Karen E Laine Takes It Outside in the HGTV Special 'Good Bones: Better Yard'

Karen E Laine, Master Gardener and co-star of the HGTV hit series Good Bones, follows her true passion of renovating clients' outdoor spaces in the network's new special Good Bones: Better Yard.

October 26, 2022
Karen lays out her plan to the Demo Boys. Renovated by Karen; as seen on Good Bones: Better Backyard Season 1

Karen lays out her plan to the Good Bones crew (aka, the Demo Boys) for the backayrd makeover featured in the new HGTV special, Good Bones Better Yard.

Karen lays out her plan to the Good Bones crew (aka, the Demo Boys) for the backayrd makeover featured in the new HGTV special, Good Bones Better Yard.

Fans of HGTV's Good Bones know that, when it comes to creative re-imagining spaces, the special forte of co-host and resident-mom Karen E Laine is the great outdoors. That set of special skills comes to the fore in Karen's first-ever solo special, Good Bones: Better Yard, coming to HGTV.

The 'mother' half of the Karen-and-Mina mother-daughter duo (aka, "Two Chicks and a Hammer" — the moniker of their family-based enterprise) has historically been involved in numerous aspects of the pair's ambitious rescue and resurrection of distressed (sometimes mega-distressed) properties.

Two Chicks and a Hammer: Mina Starsiak Hawk and Karen E Laine

Two Chicks and a Hammer: Mina Starsiak Hawk and Karen E Laine

An attorney by trade, Karen brings legal expertise to the pair's endeavors in addition to her trademark smiles, enthusiasm, humor and famously upbeat vibe.

And she brings one other thing: a penchant for imaginative, impromptu and, sometimes, a tad whimsical, home enhancements. More often than not, those enhancements arise out of her love of nature, and a knack for creating original, unexpected and nature-inspired features right in her clients' backyards.

While Mina focuses on renovation logistics, possibilities and incorporating distinctive decorating style, often Karen has zeroed in on an inspired exterior enhancement. Landscaping, hardscaping, horticulture and water features are all things that are up her alley. It's Karen's special talent for transforming outdoor spaces, creating bucolic backyard retreats, that's the focus on the new HGTV special premiering on HGTV Nov. 15, 2022.

Tad and Karen work on cleanup at a renovation on Woodlawn Ave. in Indianapolis.

Tad and Karen work on cleanup at a renovation on Woodlawn Ave. in Indianapolis.

During the one-hour episode, Karen, who lately has been contributing a special exterior project for each Good Bones renovation, helps a young couple with a baby on the way.

The yard in question is in such derelict shape that the owners have considered selling their home. To come to their rescue, Karen and her expert team assess the area — which is overrun with rodents, poison ivy and dead trees — and then create a design plan to give the family a multi-purpose outdoor oasis.

The result in an enchanting yard with distinct spots for playing and entertaining complete with a kitchen, fireplace, basketball court and secret garden.

Good Bones: Better Yard premieres Tuesday, November 15, at 9/8c on HGTV and will be available to stream the same day on discovery+.

And don't forget to check out Mina's Good Bones spinoff series, Good Bones: Risky Business — focusing in on Mina's very own dream-home project.

Mina Starsiak Hawk Opens Up About Her 'Good Bones' Spinoff, 'Risky Business'

The new series — which features just one house — shows a grittier, more in-depth look at the renovation processs. HGTV sits down with Mina to get all the details.

Good Bones: A Crash Course

A few observations on why viewers have fallen head-over-heels for HGTV's home renovation series Good Bones — now in its seventh season.

Fans also are invited to stay connected with Good Bones: Better Yard and Good Bones on HGTV’s digital platforms at HGTV.com/GoodBones and by using #GoodBones on HGTV’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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