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The Topeka Capital-Journal
11.1.01

Show Has Designs on Midwestern Homes

by Jan Landon


Hotties and home decor don't seem like traditional partners.

That was before Doug Wilson took a spot on the show "Trading Spaces," so popular that it has a Saturday night prime time spot on The Learning Channel and a growing cult-like following.

The premise of the show is fairly simple and non-traditional -- neighbors swap houses for 48 hours and, with the help of professional designers, redo a room for $1,000 or less.

What it provides is an opportunity for average Americans -- there are no Home & Garden Television mansions here -- to work with a designer and redecorate their friends' homes. The result is funny, sometimes tense, and almost always entertaining.

The executive producer described it as a mix between "Survivor" and a mainstream home decor show. The folks at TLC are hoping Kansans might want to sign up to participate in the show. They are trying to find willing homeowners in the Midwest.

"I think its popular for a number of reasons," said Wilson, who is one of the designers that trade off appearing on the show. "Not only is it entertaining, people can also learn from it."

There is suspense, he said. Unanswered questions. There is a "bit of mystery and intrigue."

Then at the end when the new room is revealed Wilson described it as "the big pay off."

It is also about personalities. "Trading Spaces" is the subject of several chat rooms, where devotees trade comments about redecorated homes, homeowners (popular and scorned) and the cast members themselves.

And all of the fervor comes as the show has just started its second season.

A recent online contest asking viewers to choose their favorite shows from last season brought more than a million hits to the TLC Web site.

The show travels to spots all over the country -- last year it visited places from Austin to New Orleans to Long Island. They will go to any community that has a Lowe's store, the sponsor of the show.

Wilson is one in a stable of six designers who travel around the country as part of "Trading Spaces."

They include: Wilson; Vern Yip, a designer and architect based in Atlanta, known for his clean and modern style; Hildi Santo-Tomas, also an Atlanta-based designer, known for always working in heels; Frank Bielec, the folksy Texan who runs a craft company when not on the show; Genevieve Gorder, who lives in Manhattan and is a teacher at the School of Visual Arts, who is best known for using moss as a wall covering in one episode; and Laurie Hickson-Smith, the fiery red head who lives in Jackson, Miss.

Throw in the host and a couple of carpenters and you have "Trading Spaces."

Wilson, 37, says he is portrayed on the show as "the edgy New Yorker." Actually, he's a citified farm boy who grew up in rural Illinois. His father still farms.

Wilson spoke recently from his studio in New York City, and he was funny and nice and more like the cute artsy guy in high school than someone who is now readily recognized in airports and on the street.

"We don't have a team of workers," he said. "We make up a budget. We make up the time. In a way we produce our segment. With two days and a thousand dollars. We have to make it work no matter how talented or untalented the homeowners are."

Wilson said he moved to New York with the hope of getting into acting. Along the way he became known for the unique tinted plaster walls he created. He has been featured in "The New York Times," "Elle Decor" and "House & Garden." The article in "House & Garden" grabbed the attention of the people at TLC.

With "Trading Spaces," Wilson has come full circle -- combining his love of drama and design.

He said the show lets people see different ways of doing things. Wilson is known for giving titles to his room designs, like "Taking Flight" or "Mediterranean Madness." Before this year's season began, Wilson took suggestions for his first design online.

It was called "Ballistic ."

Wilson said he has never had homeowners who were displeased with his designs, and he acknowledged he likes to stand off camera and watch the couples as they see their new rooms. He plans to do 13 shows this season.

The notoriety is still surprising for Wilson. He told the story of a New York City police officer who stopped him as he walked to work and shared his favorite rooms.

Although the cop was a guy, the majority of viewers are women.

"More women watch the shows week days, but on the weekend its a ratio of six-to-four women to men," said Stephen Schwartz, an executive producer with TLC. "It has hammer and nails. Power tools. I frankly think it's a pretty eclectic show."

A couple of years ago Schwartz read about a British television show called, "Changing Rooms." Eventually, TLC bought the American rights to the program. He said the cast is required to stick to the rules -- 48 hours and $1,000.

And if the homeowners don't like the redecorating in their house -- too bad. They have to get rid of it themselves.

But Schwartz says when you really get down to it, the appeal of the show is the cast.

"That's the beauty of the show," he said. "It's people. That's what makes it unique."


Transcript appears courtesy of The Topeka Capital-Journal, copyright 2001© All Rights Reserved