ByChristine-Marie Liwag Dixon/Updated: Jan. 24, 2023 3:57 pm EST
If you're not a fan of Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, we're just going to assume that you haven't seen "Renovation Island" yet. The HGTV show follows the couple as they renovate a resort on a remote island — think "Fixer Upper" but on a beach.
The Baeumlers are fairly new to the U.S. market, but they're basically reality TV royalty in Canada where they've been winning over audiences with renovation shows for years, breaking into the scene with "House of Bryan" in 2010. The show followed the family as Bryan built them a vacation home, and the Baeumlers have tackled several more home improvement and renovation projects since then on shows like "Renovation Inc." Per the South Florida Sun Sentinel, shows featuring the Baeumlers have aired in dozens of countries, so it's safe to say they're a pretty big deal.
What are the couple like behind all the fame, though? Are Bryan and Sarah Baeumler as incredible as they seem to be on "Renovation Island"?
How Renovation Island came to be
It didn't take long for fans to fall in love with HGTV's "Renovation Island,"which is centered on husband-and-wife team Bryan and Sarah Baeumler. Season 1 of the show followed their adventure of renovating a resort dating back to the 1960s. The catch? The resort just so happens to be on the remote island of South Andros, which they fell in love with on a 2017 vacation to the Bahamas.
The Baeumlers loved the island so much that they uprooted their lives in Canada to move there, and "Renovation Island" was born. The resort had been on the market for 10 years before the Baeumlers came along, so fixing up the property proved to be quite the challenge.
The couple was up to the task, though, and were focused on "sustainability and environmental preservation," as Bryan told Travel Weekly(via HGTV). Bryan added that sustainability and preservation were key in everything they did on the island "from sourcing ingredients for our restaurants to selecting our tour partners and establishing relationships with employees and suppliers."
Bryan and Sarah have a lot of experience
Bryan Baeumler is a licensed contractor while SarahBaeumler is in charge of designing the 10-acre property, which consists of 18 hotel rooms, 22 villas, and several amenities including a restaurant, bar, club house, and spa. The Baeumlers are no strangers to taking on tough projects. The couple has also starred on "House of Bryan," which aired on HGTV's sister network, DIY. Bryan also starred on the DIY shows "Leave It to Bryan" and "Disaster DIY." The island resort, however, was their biggest project to date. "This is the biggest change our family has faced and the largest project we've ever taken on," said Bryan, who added that the Baeumlers were risking "absolutely everything."
According to their bios at HGTV Canada, Bryan learned his craft from his dad, an aircraft engineer. He started his own handyman business at the age of 14, has a degree in political science, and founded Baeumler Quality Construction. Sarah is part of the company as its project manager and has worked on interior design projects on the couple's previous shows.
They have four kids
The Baeumlers have four children: Quintyn, Charlotte, Lincoln, and Josephine. Raising four kids on a remote island is no easy task as child care and schooling options are limited. As the Baeulers explained on "Renovation Island" (via House Beautiful), the couple originally started off homeschooling their three youngest kids, Lincoln, Josephine, and Charlotte. As things got busier at the resort, though, they had less time for homeschooling. They eventually decided to send the younger kids to a local Bahamian school.
The Baeumlers wanted to give their oldest child, Quintyn, a normal high school experience, though. Instead of sending him to a local school, the couple decided to send the 14-year-old off to boarding school. Fortunately, the school only ended up being a 20-minute flight from the island, so they were able to visit their son regularly while working on renovating the resort.
The pandemic hit the Baeumlers' resort hard
Renovating the Caerula Mar Club on South Andros was difficult, but Sarah and Bryan Baeumler faced more challenges than updating the decades-old property. In 2019, a Category 5 hurricane, Hurricane Dorian, swept through the area. While their resort was safe, they revealed to TheWrap that many people they knew "had families that had been directly affected or lost lives in the hurricane." They shut down production of "Renovation Island" for a while and "immediately went into action to provide any help or resources that our family could."
Things went back to normal for a while, until the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Just a month and a half after opening their resort in March 2020, they were forced to shut down until October. Sarah told the Toronto Sun that it was a difficult time for them and that, while the resort was closed, "the work [did] not stop." While they couldn't open their doors to the public, they continued to make renovations to the property until they were able to resume operations.
