Keith Bynum, one of the hosts of HGTV’s “Bargain Block,” is not just a TV personality; he’s also a design-builder. In addition to constructing homes, he specializes in completely transforming houses in the most challenging conditions, turning them into beautiful living spaces.
His design aesthetic is marked by creativity and intrigue, setting him apart from other designers you may have seen on HGTV. Furthermore, he is a highly talented and versatile artist, equally adept at crafting stunning 3-D sculptural wall hangings and creating abstract portraits.
In an exclusive interview with The List, Keith shared his deep passion for the creative and artistic aspects of his work.
As we watch Keith demonstrate his multitude of talents on “Bargain Block,” it’s only natural to wonder: Who is this individual, and how did he rise to become one of HGTV’s most innovative stars?
If you share our curiosity, you’re in for a treat. Here, we’ll provide you with some intriguing insights into the star that you may not have known.
He started his own business at just 14 years old
It might not come as a shock that Keith Bynum ventured into entrepreneurship before he even reached the legal driving age. His self-assured demeanour and abundance of innovative concepts are evident to anyone who tunes in to his show, “Bargain Block.”
Nevertheless, the fact that he established a “nationally recognized retail and manufacturing chain” as a teenager is undeniably remarkable. According to his company’s website, Nine Homes & Design, Keith embarked on this entrepreneurial journey during his youth.
Keith later sold his business, and it was during this transition that he discovered his love for home renovation. While he’s now primarily recognized for his efforts in revitalizing neglected homes in Detroit, he still maintains his entrepreneurial spirit.
In addition to running a thriving real estate flipping enterprise, Keith is also involved in selling home decor, vintage items, and artwork through Nine Homes & Design, a venture he co-owns with Evan Thomas.
He wasn’t always sure flipping houses in Detroit was right for him
Keith Bynum and his business and life partner, Evan Thomas, are featured on “Bargain Block,” where they specialize in renovating homes to bring charm, functionality, and distinctive design to the communities they serve.
Evan described the show’s premise, stating, “Bargain Block is all about us taking multiple homes on a single block in Detroit, and they’re all abandoned homes. We renovate them, style them up, and make them perfect for first-time home buyers.”
While Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas are highly skilled in their house-flipping venture, it wasn’t always a straightforward decision for them.
In May 2022, Keith reflected on their journey in Detroit and said,
“I think there were a lot of times in the last five years in Detroit we questioned if we were on the right path.”
It appears that Keith and Evan’s efforts have been well-received by both viewers of the show and the local community. Their dedication to renovating homes and making them accessible for first-time homebuyers has been widely appreciated.
While the journey hasn’t been without its challenges, they take pride in their accomplishments.
As Keith noted, “Sometimes, it’s finding the ability to take a step back and see how far you’ve come.”
His parents were not accepting of his sexuality
Keith Bynum doesn’t discuss his family much on “Bargain Block,” and there’s a significant reason for that. Keith explained that when he came out as gay, it didn’t go well with his family, and they essentially disowned him.
He further noted that coming out as gay in the South, where he’s from, presented its challenges. However, his inspiration came from seeing David Bromstad, an openly gay HGTV personality, achieving great success.
This inspired Keith to embrace his identity and pursue his dreams. He realized that he, too, could make his dream of being on HGTV a reality, just like David did.
Furthermore, Keith takes solace in the support of his partner Evan’s family, who have been incredibly supportive. He shared that he looked to Evan’s family for a sense of normalcy, tranquillity, and love.
Keith has also come to understand that his family’s disapproval is their loss, not his. He affirmed that it won’t hinder him from living a fantastic life and being true to himself.
He’s creating job opportunities for LGBTQ+ people
When Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas embarked on their home renovation projects in Detroit, they hadn’t initially envisioned that they would also be creating opportunities for others to enter the construction industry.
However, that’s precisely what happened. They ended up offering employment and opportunities to LGBTQ+ carpenters and construction workers who were starting their careers.
Keith explained, “It wasn’t our intention in the beginning, but it certainly evolved in a way that we were doing that, too, and it was interesting to see the people who were drawn to us because of that.”
In an industry often stereotypically associated with heterosexual, cisgender men, it can be challenging for LGBTQ+ individuals to break into the field. Evan emphasized their commitment to inclusivity within their company, stating,
“We always try to be as inclusive as we can in our company. Keith, however, has faced a lot of homophobia and limited employment opportunities in the construction industry.”
While Keith encountered discrimination in certain places, Detroit was not one of them. Keith expressed,
“We’ve always felt very welcomed and at home in Detroit.” Nevertheless, even if they had faced adversity, Keith affirmed that they wouldn’t let anyone determine how they live their lives.
He believes that this is a principle that applies to everyone.
Creating art helps him through hard times
“Bargain Block” showcases an intriguing aspect of Keith Bynum’s talents, which involves his unique artistic creations. In each house renovation, Keith crafts a custom piece of artwork, ranging from murals and painted portraits to 3-D art installations and sometimes even encompasses all three.
Keith’s reputation as one of HGTV’s most creative home renovators is well-deserved, but his artistic abilities serve a dual purpose. Beyond enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the homes he works on, creating art also serves as a therapeutic outlet for Keith.
