Who is your favorite designer? Who would you let eat crackers in your bed? Who makes the ugliest lamps?

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Answers

I had to start this thread just to share this:

http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/tradingspaces/bio/bio_08.html

I don't know how to make that a link, but go forth and revel in the beauty that is Ty. Sweet Ty.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

I love me some Ty!!! Always with the interesting hats. And while I'm all for Amy's girlpower carpentering abilities, I think he IS the better carpenter. And also, he's not afraid to break it down for your ass if you ask too much of him. Love that.

I'm sorry but the notion that flaming gay man Frank has a WIFE just boggles my mind. I don't like the way he's always junking stuff up with a painted curlicue. He embellishes a lot of things that I think would be better left simple.

I would like to be Genevieve's friend but I'm not sure I'd want her to redesign my house. I've seen her be very generous (giving a client a gorgeous antique light fixture that belonged to her friend) but also do some heinous shit to a room (moss on the wall? what kind of cracksmoking idea was that?).

Conversely I think Hilda (Alex calls her "Hildee") is snooty but I like her classic clean taste and I'd trust her to do my house. I also like Vern's ideas. He's willing to go above and beyond to make a style work.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

*sigh* I love Ty. He's my secret boyfriend. He's not the only reason I watch, but mostly!

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

People, Ty is Atlanta based! I say we all chip in so Al can hire him to make, I dunno, something, so she can take pictures of him.

I still have not seen the moss-wall episode. I am dying to see that episode.

Hilde's designs are really clean and classic but she is such a SNOT. I just want to smack her in the head.

I don't think Frank is that flaming gay as much as he is flamingly theatric. (Heh, keli, I said theatric.) Sometimes his designs are too much but over-all I like them. They are fun and they look like something people can live in/with rather than magazine perfect rooms you are afraid to walk into. I just want to give him cookies and rub his tummy.

I wouldn't let Dez Ryan within 100 yards of my house. She never knows what she is going to do, she's always winging it. Also, she wears really ugly hats in her interviews. And those lamps, yikes. That garbage can table? I would have thrown that at her head.

Speaking of flamingly gay, I like Doug's designs but I find him pretentious and fake. I love an episode with Doug and Amy because she hates him and it's hilarious to watch her try to talk to him without just putting the nail gun to his head.

Vern's stuff is good if you have a very sleek, modern feel in the rest of your house. If the rest is country calico and cat stuff it just doesn't go. Also, he needs to realize that gay men are allowed to wear clothing other than tight t-shirts.

It cracks me up that Genieve's bio is several pages. I am also not surprised to learn about her MTV background. Her rooms always look cool but very set-like instead of room-like. Although the porch she did in the "Zen tea room" style was really nice.

I'm going to shut up now because I am obsessed with this show.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Amy Wynne Pastor is my secret girlfriend - I am dying to be on this show so I can hang out with Amy Wynne and talk about power tools! I adore her, and I love how she has to explain to the designers that they can't have everything they want the way they want it. She is my hero.

I hate Hilde - hate her. She is so mean about people's houses - we don't all live in New York showhomes, and she acts like her designs are some great favour to the homeowners - as if, without her, there would be nothing tasteful in the house at all. That kitchen she did with tissue paper was dreadful, and the 'pillow pods' episode? Classic. She is the Queen of painting over wallpaper, which makes me cringe.

The very worst one to me was the New York designer named Dez - who is a lamp designer, and always makes these dreadful, dreadful lamps in every room that look like thrift store rejects. She is clueless. Clueless! I cringe every time she is on, although I think she left the show in 2000.

My favourite is Frank - when he starts talking about his wife, my husband and I crack up, because he is such a stereotypical gay man. But he does fabulous children's rooms - that periwinkle room with the swing, and the chalkboard on the wall was my favourite of all the rooms ever done on the show.

Genevieve painted a couch to make it look suede. Can you imagine sitting on a painted couch? She needs a good slappeh.

I love this show. I tivo every single one.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Y'all are so right about Hilde. I tried to be nice, but you're right, she's a snot. You can tell she can hardly stand to walk into some of these 1971 cookie-cutter ranch houses. Did you see the episode when Alex tried to bust her chops by insisting on the plastic grass hula skirt? Alex was all, "You may not have noticed, but Hilde is a very CLASSY person and this grass hula skirt will drive her nuts." Hilde had absolutely NO sense of humor about it. She was like, "Get that crap away from me, stupid girl."

Oh, you HAVE to see the moss wall episode. That is an episode RIFE with tension. Gen is working with two guys, a man and his son, both of which, you can tell, think she's the SHIZNIT. She busts out this box of moss and says, "We're hanging this on the walls." The guys are hypnotized by her boobs, but still manage to put up some resistance. "Are you SURE?" She insists it will be tranquil and peaceful, like Oregon. The guys, hypnotized by her boobs, agree. Amy Wynn comes in later and says, "Have you SMELLED this stuff?" Apparently it smells like ass. Gen is unfazed.

In the other house, I think it's Hilde who is insisting that the other team rip up the newish carpet in Dude 1's bedroom. INSISTING. They resist and resist and resist, saying Dude 1 loves his carpet, but do you think Hilde gives two shits what this tasteless man wants? "Rip it out, peasants!!!" They are finally felled by her powers of snobbery. She intimidates them into it with her Hermes scarf or something, I don't know.

At that point I was too emotionally invested in the episode, and I KNEW nothing good was going to come of it. So I had to turn it off.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Everyone loves Gen, everyone. All the other bios are short but her's is like 4 pages of Q&A about how and why she did stuff. She says that moss was dried from a craft store. If it's the stuff you use in dried-flower arrangements it doesn't smell that bad, I wonder if she changed her answer for the Q&A. I have to see this episode!

I will say that if anyone came into my house and painted my stone/brick fireplace like they all want to do I'd be upset. That's just dumb, I don't care if it labels me a tasteless hick.

My favorite thing ever was when the two women (mother and daughter) working with Douglas went out on dates on the first night and left their friends to do work. (Which didn't get done, they didn't varnish the floor.) I thought Douglas was going to have a seizure he was so mad. And then he walked away and they trash talked him. They were so stereotypical Lawn Guyland women, all talking about marrying off the 26 year old daughter who still lived at home, with the nails and the hair and the accent. Watching them face off with Douglas was the funniest thing ever.

NO, wait! The funniest thing ever was the sisters in the south who did each other's rooms. They were two couples in their 50s and 60s and I couldn't believe everythng the designers wanted them to do. And then the one designer (I think it was the crazy lamp lady) took down a railing on a set of stairs going upstairs. They are 60! That's dangerous! Then the funniest conversation EVER.

Designer: "How far are you with the painting?" Old guy: "About right here." (gestures to wall.)

HA

Desinger: "When do you think the painting will be done?" Old guy: "It'll take me about two more hours. Paint dries on its own time."

Bwa!

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

I think the moss episode, too, was the one where the single father specifically talked about how he disliked dark colors. So they painted his bedroom black.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

I'm not sure if I love the show or y'all talking about the show more.

I'm dying.

Oh, and Ty are marrying on the 1st.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Slickery! I had totally forgotten the Lawn Guyland women! Thank you! They were the funniest when they learnt they couldn't go out on dates that night!

The moss wall was my first episode - I hate Hilde and Gen for what they did to those poor people. Can you imagine having allergies and walking in to a bedroom of moss? And that floor they put in - heavy stone tiles, all uneven - I would have no toes left.

Alex McCloud is just the funniest girl, though - she needs to come over and have a drink with me.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Ty and who? TY AND WHO?

Kristin, she'll be available. Evidently, Alex will not be returning next season.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Oh, damn. See, that didn't work.

What had happened is that I had meant to say Ty and I are marrying on the 1st.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Alex is leaving?? Who will take over the hosting? I am worried now. Worried.

What is up with all these designers painting rooms yellow? I swear, in every episode, someone is painting something yellow.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Kristin, did you write a journal entry about that moss wall? Because someone did and that was what got me watching it to begin with.

Alex is leaving? NO, Alex is the best.

I really wish we got BBC America so I could see Changing Rooms. Apparently they also have a garden version called Ground Forces. I want to see an American version of that with Paul James as one of the designers. Heh.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

First read this: http://www.bluearmadillo.net/journal/2001/06/22.shtml

In an earlier entry: http://www.bluearmadillo.net/journal/2001/06/20.shtml

And I checked a couple of bulletin boards, too. Alex will be no more on TS. I really liked her. In fact, The Fiance and I had a conversation about how perfect she was as the hostess of that show.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

I did write about it - about the whole TLC lineup. And I got hate mail from some whackjob with an '@discovery.com' email addie, claiming to be a producer, and haranguing me for my utter lack of intelligence in not liking the Triple Crown of Sobfest Television: A Dating Story, a Wedding Story, and A Makeover Story.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

I have no shame in my love of the Wedding Story. None. But the Baby Story makes me sort of squirmy and A Dating Story is just plain uncomfortable.

I think the last Trading Spaces I saw was where Gen wanted to paint the couples' floor so it would look Southwest-y and the neighbor was like, no that's gross, and Gen was just like, Sorry - we're doing it. And it looked gross. But better than their nasty ass carpet.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

No fair! I don't get TLC!

But it's okay. The more of you switch to Ty, the more time Alton Brown and Jamie Oliver will have for me.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

my fav TS "trash Doug" moment was the two (DC?) frat boys, who were working on one of their girlfriend's place. Doug had them attaching little squares of foil or something to a beanbag pillow/couch, when Frat Boy #1 goes, "well if you spent as much time on the layout as you did on your HAIR this morning, we'd be done."

classic!

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Oh let's not get into the evil, highly watchable triumverate of Dating/Wedding/Baby Story. The Wedding Story always fascinated me -- until I got married myself. Now I could give a shit less. I do recall my favorite episode, however, in which the pretty Jewish bride suffered a panic attack as soon as her father gave her away to her future husband. The two of them were supposed to do a lap around the guests before they took their places under the hupa, and she was keening and shaking and unable to do it. Her parents and fiance had to talk her down. It reminded me that no matter how many plans I made for my wedding, my behavior would determine how the day went above everything else.

The Baby Story is just a freaking car wreck. This one woman invited her entire extended family to witness the birth of her child. Here she is naked from the waist down with her knees behind her head, as her 10-year-old nephews peer into the gaping maw with panic-stricken looks on their faces. Nice.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Oh my god. "The gaping maw." Killing me.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Oh it was gaping all right. And bloody! I have no doubt those kids are scarred for life.

There was also a woman whose husband, I think? was learning acupuncture and she decided she would manage the pain of her first childbirth with needles jabbed in her ears. BY A BEGINNER. Yes, giving birth isn't scary enough on its own, let's throw an inexperienced acupuncturist into the mix and see what happens! She did really well, though, and claimed it worked.

But I have strayed from the topic.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

I love me some Trading Spaces (and Changing Rooms and Ground Force). I have actually had nightmares about Dez and her lamps and her funky hats for the end of the show. I have a huge girlcrush on Amy Wynn.

I wish Changing Rooms was an hour long like TS. Most of the time I have no idea where most of the room came from. But I love Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen and Handy Andy, and I enjoy playing "Spot the non- pregnant Carol Smilie."

I TiVo all three shows. It usually takes me most of the weekend just to get caught up. I'm not sure it's good for me.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001

I wish I watched any of these shows, because y'all sound like you're having so much fun talking about them. Alas, I do not.

But if Lyn would quit rubbing her TiVo in my face and just hand it over, I might.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001

You know, I don't think I've ever seen Amy the Woman Carpenter. If there's no Ty, I ain't watching!

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001

Amy Wynne Pastor is my secret girlfriend

Maybe, but I'm sure she loves me best. She's been my secret girlfriend for a long time now, you know.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001

I saw the moss room episode yesterday!

Both of those rooms were awful. Just bad. I could not have wanted to kill Hilde anymore unless I was actually there. She made a floor out of sub-flooring! You don't make a floor from sub-flooring, that's why they put the sub there. GAH.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001

That was one of those episodes where I was like, "Yo guys: This isn't a showroom. People actually have to live here. Let's not recreate the set from Midsummer Night's Dream."

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001

Mike -- BWAHAHAHA!

What about the time they turned the kid's bedroom into a barn? And Ty was nailing tree branches to the wall at the very last second?

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001

Oh I liked the barn room! The kid really seemed to like it to. I thought the painted rope as molding was dumber than the branches.

But what I covet most of any is the patchwork quilt kitchen Frank did. I hate all that country crap but that kitchen ruled. The picket fences? To. die. for.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001

Bringing up topics from earlier posts...

The very worst one to me was the New York designer named Dez - who is a lamp designer, and always makes these dreadful, dreadful lamps in every room that look like thrift store rejects.

Seriously, what's up with that? The one thing you can depend on with Dez is that the room will get some sort of odd paint job and five hours will be spent on the making of two lamps, out of $25 worth of knicknacks picked up at Ace Hardware.

Also, as someone mentioned earlier, I love the episodes with Doug and Amy Wynn, since Doug is all vague with his requests and it drives Amy Wynn up the wall. Plus Doug usually looks like he's trying not to strangle Alex when she busts in with the AlexCam.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001

I finally saw an episode with Hilde. Why does she need to wear designer heels and pearls? She's a bitch. Lord.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Hilde is a complete fruitcake. I love her ensembles - the princess heels and dark jeans. Nothing is funnier than a snarky woman in heels, balancing on a ladder. You just know the camera man is praying she falls face first in some paint.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

You just know the camera man is praying she falls face first in some paint.

And she's not the only one. That would make my year.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Amen to the Hilda hate. Yesterday she painted a black stripe on a wood floor. You do not paint wood floors, jesus christ in a hat that is wrong. Also she ruins every fireplace she encounters.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Hold up! You *can* paint wood floors if refinishing them is out of the question, ie, the floors couldn't take another sanding. Southern Living even did it once, and SL is the decorating BIBLE, y'all.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

See, but Hilda just does it to do it. And she cares not one whit what the homeowners helping her suggest ... she's all "Whatever. We're doing it like this because I AM HILDA."

My favorite episodes are still the ones with Doug and Amy Wynn, since DOug's all vague with his carpentry demands yet very insistant they turn out right. One day, she'll take out her nail gun and do some damage.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Also she ruins every fireplace she encounters.

Yes! That beautiful white mantle. Hilde grossed it up.

And the she didn't paint the whole floor, which I would find acceptable. She just painted some crap on it. I thought the homeowner was going to break down in tears.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Oh, you CAN paint a wood floor but I'm saying you DON'T. Well, if the floor is beyond refinishing a good paint effect would be acceptable.

But when you have (what appear to be on TV) gorgeous dark wood floors in great shape you don't just go painting on them for decorative effort. Especially not a black stripe that won't go with the room if it's redone (again). Because then you commit the home owner to striping and sanding and refinishing to get rid of it.

The people working with Hilda knew the home owner would hate it. They were so against it they refused to help and Hilda roped Alex into painting it. That's how wrong it was.

I love the Amy vs. Doug eps too. Ty doesn't really like him that much either. Did you see it yesterday Mike? Amy was in this tank top with spaghetti straps, lots of skin showing.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Slickery! What are you doing to me? I'm at work, for cryin' out loud!

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

T is right--you DO paint wood floors if you're too lazy to refinish and there's paint all over them anyway. I know, because I just did it to our bedroom floor. It looks fantastic.

And also, Martha Stewart said it was okay.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

You can paint a floor if you can't refinish it - Hilde painted a glorious wood floor that was in prime condition and had been refinished already. That is why she must die. Because she painted a hardwood floor that glowed, it was so gorgeous, and she painted it even though she knew the homeowner didn't want the floor painted.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

See, that is just not right. Painting a glorious wood floor is sad, and this Hilde person should be made to cry. My mother painted her century-old kitchen floor because it couldn't take another sanding, and it looks mighty fine. I can't imagine painting any other kind of floor, though.

I don't have cable - how did the homeowners react?

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Today was the brown felt walls episode. Weren't those people cat owners?

No one creates a room that says livable like Hilda.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

T - the homeowner gasped in horror: They painted my floors! And looked like she was going to cry.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

The brown felt wall people DID have cats, like 2 or 3. Apparently TLC got a ton of emails about that. I actually thought the end result looked good (better then the tin foil ceiling) but it's just not practical. Maybe in a library in a non-pet home.

They are showing 2 episodes a day now, 4 and 6pm. That's EVIL. Yesterday I finally saw the karokee stage party room with tiki hut. Man I love Frank. He's just so willing to listen to the workers and change his plans to fit the people in the house. If I ever get a house with a basement I'm hiring Frank to do it up as a bar/pool hall/party room.

Same episode had a Doug room I didn't actually hate! It was this HUGE farmhouse kitchen with weird layout and a wall of windows right next to each other. YOu know how in Sims you put up 10 windows on one wall and shove all the furniture to the walls so there is a lot of light and walking around room? This kitchen looked just like that. I liked the color (this sage green) but I thought there was too much of it. He had just a few cabinet doors with this mauvy- purple accent, there should have been more then that. Plus he followed the trend of kitchen table with backless benches instead of chairs. That's fine if you have kids but grown ups with bad backs like me hate the benches.

I really, really wish we could get on this show.

-- Anonymous, September 26, 2001

You know, I just about have my husband talked into applying for Trading Spaces - we are reno-ing our place anyway, so if we hated it, we would just do-over. I think I have figured out which of our neighbours might go for it, and I am trying to get up the nerve to ask them. The only problem is, they have some really lovely wood furniture, and I know if the designer wanted to paint over the finish, I would go after her with a nail gun.

I would offer my dining room, but I would take our dining table out and hide it in storage, and put a craptastic table from the Sally Ann in there and pretend it was ours, so they don't ruin the only decent piece of furniture we own. The floor in there is ruined. I hate the wallpaper. It couldn't be worse.

If we get up the guts to do this, I am praying for Hilde, so we can become The Couple That Made Hilde Cry. We will probably chicken out, but it is fun to plan these things anyway. We are wicked unphotogenic, so we would be hilarious on television - all bug eyes and weirdness.

-- Anonymous, September 26, 2001

The Couple That Made Hilda Cry. You could make shirts!

I looked over the application stuff and they said that if you had furniture you absolutely didn't want changed you could remove it from the room prior to start. They just require that some stuff be in there, no starting with an empty room. So maybe your friends would be okay knowing that. The other thing was that the room had to be kind of big, like 14' by something because of all the equipment.

But just imagine. . . you could get Ty as your handyman and you could lock him in your laundry room and keep him handy (heh) for backrubs and amusement.

-- Anonymous, September 26, 2001

Funniest moment of the day: Vern just said that he had a Farrah Fawcett poster in his room when he was a kid.

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2001

The Couple That Made Hilda Cry. You could make shirts!

Oh, yes, you could. If you had a picture of her crying on the front, I'd buy at least five. And if you had Amy Wynn on it as well...

-- Anonymous, September 28, 2001

Oh Kristin, you HAVE to keep us updated on whether you apply or not!