They seriously underestimated how much renovating the resort would cost
Bryan and Sarah Baeumler bit off a little more than they could chew when they decided to renovate the resort that would become known as the Caerula Mar Club. They went into the project knowing that it would cost a lot of money to renovate, but they underestimated just how expensive that would be. Per TheWrap, the couple forked over $2 million to purchase the property, anticipating that it would require $4 million to get it renovated and operational. It turns out they needed a lot more money, though. "We more than doubled that before we opened the doors," Bryan told the outlet.
It's a good thing that the Baeumlers are loaded then. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Bryan and Sarah have an estimated combined net worth of $20 million, which means that they probably could afford to spend millions on the resort.
Living on an island took some adjusting
Uprooting their lives and moving to a remote island was hard on the Baeumlers for many reasons. Life on South Andros moves at a slower pace, but Bryan and Sarah Baeumler were not prepared for the limited shopping choices they would have in their new home. Sarah explained to People that "stores are small" on the island, "and don't always carry the variety we're used to back home." This also made the renovations challenging as they had to have materials flown or shipped in, which could take weeks to arrive.
Another challenge is the lack of immediate availability of certain staples. While it's an easy thing in Canada to just head to the store to stock up on things or quickly replace a needed item, that's not true on South Andros. "If we're out of milk, we can't always run to the store to get more, sometimes we need to wait a week until the next ship arrives, so we drink water or juice," explained Sarah.
Surprisingly, the Baeumlers found that this big change — while difficult to get used to — actually "reduces stress" because it helped them "realize that you don't need everything instantly available at your fingertips to survive and be happy."
Sarah thinks self-care is especially important for women
Self-care is important for everyone. It's critical for us to take time to destress and pamper ourselves, and Sarah Baeumler is very aware of this. In an interview with Millionairess Magazine, she emphasized the necessity of self-care, adding that she thinks it's especially needed for women because of the particular challenges they face. Sarah explained to the outlet that women — especially those with families — are so often focused on being "caregivers who naturally want to take care of others" that they end up not paying enough attention to themselves. "Self care is not the same as selfish," stated Sarah. "Mom-guilt should never be a question."
She added that, no matter how busy things get, she always makes a point to take some time for herself, not only to get some "me" time but because she knows that taking care of herself means that energy "overflows" to the rest of the Baeumler family.
Sarah and Bryan are more famous than you might realize
If you're not from Canada, you might not understand just how famous Sarah and Bryan Baeumler are. While their fame in the United States is comparatively new, they've been building up their reputation in Canada for years. They're such well-known celebrities that they turn heads on the street. "We can't go anywhere in Canada without being recognized,” Bryan told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
The outlet compared the couple to America's Chip and Joanna Gaines, though maybe not quite as famous is their home country. The couple told the outlet that wherever they go, they're swarmed by fans looking to meet the famous figures. Sarah and Bryan even joked that their inability to go anywhere without being recognized is why they made the decision to move to a remote island, far away from the fame.
Of course, their fame is on the rise thanks to "Renovation Island," so it might not be too long before they're super famous in the U.S.
Bryan and Sarah have the sweetest love story
Bryan and Sarah Baeumler aren't high school sweethearts, but they have known each other since their student days. The couple shared their sweet love story with TRNTO, explaining that they first got to know each other in high school and started dating a decade later. "In 2001, we were both copied on an email from a mutual friend, which was the catalyst for us to begin talking again, and we decided to reunite over coffee after work," Sarah explained to the outlet.
Bryan really wowed Sarah on their first date, bringing her to see a stage production of "The Lion King" and then taking her out for sushi. Sarah was impressed with all the effort he put into the date, and it kicked off their romantic relationship. They were married three years later and honeymooned in Las Vegas, after their Florida trip was canceled because of a hurricane.
Since then, the couple have been going strong and appear to be more in love than ever.
How the Baeumlers relax
Between their career and raising their four kids, the Baeumlers are pretty busy. They still make time for themselves, though, and have a lot of hobbies that they enjoy in their down time. Sarah told TRNTO that she and her husband are both into water sports, and especially "love to water-ski, wakeboard and tube."
