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MSN Chat
8.26.02

DishDiva says: Gen, Doug, welcome to MSN! DishDiva says: It's great to have you here!

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: Whatup?! Peeps!! DishDiva says: Well, we have to start with this one question. . . i_likes_cheese in Onstage3 asks: What was your reaction to when you heard that the people in Puyallup, Washington cried about what you did to their fireplace?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: I would have to answer that because I am the culprate of the crime. If you go on "Trading Spaces" you have to be open to change. I gave the couple a hint of a design that would work great with the bones of their home. They weren't ready for it, and

Trading_Spaces_Live says: they embarrassed themselves and that's too bad.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: We spend months with our clients and in this game, we spend no time with them at all, so it's a gamble.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: Whoever is telling us they have a problem, you can't throw a stone if you're living in a glass house.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: They don't know they're living in a glass house.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: That's true. You are working with a lot of controversy and it's baby steps and you have to sneak some stuff in. Tamara24681 in Onstage4 asks: Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know that I love TRADING SPACES! I spend 8 months out of the year in my dorm room though with virtually no room to get crazy with decorating. What can my roommate and I do to liven our room up?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: We're dorm professionals aren't we Doug?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Yeah, I spent about 20 years in a dorm room. It took me a while to graduate. (laughs)

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I think first off, both Doug and I living in Manhattan we have an edge because we live in tiny spaces. I've been here since 1986 and I have found many ways to store things.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I was 12 in 1986.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: Everything has to be multifunctional in small spaces. The first thing you see is a bed, instead of just throwing a duvet on it, make it a sitting space.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: I saw at Bed Bath and Beyond they have these cups that raise the bed so you can have storage underneath the bed.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: You can use tension rods, use big frames, use bold colors. 

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: Lighting is a huge depressent. Bring in lamps that you can control the wattage. Flourescent buzzing isn't good. 

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Use plants to bring life.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: Usually the rugs and bad and nasty, it's good to bring in throw rugs.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Inexpensive is good. 

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: We are good, we should have a show!! (laughs)

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: A good trick when you make holes, use toothpaste to fill the holes.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: I know a bucket of spackle will be $2 and I know you won't have that. (Iaughs)

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I painted my dorm room. 

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Did you get in trouble for that?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: No. I painted it white again before I left. But it was so cool, it was party central.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: I have no doubt you were party central.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: We were building rooms inside of rooms at the fraternity. The Berkeley episode house smelled like pee.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: There mattresses covering the windows.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: We had so much fun on that show.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: And Doug wore leather pants!

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: That was my debut. And then I didn't have shoes to match. (laughs) 

Sandy9193 in Onstage3 asks: Gen, first if I didn't like you I'd have to hate you, lol. My hubby thinks you are a hottie. Do you work as a designer on your own as well as on the show?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: If you want to hire me as a hottie, prices go up. (laughs) 

DishDiva says: No, her husband wants to hire you as the hottie! 

DishDiva says: I believe she wants to hire you as a designer.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: You know what, it is so flattering to be asked to come into so many homes after being broadcast. I wish I had time to do it. Like we said, when we work with people we like to establish a relationship and that doesn't happen in 2 days. We don't have that

Trading_Spaces_Live says: time now. We do do consulting and part time hottie hiring. (laughs) Doug is experienced at that. (laughs) 

DishDiva says: I've got the hottie questions here for you Doug as well. 

DishDiva says: You've just made that wife very unhappy!

Trading_Spaces_Live says: I'm very flattered, tell your husband "Big kiss." busobi in Onstage1 asks: HAS LAURIE HAD HER BABY YET?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gibson Witherspoon Smith. There's pictures at BaptistBabies.com. 

Lisa5543 in Onstage5 asks: Do you feel offended when people don't like their rooms?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: NO. Absolutely not. I know I've given them a good product. I didn't entend to give them something bad.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I did feel bad once when I did a room for two children in Plano Texas and the parents came home and were thinking like adults and weren't thinking like children and they responded to the room in an unappreciative manner. The kids liked it and they

Trading_Spaces_Live says: didn't change a thing. 

SacredMystic in Onstage4 asks: Has anyone ever yelled at you for not liking what you've done?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: No. We can high tail it if we need to. Two days we're over and we're done.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: People are emotional because they are so tired. 

Greener_Pastures in Onstage5 asks: Have you ever finished a room and thought, "Wow, I really screwed up, this is ugly"?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: No, not quite. I've had rooms that didn't come out to my liking. Case in point, the Pullman Car wasn't what I wanted it to be. It wasn't like I thought, "What was I thinking?" It was 90% there, it just needed 10% more to make it a great room. That's

Trading_Spaces_Live says: the closest to failure I've gotten.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: Never. No, I haven't ever thought that.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Well aren't you perfect, let me tell you when you've screwed up. (laughs) Just kidding. 

