You’ve seen the shows where a sledgehammer-wielding host smashes through a perfectly good plaster wall. It’s loud. It’s messy. It’s mostly for the cameras. But Restored with Brett Waterman is a different beast entirely. Honestly, if you’re looking for "open concept" everything and gray vinyl flooring, you’re in the wrong place. Brett doesn't do "trends." He does time travel.
Most people think home renovation is about making things new. Brett believes it's about making things right.
The Philosophy of "The Right Way"
Brett Waterman is a preservationist. That's a fancy word for someone who looks at a 100-year-old house and sees a puzzle rather than a paycheck. He’s spent over 25 years obsessing over how our ancestors actually lived. Why did they put the window there? What was the original milk paint color?
He often says that architecture is the highest form of art because it’s the art we live in. It’s true. Think about it. You don't live inside a painting or a sculpture. But you do live inside a 1913 Craftsman bungalow.
One of the coolest things he’s done involves reversing brick walls. Yeah, literally taking a wall apart and flipping the bricks so the unweathered side faces out. That’s the level of "extra" we’re talking about here.
Why the Inland Empire?
The show is mostly filmed in Southern California. You’ll see a lot of Redlands, Riverside, and Upland. This area is a goldmine for historic architecture. You’ve got:
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- Victorian Farmhouses (the ones that look like they have "ghosts," but just have bad layouts).
- Spanish Colonial Revivals (think red tiles and thick plaster).
- Arts and Crafts Bungalows (heavy wood, built-ins, and soul).
- Mid-century Modern Ranches (simplicity from the 1950s).
It’s not just about the big mansions. He’s restored tiny cottages for veterans and inherited homes for families who just want to honor their grandparents.
What Really Happened With the Show's Production
There has been a lot of confusion lately. Is it on DIY Network? Magnolia? HGTV? Max? Basically, all of the above. The show started on DIY in 2016. When Chip and Joanna Gaines launched Magnolia Network, Restored moved over there.
Currently, in 2026, the best way to catch up is on Max or Discovery+. There are about seven seasons of content to binge. Each episode follows a pretty strict rule: Brett won't start until he understands the "intent" of the original builder. He digs through archives. He finds original blueprints. Sometimes he even finds the descendants of the original owners to get clues about the house's past.
The "Bucko" Factor
Let’s talk about Brett himself. He’s known for his trademark cowboy hat and his vocabulary. He uses words like "beautiful" and "spectacular" a lot. Like, a lot. Some viewers find it charming; others find it repetitive. He also calls people "bucko." It’s a vibe. You either love it or you don't.
But what you can't deny is his knowledge. Most HGTV hosts have a "design team" behind the scenes making all the choices. Brett actually knows the chemistry of old wood finishes. He understands why a 1920s English cottage needs a specific type of lighting from Old California Lantern Company. He isn't just a face; he's the brain.
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Why It Still Matters Today
In a world of "fast furniture" and houses built out of particle board, Restored with Brett Waterman feels like an antidote. It reminds us that things were once built to last 200 years.
He often faces pushback from homeowners. They want a "modern kitchen." Brett wants to save the 1940s tile. Usually, he finds a middle ground where the kitchen functions like it’s 2026 but looks like it’s 1941. That’s the sweet spot. It’s about functionality without losing the soul.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Own Home
If you own an old house, don't reach for the sledgehammer yet.
- Research your home’s "birthday." Go to your local library or historical society. Look for old photos of your street.
- Strip, don't replace. If you have original wood trim covered in 50 years of white paint, try stripping a small section. The wood underneath is usually higher quality than anything you can buy at a big-box store today.
- Think about "Age-Appropriate" colors. Don't just pick the latest Pinterest trend. Look up historical palettes for your specific architectural style.
- Save the windows. Old-growth wood windows can almost always be repaired. Replacing them with vinyl is often a mistake that ruins the "eyes" of the house.
If you’re ready to dive deep into the world of historic preservation, start by watching the Queen Anne Victorian episodes or the 1913 Mission Revival Mansion restoration. They show exactly why saving these buildings is worth the headache.
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Stop looking at your house as a list of "problems to fix" and start seeing it as a story to tell.