Sarah and Bryan Baeumler also enjoy boating and fishing, and regularly indulge their love for the outdoors with the kids to whom they've "passed [their] love for being outside and active." Another hobby is scuba diving, which Sarah and Bryan are both certified in and enjoy pursuing on their trips around the world. "We went to the Maldives and found incredible places there to dive," she revealed.
It's not always easy to carve out time to have fun, but Sarah told the outlet that she and Bryan do their best to make sure it's not all work and no play in the Baeumler family. "We love what we do, and we work hard so we can enjoy time with our family and watch the kids grow up," she said.
Advice from the Baeumlers
DIY home renovation isn't for everybody, but if you and your significant other are thinking of picking up a hammer and transforming your own home, do some research first. Bryan Baeumler told Monsters & Critics that home renovation isn't as easy as it might look on TV, and that "doing the job is not for everybody." He added that it's important for people to remember that he is a professional with a lot of experience under his belt and that, while viewers may "get excited and start ripping things up" after seeing him at work on TV, "that's a problem."
For couple who are aware of the challenges of DIY home renovation and want to go for it anyway, Bryan says that communication with your partner is critical. Sarah and Bryan also offered up this advice for couples looking to follow in their footsteps. "Set the budget, and set aside 25-30% for contingencies, upgrades, changes etc.," the couple told Toronto Home Shows. "Decide which rooms / projects each partner gets total control of, and where you'll battle it out." The couple added that it's important to take time off from the project regularly and to "have fun."
Sarah is a trained ballerina
If you've seen Sarah Baeumler in action on "Renovation Island," you may have noticed that the reality star is quite graceful. There's a good reason for that, as she has an extensive background in dance. In an interview with Home to Win, she said that classical ballet is her "first love for sure." She's trained in other styles of dance, too, notedVancouver Mom, and has certifications in ballet, modern theater, and jazz. For several years, she ran her own dance studio, but eventually gave it up to help her husband as his reality TV career took off.
Sarah has no regrets, though, telling Millionairess Magazinethat working in interior design fulfills her creative side. In fact, it was discovering her passion for interior design as she helped Bryan build their home that made her decide to sell her studio. "The more [interior design] I did, the more I wanted to do it full time," she said. Sarah added that she hasn't left dance behind completely, though. "I still dance, but for myself," she said.
Bryan has lived with anxiety for most of his life
While it may appear that Bryan Baeumler lives a charmed existence, his life has not been without hardship. The "Renovation Island" star has lived with anxiety ever since he was an adolescent, as Sarah Baeumler revealed to Vancouver Mom. "During his late teens and early twenties, Bryan suffered anxiety and severe panic attacks like so many teens today," Sarah told the outlet.
Bryan told The Star that he "spent a few years in a very dark place dealing" with his anxiety, in addition to his agoraphobia. He's aware that being a public figure means people would never expect him to deal with such issues, which is why he thinks it's especially important for him to be open about his mental health and to fight against the stigma, although that wasn't always the case. "It's something that I've never talked about publicly — I suppose because of the stigma around it — but I now realize that so many of us are affected in one way or another," he said.
In a 2019 Instagram post, Bryan confided that his early reality TV career had been plagued by panic attacks, but that he has "learned how to manage it somewhat over the years," although it still something he deals with.
How the Baeumlers keep their relationship strong
Balancing their work and home life is no easy feat, but the Baeumlers manage to spend time together as a family no matter how busy things get. Bryan and Sarah also make sure to spend time with each other, knowing that keeping their relationship strong is key. Sarah told Vancouver Mom that they have raised their kids to understand "that Mommy and Daddy need time to be adults and friends to one another." She explained to the outlet that it can be easy to give yourself over completely to your children, but that they have always emphasized to their kids that it's important for parents "to put time and love into [their] own friendship."
As for juggling the many things they have on their plates, Bryan and Sarah Baeumler offered up some advice in an interview with Toronto Home Shows. "Don't sweat the small stuff," they said. "Be nice to each other and love your kids. Get a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life!"
Everything went wrong when Bryan proposed
Not all proposal stories are created equal, although all are special in their own way. Bryan and Sarah Baeumler's proposal, though, is one that seems fit for TV — too bad the cameras weren't rolling when Bryan popped the question!