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: It's all in the eyes of the beholder, of course because we've done it it's beautiful to us. There's always times where I want to add more, but there's only 2 days and $1,000.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: This isn't like real design because it's just about changing the room, they can finish it up the rest of the way.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: It's about inspiring change for all the other rooms. Greenridge0 in Onstage3 asks: Why do the designers ALWAYS remove the ceiling fans? 

OperaticLattice in Onstage3 asks: So do you guys like have an aftermarker resale on the ceiling fans you remove and how much extra money does it make for you?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Yes. I've made an incredible amount of money stealing fans from homeowners. (laughs)

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: There's so many times we've left the fan, people just remember when they go away.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: There was a recent episode that I took down two fans, painted them, and rehung them.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: And ceiling fans are behind the times as far as design.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: And the price of a new one doesn't work in the budget.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: There are a few culprits on the show that do that. 

bluberryblond in Onstage4 asks: Besides straw, what other bizarre material was used by decorators on TS?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Neither one of have used straw.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I have used moss and will never live that down. Next month I have made an entire Halloween costume out of moss. (laughs)

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: What I think is crazy is that we get this done in two days.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I am amazed too that it's being the right time for a show like this. We're not acting, there's no BS.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Sometimes we're embellishing a little bit.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I think it's unfortunate times and we've made something fortunate. Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: We're able to influence younger generations on design and art. They might not have realized they were an artist. 

DishDiva says: So here's another question that we're seeing a lot in this event:

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I can't tell you how many letters I get from kids. I grew up with "Designing Woman" and who wanted to be Dixie Carter in a big scarf? And to show that you make mistakes and be real. 

John19246 in Onstage1 asks: What is the best way to get on Trading Spaces? Any "back-door" tips? YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO OKLAHOMA AND WE'LL BE THE FIRST!

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: BribestoDougWilwon@ws (laughs) DishDiva says: I see this has been a profitable venture for you! (laughs)

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: Remember we're on cable, we have to do whatever we can to make it. (laughs)

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: You go to the TLC website and there's an application to fill out.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: You can apply a few times because you never know who is skimming one day to the next. 

dyinggarden in Onstage5 asks: Where do you get the great discount fabric? 

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Gen and I get them in New York on 8th Ave and 38th or 36th. I think it's Kingdom Fabric.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: We don't get a designer discount, we just try and talk them into a better price.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: We don't get special deals just repeat customer discounts.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: You can find it in any city, you just can't go to the franchise shops. 

flcondor in Onstage6 asks: What do the producers look for in places to show? 

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: A) You can't be a total dud, it can't be boring.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: There are requirements, it has to be a certain size and you can't be too far apart. About 3 minutes walking distance. And NO hills please. (laughs) I'm so tired of walking hills.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: We don't have the golf cart anymore.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: We are a ghetto show. DishDiva says: You've gotta love "Trading Spaces." Tune in this Saturday for special college episode! Find out more about this episode at http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/tradingspaces/tradingspaces.html  

blondi37 in Onstage4 asks: Does any of the trading spaces staff stay with the home owners at night to make sure they dont go home to sneak a peak?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: No. It's the honor system.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I've seen homeowners try to sneak peeks while we were there.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: I yelled at one neighbor to get back in the house.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: It's like get hold of yourself, it's TWO DAYS! (laughs) 

voicespirit1 in Onstage3 asks: Doug, in my opinion, you are the sexiest man walking the planet! Has it been difficult dealing with your "sex symbol" status?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: I don't know how to respond to that.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: You do too! (laughs)

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: I'm very flattered, but I don't think I'm the sexiest man on the planet. Thank you, what's your number? 

ambrosia_07042 in Onstage3 asks: HELP! I need creative furniture ideas for my sunroom! No wicker!

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: It's hard to design a space when people just say they need help with a sun room. You can do anything with any room.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: You don't know what part of the country she's in.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Or if she's looking for a country look. Sun rooms don't have to look like a sun room.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Or if she's looking for a country look. Sun rooms don't have to look like a sun room. 

Wilytoday in Onstage4 asks: This is kinda a follow up to the Nascar Socks Comment, Has the show ever considered decorating trailer homes? Maybe called "Trailer Spaces"

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I love that name Wily. We have talked about it, but we'd have to do double-wides because of the size. 

Melly2211 in Onstage4 asks: Gen and Doug, you both have wonderful personalities, thanks for all the wonderful ideas you have given us. I even have my hisband watching. (laughs)

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I'd love to do all kinds of alternative housing situation. swinson4 in Onstage4 asks: Do you know anything about the personalities of the homeowners before going on the show, to help with the design of the room?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: We don't talk to them, but we get a video. They tell us what's going on in their house, but they don't tell us what they want.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: It's like judging a book by it's cover. We get about a 10 minute interview and some words from neighbors. 

coolgirl_the_monkey in Onstage5 asks: What's the most you've ever gone over budget?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: And they don't know what designer they're getting, so when we show up on their door, it's either tears of joy or tears. (Laughs)

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: I may have gone over a few times. I have not gone over since 5 shows in the last season. There's one specific show and I know I went over a lot and they wouldn't tell me how much.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: My biggest over budget is $30.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: You're out of your mind! I beat that.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: It's hard not to go over. You don't know the perameters of what you're working with.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: It's become easier and easier and you can always return things. 

