Dominic Chinea is in the process of a major home renovation. Embarking on a new chapter with his wife, producer Maria Domican, The Repair Shop star has taken the plunge, after trading his property in rural Kent for a rundown farmhouse in Cornwall. Documented in his new series, Dom Chinea's Cornish Workshop, the metalwork expert has been getting to grips with a mounting DIY list of late. "This house needs a lot of work," Dominic told The Telegraph. "The Aga keeps breaking. It's the only source of hot water, so that's an issue that I'll have to get to eventually."
© Guy Levy, BBCComplicating matters further, "Scary, nightmare" storms, Goretti and Chandra, caused all kinds of issues in January, after taking chunks off the roof of his new workshop, and leaving Dominic's "precious tools and machinery," including a Porsche 356 and a VW Caddy, exposed to the elements. As a result, the craftsman was forced to undertake emergency repairs, and while he's since completed them, the BBC favourite recently injured his hand on a drill, though he assured The Telegraph that he's on the mend.
Since moving to Cornwall with Maria and their dog Wendy last year, Dominic has had his hands full, but he's also enjoyed sun-soaked days by the sea and a sense of "escape". Reflecting on their decision to leave Kent, the former set designer revealed that he'd fallen in love with Cornwall after spending holidays there. "Driving down the A30, it feels like you're leaving the rest of the world behind you, it's just a different life here," he said.
Asked if he regretted the move, Dominic replied: "Not yet! They tell me that if you survive your first winter down here, then you'll be all right."
It was in April 2025 that Dominic first confirmed his move to Cornwall. Taking to Instagram, The Repair Shop star shared a photo of a chicken sitting inside the derelict barn that would become his workshop. "I have gained some new apprentices in the new workshop… they are very keen to learn," he joked.
While Dominic's move has pulled him further from Chichester, where The Repair Shop is filmed, the craftsman will continue to appear in the beloved BBC series. Penning a call out for fans of the show in February, Dominic wrote: "If you have something with an incredible festive history, that means a lot to you, a friend or family member that needs repairing, now is the time to apply!"