What makes the story so charming isn't that it was a fairytale proposal but rather the opposite. As Sarah explained to Streets of Toronto, pretty much everything that could go wrong on the day Bryan had planned to propose did. First, his plans for a proposal on a "beautiful scenic hike" were foiled by thick fog. Then, on the way home, the day got even worse when the future Mr. and Mrs. Baeumler ended up with a flat tire. Talk about bad luck! "Needless to say, it wasn't the romantic journey Bryan was expecting, so he waited until later that night to pop the question," said Sarah.
All's well that ends well, though, and it's clear that the ruined proposal plans couldn't thwart a marriage that was meant to be.
FAQs
Was Renovation Island sold? ›
While the asking price was set at $3,690,000, it sold three weeks following its listing for $3,200,000. Watch Renovation Island Sundays at 9 p.m. EST on HGTV.
Who are the owners of Caerula Mar Club? ›Who owns Caerula Mar Club in the Bahamas? The owners of the luxurious resort property are married couple Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, who visited South Andros in the Bahamas in 2017. The vacation inspired them to purchase an older resort there that was in severe need of renovations, Country Living explained.
How many houses do the Baeumlers have? ›The show, which starred Bryan, Sarah and their four children, provided viewers a glimpse into the construction of the Baeumlers' three homes: Bryan's dream house, his country cottage and his “forever home.”
Who owns Island of Bryan? ›The Baeumler family is renovating and restoring a tropical island beachfront resort, to operate as their own, that the Baeumler couple has bought by leveraging everything they have, and their financial safety net. Bryan Inc.
Where is the Baeumlers house in Florida? ›'Renovation Island': The Baeumlers Update Their Wellington, Florida, Home in New Season. Sarah and Bryan Baeumler are doing on a massive renovation of their new home in Wellington, Florida' on 'Renovation Island' Season 3.
What is Bryan Baeumler doing now? ›That's right – Scott McGillivray and Bryan Baeumler are joining forces in an all-new HGTV Canada show, Renovation Resort, set to premiere in Spring 2023.
Who is the general manager of Caerula Mar Club? ›"We're incredibly fortunate to have Chef Alvarez and Chef Hoedino at the helm of our kitchen," said General Manager Margaret Gratzinger.
Why did they change the name of Island of Bryan? ›According to an HGTV Canada press release, the first four episodes of Island of Bryan were “the most-watched individual episodes of any program on the network in over 10 years.” Naturally, after such success, the show got picked up by HGTV America and, as a result, earned itself a new name.
How much did it cost to restore Caerula Mar Club? ›According to reports, the Baeumlers invested $10 million up front to renovate the island and transform the once-rundown Emerald Palms resort into the chic Caerula Mar Club.
How much did Renovation Island cost to complete? ›How much did the couple invest? According to Country Living, they put $10 million into renovating the island and transforming the existing rundown resort. Bryan and Sarah were particularly passionate about this project from a sustainability standpoint.
Where did the Baeumlers move to in Florida? ›
The Baeumlers and their four kids spent the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic sequestered at Caerula Mar Club, which is located on South Andros Island. But full-time island life wasn't the right fit for them. Instead, the couple decided to sell their custom-built home in Canada and buy a house in Wellington, Florida.
How old are the Baeumler kids? ›You don't need as much stuff as you think. He says the children—Quintyn, 13, Charlotte, 11, Lincoln, 8, and Josephine, 6—are just as happy playing with rocks and shells on the beach as they would be with any of their toys at home.
Where did the Baeumlers get their money? ›Baeumler worked from 1995 to 2003 running an air-cargo business. After working as a builder, he founded a construction company, which became Baeumler Quality Construction and Renovations Inc., of which he is president and CEO.
How much does it cost to go to Island of Bryan? ›If you go during the low season they run from $690-$1,260 USD nightly. During the high season the cost jumps to $865-$1,570 per night, and over the holidays those accommodations cost anywhere from $1,040-$1,885 per night.
Is Island of Bryan staged? ›While it is all but certain that Island of Bryan is dramatized, there is one aspect of the show that definitely is real. After all, the Baeumler's island resort is open for business and people have been staying there.