In more recent years, Keith reestablished a connection with his estranged mother, LaQuita Bynum. Unfortunately, just a month after Keith shared on Instagram about their reconnection, LaQuita passed away due to cancer.
While coping with the loss of his mother, Keith turned to art as a means to channel his grief. In an Instagram post, he expressed,
“The day I found out my mama had brain cancer, I just couldn’t do anything that day but paint.”
Art provided a therapeutic outlet for him during this challenging period.
Keith is ‘overwhelmed’ at the success of Bargain Block
HGTV boasts a lineup of well-established shows and beloved hosts that have garnered a dedicated fan base over the years. In contrast, Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas are relatively new faces on the network, having launched their first season of “Bargain Block” in 2021.
Given this, there is always the potential that these newcomers may not resonate as strongly with viewers compared to their long-standing favourite hosts.
Contrary to expectations, “Bargain Block” exceeded all doubts. In fact, it was a standout success on HGTV in 2022, ranking among the network’s top shows alongside other fan favourites like “Unsellable Houses” and “Rock the Block,” as reported by WBD.
Keith expressed his amazement at the incredible viewership they’ve garnered, sharing his feelings with Out. He compared the experience of being at Pride with seeing a million people at once and how overwhelming that can be.
However, he emphasized that the overwhelming response to their show was a positive one. Towards the end of Season 2, Keith hinted at a return to the network.
As of late 2022, HGTV made it official by announcing the renewal of “Bargain Block” for a third season.
Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas were competitors on another HGTV show
“Rock the Block” is a program where teams of well-known HGTV hosts compete to increase the value of newly constructed homes. In its third season, the show achieved the highest ratings on HGTV.
During the 2022 season, Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas competed against other teams, including Mike Jackson and Egypt Sherrod from “Married to Real Estate,” Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb from “Unsellable Houses,” and Dave and Jenny Marrs, stars of “Fixer to Fabulous.”
The creative pair showcased their skills by adorning their home with distinctive finishes and designs, such as large chandeliers, stucco-finished walls, and an artistic headboard crafted from sails. Their house undoubtedly stood out as the most artistically inclined among the competitors.
However, despite their creative endeavours, they did not secure victory in the weekly challenges. Judges felt that Keith’s signature creative designs might be considered too personalized for the average homebuyer.
Nevertheless, their 5-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom house located in North Carolina was listed for a substantial $1.25 million.
He’s a dog lover
If you’ve tuned in to “Bargain Block,” it’s quite likely that you’ve come across Keith Bynum’s adorable dog, Belle. Additionally, if you happen to follow Keith on Instagram, you’ve probably had ample opportunities to see Belle in action.
Whether it’s snapshots of her lounging on Keith and Evan Thomas’ couch or snuggled up on Keith’s lap, Belle has made quite a presence on social media.
Without a doubt, Belle is an integral part of Keith and Evan’s family. In various photos, you’ll often find Belle cozily nestled between Keith and Evan, signifying her place as a cherished member of their household.
Notably, Belle took centre stage in their Christmas 2020 photo, showcasing her significance during special moments.
In April 2022, Keith commemorated National Pet Day by sharing a carousel of heartwarming photos of Belle on Instagram, affectionately captioning the collection with,
“In honor of National Pets Day, here are a few pictures of our furball! Love Belle so much.”
Fans of “Bargain Block” can anticipate more delightful appearances by this beloved pup in upcoming seasons.
Keith was a guest judge on Battle of the Bling
In 2022, HGTV presented a special titled “Battle of the Bling,” with hosts Todrick Hall and Kim Myles at the helm. HGTV described the show as a showcase of
“Eccentric homeowners who’ve gone to great lengths to create the flashiest and most ostentatious houses in the country.”
True to this description, the hosts evaluated different homes, considering the extravagance of their designs and the challenges involved in their installation and execution.
For the show’s grand finale, Todrick and Kim enlisted additional support from Jackie Seigal of “Queen of Versailles,” Alison Victoria of “Windy City Rehab,” and Keith Bynum. These five HGTV hosts collaboratively determined the winner of the Battle of the Bling.
Keith made quite the impression during this momentous decision, donning a striking hot pink bedazzled blazer, perfectly aligning with the show’s flamboyant and extravagant theme.
He’s best friends with co-star Shea Whitfield
Viewers of “Bargain Block” have plenty of reasons to enjoy the show, such as the innovative yet budget-friendly designs, the genuine connection between Keith and Evan, and the presence of their business partner and realtor, Shea Whitfield.
Shea exudes infectious positivity and a relaxed, amiable demeanour that makes it easy to become a fan. While their camaraderie appears strong on the show, you might be curious about whether their offscreen relationship reflects this level of friendship.
It’s heartwarming to discover that their friendship extends beyond the show. Shea expressed this sentiment in an Instagram video, captioning it:
“I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for the handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun!”
Shea emphasized the significance of friends, referring to them as the chosen family.
Keith reciprocates this love and frequently shares photos of himself and Shea. In a celebratory post, he congratulated Shea on her HGTV special,
“Bargain Block: Bargain Buys,” with a message that expressed his excitement for her accomplishment.