But beware, nightmare of nightmares: you get stuck working for Lazy Doug the Slavedriver, and Hilde is with your neighbors redoing YOUR house. *scream*

-- Anonymous, September 28, 2001

...or Dez redoes your home and the only thing new that's not made out of trash cans are two of her lamps.

I'd want Laurie Smith on the show, because she seems fun to work with and I usually like what she does with her room. But I'd love to work with Hilde, because I'd be like, "No, we're not doing that. Do it your damn self." And not in a nice way.

-- Anonymous, September 28, 2001

Okay, so I sat the husband down and explained that we really had to boost our follow-thru-quotient, and the best way we could do that was fill out the application for Trading Spaces. I had a whole plan, I was organized, I pointed out how much Fun we could have, wreaking havoc on the designer, if we hated her, hanging out with Amy Wynne, and just generally being our goofy selves.

And then he pointed out that we can't, because our neighbourhood association would have to approve a television crew on our street, and all of our neighbours would have to agree to it, and these are people that can't get together over repairing a sidewalk, much less anything interesting.

No torturing Hilde for us.

However - they are looking for applicants right now in the Atlanta area. Anyone here live in Atlanta? Apparently they are looking for more applicants south of the M-D, because it is cheaper (?) for them to film in the south. I don't quite get why, except I think TLC might be based somewhere South-ish. Does that make any sense?

-- Anonymous, September 30, 2001

Is TLC a Turner Network? I know several of the designers are Atlanta based.

My Mom is in the area, but even if I could persuade her to allow someone to do one room in her home, I honestly don't think she could make it through the 2 days of work in someone else's home. She's a delicate blossom (just like her baby girl-ha).

I know we have Atlantans on this board. Come on, y'all! I'll cheer you on, and I'll bet Kristin would partner up!

Think of Ty.

-- Anonymous, September 30, 2001

TLC is owned by the Discovery family of networks that also own Discovery and Animal Planet. I know they have a huge office building just over the DC line in Maryland because I went through several interviews at Animal Planet. But these seemed to be mostly office space, no production facilities so maybe that's in Atlanta?

-- Anonymous, September 30, 2001

I'll trade spaces! I've never seen the show, and we don't have cable, but we also have a total bachelor's bedroom, and I want matching sheets and duvets, dammit!

-- Anonymous, October 01, 2001

What the hell? Why did they do it? Everything's all different! What's with the crappy jazz music? Why the big introduction? I didn't get my fill of ANY of the good stuff! And Ty's voice sounded weird and forced.

We're composing a letter to the show. I may have to take time away from my "Free the Ultimate Fondue" campaign and begin a "Stop Shitting Up Trading Spaces" battle. Maybe with a snazzier battle cry, though.

What did you all think of the changes?

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2001

I did not like the new hostess with her annoying, grating voice. She tries to have a sense of humor like Alex, but she is no Alex. Did you see all their new equipment with "Trading Spaces" all over it? And the fancy Carpentering Canopy? Wow!

I actually liked both rooms this time, except 1) Doug predictably wasted a bunch of time by not thinking through his ideas, and 2) Hilde turned that basement into a CAVE by painting the ceiling blue. The orthagonal design was interesting and different and I think they did a great job executing it, but those Deadheads are seriously going to trip out Space-Odyssey style the next time they get high down there.

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2001

does "orthagonal" pean plaid? i'm just wondering. she needed more color in there, and painting the ceiling was just baaaaad

i'm ok with the new host, but it's early

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2001

That equipment wasn't new, just shown a lot more than usual. I've seen it before. And they almost always have the canopy up but if the weather is good they aren't under it.

I still hate Hilda. Why did they air gun that paint? Rolling would have been MUCH faster.

I did like the "orthogonal" design but, please, get over yourself, it is plaid. PLAID. I thought it woudl have been way cool to make it really plaid. Paint the majority the dark blue, some of the thin vertical and horizontal lines light blue, and then the white like they had. Also, the plastic container with the hole in it and unwrapped candy? Can you say ant magnet?

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2001

I disagree, I think the airgun is MUCH faster than rolling. And I also think the paint sprayer is why Hilde decided to paint the ceiling. Although I guess they could have removed all the ceiling tiles before spraying the room. Maybe the homeowners can buy new tiles for the ceiling if they don't like it blue and cave-ish.

You're right though, if they had had more time I think it would be really interesting to see them do a few more stripes of color on the plaid design. The Deadhead dude tried to call it plaid once and got a smackdown from Hilde. She will need an extension ladder to get over herself.

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2001

I only saw the last twenty minutes, but I think it was just plain cruel to mock the elderly man and his gazing ball. That shit ain't right. The new chick: eh. Eh and Phony. I hated seeing her cackle and grip the arms of everyone as if she was worried they would run away from her if she let go.

PLAID. Oh, I thought that room was hideous. I would have cried. Except for the curtain to hide the shelves of toys. That was nice. Everything else was dark and gross and straight out of 1979.

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2001

hey old man, may i distract you while we steal your lawn ball? cuz we're wacky

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2001

When is the show even ON now? I was in heaven when they were showing it at 7 p.m.

I really need a TiVo.

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2001

4:00 eastern. For a brief beautiful interlude, they were doing it at 6:00 p.m. too, but evidently that made it way too convenient for me, and of course they were competing with Roseanne reruns.

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2001

Yeah, I only get to see it on the weekends. This weekend was the "paint dries on its own time" guy. That guy CRACKED ME UP!! He knew the instant he saw her what a freak Dez was. But that was a difficult room, what with all the knick-knacks and useless crap on every available surface. And it was HUGE. They worked so hard and took so much crap from the overstressed Dez, but it was well worth it when the lady started CRYING because the room looked so good.

Hilde's work on the other room was just awesome. I loved the green drapes and the better-than-a-slipcover slipcover.

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2001

Aidan! Yes! I saw that one too this weekend. The Paint Dries on Its Own Time Guy was classic. Dez is a FREAK. I loved it when Amy was saluted at her behind her back. But you're right, that room looked near impossible to do in 2 days. I missed the very beginning. Wat that their living room or the husband's study? All those creepy ducks. Yikes. And even if Hilde's room was beautiful, she's still a bitch and a half.

I also saw a new one with the new host, Paige. She's got nothing, NOTHING on Alex. Sweet, sweet Alex. I miss you so.

But the rooms on that ep were great. The play room in the basement? Very cool. Laurie would grate on me after awhile, but the room was adorable. Vern is a nerd, but that bedroom turned out really well. I was mostly impressed with the furniture. Looked completely different. (And a million times better.)

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2001

Did y'all see the episode this weekend where they redid the family rooms? I thought Frank's nautical thing actually turned out pretty well and Hilda was bearable and her room turned out just lovely. The fireplace was so cool! And while I wasn't a huge fan of the paint color, it certainly didn't look like poo. And hello! She'd been living with blue shag carpet and BLUE paneling.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

EEEK! It sounds like poo would have been an improvement.

I didn't see that one, but I saw the one where Laurie and Hilde redid the vacation homes in Louisiana. Hilde got IN THERE and totally overhauled this horrible kitchen. She took out an entire attached island and part of the ceiling, and gave them newly painted cabinets, a new floor, AND new countertops. In two days!! And it looked GREAT. And Laurie did a fabulous job with the other place which was a kitchen, dining room, office, and living room, all in one room. It looked so good the HUSBAND cried. He cried!

We got new neighbors about our age a few weeks ago and I am so totally sizing them up for a Trading Spaces event. My husband is all, "There's no WAY I'd play that game" -- apparently he thinks it's a game show? But I evaded that by suggesting my bedroom and I'm sure my mother would do it with me, since she's the one that got me turned on to the show.

Now I just have to introduce myself to the new neighbors, think I should bring it up them? Haw!

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

According to Fametracker, there is an upcoming episode of Friends in which "Joey,Chandler, and Rachel get addicted to TLC's Trading Spaces".

I really do love Friends, but this just made my stomach hurt. I love the show Friends, but I hate every character and I don't want them watching my favorite show.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

And then they'd apply, even though they're renters, and Rachel and Phoebe would both fall in love with Ty.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

Oh, that would be the saddest part, Hannah.

Ty belongs to real women everywhere!

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

Robyn, honey, you DO know that's fake, right? Wing just pulled all that stuff out of her butt.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

Good, because I'd have to stop watching Friends forever if Ross or Joey hooked up with Amy Wynn. The jealousy factor alone...

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

Um, now I do.

You know what, I don't care that I'm a big tool who believed that those spoilers were true. Because my relief is so great over the fact that I won't have to see Rachel and Joey say stupid things about the world's greatest tv show.

All Hail Trading Spaces and My Sweet Lover Ty!

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

Good grief, all.... You have all had me in hysterics reading over this thread. I couldn't have enjoyed a day off more. I thought I was alone in the Trading Spaces, Changing Rooms, Ground Force phenomena--- it is good to know I am not alone in this obsession. Personally, I like the British shows better (living with a British husband and having lived in the UK for many years, I guess the styles appeal to more more than some of the stuff created on the US show.)

I am so glad that others get into this hate Dez and Hilde thing that I go through--- I rant with many of these designs----my husband thinks I am nuts.

-- Anonymous, November 02, 2001

OK...sorry to bud in. I've been a huge TS fan, prior to that Changing Rooms and Ground Force fan, for a while now. Don't think there are any shows I've missed (which is terrible! i need more Trading Spaces!). When I saw the host, NOT ALEX - of whom I was a big fan, the other day, I freaked, and have been trying to find out the scoop ever since. I really am starting to figure out that Alex was a spoiled, raging, self-centered pain in the ass, and nobody got along with her, and she wanted the be the focus of every shot in the show! Could it be true???

-- Anonymous, November 05, 2001

I haven't been able to find much about Alex online.

Maybe our resident Googlemeister Keli could dig up some dirt? And Keli, I'm dying to hear how Todd was the other night.

Paige gets more annoying with every episode. If she smiled any harder, her face would split in two.

-- Anonymous, November 05, 2001

Yeah, I don't really care if Alex was a primadonna. She was better than Paige. Paige sucks. I look at her and just think "Disney."

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Paige is phony. Phone-eyyyyy. Her snark is lame. I miss Alex.

I'll google later and see if I find anything, m'kay? But I don't think that was why she left the show.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

The dirt I heard was that it's under a new production company this year and they decided to let Alex go for reasons unspecified though everyone pretty much assumes it's due to prima donna behavior. I do think Alex was tons better than Paige who is very "actorly" and not as natural as Alex. The staged portions are much more obvious.

Also, anyone see the new episode Saturday with the two levels in the same house? Fucking Hilda, man, the people wanted "a little bit of color" so she gave them gray walls. Blech. Although I did like her revamp of the drop tile ceiling. (She removed all the acoustical tiles and replaced them with varnished wood panels.)

I'm totally into Frank these days. I would love to pay him to decorate my house if he would stay and work with me.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Slickery, I saw the new episode on Saturday. I cringed when she painted the walls gray, but with the butter slipcovers, I think it worked. Kind of. How about the decoupage on the kid's table? That came out really cute.

I don't see Trading Spaces much and this was the first time I'd seen Vern. Do you think the mirrors stayed glued to the ceiling? I liked what he did, but I bet up close the painted ceiling looks like shit. They painted right over the metal stuff. THAT won't last. Peel, peel, peel.

Oooh, I just want to smack Paige. She's trying too hard. And I hate that sticky-out at the bottom hairdo. It's just like the lady's hair in the Mervyn's ad. I want to smack her too. In fact, they kind of look alike. Hmmmm. I'm thinking cloning.

That was a good episode, it had a lot of snarkiness, to steal Dawn's word. (I read a bunch of her archives at lunch.)

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

I have watched TS since the beginning and I thought Hilda was a bitch as well. Now I love her, she's the Bette Davis of design, she does what she wants and ultimately her designs work, and that's the point, right? Also, Amy Wynn is one sexy woodworker! Her cuts are perfect.

-- Anonymous, November 09, 2001

Geez, you guys are cracking me up! I pretty much agree with everything I've read.

Dez was the WORST designer. I wouldn't even use that word about what she does. I love the episode with the couple who hate it right away; the husband says it looks like Beetlejuice lives there. He didn't hold back! I am not sad that she's not on the new season. Perhaps she can live on selling her hat and lamp designs....NOT.

Doug and Vern, I can take 'em or leave 'em. Neither impress me too much, but they also don't irritate me too badly either. I felt sorry for Doug dealing with that mother and daughter on Long Island or wherever though. Talk about a couple of hags. Does anyone remember and episode of the Flintstones where Fred and Barney encountered some creepy people, and the mom of the family had a big nose and her bangs covered her eyes? It took me a couple of viewings, but I finally figured out that the LI mom reminded me of that character on the Flintstones.

Laurie is a doll, but she can be a little snotty sometimes. Not nearly as bad as Hilda though. WHY does the woman wear heels and all black to work in? And painting the furniture? Do they teach that in designer school?

Frank....took me by total surprise to read and hear about his wife. But I do like his work for the most part.

Genevieve cracks me up, she has fun at what she does I think. But the moss? The floor? Zoinks. My husband thinks she looks like the kind of girl who doesn't wear deodorant or shave. *L*

I much prefer Amy to Ty. Ty seems a little too dorky to me sometimes. (My apologies to the Ty lovers!) I think Amy's a cutie. Hubby doesn't though; he likes Genevieve.

Paige reminds me of Sandy Duncan, and that is NOT a compliment. Alex got on my nerves, but I much preferred her. Paige really does look like the Mervyn's/Disney Cruise chick. My husband calls Alex "Courtney Cox II".

-- Anonymous, November 11, 2001

Hello to all of the Trading Spaces lovers, I am so obsessed with the show. Okay I have the hot gossip on Alex. This comes from a source that was on the set of Trading Spaces. I almost did not want to believe it because I thought she was such a terrific host. Anyways, well here goes. Alex is so high maintenance. If the television shots do not go her way by not featuring her she has a total fit. She decided to leave the show to pursue an acting career in Hollywood. Boo-hoo, Paige just isn't the same!!!!

-- Anonymous, November 12, 2001

Ah, we love the hot gossip.

Damn, I am going to have to start watching this show and paying more attention. I think I've seen it once, and y'all know I hate to be left out.

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2001

WOW! She ought to have good luck with an acting career, because I NEVER would have guessed Alex was all high maintenance like that! Alex, you diva!

Yeah, that Paige. Blech. I hope she doesn't sing again.

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2001

I cannot believe that I have finally found people that are as addicted to this show as I am! Guess who else is addicted? Anyone watch the Real World? Melissa from New Orleans? Totally and absolutely addicted. You have to check out her journal entries on her website www.princessmelissa.com - she is so funny! All she keeps saying is how much she hates Hilde and how ludicrous it is that she paints and climbs ladders in heels. Personally, I would want to have Laurie work in my house. I love her designs - just the right mix of class and comfort. I really like her use of color. Especially when she did the dining room where she put the fabric panels on the walls - just fabulous!

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2001

Who called Ty dorky? Wah, my sweet heart. Crushed. Crushed!

See, Genevive looks a little girlly girlish to me. I think she must shave her pits. Really, she looks like one of those sorority girls who really likes Phish.

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2001

An EW article on the show, including a picture of Ty.

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001

Did that say TEEN HIT?

Puhfuckingleeze.

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001

Well, it's interesting because the Trading Spaces thread over on squishettes grew the fastest. So maybe it IS a teen hit. (Since they're the only ones home in the afternoon to watch it.)

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001

Am I the only one finding the new season kind of lackluster?

First Hildy does a Victoriana room. Victoriana y'all. Not a single piece of black fabric or lucite in site. And she kept talking about giving the owners what THEY want instead of what she wants and I thought, "Wow, Hildy's growing as a person. I have a new found lack of hatred for her."

And then Vern did this totally un-Vern, not modern, streamlined room. And then DOUGLAS of all people did a room solely based on what the owners wanted and asked the workers what they wanted and LISTENED. And everyone keeps talking about "giving the owners what they want" versus last year's cry of "you'll like it when it comes together, it's all about change, this is my vision."

I think the new producers might have issued some sort of smackdown, pointing out that if these people were PAYING customers the designers would have to listen to what they wanted a lot more than they do on the show. And on the one hand, well, good, maybe a room they'll like instead of one with moss on the walls. On the other hand, it's a lot less fun to watch a show with Doug being reasonable, Hildy doing actual work (she primed a wall people!), and Vern using actual accessories. I've liked almost all the rooms, no cries of "SHUT up, you suck." It's so much more flat without the hatred of Hildy and Douglas. And not a single Deznasty lamp in site. Wah!

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001

I continue to have faith that as long as there is a Dez, there will still be ugly lamps on Trading Spaces.

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001

But there has been no Dez on the new season has there?

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001

I'm pretty sure Dez got the boot.

When I was home sick on Monday I saw an old Alex show. The one where the daughter and her parents trade spaces and Frank does a party room in the basement, including a karaoke stage.

Doug's new kitchen was great, but what did Frank do exactly? He didn't touch the carpet or the walls and he got rid of their couches and gave them bean bag chairs.

And is it me, or did Doug really have it bad for Alex?

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001

Doug? Doug seriously trips my gay radar. But Ty had it bad for Alex.

Frank didn't do a ton with that room but it was a huge change. The bar/tiki hut thing was a big thing itself.

And I have it bad for Frank.

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001

I think Ty and Genevieve have a flirty thing going on and I definitely think that Doug had a major thing for Alex!

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

I love Laurie, though Doug designed our room! Check out our episode in MD on December 22nd!!!!

Dez is gone.

Frank is straight.

Gen is a sweetheart.

The crew was a blast to spend the weekend with.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

Wow! How did your room look?

I actually like most of what Doug does, but I can't say I'm sorry Dez is out. The lamp industry must not have much lobbying power, or they would never had let that happen.

Did you get Amy Wynne? Because if you did, I'll be very sad that you didn't let me know in time to drive by and ogle.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

How fun!

You must give us the scoop on everything. Is Paige as spastic as she seems? How late into the night did you actually work? Was it non stop work or did you have plenty of fun break times? Did you argue with your designer?

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Jodi - you must tell us everything...everything! Please, oh please, every detail!

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

How much will we all cry if Jodi doesn't come back?

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Jodi is the Mistress of Torture!

So. The one from this weekend with Roseanne and Dan. Roseanne and Dan, y'all! I about died. Vern revamped a HID, HID, *HIDEOLA* living room that had fabulous hardwood floors under nasty blue-green carpet he pulled up, and not one but TWO busy wallpaper patterns. I loved the end result of his room with the bright red walls except... he painted the ceiling bright red too. It kind of gave the room a slaughterhouse effect. But otherwise it was such an improvement.

In the other house Genevieve redid a basement den/gameroom in a Scrabble motif. She painted a beige grid on the floor and had really cute pink and blue pillows with big black stars on them. CUTE! And Amy Wynn made an AWESOME built-in bar for them. Even if the woman of the couple did mess up the glass-frosting portion of the project.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Those were good rooms this weekend. I totally don't understand wanting to cover those radiators though, I love those! I may buy fake ones for my house next year.

