My friends saw this coming. Of course, they did. They knew I wouldn’t let the premiere of the rebooted home renovation show pass without proudly declaring, “I DID THAT!”
The reality is that apart from celebrating my milestone birthday in Nashville, participating in that iconic show over a decade ago was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. The unexpected fame it brought me was something I never anticipated.
Our Time on the Show
We were fortunate to be featured in Season 4, right when the show was at its peak. Ratings were through the roof, prompting producers to go all out to maintain the momentum. To our astonishment, our decorating budget skyrocketed from $1,000 to an astonishing $50,000. Yes, you read that right! We were part of the special episode: “Trading Spaces: 100 Grand!” It felt like winning the lottery when we received the news.
The weekend was packed with unforgettable moments, including Ty Pennington playing his guitar in the evenings. It was eye-opening to see just how scripted “unscripted” television could be. And yes, we picked favorites among the cast (I can only share my least favorite in person, wink).
The episode was meticulously planned, with little consideration for our input. We were more like decorative props than participants, but we embraced the adventure wholeheartedly. Months of sponsorships led to trucks arriving with furnishings, appliances, and even plasma TVs—a futuristic sight back in 2003.
Emotional Aftermath
I remember crying into my microphone, convinced that unless someone from my high school class had summited Everest that summer, I would be the talk of the reunion. And I was!
For two weeks post-reveal, as we settled back into our transformed home and gave our old furniture away, I was overwhelmed with emotion every morning, still in awe of the experience. I would dry my tears before my children, aged 2 to 10, came down to ensure they stayed away from the $800 white chairs and the $4,500 silk rug. Remarkably, those chairs are still around, albeit not so white anymore (thank you, fabric spray paint!). The lamp survived numerous near disasters, but the $5,000 plasma TV did not. I suppose four kids are a bit much to handle in that regard.
Publicity and Recognition
The publicity for the show’s premiere was monumental. We appeared on the Today show, graced the pages of USA Today, and made headlines in local newspapers for weeks. After the episode aired, I was recognized in parking lots. Yes, that was me, couponing as usual!
Our two-hour episode achieved record-breaking ratings for a non-network show, and they accomplished this sans social media. Imagine that!
Looking Back
With the reboot of the show, they’ve been rerunning classic episodes, but I doubt mine will be featured again. Ours aired during the show’s heyday and was the first of many reinventions they attempted to keep viewer interest alive. It’s a common occurrence in the entertainment world, and I understand the decision (we’re over it, George Clooney, though we missed you when you left).
We have since moved out of our Trading Spaces home and opted for more modest décor, but we still keep framed photographs as reminders of our extraordinary luck. Plus, I have a fantastic scrapbook from that experience.
Forever Reminiscing
I’ll likely reminisce about this forever; a once-in-a-lifetime experience like this merits a permanent hall pass. My friends humor me as I find ways to weave it into conversations. Just the other day, while dining at a bar, I was chatting with a spirited senior who mentioned living near where a TV show had filmed. Without missing a beat, I leaned in and whisper-shouted, “That was us!” My husband tried to hush me, but she was already lost in her own story.
I wrote about this back in the day (you can read it here), but since my kids have imposed their own statute of limitations on my storytelling, I suppose I should focus on cherishing the memories. However, I’m always open to questions about my time on the show. Just ask!
Additional Resources
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Conclusion
In summary, my experience on that home renovation show was a whirlwind adventure that significantly impacted my life and continues to be a topic of conversation among friends. From unexpected fame to the joy of transforming my home, the memories are cherished and will keep me nostalgic for years to come.
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