Clint Harp is a renowned American carpenter, television personality, and entrepreneur best known for his appearances on HGTV’s Fixer Upper alongside Chip and Joanna Gaines, and for hosting the Magnolia Network’s Restoration Road. A passionate woodworker with a compelling backstory, Clint transformed his life by leaving behind a six-figure job to pursue furniture making—a leap of faith that led to national fame and the founding of Harp Design Co. in Waco, Texas. Born and raised in Dunwoody, Georgia, Clint’s journey from a humble childhood to television stardom and bestselling author is marked by resilience, craftsmanship, and deep-rooted family values. Whether he’s restoring historic structures, building handcrafted tables, or inspiring others with his memoir Handcrafted: A Woodworker’s Story, Clint Harp continues to champion the idea that ordinary people can create extraordinary lives through purpose, risk-taking, and creative passion.

Clint Harp – Wiki Bio Facts

Full Name	Clint Harp
Date of Birth	November 16, 1977
Age (as of 2025)	47 years old
Birthplace	Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Hometown	Dunwoody, Georgia
Nationality	American
Profession	Carpenter, TV Personality, Author
Known For	Fixer Upper, Restoration Road
Spouse	Kelly Harp
Marriage Year	July 2001
Children	3 (names private)
Company	Harp Design Co.
Book	Handcrafted (2018)
Political Views	Progressive; openly supported Kamala Harris in 2024
Religious Belief	Christian (values inclusion & empathy)
Current Residence	Waco, Texas

Childhood & Background

• His birthday is November 16, 1977: Clint Harp was born on November 16, 1977, and often reflects on how far he’s come—from his roots in Georgia to becoming a household name through television and woodworking.
• He grew up in Dunwoody, Georgia: Clint was born at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta and graduated from Dunwoody High School. He returned to his hometown for interviews and events after achieving national fame.
• He comes from a split family background: While Clint speaks highly of his upbringing, he also acknowledges the challenges of growing up in a blended family, which shaped much of his resilience and perspective.
• He spent childhood summers learning carpentry from his grandfather in Georgia: Clint’s grandfather built a house in the North Georgia mountains where Clint spent time growing up. After his grandfather passed, the house was restored by a family friend and is now available as a rental. Clint credits this early experience with teaching him about hard work, craftsmanship, and his love for building.

• His first woodworking memory was in childhood: Clint’s first experience with tools was making wooden Valentine’s Day hearts for his mother with his stepdad in the basement workshop.
• His first job was as a grocery bagger: Clint’s first-ever job was bagging groceries at Kroger near Chamblee-Dunwoody and I-285, a humble start that taught him the value of hard work.

Career & Risk-Taking

• Clint worked a wide range of jobs before becoming a woodworker: Before woodworking, Clint held various roles: janitor, junior high youth minister, missionary in Europe, director of a ministry, operations manager at a mortgage licensing firm, and medical sales representative.
• He quit a stable job in Houston to chase a dream: Clint left his job and financial security in Houston to pursue building furniture full-time with his wife Kelly, with no expectation of becoming a TV personality.
• He started Harp Design Co. with no plan to move to Waco: Clint and his wife Kelly launched Harp Design Co. in May 2011, leaving behind his job without knowing they’d end up in Waco. Their move and success came together through a mix of faith, timing, and risk.
• Clint initially never expected to be on television: When starting out, he and Kelly thought they’d just be “covered in sawdust,” selling tables—not featured on one of HGTV’s biggest hits.
• He challenged the belief that you need wealth to start a business: Clint and Kelly rejected the idea that launching a creative business required a trust fund or family money—choosing instead to take a leap of faith.
• He left a six-figure job before meeting Chip Gaines :Clint had recently quit a high-paying sales job in Houston and was second-guessing his decision when he met Chip at the gas station—a moment that changed everything.
• He emphasizes that success is built through failure: In his book and interviews, Clint shares that the famous gas station meeting with Chip Gaines wouldn’t have happened without years of struggle, false starts, and disappointment—each contributing to his eventual success.