I thought Gen's guy game/bar room was just a perfect balance between fun/casual and still attractive. But what was with that dude refusing to paint the ceiling tile braces? So much better with the paint.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

That guy was a total jerk to Gen and his wife BOTH during the entire project. He was one of those who thought a bracing, "macho" demeanor was funny and cool. Instead he just came off as a difficult asshole. Taking a stand on that ceiling grid was just silly because she wasn't doing anything that drastic and it could have been easily changed back. He was just being contrary. Genevieve totally handled him though, with style and class.

Can I get an amen on how HORRIBLE that other room was before? It was truly one of the worst befores I'd ever seen. And one of the most impressive transformations. I would still be Killzing that ceiling ASAP though.

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001

For all you Ty Pennington lovers out there, the TVGuide online site has done an article about him - it's only up for one day, though, so make sure you're looking on 12/14!

http://www.tvguide.com/newsgossip/insider/011214c.asp

-- Anonymous, December 14, 2001

Oh Denise, thank you for that link.

I feel a bit woozy.

-- Anonymous, December 14, 2001

I have always been interested in how different peoples tastes are. My favorite two designers were Dez and Doug. I know everyone hates Dez, but I thought her rooms were wacky and fun. The DC frat boys is my favorite episode. Dez made that room rock. The boys hated it, but everyone is so used to boring, dull, rooms with off-white walls. I bet they liked it as time went on. And Doug's little Martini lounge in that little basement, what a great use of space.

One of my favorite rooms was Doug's Zen Dining room. But Alex drilled the hole off-center in the hanging lamp, which drove me nuts how it hung crooked. It would be very Buddhist to "own" the crooked lamp and not let it bother you, but i'm a Zen novice.

I also like Gen. I thought the moss-wall was crazy fun. Yeah, I would take it down after a while, but the overall room looked fun and crazy (not sure it is actually too fun to live in, ouch with your toes).

I think you have to remember the time and budget constraints. If the homeowners don't like a piece, they can replace things as they have money. Also, it's a TV show so they are going for more extreme looks. I wonder why people who aren't open minded would sign-up for the show. I won't be signing up because I am too LAZY. That is a two-day WORKOUT.

Frank is a good guy, but I would cry if he did a room in my apartment. I just hate his style so much. Frank is almost as bad as that guy Christopher Lowell on Discovery. Laurie and Hilde are to femm for me, but I think they do make great rooms.

I really like modern clean lines, but Vern is almost too extreme. I think he is getting better though.

I do need to share with the group how I am grieving deeply over the loss of Alex. Yes, she was a diva, but it is hollywood baby. And did they even audition for the new host? How could a group of TV producers look at Paige and think, "Yep, she is the best one." She is so grating on the nerves. I'm sure she is nice, but she has no TV charisma. And does it kill you how obvious she is while mimicing Alex's spiel. Get your own idea Paige. Alex was so cool while she scolded the designer; I couldn't help but imagine her in a dominatrix outfit with a nice whip. When Paige does it, it's like being nagged by your mother.

It was fun to find some fans to chat with.

Patrick

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2001

Alex was so cool while she scolded the designer; I couldn't help but imagine her in a dominatrix outfit with a nice whip.

Well, the show just got much more interesting now that I have that image in my head. It definitely fits, though I'd rather picture Amy Wynne as a dominatrix instead.

I really am disturbed by the kinder, gentler designer attitude this year. Asking the homeowners what they think? Listening and taking suggestions? What's up with that? What's the fun of watching Hilde if she's not going to be rude and condescending?

Who would y'all want designing your room? Honestly, I think I'd go with Doug.

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2001

I'd want either Hilda or Laurie, honestly. I always like what they do. Laurie is probably a little more me because unlike Hilda, I'm not afraid of color.

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2001

Laurie, every time. Not that I have no love for Gen, but Laurie and I share tastes.

Want to know another reason I hate Paige? For whatever cruel reason, the stupid ass man I let butcher my hair cut it the same way hers is cut. And I hate her head. So now I have Paige hair. I want to cry all day long.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

I'd go with Vern. His stuff looks streamlined, so even if I hated it, it would be easy to fix up on my own.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Y'all are making me sad. Where's the Frank love?

Frank, Frank, Frank all the way. Because of all the designers I think Frank considers the owners and their style and lifestyle the most. While the others do lovely stuff (especially Laurie) they are all very similar. Laurie's almost always have a French flair. Vern's are very minimalist and modern. Hilde's are always dark and modern. Gen's are always hipster.

And while Frank's always have similar elements - artwork created for the room, something painted by Frank - they aren't all variations on a theme. Plus of them all I think Frank's (well, and Gen's) look most like a nice home that reflects it's occupants rather than a designed room.

In fact, if I win the lottery soon? I'm hiring Frank to be my interior designer. But I'm going to insist on a Trading Spaces outlook with custom made elements and creative inspiration. Because I think a lot of that is what makes these rooms so great. The pieces Ty and Amy make, the use of inexpensive materials, it makes them all so much better than your typical room done by an interior designer. I would give my eyeteeth to have Frank design a library/game room around our Sticks game cube (handmade and decorated in a Wizard of Oz theme by some very talented artists in Iowa).

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

OK, I have invested the time to read through and then consider carefully everyone's postings on Hilde. I dig Hilde. There is nothing wrong with dressing classy and giving rooms a classy look. Plus, being a designer, she cannot help but where black and pearls. It's her uniform.

As for Doug's leanings. I'm still not sure. At first I thought he was gay, and then there was the episode with the woman spoon feeding Doug some breakfast oatmeal at the start of day two. There certainly seemed to be some vibes going on there. Plus, Doug and Alex seemed to have some level of flirtation too. So, again, I'm not so sure.

Finally, I too miss Alex. Did anyone else pick up on the fact that Paige is going to be featured on one of the TLC A Wedding Story later this month? Maybe that's why she got the job...crossover production value.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

The only thing more annoying than Paige on Trading Spaces would be Paige on A Wedding Story. What do you want to bet she sings at her own wedding?

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Marathon today. Whoo-hoo!

-- Anonymous, December 25, 2001

Paige's voice is killing me. If I was a dog, I would be whimpering.

And she's going to have her very own A Wedding Story? Gah.

-- Anonymous, December 25, 2001

My family was like, you're STILL watching this? And I thought my stepfather and uncle were going to have a coronary when they saw Hilde taking down the drop ceiling tiles in heels.

-- Anonymous, December 26, 2001

So happy to know there are other obsessive Trading Spaces fans in the world. When I first got hooked I started taking my lunch at 3 every day to catch the reruns. Pure starvation drove me back to only watching on the weekends. I'm a reporter and am doing a story on how popular Trading Spaces is. I love it. I'm trying to convince my husband we should apply with our neighbors. I think he's afraid of all that work. I really wish they would put the actual time that they're working. I wonder how late they work that night and how long it really takes them to paint because when I paint a room it seems to take FOREVER! Hate Hilde! Love Frank. Ty is a cutie but I like Amy Wynn.

-- Anonymous, December 26, 2001

Wow! This is so exciting to find out there are other obsessive/compulsive people out there. My husband can't stand how I want to watch EVERY show EVERY time it is on! (Although I am getting sick of the reruns.) I miss Alex... Paige just is NOT doing it. I think my favorite designer is definitely Frank, because he does make everything homey. I just watched the rerun where Dez did the living room with Gray striped walls one side, lime green on another, etc etc, and some sort of octopus lamp above the tv. We need to get her some medication....

-- Anonymous, December 26, 2001

I'm so glad I found this page! Reading all your responses gave me a half hour of enjoyment.

I love the show, and I love Alex... Why'd she have to go?!? I'm still upset at finding out that she wasn't the nicest person to be around, though.

At least Amy Wyn will still be there in some of the new episodes. (is it pretty much 50/50 with her and Ty?)

Oh, and I think Doug is gay... And Frank? It's a sham marriage. Lorie's my favorite designer. I just can't figure out what she has against ceiling fans.

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2001

You guys are hysterical! I'm so glad I found this place to dish about the stuff on TS! Yes TY is the MAN I agree, and I love Frank's flexibility, design, artistic sense, etc. My husband thinks he's a little light in the loafers but who cares? I'm THRILLED that Alex is gone though. She seemed to like to complain a lot and stir up trouble with her backstabbing. Paige isn't so bad but I think they actually need a designer or someone a little more funky to host this cool show. The Shakespeare show was too much - with all the snippets of Shakespearean quotes. I feel the same as y'all about dominatrix Hilde, with her stilletto boots up on a ladder. When she ripped out the carpet in the poor Navy guy's house, I about lost it! He looked like a deer in the headlights when he saw he only had subflooring in his black bedroom! Doug seems like a persnickety-I'm-not-gonna-get-my-manicured-hands- dirty designer "god" and his people always seem to hate him after all. (especially TFT - the fine TY) He must piss them off somehow. Well, that's enough ranting for now. Thanks for the entertainment!

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2001

Hey, everyone on here hates Hilde (Hilda, Hildy. However you spell her name!) I LOVE Hilde. She is god to me. everybody says how she wears heels and designer clothes and i find that so classy!!!! she is THE best designer on Trading Spaces, honestly. I always love her designs. The orthangonal pattern was IT!!! and when she put the rocks and marbles into the fireplace and then covered it with grout. oh my gosh. everybody at my house was like, "that is sooo ugly. she done messed up them folks house!" I was kinda sleptical but i knew my girl was going to pull it off!! i hardly ever watch the show if Hilde's not on.

Genevieve Gorder is another story. I sometimes like her designs. but shes kinda sloppy.

I hate Paige. shes so perky and stuff. and if i see that commercial about her wedding on more time im going to kill her! I love Alex Mccleod. Shes the best hostess. Amy wyn is another one of my favs. I dont like that Ty dude. hes kinda snobby.

My fav episode was when this fat chick said that she didnt want them to take out her ceiling fan. you know how fat people sweat profusely when its hot out. they tooks the fan out!! I was like oh my gosh, she is going to sit on yall. I think Gen or Hilde took the fan out!!

and also when the woman said she didnt want her room to be painted pea greeen and the lil red head chick got pea green paint. that was hilarious!!!

I love seeing the looks on the people faces at the end when theyre smiling and stuff but you know they hate it !! theyre like "oh my god!!"

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2001

Do you think that the designers purposely do what the homeowners said that they don't want done? Because it seems like every time a homeowner says, "I would hate if they used this color," or "I want to keep my ceiling fan," they do the exact opposite. My dad calls the show "legalized vandalism". My favorite designer is probably Frank because his designs are usually cute and he actually listens to what the people want. I think Hilde is full of it. Her shoes are so damn ugly and tissue paper on the walls? That's almost as crazy as Dez. I think Doug needs to think before he starts working on something, because his ideas always seem to go awry. My dad also calls Laurie the "f-ing crazy redhead". I think that was after we watched the episode where she painted that woman's house poop brown. That was a little questionable. I felt so bad for the people on that episode though. One had a poop brown room and the other had ugly pea green. I thought the one woman's comment about, "Well, I wanted the room to be liveable and this is liveable," was classic. I like Vern's designs. He doesn't go too over the top. Genevieve has some good days and some bad days. Usually her designs are okay but the moss on the wall or the picture of that guy's chin in the room she painted red? That's questionable.

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2001

Well.....were to start?? I think the best thing to do is to rank the cast in order of who you like.

1) Alex.....what a babe..I want her back..NOW!!!! 2) Frank....his designs are sooo cool!! 3) Laurie....gotta love the designs and that red hair!! 4) Amy.....ooh...sweet Amy..more muscle shirts please!! 5) Gen....designs are ok..and those 'ta' 'ta's need I say more!! 6) TY....good sense of humour..but suspect lacking in the brain dept! 7) Vern....some designs work...some don't. 8) Doug....well...I think y'all have said it best. 9) Hilde...what's up with her designs...YUCK...PUKE...nuff said!! 10) Paige....I hear they are coming out with a Paige blow up doll....blow it up and it annoys you forever..and is plastic like she is, this wedding story thing makes me PUKE!!! 11) Dez....awful designs....thank god she is gone.

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2001

I have to agree with you on 1, 3, and 4.

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2001

They finally showed the Mindy Paige Page wedding a few minutes ago. isnt that a nice name. Paige Page. The wedding was boring. she got a pillow from Gen with her maw maw's picture in it. that was The boringest wedding i ever seed. all the hype was for nothing.

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2001

Lord. Paige Page. She married the gay candlestick from Beauty & the Beast.

And they are in loooooo....mmmm, with all the cuddling and smooching and the little dog in the wedding.

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2001

I missed it! Ah well. I'm sure it will be on 27,000 more times.

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2001

Oh. My. God. We just watched the wedding, and it was so awful I couldn't delete it from the Tivo. All they did was cry, cry, cry, and I couldn't help but think that it was kind of staged emotion - I mean, they are professional actors, and everyone knows the weepy Wedding Stories get played the most.

Paige Page. You are marrying a man who engaged you with a ring he didn't own, that your family did own, and that you likely would have owned, anyway. That might be a sign.

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2001

I couldn't decide if she was marrying the gay candlestick -- or Norm MacDonald. And they are PERFECT for each other because of course he had to gratuitously sing part of "Be Our Guest" to the camera for no apparent reason.

They are also perfect for each other because, you know, all the WEEPING. And that shitty little dog. The dog doesn't want to look at the flower arrangements, MINDY. Unless he's peeing on them, he couldn't care less.

The crying! The tears! The sobbing! The DRAMA! At the Buca de Beppo, y'all. Paige and her man couldn't get out four words of a sentence without bursting into tears. That cheese-ass Clint Holmes thing? GAH. And finally, the picture of Granny on the purse. She was near hysterics and losing her mind as she keened, "How did she do that? How did she do that???" Apparently Mindy's never watched HER OWN SHOW because Gen's big into the Xerox copiers. Duh.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

Hey - I just saw the episode with the Lawn Guyland sluts. Amazing! "Gee, we don't really do much do-it-yourself". "Gosh, when I'm married, I won't rip out any carpet!" Give me a break! Who would marry you? AND how did you get on the show if you don't want to work??! Poor Doug! For once, I felt truly sorry for him! And the worst part is, Alison got a great room out of it. I hope they are ashamed at how they acted. Like two little pre-teens rebelling against the teacher. I wanted to slap the both of them silly!

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2002

I missed that one again! It was on, and I was watching it, when I got a phone call. ("Tech- support") They really left to go on dates?

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2002

Wait. Gay candlestick from Beauty and the Beast = detective on Law and Order, right? She married Jerry Orbach?

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2002

I thought the gay candlestick was the stuffy doctor (Charles Winchester the Third, I think) from M*A*S*H.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2002

I'm fairly certain David Ogden Stiers (late of M*A*S*H) was the clock and Jerry Orbach was the candlestick.

And I'm right. I shall dance around the office calling myself superlatives.

Anyway . . . so she married the clock?

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2002

No, people! The gay candlestick from the Broadway show! They were in the show together, and they fell in love on and off stage. Of course, they cried about it. A lot.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2002

A conversation with The Smoker on Christmas Day:

Me: Oh, there's a Trading Spaces marathon.

Him: Have you seen it?

Me: No, but all my friends rave about it.

Him: Don't watch. You'll get sucked in. And this one woman on there is such a fucking bitch.

Me: Which one?

Him: I don't remember her name.

Me: Hilde?

Him: Yeah, that sounds right.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2002

It's pretty obvious I didn't see Mindy Paige's wedding.

But when I read what Al just said up there, like two messages ago? I thought that the clock and candlestick married each other.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2002

Didn't know if y'all knew that Hilde *Hilda, whatever* was Atlanta- based too - I saw her at the North Georgia Outlets a few weeks ago in the Pottery Barn outlet. Damned if she wasn't wearing heels - blending right in with the Dawsonville folk poring over the deals at Gap and Tommy Hilfiger.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002

After seeing the latest episode I think I'd choose Vern. I love that room! Those people got new hardwood floors! And what did Frank's room get? More crappy painted on the walls. WHY would someone want fake flowers painted above their mantle? I don't understand.

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002

Oh see, I hated Vern's room this time. It would be like living in an ex-boyfriend's rugby shirt.

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002

Another addicted watcher --am truly over Paige --love Ty --laughed my ass off during the frat boys with Doug episode because it was truly obvious that Doug missed out on some 'dude' experience he thought he could gain back. (if he high-fived those guys one more time I would have cried) --what was up with Ty planting a fake kiss on Hilde? What was up with all that flirting???? I'm so disappointed

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002

Someone needs to tell Frank that particle board furniture is for students, not adult homeowners, and that it isn't nice to take lovely wood furniture out and replace it with particle board crap. Also, that crap he painted on the walls? Get over the vines, Frank...get over them! He took a normal blah room and made it look like the Craptastic Pastel '80s! At least the other homeowners got a nice floor out of it, and decent curtains, and if the stripe on the wall was a bit iffy, well, $20 of paint and an afternoon can fix that.

On every show, the 'art projects' are cracking me up - the whole 'lets make art to match the couch' mentality is just so awful.

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002

I liked everything about Vern's room except the hideous striped curtain and the brown stripe on the wall. The floor was AWESOME and the slipcovers alone were worth the price of admission. I want an Amy Wynn bookcase with a lighted shelf!

Frank's room? WHATEVER. You guys are perfectly describing my feelings about all his painted fairytale crap. This room had no coherent design and Frank thinks he can make up for it by handpainting some cutesy bullshit all over everything. The clouds on the ceiling and the dangling raindrop? So precious. BLECH. Very telling that Paige loved it SO much.

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

I think Frank should only be allowed to do kids' rooms. God, he's aWFUL.

I liked everything about Vern's room, especially the curtains. But I could've down without the stripe on the wall. After awhile that might grate.

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

Once again, so glad to find a rant and rave page about my favorite show!! I definitely agree about the awesome floor that Vern gave that couple - I felt so sorry for the husband having to lay another wood floor after he had just recently finished doing his own. Hey, I just recently saw the episode that they filmed in Towson, Md. with the Pullman Car room. I was really interested because I grew up in Towson so the whole time I was trying to place the neighborhood where the house was located. Never did figure it out. Anyway, did you guys see that one? Doug made one of the couple's bedroom into a Pullman car because the husband was so into trains. You could tell the wife was PISSED!! They literally took away 2 feet from the space of the room with all the fabric and "false walls" that they built. Did anyone else see that episode? What did you think?

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

I was born in Towson! GBMC!

Uh, I know that has nothing to do with the thread.

I'll concede that the floors in the room Vern did looked great. Beyond that, I cannot succumb.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

I am dying to see the upcoming episodes in Seattle, where the homeowners HATE what was done to their places. Because I like the trainwreck aspect of it all.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Ooooh. When are those, Kristin?

