Ep 11. Pillar Instinct

Bryan Baeumler is a contractor, television host, and experienced builder who appears in "Leave It to Bryan" as a building expert who provides guidance and support to homeowners struggling with their home renovation and construction projects. Bryan could take one home renovation task at a time, prioritizing the essentials, and ensuring that each member of a household is comfortable with the final product. Season five follows Bryan as he continues to act as a mediator and resident expert, helping homeowners navigate design decisions, construction problems, and budget constraints.

In "Leave It to Bryan" season five episode 11, titled "Pillar Instinct," Bryan meets a couple whose renovation project hits a snag. Lindsey and David are an enthusiastic couple excited about the prospect of renovating their living room. They purchased a property with good bones but needed some updates that would make it feel like their own. Lindsey wanted to add an antique fireplace, and David requested that Bryan fix some structural issues so they could have an open-concept living area.

Lindsey and David knew their project was more than a coat of fresh paint, so they turned to Bryan for help. Bryan arrives at their home and assesses the situation, taking note of Lindsey and David's honey-do list and asking insightful questions. Lindsey, it seems, wants everything to have a vintage feel that flows together with the house's original design, while David wants to transform the space into a modern, open-concept area.

Bryan comes up with a plan to incorporate both of their ideas into a cohesive design. The living room is quite large, and since Lindsey wanted a vintage fireplace, Bryan proposed installing an antique mantel. David wanted to remove the load-bearing pillar, so Bryan devises a plan to hide it behind the fireplace. This way, the couple gets their open-concept space without compromising on the vintage feel Lindsey likes.

The project proceeds smoothly until they run into a snag: the partially concealed column. The load-bearing column presented an unexpected hurdle as it can't be entirely concealed, and David is concerned about the strength of the structure it supports. Bryan is no stranger to structural-strength building and assured David that the column was a critical component of the building. The couple is also hesitant about the vintage mantel they purchased, which they believed would fit perfectly with the design they concocted, but it was too big for the space.

Bryan tackles these issues with his usual combination of expertise and care. He helps David devise a way to strengthen the column without compromising their design vision. Bryan also helps Lindsey and David choose the right mantle by guiding them through the selection process. With these problems solved, Bryan finishes the project with his usual flair.

In the end, Lindsey and David's renovated living room exceeded their expectations. It has a vintage feel that flows perfectly with the entire home, and the updated open-concept space blends seamlessly with the rest of the house. The antique mantel is now the centerpiece of the living room, and the concealing column turned into a design statement, with a built-in shelf installed as an additional touch of elegance. Lindsey and David couldn't be happier with the results, and they thank Bryan for his guidance and expertise.

"Leave It to Bryan" Season 5 Episode 11 offers a sneak peek into the world of home renovation, where homeowners face unexpected problems and have to come up with solutions with the help of an expert. Bryan's ability to balance the demands and design ideas of homeowners with his vision and expertise is invaluable, as Lindsey and David found out in this episode. The unique challenges presented throughout the renovation process are what fuels Bryan's passion for renovation, and as the season unfolds, we will see more homeowners relying on Bryan's skills to turn their dreams into reality.