HGTV's Anthony Carrino Gives Us The Lowdown On His Love Life

This Sunday night, it's time to put on the gravy (not sauce) and macaroni (not pasta), and watch Italian Jersey boys—and real-life cousins—Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri work their magic on the season finale of HGTV's Cousins Undercover at 8 p.m. ET.

Adding to the episode's excitement, the guys partnered with The Ellen DeGeneres Show to gift one deserving homeowner a Pinterest-worthy makeover.

So, what's it like doing business with the queen of daytime TV? "It's become a really nice team in the sense that we support her, and she supports us and we have a common goal; it's all about helping people," Anthony tells us. "She's fantastic. She's exactly what you'd think she'd be watching her show."

OK, Anthony, now it's our turn to know you a little better!

YourTango: What was the last thing you did to show your girlfriend you love her?
Anthony Carrino: I planned a simple date night out. We went out to dinner in Brooklyn and walked around Battery Park.

YourTango: What couple do you most admire and why? 
Anthony Carrino: My parents. June 8, 2014 will be their 40th wedding anniversary. They still make each other laugh. They have a lot of fun together. They still travel and they're both smiling, so if I could be that lucky after 40 years of marriage, it would be a pretty nice thing to see.

YourTango: What's the best love advice you ever heard?
Anthony Carrino: My mom told me, "It shouldn't be that difficult." My parents had their moments for sure, but the majority of their relationship has been really great. It shouldn't be that much work to make love work.

YourTango: I'm a sucker for a woman who _______________.
Anthony Carrino: is a good cook. [Editor's note: In case you're wondering, Anthony's favorite dish—if you forced him to pick just one—is roast chicken and vegetables.]

YourTango: How do you keep your relationship solid and happy?
Anthony Carrino: We're very like-minded people. We have kind of the same career and there's never a lack of anything to talk about. It's just making sure that you're talking to the other person, having open dialogue and telling each other your concerns. Beyond that, making sure you don't get complacent and bored. Keep it very much like you're dating even though you're further into your relationship.

YourTango: Is that a hint that an engagement is coming soon?
Anthony Carrino: No, absolutely not.

YourTango: When the time is right, would you consider a TV proposal like your cousin John did?
Anthony Carrino: I wouldn't rule it out [but] I'm not anywhere near that part of my life.

YourTango: What's your tango?
Anthony Carrino: I work with my cousin and my dad—you don't really get a better combination. You spend so much of your life working … I got back from vacation yesterday and I was excited to get into the office. I've been thinking about work the last three days of vacation and getting back and getting into it. I don't know, it's just something that's ingrained in me. I've always had a strong work ethic growing up. I've had a job since I was in the seventh grade, largely in construction, different design fields. It's just something that I feel has always been a part of me—not something that I ever feel I had a catalyst moment or something changed. n.

YourTango: Do you believe in love at first sight? 
Anthony Carrino: I believe in lust at first sight. I don't think I believe in love at first sight.

YourTango: If you could tell your younger self something you've since learned about love, sex, and/or relationships, what would that be?
Anthony Carrino: Take a breath! You don't have to be in a rush to do everything, and just be open and honest from the onset.

YourTango: What's the most meaningful compliment a partner ever paid you?
Anthony Carrino: I was told that I inspired them with my work ethic and my passion and my drive … it meant a lot to me.

YourTango: When was the last time you surprised your partner? What did you do?
Anthony Carrino: Over the summer. There's a dinner on a bridge in upstate New York that I was able to get tickets to. I just told her we were taking a ride up to a whiskey distillery that we've both had been wanting to see for a while. We wound up having dinner on this really cool old steel bridge.

YourTango: When was the last time something romantic made you cry?
Anthony Carrino: I'm not much of a crier in the romance sector. We certainly don't hesitate to shed a tear [on Cousins Undercover]. I think the last time I got teary-eyed with something romantic was standing there for my cousin's proposal.

YourTango: Describe losing your virginity in three words.
Anthony Carrino: Ha, ha, ha. Oh my goodness. I have no idea.