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

While everyone seems to have liked Vern's contrasting floor idea (followed up with his contrasting drapes, slip covers, and wall paint colors), did anyone else pick up the fact that it was racist? I mean here we have a nice, interracial couple who gets a designer that wants to give them dark and light stripes everywhere. Perhaps it was only a subconscious idea on Vern's part, but I don't think it is too much to ask for him to not play on the contrasts in the couple's appearance to give him a room design based upon contrasts in appearance.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

What's up with Gwen and her bare feet? I'd much rather have Hilde traipsing around at her own risk in those heels than Gwen walking all over the furniture with her dirty bare feet. Ewww.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

Roger - I think you just overthought Trading Spaces. And maybe Vern chose that floor plan as an example of blending, of coming together, of two colors melding to make one floor, just as the couple came together to make one family.

If you're going to overanalyze it, you gotta do it both ways.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

Oh my god! I am so happy to have found a place where others are equally addicted to Trading Spaces. I am in love with Amy Wynn Pastor! I read her bio and luckily it doesn't say anything about her having a boyfriend, so I can still fantasize that she is a lesbian. Speaking of being same-sex oriented, how could anyone not think that Frank is totally queer? He is flaming if I have ever seen it (and I have). I agree that Hilde is a total snot. I can't stand how she is so dressed up to do home improvement! On this one episode she asked one of the homeowners to cover her (as in Hilde's) shoes with a drop cloth while she mixed paint. What a design diva! I really like Gen. She seems like the kind of person I would be friends with--sort of flaky, but very nice.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

Doug made one of the couple's bedroom into a Pullman car because the husband was so into trains. You could tell the wife was PISSED!! They literally took away 2 feet from the space of the room with all the fabric and "false walls" that they built. Did anyone else see that episode? What did you think?

I saw this one this morning. How AWFUL. The husband was like kick ass, and the wife was like, well - I like navy. Making it worse, I thought, was that the room they helped Vern with was gorgeous.

-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002

Okay, I just stumbled on to this. I love TS. The pullman car was my first episode a while back (it was just on this weekend). Verns room was my favorite, I want those crystals. The Pullman car though..Cool concept but HORIBLE. I call Doug the plaster guy-he seems to be always using plaster.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Hey, a Trading Spaces board where cirticism of the show is allowed ! The person running the extensive site on ezboard deletes any post that is critical of a designer, can you believe that ? All the posters think everything is great, it's like the bad taste club.

Kristin, whoever you are, you crack me up and I echo your sentiments exactly. For every elegant, functional, cool design there is an equal number of horrible choices.

My favorites which are constantly repeated: painting over wallpaper - love the seams look paint on fabric - real comfy to sit on a painted coach, not to mention the fact that it HAS to crack and peel painting expensive wooden furniture to make it look like cheap furniture - I'd love a closeup of what the surfaces look like replacing a real couch with a mattress sitting on a plywood frame with a sheet covering the whole thing - turn a living room into a dorm room in one easy step ! removing every ceiling fan - hello, idiots, those are there for a reason ! I don't like the way the muffler on my car looks but I'm not removing it.

Frank sometimes creates nice artwork, but is anything more personal than taste in Art ? Reminds me of the scene in "Hannah and Her Sisters" where they wanted a painting to match the sofa. Like as long as a piece picks up the same colors as something it's worthy of wall space.

My personal favorite for total disregard of the homeowner was Doug putting a huge cabinet directly over the built-in wall speakers for the home theater system. The neighbor questions him and he says "I didn't know they were speakers, they can move them." Hello, McFly, they are custom built into the wall !

Dez, yowza... LSD and interior design do not mix Hilda, "I have taste, you don't, get to work". Parks broom outside. Gen.. she totally has a crush on Amy. Always hugging her, touching her, playing with her tape measure, etc. Waiting to see the REAL out takes. (they deleted this from other board instantly) Vern - he'd be my choice for doing my house, but no mattress sofas please Laurie - total sweetie and really like her designs too Doug - would pay to see a Texas Steel Cage Death Match between he and Hilda. Usually like the way his rooms look but he makes too many choices that are totally impractical Paige - ugh, can you get any chirpier ? And does she have to point out every single thing in the room ? "Look at your window, look at the chair, look it's a Matisse, the French painter..." Alex - miss her. She has a nice snide sense of humor and seemed like she was honestly concerned when the designer was destroying someone's house. She would be great on something like Talk Soup, but the current host Alisha Tyler is awesome so that gig is taken.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Jeff--you crack me up! I would also like to see close-ups of some of those "design choices". And as soon as there is a behind the scenes tape available, I am first in line.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Jeff--you crack me up! I would also like to see close-ups of some of those "design choices". And as soon as there is a behind the scenes tape available, I am first in line.

I'm waiting for the DVD with the special secret "The Homeowners React" footage. I wish they would leave one camera in place after everyone else goes to get the honest reactions of the homeowners, like "What -- are those flowers painted on the walls? That sucks." Or "I thought you would never stop hitting on Amy Wynn."

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Jeff, "I don't like the way the muffler on my car looks but I'm not removing it..." ???

Bwahahaha!!! Welcome to MATH+1, the lot of ya! Feel free to dish on the TS all you like.

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

sorry about the spacing, hitting "enter" made stuff start on the next line while I was typing, but I guess this isn't WYSIWYG

Saw the famous "moss wall" episode again the other day. The REAL funny thing is reading about the aftermath. The homeowners left it up for 3 days until everyone in the neighborhood had a chance to come over for a good laugh, then they took it down. I wonder if they left the outdoor patio stone floor ? Just what I want my feetsies to land on when I get out of bed, a nice cold rock. Not to mention that 3 am trip to the bathroom toe stubbing.

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

Okay, sitting at home on a Saturday night watching TS...

I hate Paige a whole whole lot. Whoever compared her to Sandy Duncan is right on the money.

Douglas is so smackworthy... he just ran outside to Ty and threw 11 hissies because the couple simply refused to paint the fireplace. The homeowners actually left a note on the fireplace saying "NO PAINT", and the other couple told Doug they'd tape themselves to the fireplace before they let him paint. Doug crosses his arms and whines to Ty, "Well, just... why are we here? huh? Why are we HERE then?" And Ty sighs and says, "Douglas, I feel the same way." That Ty certainly is delicious.

Frank is ready to explode out that closet, y'all. I don't care about his wife... haven't you ever heard the term "beard?" A wife does not a heterosexual man make. He's fussing in the episode I'm watching right now, because the lady is painting on the custom decor feature better than he.

And, um... HB? what was that all about with the "I bet she shaves her pits" up there? You're talking crazy now.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Y'all, y'all, Y'ALL!

You *have* to see the new one for this weekend, the one that Kristen mentioned way up there about the people in Seattle being unhappy. Oh man, the one woman had to leave the room and you could hear her heaving sobs while Paige tried to talk to the husband about the positive aspects. I've never seen anyone quite as upset as she was, and she looked like she wanted to throttle her neighbors when they got together at the end.

And does anyone have a solid idea of what the hell was on Frank's shirt? I thought it was an angel, Cameron thought it was a butterfly, and Ferris thought it was an eagle, but we all thought it was a pretty damn weird shirt for a grown man to wear.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

OH. MY. GOD.

Oh My God! That little voice - "I have to leave the room now..." and her sobbing so loud you could hear her over Paige. But I felt very sorry for her - she just spent 2 days doing a Country room that she probably loved, because she was a big fan of Country decor, and then she gets back to her own house and it is all Modern and Brown. I can't wait to read the homeowner update on the TLC site.

You know, I was in a sorority, and Jun. Le@gue, and still Doug is the pissiest little bitch I have ever seen. How can that be?

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

This is a post I sent a little while back in regards to the LI Mom/daughter "team". You *must* look at the website I have! ****************************

Any man who saw that would be out of his mind to get involved with either one.  Yikes.  I think I've mentioned this before, but the mother reminds me of a character from the Flintstones.  I couldn't remember the name of the family, so went looking for it and found photos too!  She resembles Creepella in the Gruesome family.  I'm not being mean, but I couldn't help making the comparison.  See what you think: http://www.vegalleries.com/hanltd.html  At this site, scroll down through the Flintstone cels until you see "Meet the Gruesomes".  Click on that to enlarge.  I'm telling you the TS Mom looks like that mom!!

Also, I wrote this list a couple of weeks ago; hope someone gets a laugh or two out of it!

1.  Your wood floor, previously in gorgeous condition, has been painted in some manner. 2.  There are stripes on your walls. 3.  There is a plaster cast of your neighbor's upper body in your house. 4.  Your brick fireplace has been painted. 5.  Your *upholstered* furniture is painted. 6.  There are lemons dumped (probably in a bowl) and placed on a table or counter. 7.  Ditto kidney beans. 8.  You now have to water your bedroom wall. 9.  Your wall vents have country people painted on them. 10.  Brown figures heavily into the color scheme. 11.  Many votive or tealight candles are placed on low surfaces; especially likely if you have small children. 12.  There is a canoe in your rec room. 13.  Your barstool has a large kettle screwed to it. 14.  The wallpaper has been painted over. 15.  Your walls have been "felt(ed) up". 16.  A lamp consisting of a garbage can, a stick, pop cans, funnels and hideously ugly fabric resides in your living room. 20.  Your garage door bears a dent the approximate size and shape of a certain carpenter's head.

If you can believe it, I forgot to add this:

21. Your ceiling fan is gone!

Tami

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Oh y'all, I felt SO bad for that woman. At least her husband had the right attitude. You know that the couples wished they could've had the rooms they were decorating. The fireplace was cool though. The brown walls, not so much, but that's easily fixed. I missed the beginning. What did they say about their hopes for their room?

This was the only show where I felt badly for Paige. Mayn that was good t.v.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2002

now....why would they match up an obvious craft-lover, country- decored homeowner with Doug's decorating technique???? Do the producers do it for the drama effect? i mean, i'm all for people getting changes in their life, and they do sign up to be on the show knowing they leave much in the hands of others, BUT it seemed almost cruel at the end. those brown squares? no color! maybe doug needs to talk to someone. maybe he is going through something. a bad break up....he hit on Ty and was rejected...

speaking of Ty...he needs more camera time!

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2002

You know, I really didn't think the room Doug did was that bad. I think Paige actually handled the situation well, that is a first for me for a person who still wishes Alex was the host. Alex probably woudl have told them to get a bit of a backbone. Frank's room was typical...lots of little country craft styled crap..but it look good.

Maybe Trading Spaces should no longer do rooms that have fireplaces, that would cure the problem of not painting it.

I still think the worst 2 rooms I have seen are th MOSS room and the black room where Hilde tore up the bachlor guys nice new carpet, put down a sub-florr and painted it black.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2002

my favorite designer is vern. his rooms always look so sleek. he also seems like a guy who tries to make the homeowners have fun i would let genivue eat crackers anytime in my bed. who makes the uglest lame. this sounds like a dez questi

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2002

hey y'all i just wanted to let you know that i found out that there are actually quite a few carpenters, designers, and assistants that work on each house- it's not just ty and amy doing carpentry!!!! they only want to show i think 8 "characters" so that the show isn't too confusing... just an interesting tidbit. i'm so psyched for three episodes tonight!

cheers,

junie

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2002

i do love frank,okay,he is hard to believe..but at least he cares about the homeowners taste and reflects that in the room..doug use to be my favorite..i loved how he had ty do the fireplace coverup thing..very nice and removable..but that lady walked in that room and she did mention the chair rail,the upholstery,like she liked them and then went over the top..what do they expect?doug should at least find out these peoples tastes!the lamp lady should never be on..her rooms are atrocious.and paige can eat crackers in bed..she is very perky..and she looks like she needs a cracker!

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2002

You know, I really didn't think the room Doug did was that bad.

Ditto! I didn't think it was "bad" at all... I liked it. It really made that space look twice the size, and I thought the fireplace facade was ultra-cool and quite inventive, even though Doug had to have a total tantrum to get there.

But, you don't have to be a member of ASID to realize, after taking one look at the homeowners before beginning, and at their existing decor, and knowing, ain't no way they're going to like it. I was surprised to see the lady burst into tears, but I agree that Paige Who Gets on My Last Nerve did handle it as best she could.

Frank's placemat valance was nasty, y'all. A cute idea on paper that went way wrong. Worse than some of the stuff I've seen on HGTV's "Decorating Cents." (the DIY-but-cheap show, for those unfamiliar)

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2002

Decorating Sense! That show works my last nerve - it's all, " ... lalalala, we spent $40 in paint, $100 for fabric, and then the homeowner HAPPENED to have a basement filled with real Chippendale furniture and a genuine Renoir she wasn't using, so we brought those in, and redoing this room only cost $140 dollars!"

I hated the Brown Room. I loved the idea of brown denim slipcovers, but when it was done, it didn't look like a designer had done it, and it didn't look like someone's house - to me, it really looked like a 'before' shot. It reminded me of a plastic surgeon's waiting room - there was nothing that expressed who the owners of the room were, and it just seemed really, really cold and uninviting.

I didn't like the room Frank did either, because it just isn't my taste, but at least you got a sense of who lived there - that they had kids, that it was a warm family that would be hanging out there, and it looked comfortable and inviting. And I do like that Frank encorporates suggestions from his team. But he has GOT to stop painting vines on everything.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2002

I am sick of the homeowners complaing and whining when the room does not turn out the way they want. They are not paying for the cost of the redecorating, so why complain about it, paint over it when trading spaces leaves, but be gracious enough to say i need to take some time to adjust and see if i like it. The woman from seattle who demanded in front of the camera that it will be changed back before trading spaces leave, was totally out of line and should have been put in her place. People like her, just make us all wish that she had been the one on the bridge when they shouted jump

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2002

My favorite part was at the end when the couples were together again, and the pissed off lady said "Why didn't you say something?" and gave her friend the stink eye. Heh! I loved it!

And the brown room? Eh. The wainscoting was cool, the fireplace was cool - although I personally liked the color variations in the brick. Really it just needs new slipcovers and the walls repainted, and that room is livable.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2002

What about when Paige asked the husband what he thought, and he said "I just see a whole lot of firewood" hahahahahaha

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2002

This is a reply from the homeowner in Seattle who was victimized by Doug. Very interesting to say the least, and she's lucky her house didn't burn down. I personally think the producers are emphasizing the potential disaster aspect of the show lately (the ads certainly do). Without the "we get to be on TV" aspect I wonder if they could run out of homeowners willing to work for 2 days straight just to have to totally redo their room later ?

Reality TV -- "Life Unscripted, It's not"

As one of the HO's from episode 21, I'd like to share some of our "backstory" with you. As my title indicates, 95% of what you see is scripted. The crew arrives with plans in hand, and directs every sequence of film shot. You aren't seen on film without being told what they expect you to do and say, even where to stand, and how to "open up to the camera". After reading your comments, the first myth I'd like to dispel is the reveal. Charlie, Laureen, John and I have been friends for over seven years, neighbors for three. We take our children on family vacations, share holidays, make trips to Reno once or twice a year, we've even cruised together. In NO way could anything done on the show affect our relationship. Charlie and Laureen are our closest friends, and we dearly love their entire family. In fact, we all watched our episode air last night, and laughed out loud with all of you.

I was, indeed, upset during our reveal. Many factors played into this, and lest you all think I'm whiny, as well as weepy, I'll try to briefly share them. One, our living room was not the room which we intended for the makeover. We had originally requested that our family room be used, but due to logistical filming issues the room was considered too large by the location scout. WE then suggested our bedroom, HE selected our living room. Not wanting to disappoint Charlie and Laureen, we agreed to go forward as long as the fireplace remained untouched. Please understand that we do not think our fireplace is the most wonderful thing in the world--we actually had plans to change it ourselves. However, we had just watched the beaded fireplace episode and were more than a little concerned about the quality of the work done on the show [more on that later].

Two, there is a written contract that must be signed prior to appearing on the show. Item 6 warns the homeowner to remove any objects from the room which are not to be touched, and allows you to list immovable items which are to remain unchanged. We listed the fireplace insert and brick. Further, during the filming of the episode, I was repeatedly told by various members of the crew that everything in the contract was honored.

Three, you are requested to turn off the phones (ringers) in your home so that filming is not interrupted, and are not allowed to have cell phones on your person. The night before shooting began, my Grandmother suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. While the producers allowed me to have a cell phone, it was kept with the seamster (tailor) in Sewing World (their name for where all the actual sewing takes place). I went into the reveal believing I would need to finish filming and immediately leave to pick up my daughter and Laureen's son from my mother, who had been taking care of them, in order for her to be with my Grandmother as she was transported to another medical facility.

Finally, you all need to know what you see on TV is not always exactly the way things happen... in other words, seeing is not believing! Editing can do, and did, some pretty amazing things. Entire sentences, words, and yes, tears, can be removed, replaced, and/or reformatted.

Now on to that "professional" work some of you mention. At any given time, two to four production assistants are working with the homeowners on the room. These are not professional painters, maskers, upholsterers, etc. The quality of the work varies dramatically, and is certainly not a concern for the producers unless it can be discerned by the camera. Trust me, the camera is quite forgiving in this area. Our fireplace facade was not as easily removed as you may think. Not only was it nailed into place after tipping over and hitting the producer's head, it was caulked both at the ceiling and onto my carpeting. I now have sculptured carpet where it had to be cut out when removed (Thank goodness I planned on buying new!). My ceiling also has permanent damage and will need to be re-textured. What really concerns me is that upon removal of the piece --which had to be done to allow us access to the emergency gas shut off valve and fireplace controls which were enclosed within it!!-- we found bare wires from the lighting fixtures, and so much sawdust trapped from drilling the holes for the wiring, that it had begun to combust from the heat of the fireplace being on during the filming of the reveal and after shots! We have photos of actual charred wood chips!

For all of you who seem to be very thorough viewers, I can't believe you missed that the plans Doug showed Ty for his sudden inspiration of a fireplace surround instead of paint were dated 11/15 (That's two weeks prior to filming!). Also, that the title of the room had been erased from the plans. It was called "Phukett Nantucket", which for phonetic readers is a long way from "Denim Deluxe".

All in all, it was a wonderful experience working with Frank. He is exactly what you see on TV, a wonderfully funny, generous and immensely talented man. John and I were privileged to work with him. From our camera man, Mark, and sound guy, Eric; both purveyors of arcane TV trivia, to production guys, Ron and Gary, John's new homies, all were terrific. They made us laugh and enjoy ourselves even as we were chagrined by our lack of acting ability. We got so close to one of the locally hired production assistants, "Cousin Jean" as we affectionately call her, that even she cried. She left the shoot with my "Trading Spaces" shirt as a gift for all her help throughout the shoot.

Well, that's a long story for a little behind the scenes info. Hope you all enjoyed it. By the way, we love the living room now. Charlie and Laureen helped me paint over the brown with the same red as was used in their house. We took out the furniture and replaced it with some in a green and cream check, and repainted the coffee table. My father helped me repair and replace some of the wainscoting which was not properly measured, and to install new baseboard and ceiling moulding.

To top it all off , we have an original painting from Frank on the fireplace mantle. Thanks again!!!

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2002

Jeff - thanks for posting that. Where did you find it?

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2002

Jeff, will you be my trading spaces boyfriend?

