Buzz
In 2017, TLC revealed plans to bring back the iconic series that defined its success: Trading Spaces. The home renovation program dominated ratings from 2000 to 2008, attracting up to 9 million viewers per episode at its height.
The show's concept was straightforward yet captivating: Two neighbors swapped homes, collaborating with an interior designer to transform a room in each other's house. With only 48 hours and a $1000 budget, the results were often dramatic. Homeowners reacted with everything from sheer delight to audible tears off-camera. Now, the beloved series is making a comeback this weekend. Before Ty Pennington grabs his tools, here are 10 quick facts about the original show.
1. IT WAS INSPIRED BY A BBC PROGRAM.
Trading Spaces made waves on TLC and in the reality TV world when it debuted on October 13, 2000. However, its premise wasn't entirely original. The concept was inspired by the BBC series Changing Rooms, which aired from 1996 to 2004. Like Trading Spaces, Changing Rooms featured two couples exchanging homes for a rapid room makeover. It even had its own star carpenter. Ty Pennington’s British counterpart was “Handy” Andy Kane, who famously released a cringe-worthy rendition of “If I Had a Hammer.”
2. PAIGE DAVIS WASN’T THE INITIAL HOST.
While Paige Davis is often remembered as the face of Trading Spaces, she wasn’t the show’s first host. Alex McLeod helmed the series for its first 40 episodes and even won a Daytime Emmy for her role. She later left the DIY program to explore other opportunities, including a stint on Joe Millionaire.
3. A MYSTERY CARPENTER EXISTED.
In addition to Davis and its roster of designers, Trading Spaces featured two other key figures: the carpenters. While Ty Pennington and Amy Wynn Pastor were the faces of the craft, they weren’t solely responsible for all the woodwork. Behind the scenes, a third carpenter, Eddie Barnard, played a crucial role. As reported by Salon, he tackled the more demanding projects but was credited only as “prop master.” Pastor admitted feeling remorseful for receiving credit for his efforts when she first joined the show. “Every single day at the end of the shoot, I’d say, ‘I’m sorry,’” she shared.
4. SECRECY WAS A TOP PRIORITY FOR THE DESIGNS.
To preserve the authenticity of reactions—whether positive or negative—the Trading Spaces team went to great lengths to conceal any hints. According to Good Housekeeping , sheets were draped over windows to prevent peeking, and any paint stains on clothing were masked with duct tape before anyone from the crew visited the other house.
5. COUPLES COULD SAFEGUARD CERTAIN ITEMS.
Despite many disgruntled participants, executive producer Denise Cramsey explained to San Francisco Gate that liability release forms included a section for listing “protected” areas. While entire rooms couldn’t be exempt, specific items like doors or furniture could be marked off-limits. If the form was left blank, however, everything was considered up for redesign.
6. THREE REASONS COULD GET YOU DISQUALIFIED.
During its peak, Trading Spaces received between 100 and 200 applications every day. This allowed producers to be selective, but a former participant revealed there were only three reasons for disqualification. First, if the show’s tractor-trailer couldn’t access the property or there wasn’t enough outdoor space for carpentry work. Second, if homeowners declined to let designers modify key items like curtains, cabinets, flooring, or furniture. Third, if the distance between the two houses exceeded a two-minute walk. Since the crew frequently shuttled between locations, living too far from your neighbor meant no chance of being on the show.
7. FANS ENGAGED ON MESSAGE BOARDS AND CREATED A DRINKING GAME.
Trading Spaces became a hot topic on early internet message boards. Fans shared thoughts on their favorite episodes and championed their favorite designers. They even invented a drinking game with rules like taking a sip whenever “Ty climbs into cabinetry” or “someone mentions Genevieve’s bare feet.”
8. DISSATISFIED COUPLES OFTEN REDESIGNED THEIR ROOMS RIGHT AWAY.
A dedicated YouTube category highlights Trading Spaces “fails” or “hate it reveals,” and, as expected, many homeowners didn’t keep their redesigned rooms. Some didn’t even last a day. In 2003, The Washington Post shared that Elaine and Bernie Burke tore down the burlap curtain in their bedroom the next morning, repurposing it to shield their flowers from frost. April Kilstrom and Leslie Hoover faced a tougher challenge: they were stuck with Hildi Santo-Tomas’s notorious hay-covered living room. The designer had plastered the walls with straw, a nightmare for a family with a toddler and baby. San Francisco Gate noted it took the couple and three helpers 17 hours to remove the glue.
9. SEVERAL DESIGNERS REMAINED IN THE SPOTLIGHT.
When Trading Spaces concluded in 2008, some designers, like Santo-Tomas, stepped out of the limelight. Others, however, continued their TV careers with new home improvement shows. Vern Yip joined HGTV’s Deserving Design and judged Design Star. Doug Wilson stayed with TLC, hosting Moving Up. Genevieve Gorder became an HGTV staple, starring in Dear Genevieve, Design Star, and Genevieve’s Renovation. She now frequently appears on The Rachael Ray Show.
10. GENEVIEVE GORDER LAUNCHED HER OWN QVC COLLECTION.
In 2010, Gorder introduced a bedding line on QVC. While it’s currently unavailable, her rugs can still be found at Bed, Bath & Beyond.
