legacy of Making Modern with Brooke and Brice isn't just a few seasons of television. It’s the proof that you can bring a high-level, professional, almost "surgical" precision to the world of home design and still make it feel like home. It’s about the intersection of a "maker" heart and a "professional" brain. That’s a rare combo in any industry, and it’s why people are still obsessed with what they’re building next.