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2002

after watching the sunday night re-runs...i gotta say that i loved that morrocan bedroom. it was rad! Gen looks like she'd be fun to work with.

the "orthogonal" on the other hand...blech

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2002

H- The Homeowner post comes from the Delphi forums Trading spaces fan board.

It's kind of "low-brow girly" there - but the designers and homeowners post there occassionally, enough to make visits to that board worthwhile.

Lots of hideous gifs and big purple signatures with hearts and puppies, concern about "niceness" etc.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2002

Man I feel bad for the Seattle woman with the broom room.

The room itself wasn't my taste although I really liked the way the fireplace surround looked. rog loved that room though. Which leads me to nightmares of future decorating fights but that's neither here nor there.

But I agree with the person above who said that they were given the opposite of the rest of their house. The woman was into crafts and her whole house is country. It is really sort of irrelevant whether the designer likes country/modern/retro/shabby chic/whatever the homeowner likes. If Douglas was being paid by those people he never would have tried that stuff in their house because he needs to cater to the needs of the person paying him. I get the feeling that a couple of these designers see TLC footing the bill as a chance for them to do rooms they want/like/will use to sell themselves to paying customers in contrast to the couple who want to give the home owners a room that they will enjoy and use. Hilde doing that Victorian room early in this season is an example of the perfect balance I think. She hates that look but knew the home owners were really into it so she tried to strike a balance.

I can't imagine the heartbreak of seeing a room that is everything you don't want and then having to spend money to fix it. I used to want to be on the show but now I'm way happy that will never happen.

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2002

Kristin - I'd be honored. But you can't tell anyone I watch the show. I've been working from home since Christmas and my 4 o'clock TS break is top secret. Straight guys in messy condos aren't supposed to watch shows about interior design. Page 34, guy handbook.

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2002

-I like Vern personally! Frank is great! I think Vern is extermely talented, and Frank just seems like the most genuinely nice and fun person. I have noticed (or it has been suggested from this message board and others) that there is a stereotype sort like male dancers when it comes to male designers.Doug? Are these guys gay or just very flamboyant/theatrical? -I am not sure I would let any of the designers eat crackers in my bed. Especially in the day bed that Ive made for my guest room which was modeled after lori's soft pastel plad day bed. -Its obvious who makes the ugliest lamps. That Dez chick is whacked! Is just she just artsy fartsy? or from Mars?

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2002

Kristin - I'd be honored. But you can't tell anyone I watch the show. I've been working from home since Christmas and my 4 o'clock TS break is top secret. Straight guys in messy condos aren't supposed to watch shows about interior design. Page 34, guy handbook.

waaaahHAHAHAA! this is the funniest thing I ever read in my whole life. Jeff, it sounds like you are already spoken for, but if Kristin ever dumps you, I'm waitin' in the wings, baby.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

i'm so glad i found this board. you guys have me rolling. but youre way off on hildy. she really does it for me. i fantasize about me and her going out to dinner and her acting all bitchy and snobby to the waitstaff and when i get her home i put her in her place. on top of a green sheet-covered mattress balanced on painted bowling balls. doug, your designs suck but your snobbiness balances out frank's giddiness well. and is it wrong i like watching the train wrecks more than the rooms that come together at the end?

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

Kristin - I'd be honored. But you can't tell anyone I watch the show. I've been working from home since Christmas and my 4 o'clock TS break is top secret. Straight guys in messy condos aren't supposed to watch shows about interior design. Page 34, guy handbook. waaaahHAHAHAA! this is the funniest thing I ever read in my whole life. Jeff, it sounds like you are already spoken for, but if Kristin ever dumps you, I'm waitin' in the wings, baby.

JEFF.............YOU KILL ME>>>> :-)

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2002

uh oh. Back to working at clients. 3 month assignment in Charlotte, NC. Wonder if they have a TV in their office somewhere ? Trying to figure out how I can still have my 4 PM fix while onsite. This is bad news... may have to find bootleg DVDs.

"Black market sales of Trading Spaces episodes skyrocket in North Carolina. Visiting Yankee claiming to be straight blamed. Says he watches it because chicks removing ceiling fans turn him on."

PS Frank sweats more than the cast of Cool Hand Luke.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

Frank is sweat machine. Did y'all see the Seattle episdoe Saturday morning? Neither of the wives liked their rooms and both the husbands were like I LOVE it. I LOVE it. Poor husbands.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

I LOVED Laurie's 1930s Hollywood-inspired bedroom with the sunburst partitions and all. Loved it, just like the husband did. I feel bad for him because he's obviously going to be vetoed by his wife. She had very strong feelings about it (HATED it) but at least she didn't break down sobbing like certain OTHER people who lack perspective. I do think it's rude to say things like, "I'll be hard at work tomorrow, ripping this horror out!" right in front of the people who worked so hard on it though. She should at least give it a week, out of respect for all the hours they put in it.

Vern, on the other hand, needs to get over his obsession with painting ceilings, trim, and doors the same color as the walls. That mustard color would have looked so much prettier offset by white.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

A few random feelings I have that I hope you'll comment on:

1. Vern has the best rooms.

2. Laurie is the nicest person in the whole world and will probably show up at my door with a yummy dinner of comfort food the next time I have the flu because she's so insanely thoughtful.

3. Gen has, at some point in her life, ran around naked in the woods with someone she cares about. (She's also kissed more than one girl, made a suicide pack with her best friend when she was 10 years old, tried LSD atleast once, and crys like Niagra Falls at the movies.)

4. If I was a dying child I'd ask Make-A-Wish to send me out drinking with Ty for a weekend.

5. Ty fantisizes about spanking Hildi. And Hildi would be surprisingly agreeable.

6. Frank had a spirograph when he was a kid and LOVED it.

7. Paige has a long history of flings and affairs with the powerful men in her life. The captain of the football team in high school... TA's, RA's and professors in college... the boss or owner at her non- showbiz jobs... producers, directors, and the most talented performers in her showbiz jobs. Climbing, climbing... always climbing.

8. Vern has never yelled at anyone in his entire life.

Am I right? Am I loopy? Let me know what you think.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

Yes Vern Has yelled.

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002

I will tell you what happened if you want.

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002

OK then, Vern wanted Ty to build this like, couch thing and at both ends there were wine holders with 50 spaces for each side for wine. And Ty didn't think he could do it or finish it so he said to Vern, 'I can't build a rocket in 2 days, Vern.' and Vern said, 'It isn't a rocket it is not that hard!' and then later Ty only did half of it cause it was too hard to finish in 2 days so then Vern got mad and was like, 'FINE I'LL DO IT MYSELF!' and Ty goes, 'OK, ok, fine, build you're little rocket yourself!' and that was when it happend, Vern screamed from behind and walking away and was like, 'IT'S NOT A ROCKET!...half a rocket at least!' and so yes, Vern has screamed! (that was a good episode) ((Ty is the hottest bitch))

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002

What happened on the Febuary 2nd episode? I taped it but only ended up with the first 40 minutes. I heard the homeowners didn't like either room before the show was aired, and it obviously wasn't going well. How did the homeowners react?

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002

Hmm. If this was the episode with the Hilda room of magenta/taupe panels (the circus tent) and the Gen room of Asian-inspired rust, at least one set of homeowners seemed to like it at the reveal.

That wall of rust? r loved it. I hated it. I liked the rest of the room though, especially the cantelevered shelves by the door. The wife homeowner seemed neutral to unhappy although the husband seemed to like it.

The Hilda room? I must say that I LOVED the spray-painted hot pink couches prior to the rain storm. Not that I want them in my house but for what she was doing I thought they looked pretty cool. And I understood her idea but thought she went too far. If she'd hung the panels only over the alcove with the entertainment center/desk and then painted the stripes on the rest of the walls that room would have been much better. The homeowners really seemed to like it though. They were laughing and ooohing and aaaahing and it seemed to fit the "party space" thing they wanted.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

I'm convinced the painted couches getting ruined in the rain was completely and totally intentional. People, who leaves their indoor furniture outside in SEATTLE? And TO DRY, no less? I think the paint didn't cover evenly and wasn't drying quickly enough and they looked like total shit, so Hilde either left them out "accidentally" or the whole thing was staged by the producers. Paige's non-acting gave it away.

Hilde's circus tent and Doug's Pullman car are the only two rooms I've seen that would make me cry if they were in my house. When somebody says, "The kids will love it!" they are reaching deep down for something nice to say.

I loved the rust wall (Shae and I should trade spouses as my husband proclaimed, "That looks like dog shit"). I thought the rest of Genevieve's design was sort of underachieving, but the rust wall was really impressive.

What was Ty's problem throughout the episode? PMS? He was so grouchy.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

I have to say I'm excited to find people who are into TS as much as me. I only started regularly watching it this season when a friend of mine was on (orthoganal room) I watched this weekends eppy and couldn't believe my eyes...maybe it's my TV but I thought that "rust wall" was the most hideous thing I've ever seen. Why, if the HO specifically said anything but "asian" did Gen pick that as her theme? It just convinces me more that they are trying to go for the contoversy rather than give someone a room they like. Just a thought

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

Hilde was horrible in that seattle episode with the pink couches... How do you PAINT couches? It seemed like she was using regular wall paint on top of that! (the guy asked if it was fabric paint and she said no) How was that supposed to last?

I can't get over that. Paint on couches... It's unnatural.

I'm also upset that lately there's been a whole lot of Ty, and not enough Amy. (sorry, Ty fans)

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

I wish I had seen them paint the couches. That is crazy. If you painted a couch, wouldn't the paint crack as soon as someone sat on it? That is, if it ever dried in the first place.

I have only seen a few episodes, but I have to fully concur that Vern's love of the handpainted walls with his little sayings and flowers... it has to stop.

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

That's Frank with the handpainted walls with flowers and sayings. Vern is all about clean lines, very architectual and stark designs. Although I loved that candle sconce clock he did in the LawnGuyLand Ho bed room.

Also, I fly my Frank Love Flag proud and high, baby! Apparently I'm just a big ole country girl at heart. Which would explain why I SOBBED at the end of Coal Miner's Daughter this weekend. If and when I've got a new house to decorate I'm going for a Shabby Chic Upscale Country thing. But no cows, chickens or other barnyard animals.

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

Frank! Yes, sorry. I knew that.

Which would explain why I SOBBED at the end of Coal Miner's Daughter this weekend.

Only a person with a truly evil soul would not be moved by Loretta, Shae. You can't be blamed.

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

Great ready for a brush with greatness. That big white house she lives in Hurricane Mills was my great-grandparents. My dad spent all his summers there growing up.

He used to get all misty-eyed during her floor-wax/orange juice commercials - you could see the grounds through the remodeled kitchen windows.

-- Anonymous, February 06, 2002

I can't wait till Saturday. I love the show and i agree with Hildee's room, it did look like a circus! But it was alright!

-- Anonymous, February 06, 2002

Coal Miner's Daughter is one of the best movies AND best songs of all time. Only a heartless maniac could be unmoved by Loretta.

-- Anonymous, February 06, 2002

Ah how I love Loretta. Also I want to go around calling my man "Do" with that accent all the time. And my mother? Also a coal miner's daughter, middle of 8, a few years younger than Loretta although her oldest sister is the same age, grew up not far from that part of Kentucky in Virginia. The movie came out the same year my grandfather died. I can make it through the whole movie but when she starts singing Coal Miner's Daughter I get homesick and I miss my papaw.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

saw the Portland episode tonight - Frank did a Mexican kitchen, Laurie did a nice gold living room. Have to admit I really liked both rooms. The Sweatmeister is usually a little too artsy fartsy for me, but the kitchen/dining area he did came out pretty cool and I'd take that in my place in a heartbeat. They were a real young couple and it made it an instant party. And even a cynic like myself smiled when seeing the wife literally jumping for joy she loved it so much.

Thought the living room was very elegant and actually practical. Nice storage/media unit, cool lighting, nice big ottoman - an improvement over the white and flowery thing they had going. Only negative is you have to be careful when using that pressed particle board stuff - too much weight and it starts warping over time.

So overall I'm very disappointed - nothing to make jokes about !

-- Anonymous, February 10, 2002

See, I thought there was just TOO much going on in the Mexican kitchen. Frank has to paint shit - example the "exposed brick." I really liked the ceiling, but were the tassles really necessary? No. Cut a few things out and it could be great.

What about the episode that was on Sat. morning? With Gen and Hilde? WHAT was going on with that "quilt wall"? It ended up sort of working, but WHY would she get patterned slip covers. 5 seconds in taht room and I'd have a seizure.

-- Anonymous, February 10, 2002

I thought the Mexican kitchen worked because of the over-doing, not in spite of. As for the painted ceiling, with the tassels it looks like a wonderful Mexican serape rug - without the tassels, it's just some wiggly painted stripes. For once, I liked what Frank was doing.

On a side note - Jeff, marry me.

-- Anonymous, February 10, 2002

I've been reading this thread for a month now, and I really enjoy reading all the comments. I just wanted to bring a "teen perspective" to the forum, as none of my friends watch TS :( Not only am I addicted to TS but the BBCA's Changing Rooms and Ground Force. Is anyone else out there a CR or GF fan? There were a bunch of specials this week that were pretty cool. But back to TS! I just watched the circus tent episode, and my dislike for Hilde hit a new low. How could she even entertain the notion of PAINTING furniture? As someone else brought up, wouldn't it crack when you sat on it? And the bright pink was hideous. I think all of the designers have their high and low points when it comes to good and bad ideas. I just enjoy watching the design process of a room, and of course, the homeowners' reactions.

-- Anonymous, February 10, 2002

I THOUGHT that tin wall was awesome. that was the best room frank has ever done. it was perfect for the couple. but bravo to the couple who worked with frank. one wall with the tin was fine but two would have been overpowering and it looked great without the hangings frank wanted to put on it. the particle board entertainment center in the other house looked cheap. i'd keep everything else and splurge 250 bucks and go to ikea and replace it. ahhh, 30 yrs old, straight, single,male and talking about interior decorating shows. god help me.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2002

There was a Ground Force special on? Well now I know why my mother didn't call me this weekend. I have never seen that show but she raves about it and greatly favors it over Trading Spaces.

What is UP with Genevieve this season??? In every episode, she is expending all her time and energy on one wall and then totally underachieving on the rest of the room. I loved the green, black, and yellow tile wall, but the rest of the room sucked. The shelves were too high, there was not enough artwork, and the slipcovers were horrid. The right furniture and accents could have really made that wall work, but she dropped the ball.

I thought Frank's Mexican kitchen was the best room he's ever done, and it marked the first episode I actually liked Frank's room better than the other designer's. The Mexican theme was just right to bring together the light blue counters and the incongruous "brick" linoleum. The metal wall was awesome and I really liked the painted serape ceiling, tassles and all. The only thing I didn't like was the way he painted the cabinet inlays silver. It would have been much cooler if he'd just taken the doors off the cabinets and filled the shelves with colorful dishes.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2002

ahhh, 30 yrs old, straight, single, male and talking about interior decorating shows. god help me.

Kev, you are killing me...so very funny, Mr. Seinfeld!

Anyway, as usual I loved Laurie's design from this weekend, although I do agree that the TV/stereo console looked cheap. With the dark brown paint and the gold crap in front of the speakers, it soooo reminded me of the stereo console in my 1970's childhood home. The difference was that ours had a cool cabinet that lifted up out of the top and housed a record player. I have to admit that as much as I love Laurie and her designs, her total panic mode every time she does a room is REALLY getting on my last nerve.

I also agree with the evaluation of the slipcovers in Gen's room. They really did not physically fit their furniture or the theme of the room very well. I hated the block wall at first (especially the one red square) but loved it at the end. I think that if those slipcovers had been better then the room really would have rocked.

Frank's kitchen was definitely the best! I am generally not a big fan of Frank's designs, although I do think that he seems like an awfully nice person. He was cracking me up when he was lying on the floor saying to the homeowner, "I am an old man lying on the floor, give me a break". And then when he subtly refrained from telling her where to put the tin wall hangings that she rejected - classic! Anyway, I loved the ceiling and the tin wall. I just wished that the homeowner had a different style of kitchen chair because I thought the serape seat cushions looked awkward on such formal looking chairs.

Anyway, I am so ridiculously looking forward to the Trading Spaces marathon this weekend! Is that as pathetic as I think it is? Hopefully I can cram in a ton of episodes before my boyfriend starts to think that I have truly gone off the Trading Spaces deep end. Sigh, he just doesn't understand....

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2002

I liked the concept of the tin wall but to me it didn't look woven, it looked like a bunch of squares due to all the stapling. Maybe if all the vertical pieces were shiny and all the horizontal pieces were matte or hammered or something so there was some definition.

Laurie's "buffet" entertainment center has their TV practically on the ground, behind a three foot high ottomon. Hope you didn't want to actually see those PlayStation games you like to play.

Hilde's blue fabric bedroom ended up looking great but turning the bed to the window made that room seem much smaller. And I still don't understand why they couldn't just paint the walls that color.

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2002

The funniest thing to me about Hilde's fabric wall room, besides the fact that all I could envision was the owner with a lint brush cleaning their walls, was the fact that the bed was SOOOO close to the bench/storage thing she had sitting against the wall. There was maybe a 3" clearance between the corner of that low bench and the corner of the bed. Nothing like getting up to pee in the middle of the night and getting a large chunk of your shin removed in the process!

And, I also noticed that the television was really low to the ground - that would last about a day and a half in our house and then the TV would be sitting on top of the thing!

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2002

Erika A. - So I'm not the only 'teen' here!

I gotta confess, I only started watching TS because of Alex Mcleod... Then I kinda got hooked. Either way, I can't wait for this weekend! I hope they play some old episodes with Alex.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Welcome teens! Don't read the nasty bits!

alternately, you could probably teach us old farts some nasty bits, so I guess I'll shut up now...

David, Alex McLeod is a good reason to watch TS, because she was hot and I loved her very much. I know she was snippy and primadonna-ish, y'all, but she was so much better than the Beauty.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Cindy - well, I AM on the market... :)

but I have a confession to make. In a couple weeks my TS watching will be replaced by a whole lot of NCAA basketball tournament watching so you'll be more likely to see me posting on the Stanford basketball message boards than here for a while.

I am at a client in North Carolina for several months, however, so if you want to do some furniture shopping...

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2002

Oh. My. God - Jeff! I am SO breaking up with you.

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2002

uh-oh. Busted. Kristin, I thought you were gone forever. You don't write, you don't call.. oy vay. Which reminds me...

How many Jewish mothers does it take to change a light bulb ? (in Jewish mother accent)- Nevermind, I'll sit here in the dark...

hey, I emailed you - does that address still work ?

-- Anonymous, February 17, 2002

the marathon weekend is over and no first season episodes at all. boo hoo!

-- Anonymous, February 17, 2002

Jeff - Why don't you start looking for contracts in Atlanta - we're the high-tech hub of the South, you know. I'll be waiting :) I'd even watch the NCAA tournament with you - but I'm a Duke fan.

