The Ball Out sat down with Jessica Alba and Lizzy Mathis, hosts and executive producers of Honest Renovations—a family-centered reality show where they surprise parents going through tough times with home renovations that are not only oh so chic, but also pleasantly functional and life-changing.
The show has it all—laughter, tears, home hacks, and heartfelt moments with the families as we dive into their emotional backgrounds and hardships.
As mothers themselves, Jessica and Lizzy’s empathy and understanding for the parenting challenges these families face shine genuinely through the show. After watching the exclusive screeners of this second season, we were left with profound empathy and respect for each of the stories. And of course, with many DIY cool ideas to implement at home! Whether you are a DIY enthusiast, an interior design lover or a fan of emotional stories, Honest Renovations is an absolute must for your next binge.
TBO: First off, we have to say the season was absolutely heartwarming—we fell in love with every story. Congratulations!
For a family in need of a reset, who feels overwhelmed just thinking about renovations, what would be one big small first step?
Jessica: Purging! Let’s say, for the next month, we’re going to dedicate every Saturday and Sunday to having the whole family purge one room. First weekend of the month: the kitchen. Second weekend: the living room. Choose family spaces, so the whole family feels connected to the process. It’s all about asking, ‘What do we really need? What brings us joy?’ Once you’ve cleared out all the extra stuff that you don’t necessarily need, you’ll be able to see things more clearly! And maybe, instead of buying new things, you can make small upgrades or paint a wall to create a whole new vibe.
TBO: Is there one hack or tip you discovered through the show that was pretty cool and useful, that you actually went on to implement in your own homes?
Jessica: Yeah! I think we both realized we don’t have enough storage in our own homes. Literally, after we finished this season, I added three new built-ins in my house, instead of having baskets all around. And all of my built-ins are the same color as the wall, so they blend seamlessly. This is exactly what we did for all these families, and then I realized I needed it for my life too.
Lizzy: I built an entire storage unit at the back of my house and painted it all black. I have so many extra things—whether it’s for the holidays, little things the kids have made, or things you want to hold on to but don’t need all the time. I also went through the same process with my family, asking them what I could get rid of, what they wanted to keep, and what was really special and important to them. We were able to declutter and create this storage that looks beautiful. It felt so good to do that after the show.
TBO: What makes “Honest Renovations” come to life and be as special as it is?
Lizzy: I think that it’s relatable. You see our dynamic as women, as mothers, as career women… but the heart of the show is really the families. We look for families that are relatable, so people can say, “Hey, I connect with them, or with that transition they’re going through, or with a certain need they have.” We want people to be able to apply this in their own lives, and I think that’s a really big part of our show. We focus on shopping at places that are accessible to everyone. We show hacks or DIYs that you can actually do at home, whether by yourself or with a little help to tweak things. We want people to feel inspired to make small changes in their homes as well because we want the audience to feel exactly like our families feel.
TBO: What is one touching moment from the show that will live forever in your hearts?
Jessica: We had a lot… I think we’re surprised at how emotional it all feels. You know, we walk into their home, and they’re strangers, yet we get so attached every time. Immediately when we meet them and their kids, we’re like, “Oh my gosh, we love you.” We cry before the cameras start rolling because when we walk through the final house before they arrive, we know they’re going to come in and see a whole new situation, and their lives are going to be different. It just makes us so emotional because we put so much heart into it and consider everything for them. We really want them to feel cozy and like this has always been their home.
Lizzy: After the scenes, we really do have to ask, “Are we good?” regarding our makeup… it’s a thing.
TBO: What’s a strength you admire from each other?
Jessica: I admire Lizzy’s positivity and her ability to make everyone feel like they’re her friends. Literally, when she meets people, they can immediately feel a warm hug from her. She’s warm, loving, and open… I’m a little bit awkward, so it really helps because sometimes I don’t know what to say, and then she’ll be like, “HELLO!” and it eases the introduction.
Lizzy: I love Jess’s ability to take in exactly what the family’s needs are and apply it. She has an uncanny ability to listen to them, and even though she gets emotional, she’s very direct as well. I also love that about our friendship. “Honest Renovations” isn’t just the title of the show; it’s also how we interact with one another. We’re very honest, to the point that sometimes it comes off a little brutally, and sometimes playfully, but it’s how we communicate and grow. That dynamic comes across very well when you’re working, designing, and creating projects under a pressure cooker with someone in this environment.
TBO: This was a beautiful chat, here at The Ball Out we already know this new season will be a massive success. Thank you ladies!
After a successful and highly praised first season, Honest Renovations Season 2 will premiere on Friday, August 23rd, exclusively on The Roku Channel.
