Two Fresnans with a flair for home renovation are seeing if they have what it takes to make it on HGTV with their pilot Go Big or Go Home, which airs Saturday, May 18.
We asked Nick and Koko Chandler how this shot at stardom—for them and for Fresno—came about. Here’s what they had to say:
Where are you from?
We’re both from the Central Valley. Koko grew up in Reedley and went to Immanuel High School. Nick is from Fresno and went to Fresno Christian High School. We both graduated from Fresno State.
How does FPU know you?
Nick worked in the Fresno Pacific University Undergraduate Admission Office from 2008-2012 where he spent most of his time driving his co-workers crazy with his antics. In May he graduated from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary with his Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, so FPU has been a part of his life for the past 12 years.
Koko was the program manager at Joni and Friends Central California, a non-profit accelerating ministry in the disability community. During her time at JAF she worked with many FPU interns, volunteers and faculty.
Where are you now?
Nick and Koko live in the Fresno High/Tower District with their two boys—Atticus, 5; and Clive, 4. Nick works in the exciting world of construction, and when Koko isn’t at home wrestling down the kids she does design consultation, graphic design and just generally makes everything more beautiful. We attend Life Community Church.
How did you get to shoot a pilot for HGTV?
Nick got a random email from a casting company looking for home renovating duos. He immediately responded with a short bio and a link to a blog Koko had highlighting our own home renovation and DIY projects. They called the next day, and that phone call turned into a Skype interview. The Skype interview led to a camera crew coming to Fresno for two days to film a “sizzle”—a five-minute video showing the renovation work we do and what our show might look like. That sizzle was presented to HGTV and they gave us the green light to film a pilot.
What’s the idea behind your show and how did you come up with it?
The show follows Nick and Koko as we come alongside homeowners that are looking to renovate and make big changes to their homes. Koko focuses on the floorplans, design, creative elements and budget, and I manage projects and swing a hammer.
What’s next?
The pilot “Go Big or Go Home” airs Saturday, May 18, at either 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. (check your cable provider) on HGTV. After that we wait to see if the pilot gets picked up for series and Fresno gets its very own HGTV renovation show!
The pilot also features local businesses San Joaquin Forest Products, Kazarian Custom Homes, Cabinetry Design Center, Gillispie Woodworks, California Turf and Landscaping, Bedrosian Tile & Stone, The Avenue Home Staging, White Pine Lumber, Custom Drywall Service, Trinity Electric, All Star Plumbing, Duration Paint, California Building Products, Kroeker, Trust-all Roofing, Alta Standard Framing, Meathead Movers, Basilwood Farm, Reluminate Designs and AG Tile & Marble.