In the latest episode of Christina in the Country, Christina Haack decides to groom her “pet” chickens in a bathroom when her ex makes an awkward scene. Picture: HGTV

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News broke of Christina Haack and Josh Hall‘s split in July, when Hall filed for divorce.

Their bitter split made headlines in October after estranged husband Hall filed legal paperwork to try to stop Haack from selling her $4.5 million (A$6.6 million) Tennessee farmhouse — where he had been living in the wake of their separation.

While Haack’s HGTV episodes take months to air, it’s no surprise that Hall has been heavily featured in Christina in the Country — that is, until now, reported realtor.com.

On the Basement Blow Out! episode of Season 2, Hall appears on camera for only a quick, and awkward, moment.

When Haack decides to groom her “pet” chickens in a bathroom, Hall comes around the corner and says, disapprovingly, “I’m at a loss for words.”

It’s a tense and short moment — a sharp contrast from the past two episodes in the season when he and Haack have long scenes together chatting at home or working on a flip.

So, has Hall finally reached the end of his run on the series? Will Haack address his inevitable departure? We’ll have to wait and see.

Christina Haack and Josh Hall‘s split in July and are now in a bitter battle of their $7 million property. Picture: Instagram

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MORE: Christina Haack’s bitter divorce after ex blocks $7m

Haack is a regular on Australian television with re-runs of Flip and Flop and Christina on the Coast, both still airing on 9Life.

Haack made headlines recently after breaking her silence on the stress of filming early episodes of The Flip Off before heading overseas to unwind.

Haack and Hall were supposed to star in HGTV’s new series alongside Haack’s first ex-husband Tarek El Moussa and his new wife Heather Rae El Moussa of Selling Sunset fame.

“We only filmed together a few times and it was not fun, to be honest. I did not enjoy filming with him. Having split up made this, to be honest, so much easier and so much better in every way,” Haack said at the time.

“When someone is insecure by you and doesn’t like to watch you win, that really puts a damper on everything.

“I feel like I was not shining as bright to try to not make him feel emasculated.”

Haack said Hall had also been battling “jealousy over Tarek,” who became household names together as the married stars of HGTV’s Flip or Flop series.

Christina Haack and Josh Hall were supposed to star in HGTV’s new series alongside Haack’s first ex-husband Tarek El Moussa (pictured). Picture: 9Life

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But Haack appears to be putting the ordeal behind her, taking to Instagram to show off her much-needed getaway, simply saying “Scorpio season was good to me,” which left fans weighing in on her ugly split with ex Hall.

“You deserve this … considering everything you’ve been thru!! (sic) crushing it!” one follower said.

“Stay single for a while. Your new show is amazing,” said another.

Meanwhile in the episode, Haack takes on a new design project for her friends Erica and Joel. Erica used to do Haack’s hair and makeup in California, but she and her family moved to Tennessee a few years ago.

When they first bought their house, they went through a difficult renovation that gave them “contractor PTSD,” Erica says. They’re hoping things will be different with Haack as they tackle their 1,900-square-foot unfinished basement.

The basement renovation is a huge job, including structural beam work, a new staircase, added walls, and a hefty $161,000 price tag. Still, Haack does a great job creating a stunning living space, office, gym, and more.

Read on to see how Haack creates the ultimate basement and how the new space design “flows” with the existing design upstairs.

MORE: TV star Christina Haack’s $4.5m home on the market after divorce

GLASS GARAGE DOORS BRING IN NATURAL LIGHT

It seems this basement was initially built as a garage, which explains why when Haack first tours the space, there are two large garage doors leading to a driveway.

Erica and Joel say they never open these doors, which is a shame because Haack knows they could let lots of natural light into this dark space.

Before: Christina Haack suggested glass garage doors to let in more light. Picture: HGTV

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Christina suggests replacing the doors with glass ones to let in natural light, even when closed. Of course, Erica and Joel love the idea.

“I love the look of a glass garage door,” Erica says. “It’s kind of industrial, funky, unexpected.”

Haack’s team gets to work switching out the feature, and in the end, the new doors are a significant upgrade for this basement. They make the interior much brighter while also improving the look of the exterior.

After: The glass garage doors brighten the basement and add curb appeal. Picture: HGTV

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ADD A BEAUTIFUL VIEW TO A BEAUTIFUL SPACE

The new garage doors are beautiful, but Haack says that they call for some new landscaping.

“When you have a lot of glass in a design, you have to also think about having something nice to look at on the other side of it,” she says.

Planter boxes help improve the view from inside the garage. Picture: HGTV

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She orders planter boxes to be placed in the driveway. These planters are perfect for growing colourful flowers or herbs, which Haack says Erica can use for cooking. They are a beautiful and potentially functional addition.

DEFINE SEPARATE SPACES WITHOUT BLOCKING SUNLIGHT

Haack wants to create a “drop zone” for Erica and Joel’s kids to store shoes, coats, and bags. She also wants this mini mudroom to be separated from the new living space but is nervous about adding a wall and blocking sunlight.

Before: The basement was one large, open space. Picture: HGTV

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While on the phone with Erica, Haack goes through the options: a glass wall might not be safe for Erica and Joel’s kids, a pony wall might be too obtrusive, but a floor-to-ceiling rope wall could be an exciting solution.

“It’s an inexpensive way to add, like, a lot of character to the space,” Haack says.

Erica loves the idea, and on reveal day, it’s clear that the rope feature was the right choice.

Haack says the rope “has this great, edgy, industrial vibe,” which is perfect for her clients’ style.

Haack added a rope wall separating the drop zone and the living space. Picture: HGTV

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COPY MATERIALS FROM THE MAIN LIVING SPACE

Before the renovation begins, Erica tells Haack that she doesn’t want the basement and the upper floors to feel like two different homes. The basement and first floor don’t need to match, she says, but she wants them to “flow.”

Haack took inspiration from this upstairs kitchen. Picture: HGTV

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Haack knows that using the same materials is a great way to make two spaces work together. Luckily, since the upstairs portion of the house was renovated only a few years before, it’s easy to match the look.

Haack’s team uses the same flooring and countertop material for the kitchenette counters and backsplash.

Ultimately, the flooring and countertops create a sense of continuity between the upstairs and downstairs. It’s a simple way to connect the two spaces.

Using the same materials helps make the basement seem like an extension of the upstairs living space. Picture: HGTV

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ADD FEATURES YOU’D HAVE IN THE MAIN PART OF THE HOUSE

Erica and Joel want this basement to feel as comfortable and welcoming as the living space upstairs, so they want to add features that make it feel homey, such as a media centre, kids’ art on the walls, and even a fireplace.

A full fireplace would have been expensive, but this chiminea adds a cozy element on a budget. Picture: HGTV

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Haack says that adding an electric or gas fireplace would cost between $3,500 and $7,000, which is out of Erica and Joel’s budget. However, she suggests adding a chiminea, a wood-burning fire feature.

This chiminea has a “cool, midcentury modern look,” she explains. Plus, it’s clean-burning and made with gel fuel, so Joel and Erica won’t need to worry about smoke and ventilation. And at $700, the price is right.

While not exactly like the fireplace upstairs, this chiminea looks great in the finished basement. It adds a cozy element, making this space feel warm, cozy, and inviting.

Part of this article originally appeared on Realtor and is republished here with permission.