DishDiva says: Kim says: Doug, do you wear your hair that way as a tribute to the late Jim Varney?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: I don't think about how I wear my hair. I get out of the shower, put on some gel and it dries.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: I got blessed with good hair from my parents. PrincessAubrey in Onstage4 asks: I think it would be cool if you redesigned two celebrity rooms. Have you ever considered the idea?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: Doug and I didn't do one, but this year we're going to do three celebrity shows. DishDiva says: We've gotta help this person. . . 

acedu2 in Onstage1 asks: I have a huge pink tile steam shower. Aside from taking a sledgehammer to it, is there any other way to make it look halfway attractive? 

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Turn the steam on high and you won't see it.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I wouldn't suggest painting it. You can tile over tile.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: You just have to prep it first.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Gen, you're the tile girl.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I really love tile. 

DishDiva says: felice says: Our new home has carpeting in the bathroom as an UPGRADE! How hard is it to rip this up and tile?!

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Ripping up carpet is easy, tiling is the issue. If it's got a good subflooring, just tile right over it. Just put some mastic down and tile.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Get a good tile cutter, don't get a cheapy little thing that you have to fight with.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: And take the toilet out, don't tile around it. 

DishDiva says: Is there something your prefer? Limestone? Ceramic? Granite? Marble?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Limestone is great. 

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I wouldn't do granite because it's black and black is hard on the floor. 

donilall in Onstage3 asks: Gen, My husband just said, "Don't forget to tell her that I am in love with her" TAKE HIM PLEASE!!

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: There are lighter colors of granite and I like to break the rules. (laughs) Just use what you like. 

DishDiva says: Gen, has the class of men who proposition you gone up since you've gone on TV?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: The kind of men yes. I would have to say I get a lot more husbands. I will be driving a paddywagon across country picking up stray husbands. (laughs) 

DividableQuotient in Onstage5 asks: Doug, where can I get that Venetain glaze that you use on walls?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: There's a number of companies that supply that. Go to your home center and inquire about it. 

toycelica in Onstage3 asks: What does your favorite room in your home look like?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: I have bare bulbs hanging from my ceiling. I got this gig when I was renovating my apartment and didn't get to finish.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: People think we live in these palatial homes. We live in modest apartments in New York. It's an eclectic mix from my travels and flowers. 

slikophone in Onstage1 asks: Any chance Trading Spaces would consider doing a show in an apartment building with exactly the same space in each home?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: We did in the L.A. episode that were the same room.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: We've done it several times. 

Sonoma5 in Onstage4 asks: Doug, how would you decorate for Anna Nicole Smith?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: I'm going to get in trouble if I comment on that. (laughs)

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: The first thing I'd do is find out what her likes and dislikes are. She's funny. I love that girl. 

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I think what she has has suited her fine. That show is so funny. Lots of pillows.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: We all wear a lot of black. BigBertha18915 in Onstage1 asks: Why does Hildi only wear black?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: She wears other colors than black.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I get asked that a lot and it's for practical reasons. I'd rather you not see me with a big stain on my shirt. I don't know how she does it, she stays so clean, she's amazing.

DishDiva says: So you're not wearing Dolce and Gabana?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: And she works. I know people don't think I work. (laughs) 

jwilk55 in Onstage5 asks: Doug, you didn't really rummage thru that girl's drawer, did you? Was that lingere picture pre-planned?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: If I answer that question, it will ruin it for everyone.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: That was not preplanned, she did not put that in a packet of things for him to use. 

thewanderingstar in Onstage5 asks: In the upcoming Fraternity/Sorority episode, what college were you guys at? Tell us about what to expect (I'm excited). 

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: It's going to be good.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: It's so much fun. It's the University of California at Berkeley.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: There's some drama and we had a BLAST making this one. All college kids want to do is party and getting them to work was a struggle.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Your boys were a struggle, but the girls weren't so hard.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: They were drinking a lot of soda weren't they?

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: If that's what you want to call it. (laughs) 

DishDiva says: Gen, Doug, thanks for being our guests tonight on MSN Live! We had a LOT of questions for you! 

DishDiva says: You've gotta love "Trading Spaces." Tune in this Saturday for special college episode! Find out more about this episode at http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/tradingspaces/tradingspaces.html

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Doug: Thanks for everyone out there making the show such a hit and supporting us. I'm having the time of my life and I'm glad people are enjoy it.

Trading_Spaces_Live says: Gen: I'm just surprised that people are able to sit through my life for so long and not change the channel. (laughs) And I'm happy that people are so into design now. The paddywagon is coming! (laughs)

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