-- Anonymous, February 18, 2002

I watched a little of the marathon, and I have to say that Frank is very nice, but he needs to tone everything down about 3 notches.

The people with the kitchen that he put triangles all over? And painted flowers? And laid down a cheap-ass floor in yet another pattern and color scheme? It was all too crazy.

-- Anonymous, February 18, 2002

Yeah, Pineapple. I read those things about her too... And I still don't care. ;-)

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2002

"In a couple weeks my TS watching will be replaced by a whole lot of NCAA basketball tournament watching so you'll be more likely to see me posting on the Stanford basketball message boards than here for a while."

You see Jeff, over here in ACC country, we learned to prioritize a long time ago. Being a Maryland Terrapin fan, (by the way, Cindy, did you happen to notice that Maryland is #2 in the country? I didn't notice, what ranking is Duke? Oh that's right, #3...) I would never dream of missing ANY Terp game whether it was during the regular season, ACC tourney or NCAA tourney. I also will be watching a whole lot of college basketball next month because March is by far the best month of the year.

But, there is also ALWAYS time for Trading Spaces. Of course, in March it becomes a tough juggling job, but some VCR has got to do it! (Sorry to the non-NCAA basketball fans on this thread for digressing - I am pretty passionate about my Terps as I am sure you can tell!)

By the way, how about Doug's cheap-ass home theater from this weekend? Would you not have killed him if he did that to your family room where you should be able to have the members of your family be able to sit and face each other in conversation if you want?

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2002

People, people. Here at MATH+1, we take endless pains to meet your basketball needs. Don't miss out. You can switch from your love of the tacky lamps to the roundball with the greatest of ease.

Ah, technology.

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2002

Al, have I told you lately that I love you? Not as much as I love the Terps though, BABY (in my best Dickie Vitale voice)! See you on the other thread!

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2002

Dawn - Amen to the comment about the cheap-ass movie theater. And what was up with Doug and the hip-homey toboggon he was sporting? Geez, he's a tool. (Bring it on, Doug-lovers, he's a pompous tool who has surpassed even Hilda as the person I would be most likely to beat with my bare hands if they showed up at my home).

Oh, and Jeff darling - I've got TIVO - no Trading Spaces/NCAA quandries here :)

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2002

I miss Alex!!! Paige is a huge pain in the ass! "...what are you doingb you have been working for 10 minutes already why is'nt the room finished? You only have 47.9 hours left!?..." Give me a break! Paige does nothing but irritate everyone and it shows! - Gen is a flighty hippie tree hugger with a brain that skips more than a 1955 recorder player. She does not seem to care whether she destroys or betters peoples' houses. She thinks that everyone has her same "plant disrt on my walls 'cause it's natural" attitude that she does. - Hilde has 0 sense of humor and no ability to laugh at herself. I loved when she ruined the sofas that she painted and left in the rain. Great job! Some of her creations are nice but she tackles projects which are way to big for her because she believes that everyone needs a marble and slate house straight from the Hamptons like she wants! - Frank is great! He does not take himself too seriously and he loves to make people happy even if it goes against his initial plans. Frank does'nt try to rebuild the house like some other designers, instead he adds personal touches and styles which he knows the homeowners want rather than what he wants. - Jeff, where do I start?! What a goof. Designs are all over the place. Gameplans are fly by wire. I love that Ty seems to hate him and loves to ignore his projects and input. Jeff needs to get a better work ethic and stop doing what he wants and allow the homeowners to make design contributions. - Vern it is okay to wear a different outfit! Ty also hates this little fellow. Has chich and hip designs and implements them well but something about still irks me. I think it is the way he trys to make up for his petite stature by wearing tight clothes which accentuate his little muscles or his extra deep voice which seems fake. -Liz is a great designer with great designs and even better disposition. She is friendly, curteous, and pleasant. I like her a lot! -TY is the funniest guy on TV and should have his own home improvement show. Keep up tha antagonism! - Amy is a great craftswoman and I like her personality. She knows how to deal with arrogance and attitudes with Grace.

I love the show, the concept, the rules, and for the most part the staff BUT, I can't stand Paige!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2002

Cindy - I am soooo on the same page in regard to Doug! I can't believe that he finally beat out Hilde for the most arrogant snot on that show! Doug never, ever bends on his design regardless of the input from his team. I really thought the show was supposed to be about the two sets of partners redoing one room in each other's home with the "help" of a designer - not the designer spending 48 hours delegating orders and snapping his whip! Although, I have got to admit that Doug and his suck-ass attitude sometimes makes for good television but it was even better when Amy Winn used to get all pissed off at him. Andrew - you have me completely confused - who are Jeff and Liz? The only Jeff that I know of is the resident comic of this discussion thread!

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2002

I am very sorry, it was long night last night. I meant Doug and Laurie. My appologies.

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2002

My wife and I loved the living room that frank did in the browns and cremes where he made the armoire and the coffee table out of the painting. MY FAVORITE was the room that doug did where the woman was crying so bad she had to leave. Doug, who I can't stand, actually took a hillbilly single-wide trailor decorated room and turned it into a Manhattan chic room that I loved. I don't understand why people sign up for the show when they don't want their rooms to look any different than they already look. They deserved to cry.

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2002

Well, I think we all know, however, that controversy makes for "good" television. My biggest problem with the entire concept is that one of a designer's most important jobs is to be able to work within the range of the homeowner's tastes. More than once I've had to talk a homeowner down from ruffled curtains or ducks with bows around their necks - but compromise by giving them a little of what they want.

Now, I know it seems like the whole point is that the homeowner doesn't get a say in it, but the designers have a month out before the taping to make a plan and start shopping for their room. In that time, they should at the very least take into consideration the rest of the home. I really think there are times when Doug and Hilda (and to a lesser extent, Gen) purposefully make a room completely opposite of the rest of the home - as if to say "Hey, what were these people thinking painting their kitchen peach - I'm going to do the adjoining family room in gunmetal grey and they'll completely change the entire feel of their home to accomodate it".

I used to really dislike Frank's stuff - it's obvious that he's more of a decorative artist than an Interior Decorator (or DESIGNER as Doug feels the need to point out). But at least (the very least) Frank is willing to take things into consideration and massage his plans accordingly.

In that vein, Doug's by far the worst (most memorable to me was the screen in place of the kitchen bannister separating the kitchen from the sunken living room), with Hilda running a close second. Who in the hell paints a room in Orlando, Florida (which feels like it's about 100 feet away from the Sun) BLACK? Gen has gotten a little better further into the season; although my peeve with her is the graphic shit - like any of us couldn't go to Kinko's and blow up a picture of our cat's nose or something. We CHOOSE not to. Laurie's still my favorite, although she's wearing out beige and gold. The last few bedrooms she's done have a little bit of a Holiday-Inn flavor to them.

Whew - is anyone still reading this? Man, I've got a little too much time on my hands, huh?

Cindy

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2002

I am again in complete concurrence with you Cindy. I am quite sure that if the homeowner was to hire their own interior decorator/designer that he/she would take into consideration the other aspects not only of the color scheme, etc. throughout the house but also the person's belongings. In my opinion, for Doug and Hilde, it is a total ego thing.

For those reasons, I respect Frank for compromising his "vision". I remember one of the post design interviews with Frank where either Alex or Paige asked him something about where he got his "taste" and he laughed hysterically at the suggestion that he had "taste". Although Frank's designs are not always my "taste" at least he makes an effort to make the homeowner feel comfortable with his designs. I also agree about Laurie - she is definitely my favorite designer (with Vern in 2nd place) but she has got to stop trying to find different names for yellow. It cracks me up every time she does her paint reveal..."This is butterscotch....this is amber....this is daffodil...". Laurie, they are all the EXACT shade of yellow! Meet my friend Roy G. Biv!

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

And speaking of Roy, what's up with Vern and Brick Red? Other than the Pear kitchen (which I liked, but didn't really mesh with that family's needs) Vern can't venture out of the Red/Beige/Brown sphere for too long. But I agree, Vern is my second favorite (though more for my admiration of his credentials than for his flair).

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

"But I agree, Vern is my second favorite (though more for my admiration of his credentials than for his flair)."

It is so funny that you say that because I think that Frank and Vern have one very big thing in common....neither of them are designers. Vern, an architect, keeps all the lines clean and simple and then seems to try and search out something that will give the room some "kitsch". Frank, a florist by occupation, on the other hand is the King of Kitsch and seems to try to search out too many things to pull the room together, hence the theme rooms. However, I respect both of them for sticking to their roots.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

that home theater was ridiculous for several reasons. one , they had like a 25" TV not a 100" projection system. two, the room is now only usable to watch movies unless you like talking to the back of people's heads and three, more brown doug? c'mon now. those wood bendy things with the lights were nice though. and yesterday i saw the episode with the two sets of sorority girls. frank did a great job, very cool but the redhead whose name is escaping me at the moment was a bit boring. didnt do much. i missed the first ten minutes so i dont know if the nautical theme had some meaning but it was too popeye underoos for me. and my fave thing of all time on the show..franks woven metal wall. anybody know what material that was ?( couldnt be stainless, way too expensive) and where would you begin to look to buy that stuff?

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

take the which one of the trading spaces cast are you? quiz!

I know y'all hate me now.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

Now, y'all know I love you. But please, I cannot abide those personality quizzes. This thread is huge enough already.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

Kevin- Yes, the nautical thing was a bit Popeye, but it was important that they maintain the sorority's theme (which is an anchor) in the chapter house. For the other house, it wasn't important. As for what Frank used on that wall, it was tin flashing - most often used in roofing. You can get it in sheets and cut it easily using tin snips or even scissors (that you never want to use again).

Cindy

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

Okay, as Frank's only fan, I must say he is not a florist by occupation. He designs cross stitch patterns based on his paintings and also has a rubber stamp line. He might have been a florist at some point, he only refers to a "regular job" on his website, I don't know, but given his amazing artisic ability (and watch him just free hand draw that shield thing in the sorority house and try to deny his artistic talent) I would think if he did do floral designs? They kicked ass.

Here's my beef with people who dismiss Frank as King of Kuntry (and yes I am greatly referring to the TWop thread). Frank does do country when country is the look he's going for - say that kitchen with the quilt design. But a lot of what he does I think is more folk art than Kuntry. The Sorority House? Folk Art meets hip. I would kill to have Frank work with me on my house and I don't think it would scream country though it would have a rustic/folk art flair. And there is a difference. Check out his paintings for sale at his website, moseynme.com . Rustic isn't always country. Folk art isn't always country.

Uh, yeah, I have an unnatural love for Frank.

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2002

Slickery - Frank divulged last season during an exit interview with Alex that he was a florist prior to his stint with Trading Spaces.

I think that I completely missed the sorority house episode you all keep referring to...was it a new episode? Bummer...now I really want to see it!

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2002

Dawn - I'm not sure if the sorority ep was new or not. It was really uninspiring, though - at least Laurie's assigned Chapter House. There just wasn't very much they could do. Frank, on the other hand, went all out and did a really fresh, young folksy thing - it was interesting to see a home done for young singles who didn't have family needs they had to have met.

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2002

See, I think Frank IS talented. He can do things just on a whim and freehand, and he knows how to make a room fun. But he just has to stop painting shit on everything. What grown person wants fake plants painted above their fireplace. What IS that?

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2002

It's tromp l'oiel or however they spell it. Paintings of things to look like real things. Not that i'd want a whole room but one thing that would be a little room surprise would be cool.

I'm Frank's bitch.

The Sorority episode was a new one at 4pm Wednesday. Weird but that's the glory of TiVO's "new episodes only" function. Laurie did the formal meeting room in the chapter house, Frank did the living room in the "blue" house where some members live but isn't the "official" anything. So Laurie had to be all formal and therefore it was boring. And she RUINED a very beauitful old wooden table with kick ass molding by, of course, painting it cream and yellow. And all the chairs. The living room Frank did had plaster or stucco walls that went into this curve to the ceiling. He painted the walls this corally/orange color (two shades blended together of course) and then did a painted border at the top of triangles in all these different colors then gold folk art stars, swirls and dots on the ceiling. Sounds insane doesn't it? Looked great, very fun and funky and perfect for college kids. Ty built a kick-ass window bench for them too.

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2002

Do you know what sorority house Laurie did? And what school it was?

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2002

Hey everyone - don't forget that there are 3 TS episodes on Saturday night. I think they begin at 8pm. Maybe they'll re-run the sorority house episode? I missed it! (darn day job!)

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2002

Oooo...I am glad you remind me of that mini-marathon tomorrow. I really hope they replay that sorority house episode too...you are right, my day job totally keeps me out of the loop!

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2002

Laurie did a DG house in California - don't know the school though. I loved the anchors on the walls, but what was with Laurie and Frank going back to the 80's? Teal green? And the fugly peach?

I hated Frank's room. All his rooms are the same damned thing - some kind of country wood figures of people, some vines painted somewhere, and references to quilting. Peach walls, with green and purple painted triangles and gold accents? I remember 1984, too, but I wouldn't want to live in it again. Gah! Ty designed the window seat - I would say Ty is the most talented one of them all as a designer, because it was gorgeous, as were the shelves he designed and built.

I wasn't impressed with what Laurie did, either - she is a Sorority Alum, so I would have expected her to do something nice with the chapter room - damn if I can figure out where she spent the money. The room had nearly the same layout afterward, she (ARGH) painted the wooden furniture, and again, Ty designed and built a lovely coffee table.

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2002

It was a DG house at the University of Santa Clara.

Something I think should be mentioned on the show but isn't - there are a TON of people working on things, not just Ty (or Amy) and the designers. There are sewers, other carpenters, etc. I think they are glossing over too many things now. Remember when we actually saw the processes for things - not just the goofy ass "art project" they let Paige help with.

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2002

Ok, this morning is the first time I've sat down to watch Changing Rooms on BBC America. Ooooh, it's delicious! "Don't give us a box of **** and expect us to make art!" Hoo-hee! These are some saucy homeowners.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Well speaking as a teenager, I personally was "okay" with the sorority room. The painted border on the ceiling I could have done without. It did seem a little country-ish, but maybe that's just my taste. Laurie's room was pretty uninspiring, though. Where was the $1000? Hey I'm glad people are watching Changing Rooms now. That's all I watched before TS, and it's a lot more... risque that TS, if that's the right word. There are MANY more homeowners who downright hate their rooms, and aren't afraid to say it. But then again, the designers come up with some craazzyy ideas. One that sticks out in my mind is a bed with a lip all around the mattress, and into the wood they screwed those screws with the loops on the end (I know there's a word for those) in rows of threes and fours alll the way around. and then they threw a fake bear hide on it, and called it artistic. I was in shock.

-- Anonymous, February 25, 2002

Ok,the best episode was when Doug had to work with a woman and her daughter. (I don't remember where it was)But they totally ditched the "homework" and made their neighboors do all the work while they went out on dates!!! I mean, what's up with that? I laughed sooooo hard, Doug was soo pissed (and rightly so) :)

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002

Saw an older episode on at 4 today and it just reminded me how much I loathe Paige. Alex always seemed unscripted, even if she wasn't. Paige is just SUCH a baaaad actress. "You guys! Time is running out!" Or "Whoa, WHAT are you doing with the ceiling fan. Homeowner is NOT going to like this." Shut up Paige. Just shut.up.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002

The worst is when she gets stern, H. Like when she was NOT amused she had to give Hilde more money to replace the ruined painted couches. It's like she thinks she's auditioning for The Practice.

And if you watch carefully during every hyper-speeded clip of the neighbors and designer clearing the room, there is a shot of Paige performing some impromptu song and dance across the bare floor. Nicer people would call her a "ham." I call her an "asshole."

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

So much Paige hate! Cracking me up! I have got to admit, I REALLY did not like Paige at the beginning...she truly was way too scripted. Although I have gotten more used to her, there are still times that her put-on pissed off-ness just grates on me. The whole thing with the ruined pink couches in Seattle was so drawn out and fake! I mean, come on, did anyone really believe that they got left outside overnight, in Seattle, for any other reason other than to create drama...fake drama, at that. And then, the whole Paige/Hildi conversation about going over budget was ridiculous. Like Paige has any say as to whether she is allowed to go over budget and like it wasn't a set-up in the 1st place. All of this is making me miss Alex even more. Anyway, I am so incredibly jealous of those of you that have the BBC channel and the ability to watch Changing Rooms. I have been trying to convince my boyfriend (we conhabitate in mutual real estate) to allow me to upgrade our cable to digital just so I can get the BBC channel...I am so, so pathetic...

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

I've seen Changing Rooms a few times, and while I enjoyed it, it made me realize how important Ty is to my TS love.

I'm sure Mindy Paige Page would be great as a Regis sidekick or joining Joan Rivers and her skeletal daughter in celebrity clothes bashing, but she just doesn't do it on TS. She needs to be on Nickelodeon on one of those loud chaotic made-up children's game shows.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

Man oh man - what I wouldn't give to see Paige be dumped on by one of those slime machines!

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

You know, I agree with you about Paige - but Alex really crawled all over me as well (maybe I just can't be pleased). I hated the way Alex slunk around constantly, posing and preening. On Changing Rooms, sometimes there isn't a host - one of the designers does the hosting. Maybe that would work better on TS - on the other hand, I don't know if I could tolerate one of the designers either.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

Lordy, I can only wish Alex crawled all over me. I'm sure I've said this before, but I would take a straightaway detour to the Dark Side for Alex.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

BY FAR VERN YIP IS MY FAVORITE DESIGNER ON THE SHOW, HOWEVER I GET UP SET WHEN HIM AND TY ARE NOT GETTING ALONG. TY BY FAR IS THE HOTTEST GUY ON THE SHOW, HOWEVER I DO HAVE A STRONG LIKING FOR AMY WYNN--I JUST DON'T WANT TO SLEEP WITH HER. AMY WYNN DOES SOME REALLY GOOD WORK. I THINK FRANK WOULD BE OK TO WORK WITH, BUT IF HE WAS DOING MY ROOM I WOULD BE CRYING 10 YEARS LATER. GENEVIEVE DOES SOME COOL THINGS BUT OVER SHE CAN REALLY MESS UP A ROOM. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START WITH PAIGE, I WISH ALL MY CLOTHES HAD NUMBERS ON THEM. 22 WHAT WAS SHE THINKING. AND THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE VERN IN HIS LITTLE TIGHT SHIRTS SHOULD LEAVE HIM BE. I WOULD NEVER ASK AMY WYNN TO QUIT WEARING HER CUTE LITTLE TANK TOPS.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

Comments on Paige: Paige's fake acting needs to go. Especially how she wraps up the end of the shows....seriously, how fake can she be. It's like she has no idea what to say. And she needs to stop harping on the designers all the time. "Why aren't you done yet. When will you be done. Time's running out!!!" Shut up! The one thing I do like about her is her number shirts!!

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

Response to:

(Something I think should be mentioned on the show but isn't - there are a TON of people working on things, not just Ty (or Amy) and the designers. There are sewers, other carpenters, etc.)

