Did you have a favorite - the one you would hope to be YOUR room designer if you were on the show? Or one that you would NOT want?
I think I always wanted either Genevieve or Vern - who both incidentally are probably the most “still” famous these days in design (I follow Genevieve on various social media). I would NOT want Hildy! Edward was interesting - VERY interesting that it says that these days he is writing children’s books! Doug - you never knew what you would get!!!
Trading Spaces was a poor American imitation of the British Changing Rooms. A lot of manufactured controvery and zero charm. And that woman who hosted it was awful. And wasn’t that the show that spawned Ty Pennington?
I loved that show and saw Paige Davis when she was in Chicago in Chicago several years back. Yes, Vern was also my favorite. I remember Hildy’s hay, also records and especially the wine labels in the kitchen of the teetotalers.
What I took away from that show was inexpensive ways to freshen a room and how much could be done just be rearranging and painting. One weekend I spray painted a planter gold and moved a few decorative items around and created a lovely new look in the living room corner, all inspired by Trading Spaces.
I loved that show! But the hay on the walls? Was the show responsible later for scraping that off and painting? Always wondered if that ended friendship with the neighbors who allowed it.
I remember that we did a surprise WYWO rearrangement bedroom for one of my kids - we all had so much fun - the ones doing the rearranging AND the one getting surprised! I really loved that show - remember the handsome carpenter - Andrew Dan-Jumbo!!!
No reminiscing about the show would be complete without a rewatch of the famous “Crying Pam” reveal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4pVZlRbwtw
The expressions on Paige’s face are priceless.
What was the show where HGYV would sell horrible stuff on the owners’ lawn and then redecorate the house with the proceeds. The host was also a nutcase.
I remember one show with the family wanting their old house back. The reality was the houses were cluttered before but hardly palaces when they were finished. In general, those quick weekend fixer-uppers appear to be patchup that hide real problems and probably would not stand up to much scrutiny. I happen to think that most of those shows are scripted baloney like most House Hunters.
I watched this all the time to get ideas for my house. I always have some little project going. My kids used to joke, “Mom’s been watching HGTV again.” LOL There was one male designer who made everything so masculine–always brown and/or gray. Frank always seemed to have a “country” flare, and Hildi was just out there. Didn’t she put feathers on a wall, too?
My favorite designer (not on this show) is Candice Olsen. I loved everything she ever did!
The only one I ever watched was the one where the designer put some kind of moss all over the walls. The owners were horrified, and all she had to say about that was “I’m sorry the homeowners didn’t get it…” as though they were stupid. Fact was, it did look hideous, and I never watched that show again, because I thought designers were supposed to care about the wishes of their clients.
Turns out that was Genevieve, who I think is an okay designer, but her attitude that day stunk.
Ok, on the “crying Pam video.” So the owners specifically asked that they leave the fireplace alone, and the designer didn’t hesitate at all to do exactly the opposite…
The only thing I missed when we reduced to basic cable was TCL…loved all those home shows. Trading Places…and what was the one where they had the three piles…keep, sell, trash? Loved that one too!
Yeah, Thumper, we were talking about that one in another thread recently - still can’t remember the name!
Trading Spaces - yes, there were some flops like the moss, the feathers (Hildy again!) and the fireplace fiasco. Most times the homeowners had a lot of fun and were generally pleased with the work.
Even did one “WYWO” home project (installed chair rail and painted the powder room while Mr was traveling).