Design duel in the desert
In the never-ending race for reality show ratings, TLC’s “Trading Spaces” is following in the footsteps of so many others and returning to its original roots. To add a little sparkle and drama to the long-running show, where would a producer go but to Las Vegas.
The two homes for the Las Vegas episode were named “Elvis” and “Cher” — and for good reason. Not to aid in the confusion of the situation, the pictures that adorned the two homes gave the theme of the episode away. “Trading Spaces” had chosen the homes of the two most quintessential impersonators in Las Vegas, “Cher” and “Elvis,” both performers at “Legends in Concert” at the Imperial Palace.
Heidi “Cher” Thompson has just launched a new production, the “Wow Girls,” and when she learned that the rooms to be “traded” would be home offices, you can bet that Thompson’s dream was that her office be redone in this theme. Thompson said the “Wow Girls” are “sexy cowgirls garnished in rhinestones and glitter.”
Matt “Elvis” Lewis and his wife, Janelle, slaved all hours of the day to design Thompson’s office. It was apparent how much they enjoyed working with their designer Doug Wilson and redoing the office. They created their ultimate version of a Wow Girl in Venetian plaster.
While working on the makeover, Wilson let it slip that most of the action was for the cameras and the show has very little to do with true design. However, he said “I do as much as I can with the time and money we have.”
While his room may not have been straight out of Architectural Digest, it was a masterpiece nonetheless done within the constraints of the show.
Back at the “Elvis” home, Thompson and her husband, Gene Sironen, were working with designer Hildi Santo Tomas. The scene was tense as nothing was going right. Santo Tomas refused to allow Thompson any input in the design. By the time the office was finished, the walls were covered in shredded paper and plastic. Santo Tomas used old shredded newspaper as if it was a designer wallpaper.
Unfortunately, in the two weeks following the show. Lewis and his wife spent every waking moment getting their room back to a livable state.
Matt’s son, Xander, put it best, “they (Thompson and Sironen) may like it, but I think it’s just weird.”
Loyal “Trading Spaces” viewers will be happy to know that this season brings many changes. One of the major changes is the introduction of a competition element to the show by getting participants who have some friendly adversarial motives as an underlying theme to the rooms’ design. Upcoming episodes include rival cheerleaders and Army versus Navy veterans. “Trading Spaces” producers are hoping to capture the audience and excite viewers, bringing the process back to a thrilling reality-based, home-improvement show.
The most noticeable change to the viewers will be the return of the ever famous, bubbly stage actress Paige Davis.
“The show is so appealing because it has something for every audience,” she said, adding “The show is like an extended family and I am excited to come back.”
When Davis was asked if she would bring any Broadway show tunes with her to “Trading Spaces,” she said “she hopes so.”
With the extra enticement of a new production team and new management, for Davis the decision to return was a no-brainier.
The production company is hoping that Davis’ return will bring back her loyal fans.
In addition to Davis’ return, this season, dubbed “Back to the Beginning,” will see many of the show’s familiar faces back trying to re-create the old magic.
The original rules also are back. Davis, who said she is a very ethical person, said when the show touts it will spend only $1,000 in two days for each room, the designers must live by these rules. During the Las Vegas filming, Santo Tomas went over time and Davis made sure the issues were addressed on camera for the audience to see and understand.
Shows like “Trading Spaces” are popular among homeowners who are looking for ways to either help them sell their home or help make it more livable. The fact is with today’s market buying and selling several homes in a single decade is a thing of the past. For this reason, part of the show’s appeal is its ability to teach an audience how to change just one room in a home in a mere two day for less than $1,000.
And, you never know what you will get on this show; it could be trash or treasure. This is why the crew’s anticipation for the show remains high. Not only do viewers want to see how the rooms look when they are redone, they can’t wait to see the homeowners’ reactions.
The show airs Saturdays at 10 p.m.
For those who are interested in being considered for “Trading Spaces,” be prepared — the selection process is long. It starts with the visit to the show’s Web site and takes several interviews along with a video taping. Of course if you’re “Cher” or “Elvis,” then you just ask your agent.
