At 34, Margo Fairchild built a 240-square-foot home in Virginia with her own hands; the project later helped her land a role on HGTV |

At 34, Margo Fairchild turned a small DIY project into a home of her own, building a 240-square-foot property in Caroline County, Virginia, largely with her own hands. What began with making a spice rack eventually grew into a construction project that took 15 months to complete and involved everything from insulation and electrical work to designing furniture. Built during the COVID-19 pandemic, the tiny home also attracted an online following as Fairchild shared her progress. The attention helped open another door, leading to a role as co-host of HGTV’s new home improvement programme, Worst Yard on the Block.

How Margo Fairchild built her 240-square-foot tiny home in Virginia

Fairchild did not initially set out to build an entire house. Her interest in making things developed through smaller projects, beginning with a spice rack. She wanted one that would fit her home but struggled to find a suitable option, so she decided to make it herself. That first piece of work led to building decks, and the deck projects eventually gave way to the idea of constructing a home.She had a shed shell delivered to her property in Caroline County, but the work that followed was largely her responsibility. Rather than purchasing a finished tiny house, Fairchild took on the tasks needed to turn the basic structure into a functioning living space. Her work included fitting insulation, handling electrical installations and designing the furniture.According to WTVR CBS 6 News, the finished property covers 240 square feet. Space is used carefully, with a loft bed making room for the living area below. The bathroom also has a distinctive layout, while the lounge and built-in furnishings reflect the practical decisions involved in fitting an entire home into a small footprint.

Building the Virginia home during the pandemic

Fairchild began the project during the COVID-19 lockdown period, when restrictions and reduced social activity left her with more time at home. The construction became a long-running commitment, occupying much of her day. At certain points, she spent between 14 and 18 hours working on the property.It took around 15 months to complete the house. The process involved more than putting together the structure. Insulation, electrical work, furniture and interior arrangements all had to be addressed, requiring her to move between different aspects of construction and design.Fairchild’s mother remained a source of encouragement as the project progressed, particularly when the amount of work involved became difficult to manage. Her daughter later spoke about the support she received during the building process in an interview with WTVR.

Margo Fairchild’s tiny home project attracted an international online following

As the house took shape, Fairchild began posting details of the work online. Her updates attracted viewers from outside Virginia, with people in different countries following the project and offering suggestions. She recalled hearing from people in places including the Netherlands, Japan and Portland.The online audience gave her access to ideas and practical advice while she was working largely on her own. People following the construction could see the property develop from a basic shed shell into a furnished home, and the exchange gradually became part of the experience.That visibility eventually brought an opportunity beyond the house itself. Fairchild’s building and DIY work helped introduce her to a wider audience, leading to a television role that connected her existing skills with a new professional project.

How the tiny house project led to an HGTV hosting role

Fairchild was selected to co-host Worst Yard on the Block, a new HGTV programme that focuses on improving outdoor spaces. The format brings together a master landscaper and Fairchild, who takes responsibility for builder-led projects and DIY additions intended to change the appearance and use of the yards.Her contribution centres on practical construction work rather than landscaping alone. She described her role as bringing in building skills and creating features that help improve the outdoor areas being worked on.The programme was scheduled to premiere on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 10:30 pm on HGTV, according to WTVR’s report published on July 15 and updated the following morning.Fairchild’s television work also coincided with the development of her own design business. The move from building a personal home to working on projects for a television audience marked a change in the scale of her work, although the practical skills behind both remained closely connected.

From a 240-square-foot house to a new design career

The Virginia property remains the starting point of Fairchild’s story. Its construction required her to learn and carry out a range of tasks, from preparing the structure to making furniture suited to its limited floor area. The project also gave her a body of work she could share publicly, allowing people to follow her approach to building and design.Her path into HGTV did not begin with a television production or a formal career in landscaping. It grew out of a personal construction project that attracted attention online and eventually led to an opportunity to work on other people’s outdoor spaces.