Just wondering...how do you know this? Does it say that somewhere....on the show or the website. I've wondered that myself but never new how to find out.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

I saw that info on a homeowner's post on a Delphi message board. It was actually the Seattle homeowner who was so upset with her brown room and fireplace surround.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

Uh, the post from the Seattle homeowner is also on this very page. That homeowner said "two to four" production assistants worked with them and also mentioned a sewer. That's five people, not a TON.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

Has anyone seen the episode that was on yesterday at 4? The California neighbors who were redoing each other's (identical) bedrooms? Vern and Laurie were the designers and for once, BOTH rooms were amazing. I would totally trust either of them. And Hilde if I kept an eye on her and kept her away from my hardwood floors. (you know, if I had a house and if that house had hardwood floors [which it will]).

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

Well, considering a TON is 2000 pounds, I think you may have missed the exaggeration. Hello, HYPERBOLE. However, there are several more people than that the 2 production assistants and another sewer. I've read several homeowner posts that mention more. Also, 3 episodes were filmed here in Alpharetta, and I've been told that it's a huge entourage of people camping out in the street for the duration.

My point was, though, they have drifted so far away from the original premise of the show - an informative decorating/design showcase - that they're doing a disservice to some people. There's an implication that all of the work done in these rooms can be done in 48 hours by 3 people and 1 carpenter. Certainly not the case. As a former designer (now at-home Mom), I can tell you that even under the BEST circumstances, that just can't be done.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

Can you believe that I read the word "sewer" twice and both times could not figure out why they would need more drainage?

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

dawn, you are not alone. i feel like such a moron. can we start a campaign to spell "sewer" phonetically?

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

Are you suggesting "sooer" for drainage? God, I'm glad I was not the only one.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

When I was typing it, it looked weird too. I agree - let's start the sooer campaign.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

i was thinking so'er, for a person who sews. and sewer for the drainage thing. but then again isnt a sewer (person who sews) actually a seamstress (feminine, dont know how to masculinize that word, seamster?) or is that a dressmaker? damn this language to hell. what do you call a person who paints wallpaper or perfectly fine furniture?

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

Laurie, of course.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

The word for that is Laurie.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

Haha Hannah!

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

My name's patrick and I'm a TS-aholic. You guys are too funny...

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

(what do you call a person who paints wallpaper or perfectly fine furniture?)

Ha ha ha ha :)

you guys make me laugh! I love it!!!

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

[It was actually the Seattle homeowner who was so upset with her brown room and fireplace surround.]

Was that the lady who cried? I loved that!!! And what the hell was she bitching and crying about. Her room was awesome!

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

I HAVE TO AGREE WITH ALICIA THAT PAIGE NEEDS SO WORK ON HOW TO END THE SHOW WHEN SHE IS SHOWING THE HOME OWNERS THEIR NEW ROOM. LIKE THE HOME OWNER IS BLIND AND CAN'T SEE THE MESS FOR THEM SELF'S. HOWEVER I THINK ALICIA HAS THE WORST TASTE IF SHE ENJOYS PAIGE'S SHIRTS WITH THE NUMBERS ON THEM. COME ON PAIGE, YOU ARE A HOST OF A T.V. SHOW YOU NEED TO PRESENT YOURSELF IN A BETTER FASHION. I LOVE HOW THE DESIGNERS DRESS BETTER THAN YOU AND THEY ARE WORKING WITH PAINT ALL DAY. I WISH TY PENNINGTON WOULD TAKE HIS NAIL GUN AND JUST START SHOOTING IT AT PAIGE. PAIGE INSTEAD OF BEING ON THE WEDDING STORY YOU NEED TO BE ON THE MAKE OVER STORY.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

Okay...I think you might be a little to harsh on Paige Page. I mean, yeah, she's a dumb-ass, but don't you think she's a little cute in her little number shirts? At least she doesn't wear heels to paint in!!

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

OK I WILL STOP WITH THE PAIGE HATE, BUT I NEVER SAID THAT HILDA SANTO- TOMAS WAS MY HERO EITHER. I WILL SAY THAT PAIGE DID A GOOD JOB ON DOING THAT RIBBION LAMP SHADE IN LAURIE'S ROOM. I LOVE HOW THE DESIGNERS GIVE HER BUSY WORK JUST TO KEEP HER OUT OF THEIR FACES. OH I'M SORRY I NEED TO SEND PAIGE LOVE. I HAVE TO SAY EACH WEEK I HATE HER LESS AND LESS, I GUESS I'M JUST GETTING USE TO HER.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

Ok, I'm surfing the net trying to find some information on the old host of TS(Alex), and I come across this forum. I'm in heaven here. This is the best site on the net. Instead of screaming at my tv, I can now vent here. Thank You!!! I have to comment on the last post by Scott. I will never, ever get used to Paige Davis. I can not stand that woman. Her husband must live in HELL!!!! I couldn't imangine living with that, that thing. How can anyone like her??? I like the designs Vernhas done and my wife likes Laurie's. But back to SATAN I mean Paige, I would give anything to have a couple open their eyes and just hate it, and have Paige ask what they don't like about it and they just turn around and punch her. That would make my year. I do think though, that one day Ty is just going to go ballistic on everyone and start staple gunning people.

-- Anonymous, March 01, 2002

Frank's rooms are awful! His crafty, kitchy style is the worst! He literally takes bad rooms and makes them embarrassingly bad. It is so sad to think there are actually people that like that crap! The actual original concept of the show was to get people to be courageous and get away from hackneyed decor and try something bold, but Frank just takes run of the mill decor and adds some cheap stenciling and horrible, tacky Carol Duvall homecrafts. He must be the legendary effeminate heterosexual, because no gay man has taste THAT BAD!!!

Vern's style is very minimalist, but then at least the rooms can be embellished with the owner's own personal additions. Comparible to Graham Winn on Changing Rooms, being stylish yet reserved.

Laurie has nice style. I would trust her or Vern no problem.

Doug is hit or miss, but generally tolerable.

The rest of the designers would not be trusted or tolerated in my home.

Ty is a goof, but he obviously is encouraged to add character to the show. Handy Andy on Changing Rooms is a similar gruff-but-loveable type. The Handy Andy on the New Zealand version of Changing Rooms is a hunk with a hammer!

Paige is too cutesy for sure, but Alex was grating in the poor-man's- Courtney-Cox way. She was just too unlikeable to me, especially compared to Carole from Changing Rooms.

In general I think the American version, especially the actual make- overs, is a pale comparison to the UK original.

-- Anonymous, March 01, 2002

"...I would give anything to have a couple open their eyes and just hate it, and have Paige ask what they don't like about it and they just turn around and punch her. That would make my year."

Oh my gosh...I would love it if someone decked Paige. How funny would that be! Especially if the thing they hated most about the room was her stupid little art project!!!

-- Anonymous, March 01, 2002

Although I do have to agree with Scott that her ribbon lamps were cute.

-- Anonymous, March 01, 2002

Ok, I am so damn glad to see other people be so addicted and so opinionated about that show. And whoever you are, Aidan, THANK YOU. I swear, Frank just needs to come on screamin' out of the closet, for god's sake. When he talks about his wife I just die laughing. And yes, I've sworn if I'm ever on that show and I see Frank come walking down my sidewalk, I am bolting the door and grabbing a gun. That man will do no stenciling anywhere near me.

But the big question is, does anyone else find Doug absolutely fabulous? I think I want to marry him AND Ty. I can't decide between the two

-- Anonymous, March 03, 2002

By the way, have you guys checked out www.tythehandyguy.com?

-- Anonymous, March 03, 2002

Marlene, I totally agree that if I saw Frank anywhere near my house, I'd freak out! But I do have to say that he would probably be fun to work with because he's so ridiculous!

I have to disagree with you on Doug. I think he can be a real ass. He also comes off as pretty lazy. His rooms are usually pretty cool (except his home theater!) but I don't think I'd want to work with him at all. However, I would trust him to work on my house (unlike Frank).

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

That website (http://www.tythehandyguy.com) was full of delicious pictures of Ty, true. But I have to admit, now that I know that he is totally aware of his burning sex appeal, I've lost a little of my love.

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

I agree Robyn...I do think that Ty is incredibly hot and very amusing but seeing the shirt-off picture in his painting studio was even a little too much for me.

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

Marlene I also have to disagree with you. Doug needs to be shot. He complains toooooo much. "why are they even on TS, if they don't want us to change things blah blah blah" Why does he always want to paint fireplaces?????? He's an IDIOT!!!!! I used to think Gen was hot, until I saw that mole by her nose. It's like a third eye always watching you. And by the way, Frank's wife's name is JIM.

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

Well, it seems I am the only Douglover here. I'm ok with being a lone wolf on that one. I don't know why I love him so, maybe it's his assholishness that does it for me. Actually, it's his sarcasm that I love. I do love his rooms, though. If I had to choose a designer, I think it would have to be Doug, and damnit, I missed the home theatre episode. I still don't like Hilde, the I-can-climb-a-ladder-in-mules woman. Her personality leaves alot to be desired.

So are you guys decorating addicts as well, or do you just love the

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2002

definitive guy's guide to trading spaces cast:

alex: she looks like courtney cox with a touch of down syndrome or that "Mask" disease. but i'd bang her in a minute

paige: super hot body, cute face, would love to bang her. is she annoying? not really, i'm sure half the crap she says is scripted by someone else.

hilde: she looks like a bitch though she never has really done anything to justify that accusation. i find her very sexy. would love to bang her. if she is as bitchy as people think she is i'd love to bang her harder.

gen: she's got the coolest attitude and is the one i'd want to hang out with most. wouldnt want to bang her without her showering first. looks like she might take that hippy parent thing too far in the hygiene dept.

that red-headed broad: would not bang her without a police escort. she has crazy eyes. very likely to stab me in the neck while banging her.

amy the carpenter: kinda cute, nothing special but seems cool. bangable.

frank: he is not gay but he doesnt bang his wife. sexless marriage, ok maybe once cause they have a kid.

doug, best character on the show. he's practically a villain. hit or miss witht the rooms. home theater was the worst room ever.

vern: best rooms, but enough with the grass growing out of coffee tables

ty: dude's pretty funny but i dont like him because he's too good looking.

guess that's everyone. happy cast bashing.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2002

That was crude, but this did make me laugh:

she has crazy eyes. very likely to stab me in the neck while banging her.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2002

Blah - shouldn't you been in school right now?

I wonder if TLC took "bangability" into question when casting TS?

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2002

Y'all. This thread is ginormous. I finally went to Ty's site and I have three things to say:
1. He needs a web desiger
2. He loves himself
3. Damn is he pretty
(And also? In some of those photos he looks a lot older than I think he is, which is actually probably more spot on. Let's guess. 32?)

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2002

"In some of those photos he looks a lot older than I think he is, which is actually probably more spot on. Let's guess. - 32?"

I'd have to say 32 is probably about right for Ty's age....maybe even a little older!

I did enjoy his site! Alicia

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2002

um, how do i clear my browser history before my roommate sees i went to some carpenter's website? that website was awfully cheap looking. Is Laurie the webmaster?

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2002

"um, how do i clear my browser history before my roommate sees i went to some carpenter's website?"

The exact steps are different depending on what browser you're using (internet explorer, netscape). It also differs from Mac to PC. But either way, the option is under the preferences (usually found under the "edit" drop down menu). - Alicia

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2002

I have watched TS for 8 solid months now, and I must say, that Paige bitch is getting your makes me want to puke!!

If the producers read anything on this site, please get rid of Paige before I do harm to my TV...please.....please.....help me!!!

Oh yeah! Bring Alex back! I say we start a letter writing campaign :-)

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2002

what the HELL happened to this thread??? i wander away from the screen for a couple weeks-ish and it turns into a "my designer/host is way better than your designer/host shouting fest" with little to NO insight/intelligence in the words posted. blah blah blah Ginger - - -- can we please go back to expressing thoughtful, well written about the show? esp any new episodes that air? versus this recent crapfest (imho)

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2002

youre right, this thread should be taken more seriously. after all, the show in on basic cable.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2002

true enough. i did word that a little strongly, my bad. but anyone can bash the cast. i tried to express that it was more fun to read everyone's opinion on the episodes/rooms/cast interaction of the ep vs a "frank's less filling" "frank's tastes great" chant. i think it was the bangability comparisons that sent me over the edge (even though the stabbing scissors comment was chuckle worthy). i'll breathe more deeply before i rant next time

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2002

Ok, so let's all come out of our Rog-enforced TS timeout corners, and get back to the subject. Supposedly, this Saturday's ep is rife with controversy - Hilda puts hay or some other silly thing on a homeowner's wall. Discuss.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2002

ok, here's the deal, regarding the wacky stuff you sometimes see on the show. i think these designers have an idea in their head and every week they have guinea pigs (i.e. rooms with the freedom to do whatever you want) to experiment on. i bet doug wanted to see how he could do a home theater so he turned that family room into that awful theater. in this week's episode, hilde can now experiment with putting hay on the wall. if it works, great. if not, whatever, aint my room (or paying client). i just hate the couples who get pissed. chances are if some stranger is designing your room without consulting you you are not gonna like it. dont whine and accept it. you signed up for it. plus yesterday i saw that room that frank did from season one. orange texture walls, blue slipcovers, mosaic coffee table. it looked great but the homeowner didnt like it because it wasnt beige anymore. why bother if youre not willing to change. anyway i must say the allure of the show is waning on me. i now find i flip channels during the middle 30 minutes and be sure to come back for the unveil. i say we put skimpier outfits on paige. and for you ladies, i'm okay if ty works without a shirt on. i'll just flip to comedy central for a minute or two.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2002

a little spoiler about the next episode, and some interesting stuff about Hilde.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2002

Oh good Lord. Painting a stove top? And the pictures! It's a freeaking barn in the room with hay!

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2002

I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO RESPOND ABOUT THIS WEEKS SHOW. WHAT WAS HILDI THINKING. I ABOUT FELL OUT OF MY CHAIR WHEN SHE SAID SHE WAS PUTTING HAY ON THE WALLS. I HAVE TO SAY THAT THIS WAS THE WORST ROOM IN TRADING SPACES HISTORY. I THINK NO ONE WILL EVER BRING UP GENEVIEVE AND THE MOSS ON THE WALLS AGAIN. I DO HAVE TO SAY THAT GENEVIEVE DID A GREAT JOB ON HER KITCHEN. HOWVER, I WISH SHE DIDN'T PAINT THE APPLIANCES BLACK. I REALLY LIKED WHAT SHE DID WITH THE TILE COUNTER. ON THE FLIP SIDE I DON'T THINK THERE WAS ONE THING I LIKED IN HILDI'S ROOM. THE CEILING, FIREPLACE, AND WALLS ALL LOOKED BAD. THE ONLY GOOD POINT WAS I REALLY DID NOT LIKE THE HOME OWNERS SO IT WAS FUNNY AT THE END. THIS SHIT NEVER HAPPENS WITH VERN!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Sheesh... Kill the caps lock please. My eyes... They burn!

Anyway, I can't believe Hilde would put hay on the walls... She claims she did it to bring in some of the color from that couch. Paint the walls that color, don't glue grass and dirt to them!

And Alex will always be the best... host... ever. She was so hot. Now that she's gone, I look foward to the episodes with Amy.

I think Hilde and Doug are now on my bad list. The rest of the designers are cool. Except for Vern. He needs to start wearing sweatshirts or something. It always looks like he's flexing.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

I never thought I'd see Hilda put freakin' hay on a wall. Hello? Am I crazy? I was shaking my head through the entire episode. Hay and a fireplace in the same room?

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

That article is almost an exact duplicate of every other "inside scoop" article on the show I've read. I repeat what I've said from day 1 - it's a fun show to watch, but no way would I ever let them near my place.

The producers even ADMIT they are going for drama - which means rooms that get reactions and are fun for us viewers to watch. I'll watch the show on "extreme car wrecks", but I sure don't want to be in one.

I know when the homeowners are in the midst of filming they get intimidated and think the waiver they signed means they have to do what the producers tell them, but that simply isn't true. Just because you didn't specify "don't destroy XXX" doesn't mean you have lost your legal right to sue them. The show is the #1 source of revenue for TLC - they would settle for whatever damages asked for in a HEARTBEAT - 5 or 10 thousand is nothing compared to their potential costs and bad press (though the "any press is good press" rule might come into play).

And in the end the homeowners CAN refuse to allow the designer to wreck something or glue hay to the wall. Honestly, if I was standing in my friend's living room and Broom Hilda wanted to sledgehammer their mantle and glue hay to the wall I'd deck her or call the cops before I'd let her do it. Just say "you either do something different or you have no show - if you want to try to sue me for costs go ahead and try."

This is also the 2nd article in which they are building things that would NEVER pass code and are endangering the lives of the homeowners. Which again leads me to believe that they will run out of suckers - I mean homeowners - if they keep on the current "shock value" track.

Vern remains the only one I would be 100% comfortable with. He'd rather add one high quality piece to a room or one beautiful new floor than try to change 50 things at $20 each. Laurie would be 2nd choice because she actually cares that the homeowners are happy. If the others showed up I'd suddenly have a highly contagious rare disease requires total quarantine.

And I still miss Alex, though chirpy is getting a little better and is showing a smidgen of humor. Wouldn't it be fun to watch the show WITH Alex - the smart ass comments would be coming fast and furious, especially if it was a Doug, Hilda, Frank or maybe Gen show.

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2002

Just found this quiz on another page. Check it out! I'm Vern.

Trixie' s Trading Spaces Site

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2002

It's official, Hilde(a) is a freak. Why not just rub vomit on the walls and call it a "wall treatment". I really don't understand why the producers of that show even let her think about doing that. And the fact that children live there, well, they just weren't thinking. And I got hysterical when she said she was trying to "pull the color from the sofa". Well, I bet a can of paint would have pulled out the color better than straw half-assedly glued to the wall. And though the "blind/shutters/stained 2x4's" could have been a good idea, it was a little dangerous for tiny hands. I can just see one of their children pulling back a bloody stump after playing with those for about 2 minutes.

The one positive aspect of the show was the fact that a lesbian couple with children was featured. I thought that was at least cool of them to do.

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2002

I had such a poopy day and this board totally cheered me up, thank you!

I have to say that I get very excited when Vern is on because he's Asian (me too!), which is really neat since there aren't too many of us on TV. Also, his rooms are functional and classy - he doesn't try to experiment on these people's houses. Speaking of which ...

Is Hildy spending too much time in Ty's "workshop" (our code word for where Ty goes to smoke his dope)? What was with the hay? She says "They're going to eat it? What are they, horses?" Hildy strikes me as the kind of woman who does not like children.

Did you all see the one with Jose and Julia (victorian rooms). Julia was trying to bond with Hildy because they both spoke Spanish and Hildy was giving her this "Don't bring up my past" look.

Strange, strange. Evil.

Hey M is for Mike ... where do you live? I have a friend I can set you up with! Email me!

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2002

Can I just say:

I LOVE YOU ALL! Thanks for making me laugh!!!