Family & Marriage

He married young and values the journey he and Kelly have taken together
Clint, 23, and Kelly (born January 23, 1979) was 22 years old when they married, and they’ve now been together over two decades, supporting each other through life’s ups and downs. They celebrated their 20th anniversary in July 2021, which means they got married in July 2001. In his own words, Clint described Kelly as “the best I could ever ask for and then some,” appreciating her for choosing daily to “put up with my own personal brand of bs.” He humorously concluded the tribute with, “because in the end… welcome to real marriage.”

They have three children together
Clint and Kelly are parents to three children: Hudson, Holland (sometimes referred to as Holly), and Camille harp. Though the couple keeps their children largely out of the public eye, Clint has occasionally mentioned them in interviews and social media posts, often expressing pride in their growth and values.

His wife Kelly is his full business partner and creative equal
Kelly is not just supportive—she is 50% of the business, having co-founded it, contributed to the design aesthetic, and even created their now-iconic logo.

The Harp Design Co. logo was created by Kelly
The widely recognized logo, seen on T-shirts across places like Disney World, was designed entirely by Kelly Harp.

Clint credits his success to an equal partnership in marriage
He emphasizes that his journey wouldn’t have been possible without Kelly’s belief and her willingness to go “all-in” when she knew he was fully committed.

His wife got a full scholarship to Baylor
The reason they moved to Waco wasn’t originally for Clint’s business—it was because Kelly was awarded a full ride to pursue her master’s degree at Baylor University.

Fixer Upper & Magnolia Journey

He realized Fixer Upper’s popularity after fans showed up at his house
Clint first sensed the cultural impact of Fixer Upper when a stranger knocked on his door during a Father’s Day nap just to take a photo with him. That moment—and the stream of fans visiting his shop from across the U.S. and even Australia—made him realize the show had become a phenomenon.

His home renovation on Fixer Upper became a fan favorite
The house Clint and his wife renovated in Season 1 ended up becoming one of the franchise’s most beloved transformations. It also sat right next to their storefront and workshop, creating a unique connection between their personal and professional lives.

His connection to Chip Gaines began with a missed call
A friend gave him Chip Gaines’ number when he moved to Waco. Clint called and left a voicemail—but Chip never returned the call.

A random gas station encounter changed his life
Months later, Clint spotted a Magnolia truck at a gas station, introduced himself to the driver (Chip Gaines), and that serendipitous moment eventually led to filming Fixer Upper.

Restoration Road

Restoration Road is about more than just buildings (shared during his February 2022 interview on The Jason Show)
Clint’s show Restoration Road highlights not only the craftsmanship of restoring old structures but also the stories behind them. He made it clear from the start that he wanted a seat at the creative table to shape the direction of the series, ensuring it emphasized history and community—not just renovation.

He wanted Restoration Road to include forgotten histories (shared during his February 2022 interview on The Jason Show)
Clint advocated for the inclusion of lesser-known and complex histories in Restoration Road. One episode, for example, ties into Dublin, Georgia—where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his first public speech. Clint believes sharing such context through architectural restoration helps communities learn and grow.

He collaborates closely with Magnolia Network leadership
When pitching Restoration Road, Clint worked directly with Magnolia Network president Allison Page and Joanna Gaines. Though the initial title was simply “Old and New,” Clint’s influence shaped the show into a deeper, narrative-driven series.

Woodworking & Education

Clint is a hands-on educator in woodworking
In live demonstrations, such as his appearance at the DIY or Don’t Expo in 2019, Clint explained lathe safety, tool control, and technique with passion. He teaches how to properly adjust a tool rest, use bowl and roughing gouges, and safely turn wood into candlesticks—sharing personal tricks like using the tool bounce method to check edge uniformity. This session was captured in the YouTube video titled My Interview With Clint Harp At The DIY or Don’t Expo, published by the My Creative Days channel.

He prefers using gloves while turning wood—despite controversy
While some woodworkers strictly advise against gloves at the lathe, Clint openly wears them for comfort and safety, acknowledging the divided opinions on this practice.

He uses a plastic face shield during turning for added safety
Clint favors a full-face plastic shield over just safety glasses during woodworking sessions to feel more secure against flying chips and dust.