How much did the Baeumlers sell the Highview house for? ›...
BRYAN AND SARAH BAEUMLER'S 'Bryan Inc' HIGHVIEW HOUSE SELLS!
The Baeumlers Worked Their Way Up to Their Multimillion-Dollar 'Renovation Island' Considering Sarah and Bryan Baeumler have a reported net worth of $20 million, HGTV fans might be curious about how the Baeumlers made their money.
How much is the Baeumlers house worth? ›Bryan and Sarah bought the 10-acre property for $2 million, investing more than $10 million into the renovation works.
Where does Bryan and Sarah live now? ›the couple finally unveiled the Highview home, which had been completely transformed under Sarah's “green” project management skills. Take a look at this gorgeous, Burlington, Ontario, home with its intricate details, lavish space and rich finishes.
What did Sarah Baeumler do before she was married? ›How many businesses does Bryan Baeumler have? ›
Bryan has now built the 'Baeumler Brand' to include Baeumler Construction, Baeumler Approved, Baeumler Productions, Baeumler Media, and the newly launched Baeumler Family Foundation for Kids. Each and every one of his companies prides itself on professionalism, respect, and quality workmanship.
How many rooms does the Caerula Mar Club have? ›The resort's 24 suites and villas, awash in creamy neutrals and subtle textures like white oak floors, pale travertine tiles, and fresh Libeco linens, can seem like little more than a backdrop for South Andros's unspoiled beauty, a good natured sidekick who plays the supporting role with aplomb.
Are kids allowed at Caerula Mar Club? ›AGE REQUIREMENTS & FAMILY INFORMATION. Children over the age of 12 years old are welcome in any of our accommodations. Caerula Mar does not offer child-care or supervision, lifeguards or recreational programs.
Who owns baeumler construction? ›Passionate artisans with pride in our craft. We build because it's what we love to do. Founded by HGTV's Bryan Baeumler, we're a full service construction company embracing a client-centric approach, delivering best in class construction and craftsmanship for over 15 years.
Where is Bryan's island Moving? ›Between their business venture (the Bahamas-based Caerula Mar), and now trying to settle their family into their new Florida home, things have been busy, to say the least. On the fourth season of Island of Bryan, much of that journey has been renovating and updating their temporary home in Florida.
What is Island of Bryan now called? ›No matter what you call it, Renovation Island follows the Baeumler family as they transform a once run-down Caribbean resort into what is now known as the Caerula Mar Club.
What did Sarah Baeumler do for a living? ›Sarah Baeumler is the founder and creative director of her namesake lifestyle brand. At heart, Sarah is a creative entreprenuer and a visual storyteller.
Who paid for Renovation Island? ›According to CheatSheat, Bryan and Sarah paid over $10million to renovate Caerula Mar Club.
Did HGTV help pay for Renovation Island? ›House Hunters, for example, costs anywhere from $45,000 to $50,000 to produce each episode. Using this measure of production, it's safe to assume that HGTV forked over at least $50,000 per episode of Renovation Island — but it could very well be more (Bryan needs to turn a profit on these, anyway).
Why did Adam leave Renovation Island? ›As for the reasoning behind Adam's departure, Bryan revealed that “Adam has found himself a nice girlfriend, and he wants to stick it out here in Canada for a little while and forge his own path a little bit, which I think is great, but I'm gonna miss him, so I hope we can get him down for a visit, just to have a fun.”
How much does it cost to rent a villa on Renovation Island? ›
A single night at Caerula Mar Club will cost you between $385 and $755 per night for clubhouse suites and $625 to $1,715 per night for villas, with a minimum of three nights required when booking. But to actually relax and unwind in the location of one of your favorite HGTV shows?
How much does it cost to stay at the Renovation Island hotel? ›"The short answer is that rates for Caerula Mar Club range from $385 to $1,715 per night, depending on the type of accommodation and the season, and there's a three-night minimum."
Do they live on Renovation Island? ›Have you ever dreamed of hopping on a plane and starting a new life on a tropical island? Well, on the show "Renovation Island," you can follow along as Bryan and Sarah Baeumler do just that. They pack up their lives and four children and head to South Andros, a lush island in The Bahamas.