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2002

My favorite Designer is Gen, but there are some shows where she was a bit too crazy :) Hilde is too princess-ey, one of those designers who thinks everything they do is perfectly awesome, Doug is the same way sometimes. Frank is fun, with his folk-ey designs, and I personally think that he, and Gen, should be the only ones allowed to rooms where children live also. Hilde and Doug have no clue on how to design for children in mind. And Why does everyone think that Frank is gay? Just because of that little lisp? puh-leese. Anyway, this was a fun board to read...

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2002

The line to bitch-slap Hildi begins behind ME! What was she thinking??? Why on earth would she think that anyone would want dry/dusty/smelly hay glued to their walls??? I would have sooner seen the couch (inspiration) destroyed and the walls painted then trying to accent the colour using hay. It was ironic that Hildi's response to her team's concern that the children would pick at it was they will just have to be told not to touch it. At the age of 40-ish she has not mastered the concept of "don't touch". She ruins EVERYTHING that she touches - I have never seen a room of hers that I would even wish on my worst enemy. Her designs are boarding on lunecy (sp). Who are the powers that be that allow this to happen. I read an article that the designers have to submit their plans for approval - why doesn't someone stop her???

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2002

"Hildy strikes me as the kind of woman who does not like children."

you say that like it's something bad?? Not liking kids and being a shitty designer don't necessarily go together. Still Hildy's hay walls were HIDEOUS. If she wanted the walls to match the couch, why didn't she just paint the couch again?!

-- Anonymous, March 11, 2002

The only reason it is bad is because she's being asked to do rooms for people with children. She and Doug are by far the worst at designing rooms that are functional (with or without children).

But as much as we can all bitch about the designers, I totally believe that all of the fault lies with these homeowners. I am increasingly embarrassed at what draws people to participate in reality television shows - money, fame, whatever. I mean, one of my neighbors won Boot Camp, and $500K isn't enough money for me to get yelled at, spat on, and worked like a dog.

But the homeowners on TS - $1000 isn't much to redo a room, and I can't understand what everyone expects. As a designer, I used to be bothered that TS was turning into a reality drama show, veering away from the original format of how-to. But now that it's just another high-drama, low-interest show, I've learned to take it for what it is worth. That of course won't stop me from hating Doug, shaking my head at Hilda, and thinking up ways to stop Gen before she Xeroxes again.

-- Anonymous, March 11, 2002

Well I finally got access to this show and it's great.

Yeah I was pretty stunned with Hilde's straw walls. I didn't like the way they looked. BUT at the beginning of the show, those two women gave this "Up for anything except yellow" speech and then it was during the show that they started in on this "I hope it's not pink" speil. Sometimes I wonder how much of it involves miscommunication between the designers and the participants. They specifically said they wanted "an adult" room, not more adult but still kidfriendly. I know that certain rooms were offlimits to several of my friends growing up. How was Hilde supposed to know that wasn't the case here.

That being said, I would have cried!!!! if that was my living room. I'm just saying. The louvers were cool though.

I liked the Seattle room Hilde did with the walls even though the lady bashed her with the "I've changed diapers that color" diss.

I loved Gen's kitchen she did on that show. FOR REAL. I could easily see that in my house.

-- Anonymous, March 11, 2002

Hilde kept trying to justify the straw walls by saying, "They make straw wallpaper, this is just like that, except we're glueing it right to the walls instead of putting up the paper!" Um no, that wasn't ANYTHING like grass- or straw-textured wallpaper. We had some of that in our foyer when I was growing up in the big 80s. Lookwise, the straw was uniformly laid out in parallel lines, not all cattywampus with no pattern and some spots balder than others. And for safety and cleanliness, the straw was FIRMLY attached to the paper with string about every 1/8" all along the length of the straw. There were no loose ends or pieces of straw hanging off for somebody to eat, and no way to get the straw off the wall unless you had razor sharp claws and really worked at it like our cats did.

Hilde is ridiculous. When the neighbor brought up concerns about the kids eating the straw, I love how Hilde was like, "Well, the children will just have to be told not to." Yeah, I'm sure that 18-month-old baby listens real well. I mean it's so obvious HILDE wouldn't live in a house with straw on the walls.

-- Anonymous, March 11, 2002

Rolling this thread over. The new one is here

-- Anonymous, March 11, 2002

GEN IS THE MOST COOLEST PERSON EVER! I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO MEET HER.. MY MOM AND MY NIEHGBOR applied to be on this show.. nothing yet!! Gen would lemme eat crackers. AND.. DOUG MAKES THE UGLIEST LAMPS.. SRY DOUG, I WOULDNT WANT THEM IN MY ROOM.PLEASE IM ME OR EMAIL ME.. MY AIM SN IS LEESHABABE01.. THANKS!!!!!! GEN ROCKS!!!!!

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2002

I haven't figured out why I love watching this show. It's like watching a train wreck most episodes. But there I am at 4 every afternoon watching Hildi climb ladders in her heels and Frank sweating out his shirt. The straw wall thing was rediculous, ugly, unsanitary, anti-child, anti-home, etc. It was surpassed only by the ceiling (and she couldn't paint it because that could have been corredted in an hour, no, no, no she had to do it in pink plaster that will require a drywall man and about $500. Did you see the big empty spaces in the room. There was no furniture, there was no decor just straw. I've seen those "louvers" at rundown Park Service buildings in the outback of New Mexico. I thought the home owners were really good sports in that they did not pull out Uzzis and blow away the whole crew for the crime perpetrated on thier home.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

I just came across this board and spent almost my entire work shift reading it. You all are too much. What can I say that hasn't already been said? My name is Trish Banks and I'm an TSaholic. Now where's the coffee?

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2002

Hey everyone, this is probably one of the funniest message boards ive read in awhile and the funny part is, I agree with almost every one of you. The hay walls were hideous, Ty is adorable (who said we'd eat crackers in bed? :-P )and i love watching Doug drive Amy nuts. I know i spent my summer catching up on the reruns because it seems like during the rest of the year I can't always get there in time to watch it at 4pm.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2002

My favorite designer would have to be Gen. I love her designs (some of her designs not all of them just some). I would have to let Amy eat crakers in my bed. I think that I am also secretly in love with her... I would love to be her Best Friend. The ugliest lamp winner would have to be Dez Ryan (wow!!).

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2002

Did anyone catch them (the cast) on the Today show and/or the Oprah show?

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2002

Does anyone know where Hildi got the doll cut-outs for the kid's table she did?

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2002

I loved the rooms done in Tx for the Today show. Gen's room was typical Gen, but it was neat. My kids would have loved it when they were small. Vern's room was excellent! I'd like to know where to get those carpet tiles.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2002

I didn't get a chance to watch the show... but I heard it was great. Do you know if I can catch part of the show on a website and if so what's the address? I'm dying to see the pictures.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2002

No such luck. I went to the Today show site, but nothing on it, not even in the search.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2002

Thanks anyway for trying. I did the same thing and came up empty. I just can't seem to get enough of this Trading Spaces thing.

-- Anonymous, March 22, 2002

I hear ya Tina, I check out all the boards wherever I can find 'em, and they are many.

-- Anonymous, March 22, 2002

I like Frank. He seems to genuinely give a damn about what the homeowner wants and tries hard to get the room that way. Hes not too off the wall either. Amy is the answer to number 2, and i'm not sure about the lamps. I will say though that Doug thinks that his designs are gods gifts and it would be unheard of for them to be critisized. Hilde is a moron! Can you imagine spray painting sombodys couch and love seat with latex paint! To add insult to injury she leaves them out in the rain overnight so that they could really get wrecked. Then she casually comments about how she didn't think it was going to rain. Give me a break for gods sake, they were in Seattle! Another episode had her spilling paint all over the homeowners carpet, and then in typical hilde fashion (not giving a damn) used the spill to test paint the wall instead of cleaning it up. She then proceded to proclaim that the carpet had to go anyway even though the homeowner was fond of it. So what did she replace it with?......Concrete subfloor!.....god! The straw on the wall really was the iceing on the cake. I swear that some of these designers really want to please themselves and not the homeowners. Do you really think that Hilde would have straw on her walls?......Give me a break! Vern is not too bad, not too shocking. I really do love the show, I watch whenever I can, I think the posts here are very entertaining and funny, very much enjoyed the reading. My wife loves the show too and I will be bookmarking this site for her to read.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Y'all are right. Dez...ugly UGLY lamps. I'm glad she's gone. I'm also glad Alex McLeod is gone. Paige is sooo much better. She's so perky and friendly. Ty is hot! The straw walls were sickening. I love Vern's designs and Gen is good too. Trading Spaces rocks! ---- Paige

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Jeff Fawcett, I read some of your posts and they are truly hillarious! I share almost all your sentiments. Your post about the patio stone floor had me falling off my computer chair. Thanks and keep posting.

Lee

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

This is the best site ever. I haven't laughed this long in ages! I have to agree on most of your comments--great minds! The reason I logged in tonight was to try to get the scoop on Hilda and Ty. Are they a couple or what?

Kathy

-- Anonymous, March 24, 2002

God, did you see those dorky sofas that Broom Hilde had Ty build on last nights episode. Who the hell could sit on those lame things and be comfortable. I cracked up when Ty first tried them out (you had to see it). Note the Male homeowners question "Wheres my couches?" Paige says "You have new couches!" Geez.......Thanks.....I think. And the "The walls are Black!" statement, and Paige says "is that a problem?" Come on Paige, use the noggin! Its definately not one of her worst projects though. It just amazes me because she really does think she has Talent. Check out her bio at TLC's website. Its titled "I Love Me"

-- Anonymous, March 24, 2002

I happen to like black walls - of course all the trim would have to be white. I think it's very sophisticated - don't kill me. As for Doug - he's the reason I watch. Too bad he hasn't been on much this season. I want to have his children! Paige - she reminds me of an obnoxious little sister - I would like to tie her to tree and glue some of Gen's stinky moss to her. Gen - I love her designs and most of all, her personality. Hilde - such a diva, but I like the end result. Dez - I think she must have smoked her hats before wearing them. Frank - gay, gay, gay!

-- Anonymous, March 24, 2002

You guys know there's a new thread, right?

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=008Log

-- Anonymous, March 24, 2002

Hey Liz, So there are more boards. Where? This is the only one I found and I love it!! Ya last nights episode was the pits. I thought it was awful. Both rooms!! What were they thinking!@#$#

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

I happen to agree with Jeff on the Paige thing. She can be a bit too much at times. Did you catch her wedding story? She cried through the whole entire show.

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

Kathy...you honestly think Hilda and Ty are a couple? Never thought that for a second (but I must be blind). I like Ty but I'd rather see Amy...She can really work a power tool!!!

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

Does anyone know why Alex left the show?

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

I didn't mean there's ANOTHER board... It's just a continuation of this one. You'll get a better response there:

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=008Log

And as far as I know, Alex left because she wanted to. To move on to other stuff...

It sucks. She was hot!

Now all I have is Amy. (which isn't too bad, now that I think about it)

-- Anonymous, March 26, 2002

People. Please use the rollover thread. This one takes too long to load.

Also, there is a
-- Anonymous, April 01, 2002

Hey TS fans! Be sure to check out the newest TS dish here at MATH+1...

-- Anonymous, May 24, 2002

*my main gripe with trading spaces is how they can pick some pretty close-minded homeowners to be on the show... i mean, why pick someone for the show if they have a laundry list of items that "aren't to be touched"... if they want to keep their "oklahoma chic" style going on then trading spaces is not for them... *i have to admit that i like hilde's designs, especially the circus tent w/the pink couches... *laurie kinda gets on my nerves the way she drags out her words sometimes... (has anyone else noticed that?) *frank is flaming-i REFUSE to believe that hes straight... *doug-if i ever make it onto trading spaces and am paired up with him-watch out! *genevive is cool too, id like to hang out with her... *and ty... mmmm... id like to make sweet love to ty... does anyone know if ty likes black girls?

-- Anonymous, May 25, 2002

Okay folks, here's what I think. If you're going to be on Trading Spaces, be prepared for anything. In my house (provided I get one and said house has hardwood floors), that would probably be the only thing that I wouldn't let them touch. As well, I would expect that the stuff would be finished, not hanging there in danger of hitting my kids on the head. I love this show though. ANd if I was on it, I would keep the room as a conversation piece if nothing else. If the romo was god-awful, "What happened here?" I'd answer with well I was on the best show ever -- Trading Spaces That said, there are some things that should absolutely not happen -- HAY ON WALLS? There's no way to predict that. And of course they could touch my walls, but I don't want a fire hazard -- does anyone with sense see that Hay + Glue = Flammable? Normally I'm pretty impressed with the rooms, but sometimes I think, I'm glad that wasn't me. But that's kind of the point, folks. If on TS, expect the unexpected. be open for anything. You can always change it back and chances are you'll get a couple cool ideas out of it. As for who I'd let design my room, NOT HILDA - I hate her stuff. Everytime I watch it I wonder if her Prada sandals have deprived her brain of blood somehow. Hilda -- you're supposed to be a professional -- what are you thinking?!? NOT DOUG -- his ideas are too left field and unpredictable. Home theater? Their tv was like 13"? No sir. Not a home theater set up. FRANK -- Blech. Shape it however you want but if I see him open another peach can of paint. "Orange Sherbet" "Pinky Orange" "Peach" Let's be frank, Frank. Peach is Peach. It's also outdated. And so is he... GEN - I love her stuff (usually -- tho the room with five million painted squares looked awful -- so much time painting the squares not enough time to do much of anyhting else.) But her kitchens are always great. bright, sunny, really cute. VERN! Love him! Every design is pretty asian, but lovely. ANd they appear to be quite functional. I haven't disliked a room of his yet. And the clock in the girls room -- LOVE HIM. He'd absolutely be my choice. First and foremost, he wants the HO happy and he really designs rooms that are ineresting. LAURIE -- Pregnant Laurie. Is she pregnant? She looked preganant the last epi i saw her on. I don't know. Her designs come out okay, but awfully similar to the way things started. I guess I wouldn't mind her, but nothing.

Am loving this board! dana

-- Anonymous, May 27, 2002

GET RID OF DOUG AND HILDI - THEY BOTH SEEM TO THINK THAT THEY ARE YOUR LAST RESORT. THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PERSONALITY TO INTERACT WITH ORDINARY, EVERY DAY PEOPLE. FRANK CAN DO ANYTHING. I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MUCH CREATATIVITY. HILDI ! UGLY UGLY EVERYTHING! HAY ON WALLS!

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2002

does anybody know the name of vern's favorite fabric store in chicago is? everytime he gets something from that store it kills me because the stuff is so nice but i never know the name so i can't get it for myself.

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2002

I like Vern the best -- his designs are clean and fun, and I appreciate his kindess towards his clients in general. Hilde needs to drop the June-Cleaver-New-York-sophisticate-pearl-thang. And who in the HAY wears HEELS while repainting? I wouldn't let any of 'em eat crackers in my bed, for fear they would be too critical of my bland bedroom! And by far, we all know the cat-eye-classes chick makes the weirdest lamp. I think the lamps are a metaphor for her life in general -- wild and in need of majoring rewiring! But I do admit I adore the show, especially when clients cry over their remakes (fat woman crying over her brown den)! Terrible, I know, but it's all fun. My question is, when are we going to see a show about DESIGNERS having THEIR houses remade? Also, I would like to see Trading Spaces revisit some of the past re-dos, to see if the homeowners kept up with the designs!

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2002

Please STOP posting to this thread.

There's a new Trading Spaces thread here at MATH+1, or feel free to check out the entire forum.

-- Anonymous, May 29, 2002

My favorite designer would have to be Laurie, but it's so hard to pick your favorite one because all of the designers do a bad room once in a while. But usually Laurie does a pretty good job, her stuff is simple. I think that Frank and Vern would let you eat crackers in bed. They seem like the most easy going people on the show. Who makes the ugliest lamps??? Any crafty thing Paige touches is ugly. So is her hideous gremlin face. I cant sand her... I miss Alex, she was sooooooo much better than Paige.

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2002

Yo I think that this is a really good show! Although I only recently started to watch it!My opinion is the same as almost everyone else's; I think that Hildi is snotty and Paige seems like she is on drugs or something!But the bestest bestest part of the show has GOT TO BE TY! Omg major babe or what! Well e-m,ail me you responces if you wish later

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2002

I was amused to find that other people like Trading Spaces as much as I do. I got hooked while watching a marathon during an insomniatic night. I even got my five year old hooked. I have to say that I like Paige, she is coming into her own. Yes, the story on Doug is that he is gay according to my cousin who grew up with him. But who knows. Who cares. He is a snot though and condesending. I love Vern and Laurie. I would probably want Vern to do my home. Gen scares me, Frank is too "country" and Hilde is a bit of a lady-who-lunches for me. Thank goodness Dez is gone, she really scared me. Ty is a total hottie and I hear he has a furniture store in Atlanta. True?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2002

Hey!

We're not on this board anymore. Now we're Here

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2002

I don't have the answer but, I would like to know how do you get on the show...???

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2002

I have to say, first and foremost, that some of the shit you guys wrote are just toooo funny.. and:

1. If Frank has an actual FEMALE wife, well then I'll be damned.

2. If Hilda, Hildee, or what ever the hell she's named, EVER comes near my fireplace with some nasty crap color grout or some tape to PAINT retarded little unproportioned squares over my hardwood flooring, then she'd be askin for a hurtin..

3. Speaking of putin on a hurtin... TY.. DAMN! The things I would do to that man.. HE JUST DONT KNOW!!!

Other than that I dont have much more to speculate on. (I'm tired and need to go to sleep.. it's my 21st b-day tomorrow.. well, technically, right now.) However, I do have a question..

Does ANYONE know how old Ty is?? (Not like it matters.. he's still the main reason I watch the show.. that and hoping that one day someone starts a cat fight over how hideously annoying Frank is with his I-think-I'm-Picasso finger paintings on EVERYONE's walls...floors...chairs...closets...tv... hell, everything..)FYI Frank.. you're a cute little man with a granpa/Santa thing going.. but um.. if I wanted crap painted on my walls along with EVERYTHING else in a 25 foot radius you can get a hand on, so you dont have to do any ACTUAL work, I"d ask my 10 year old cousins... ok I"m being mean..

well anycase.. if you guys know how old Ty is... hit me up..

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2002

Hey all TS fans...didn't even know this board existed...there's a Yahoo group completely devoted to Ty for anyone who is interested! BTW...Mr. Ty is 37...recently featured in People's 50 Most Eligible Bachelors...has a gf of 4 years...and he and Amy Wynn were on A Makeover Story on the 13th of July...great show! Glad to see that so many people are hooked on Trading Spaces!

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2002

Hey all, i also did not know this existed........ i love gen... shes the best, ever, and i totally have a crush on Ty, hes soooooooo hot! Do I even have to answer who makes the ugliest lamps?? Oh, and on the subject of yahoo groups, there is a group devoted to gen, and she makes posts on there and some of her friends are members of the group.... but its a great group and i totally encourage any Gen fan (who DOESNT enjoy arguements and fighting) to join!!

-- Anonymous, August 19, 2002