Vern Yip Welcomes Son Gavin Joshua Mannox

David Miller/Abaca

Just imagine how fabulous the nursery must be: Vern Yip is now a designing dad.

Gavin Joshua Mannox was born Wednesday, Jan. 6 via surrogate to the HGTV star and his partner, PEOPLE has learned exclusively. The baby was 7 lbs., 6 oz., and 19 ½ inches long.

“He is beautiful and perfect and we are, naturally, already in love with him,” says Vern.

The Trading Spaces alum will soon be busy with more than diapers and bottles: Vern will be shooting his fifth season as head judge of Design Star, HGTV’s reality competition show, now helmed by Mark Burnett — the mastermind behind Survivor and The Celebrity Apprentice.

– Anne Marie Cruz

Comments

Wow! This was a complete surprise, but congrats to the new dads. A new life is such a blessing. Love the name Gavin. Does anyone know if Mannox is another middle name or is it the last name? Either way, I am very happy for Vern and his partner.

- Michelle on January 13th, 2010

Congratulations to Vern! What a thrill. I met Vern once unexpectedly and he was just a lovely person. Very happy for them!

- Michele on January 13th, 2010

Aw i love that name. It’s so cute! Congratulations.

- Luna on January 13th, 2010

Cool name!

- nosoupforyou on January 13th, 2010

Ok, I’m loving the name Gavin Joshua…it’s so normal. Gavin and Joshua are both on my baby list of names for boys. Vern was my fav designer on Trading Spaces, love his style! Congrats!

- daniela on January 13th, 2010

Oh, I love Vern! Congrats to them and welcome Gavin. Hope to see pictures soon.

- Shelly on January 13th, 2010

Congrats! Such a great name!

- mandii on January 13th, 2010

nice name!

- Milla on January 13th, 2010

Is Mannox a family name? I love all 3 names. Vern is so down to earth. Can you imagine what Candace, Genevieve and Clive gave him for baby presents?! And I am TOTALLY hoping that someone does a spread on Gavin’s nursery!

- sarawara on January 13th, 2010

Oh, what a wonderful surprise! I’m very happy for Vern and his partner!

- meghan on January 13th, 2010

Maybe Mannox is his partner’s last name?

On a side note, the term “partner” has always rubbed me the wrong way. Calling him what he is (a husband) would be so much better, if they so desired.. which I suspect they do, especially now that they have a new son.

- B.J. on January 13th, 2010

I agree with B.J. I wish the world wasn’t so closed minded enough so that it would be alright to say “that man’s boyfriend” or “that woman’s wife”.

But I don’t know much about Vern Yip, so maybe it is his partner, and they are not married??

Anyway, I wonder if the baby is Vern’s biologically. Is the baby biracial?

- Frost on January 13th, 2010

I always thought he was gay. I guess I was right.

Anyway, congrats to them on a baby. Gavin is a nice name.

- Erika on January 13th, 2010

B.J-
I have a partner, and that is what I call her, I don’t call her my wife or my girlfriend (because that is what we were when we were dating and didn’t have a mortgage or kids). We prefer partner and have for 10 years.

- Ann on January 13th, 2010

I have no idea why, but I’m surprised to hear that Vern is gay. Haha… I guess I just never thought about it before.

Would love to see this baby’s nursery!!!

- annalee on January 13th, 2010

Love! Love, Vern! And super happy for him and his family!!!!

- Meela on January 13th, 2010

Wouldn’t the last name be Koch-Yip?

- Donna on January 14th, 2010

I didn’t know he was preparing to be a dad at all! Surprise to me! But, many congrats to Vern and his partner on their son, Gavin Joshua!

- FC on January 15th, 2010

COngrats to the happy couple

- Brownsugar1313 on January 16th, 2010

I don’t see a problem with the term ‘partner’. I have girlfriends who refer to their significant others as their ‘partner’ because their not married and feel that ‘boyfriend’ sounds too casual or too young.

Congrats to Vern – he was always my favourite on Trading Spaces!

- Elsa on January 17th, 2010

Congrads to Vern and his partner on the birth of their son. I’ve been a big fan of Vern and always watch his show Deserving Design when it is on and I love Design Star. He is so down to earth and soft spoken but passionate about his designs.

- Cameron Bonham on May 28th, 2010