Was renovation island affected by the hurricane? ›Fortunately for Bryan and Sarah, South Andros Island was mostly spared. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the deeply intertwined lives of many of their Bahamian employees. “We were actually on vacation with the kids in an RV in the Pacific Northwest, when [Dorian] was heading straight for the hotel.
Did Bryan and Sarah divorce? ›So while Sarah and Bryan did butt heads on Renovation Island together from time to time, they're most certainly still a home renovation power couple. They have other TV shows that they're bringing over from Canada, like Renovation Inc., which details all of the work Bryan and Sarah did with their business back home.
What did Sarah Baeumler do before? ›Read on to learn 12 things you didn't know about Sarah Baeumler. Baeumler Ballerina 4 / 12 We asked, "Do you have a hidden talent?" Sarah answered, "I used to be a bartender at the Spaghetti Factory, so I can bartend. I can make a mean cocktail!" Sarah's also a professionally trained dancer.
Who are the Baeumlers children? ›Bryan Baeumler
What does Quintyn Baeumler do? ›If you should have the pleasure of meeting teenage equestrian rider Quintyn Baeumler, you will come away with an appreciation of the possibilities that he represents to the equestrian community and, indeed, to other communities well beyond it.
Is Renovation Island all inclusive? ›Caerula Mar Club isn't an all-inclusive resort. Instead, it offers a range of à la carte dining options at three on-site restaurants, as well as bespoke dining experiences. A pre-purchased dining package is $135 per per person, per day.
What does caerula mar mean in english? ›Caerula Mar - Looked up “HAPPY” in the dictionary.
How many rooms does Renovation Island have? ›
Caerula Mar Club has 18 rooms and five private villas
Caerula Mar Club is the definition of a boutique resort. There are 18 clubhouse suite rooms, as well as five private villas. Clubhouse suites range from $425 to $555 per night during the low season and $535 to $690 per night in the high season.
Sarah and Bryan Baeumler first got the idea to renovate a place on South Andros Island when they visited in 2017. Country Living reminds us they found the 18-room, 22-villa vacation resort while there — and they wanted to take it to the next level to create their own slice of paradise that others could visit.
Who owns Renovation Island now? ›So, how is Renovation Island doing today in 2022? Bryan and Sarah reopened Caerula Del Mar in October 2020 with new coronavirus protocols in place. They offered coronavirus testing to guests and now require all unvaccinated to arrive with a negative test, according to their Instagram post published on June 16, 2022.
Did HGTV pay the Baeumlers? ›Even if the network doesn't put anything directly into the resort, they do, of course pay the Baeumlers. Although their direct salaries aren't known, the Baeumlers are in a unique situation, as Renovation Island is produced by Bryland Entertainment, which is owned by Bryan himself.
Who is paying for Renovation Island? ›It continues: "Using this measure of production, it's safe to assume that HGTV forked over at least $50,000 per episode of Renovation Island — but it could very well be more (Bryan needs to turn a profit on these, anyway)."
Why did they change island of Bryan to Renovation Island? ›According to an HGTV Canada press release, the first four episodes of Island of Bryan were “the most-watched individual episodes of any program on the network in over 10 years.” Naturally, after such success, the show got picked up by HGTV America and, as a result, earned itself a new name.
Is the Island of Bryan open for business? ›The resort is officially open for business and is already getting rave reviews for its atmosphere and service, not to mention the Instagram-worthy beach.
What does caerula mar mean? ›Caerula Mar - Looked up “HAPPY” in the dictionary.
How much did the Baeumlers Burlington house sell for? ›...
BRYAN AND SARAH BAEUMLER'S 'Bryan Inc' HIGHVIEW HOUSE SELLS!
“Yeah, we're in it. We're in pretty deep.” As The Wrap's article reveals, the Baeumler spent $2 million to buy Caerula Mar Club and expected to pay an additional $4 million to renovate it. Unfortunately for them, however, things didn't exactly turn out that way.
Are the people from Renovation Island rich? ›
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Bryan and Sarah's net worth is around $20 million.
How much did Renovation Island cost to buy? ›When speaking about their finances for the project, Bryan admitted they were in “pretty deep.” The couple bought the property for $2 million with the intention of spending $4 million for renovations alone.