He values sharp tools above all in the shop
In his shop, a blade sharpener is kept right beside the lathe. Clint stresses that a dull blade is the worst—and encourages quick, frequent sharpening to maintain safety and precision.

He once built a 17-foot-long table for Fixer Upper
Joanna Gaines once asked Clint to build the longest table he had ever made—17 feet long. He had never done it before but accepted the challenge and figured it out as he went.

His favorite thing to build is a table
For Clint, tables symbolize togetherness. He believes the table is a place where people—regardless of disagreement or conflict—can sit, share, and reconnect.

Humor & Personality

He once jokingly hosted a satirical interview with percussionist Todd Meehan
In a light-hearted and unscripted setting, Clint interviewed his friend Todd Meehan from Liquid Drum, playfully diving into niche percussion topics like tambourine forearm strength and triangle technique. The segment showcased Clint’s humor and comfort with creative personalities beyond home renovation.

He has a comedic side and enjoys parody-style conversations
Clint’s playful exchange with Todd Meehan featured mock-serious questions about writing a definitive book on triangle and tambourine technique. His ability to balance humor with genuine curiosity revealed a lesser-seen, entertaining side of his personality.

He feels like ‘Bob Ross with wood’ sometimes
During relaxed moments while turning, Clint compares the therapeutic rhythm of woodworking to the peaceful, instructive energy of painter Bob Ross.

Family Legacy

His grandmother Ann was a major influence on his values
Clint often credits his grandmother Ann as one of his biggest influences, particularly in how she admired and supported former President Jimmy Carter. In tributes, Clint described her as a woman who embodied compassion and service.

He paid tribute to Jimmy Carter after his death (shared December 2024)
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Clint recalled how news of Jimmy Carter’s death moved him deeply while he was at a grocery store. He praised Carter’s integrity and post-presidency humanitarian work, and shared how much he wished more leaders would embody Carter’s compassion. Clint also revealed that he had met Carter as a child and asked, in a symbolic gesture, for Carter to give his grandmother Ann a hug in heaven.

He grew up admiring Jimmy Carter through his grandmother’s example
In October 2023, Clint shared a photo of his grandmother Ann with President Carter and reflected on how her admiration of Carter deeply shaped his own sense of justice, compassion, and leadership.

Personal Values & Origins

He believes deeply in the power of ordinary people achieving big dreams
Clint’s memoir, Handcrafted: A Woodworker’s Story, was published in September 2018 and continues to inspire readers who believe they don’t have what it takes to succeed.

Clint Harp publicly shared why he voted in support of Kamala Harris for President (shared in Nov 2024)
In a deeply personal and emotional social media post, Clint explained his reasoning for voting for Kamala Harris, expressing pride in supporting her candidacy. He emphasized themes of inclusion, justice, and compassion, extending his support to numerous marginalized communities—including people of color, the LGBTQIA2S+ community, immigrants (both documented and undocumented), teachers, students, women’s rights, and more. He framed his stance as a stand for love, hope, and building a table ‘big enough for everyone.’ Clint’s message resonated with fans for its emotional honesty, its call for compassion, and its alignment with his belief in welcoming and empowering others. He stated: ‘Whatever I do moving forward, wherever my career goes next, I will step into it proud that you know who I am… there should be no confusion.’

His political views are shaped by faith, empathy, and personal reflection
In the same public message, Clint invoked his Christian beliefs—describing Jesus as a ‘homeless brown Jewish guy’ who protected the marginalized—and emphasized that his worldview is informed by travel, history, and listening to those whose stories are often overlooked.

Life Experience & Preparedness

He takes emergency preparedness seriously—especially after real-life storms (shared during his September 2024 interview with River City Live)
While attending the Jacksonville Home and Patio Show during a hurricane scare, Clint reflected on how unprepared he felt being away from his family. He admitted he hadn’t taught them how to open the garage door without power, use the fire extinguisher, or access his battery-powered tools.

He lived in Florida during early married life
Clint and his wife Kelly spent the early years of their marriage living in St. Petersburg, Florida. He has a soft spot for the state and fond memories of visiting Panama City Beach with his church youth group while growing up in Georgia.