Chelsea Houska DeBoer first appeared on reality television in 2011 when Teen Mom 2 premiered on MTV. Chelsea, née Houska, met her now husband and Down Home Fab co-host Cole DeBoer, in 2014. The couple’s romance blossomed. They wed in 2016, and in 2020, Chelsea left Teen Mom 2 for good.
While Chelsea closed out her time on the MTV reality series, she and Cole created a home together in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Together, they brought their dream to life, with Chelsea focused on design and Cole applying his physical strength and handyman skills.
Along the way, the DeBoers made it clear to HGTV that their experiences would be perfect for television. It turns out, HGTV agreed. Here’s how it all happened.
In a social media post from March 1, 2020,Chelsea Houska DeBoer told HGTV it was “missing out on some quality TV by not following” her home adventures with Cole. Chelsea even said, “We’re ready to make the transition from MTV whenever you guys are.”
In an interview with In Touch from 2023, Chelsea explained the thought process beyond the post:
I just one night–which is so not like me–I just like sent them a message. I was like, ‘It’d be so cool to document this process or whatever.’ I deleted it right away cause I was so embarrassed that I wouldn’t ever say that. But they wrote me back, and then it just went up the ladder.
The DeBoers knew they wanted to share their renovation experience with others and, according to Chelsea, it “just made sense” for work on other homes to be their next step.
The transition from Teen Mom 2 to Down Home Fab was a big difference for Chelsea:
Filming our new show with HGTV was night and day different. It was lots of work—long days. It wasn’t anything too heavy or personal, and that’s what I love about it. I mean, are you kidding me? I’m designing homes—it’s so much work and long hours, but so, so fun.
When asked about her favorite thing about having the show, Chelsea said, it was wonderful to work with Cole. She also joked that, if they ever disagree on a design or a feature [which hasn’t happened yet], she would get the final decision.
Chelsea Houska DeBoer has millions of followers on social media, but the show was not an immediate success when Down Home Fab debuted. The show was renewed for a second season, despite a 45% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The DeBoers learned about the decision to bring back Down Home Fab for a second season via a phone call from the network – one they later posted on Instagram. Loren Ruch, Head of Content at HGTV, echoed the same enthusiasm as Chelsea and Cole at the renewal:
Chelsea and Cole’s undeniable on-screen chemistry and enthusiasm for renovation brings in millions of fans every week to HGTV’s platforms… We can’t wait to get the ball rolling on a new season, and in the meantime we’ve got three upcoming episodes and lots more digital content with this dynamic couple in store.
While season one of Down Home Fab included only six episodes, season two had eight. Five of the episodes from Down Home Fab’s second season were based in Sioux Falls, while the remaining three were in nearby Tea, South Dakota. Casting for the third season of Down Home Fab was announced in August 2024.
Chelsea’s Unique Style Choices Are Showcased In Her Jewelry, Clothing, And Home Goods Products
Chelsea Houska DeBoer describes her color preferences for the home as “black, some more black, some neutrals, gold, cowhide.” These same style choices are displayed in her clothing line Lily & Lottie, created with Laurie Karlson, founder of Lauriebelles clothing brand.
The DeBoers also opened a brick-and-mortar store in Tea, SD, in 2024. Named Down Home by DeBoers,the store sells furniture, home accessories, and other items from a “carefully curated selection of rustic decor and charming furnishings, designed to bring comfort and style to every corner of your home.”
The presence of numerous items for use in the living room isn’t a surprise. Chelsea told fans in 2023:
I am a living room person. I really like to bring cozy vibes. I love a living room that has a lot of windows and space. A fireplace is game-changing.
Chelsea has one more creative endeavor, a line of jewelry and accessories named after her oldest daughter, Aubree (whose father is Adam Lind). According to the Aubree Says website, the brand includes everything “From jewelry and headbands to kitchenware and baby wear… thoughtfully designed by Chelsea to enhance everyday life.”