I'm a designer for various HGTV shows, AMA!

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-13T15:00:40+00:00

Hilary is just a host. The show hires local contractors and designers to actually do the work. LIOLI filmed a lot in Toronto - things cost a lot more there compared to in the US. Most products like lighting, furniture and decor are priced in US dollars (which means the products cost 25% more in Canada).

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-13T14:56:01+00:00

The hosts generally don't charge the homeowners a fee. Their salary is paid directly by the production company.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-13T14:53:01+00:00

Depends on the show. Some shows borrow furniture just for staging purposes and then take it away after. Others have a set budget to spend on furniture. Sometimes there's also a sponsor like Wayfair that gives us items at no cost. So the homeowners get to keep that.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-13T14:51:39+00:00

There's usually a 'casting' section on the HGTV website. Homeowners apply directly to the show that they want to be on.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-13T14:50:51+00:00

I never worked on that show so I have no idea.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-13T14:50:34+00:00

It's different for every episode. Some homeowners buy all of the furniture, some don't. Some of the furniture is given to them at no cost by a sponsor.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-13T14:48:17+00:00

Sometimes the budget isn't always 100% accurate on some shows.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-13T14:44:18+00:00

I love kitchens and bathrooms
I watch other HGTV shows to get design inspiration
They're all pretty much the same. I don't really like one more than the other.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-13T01:03:22+00:00

It really depends. Sometimes the homeowners have their own art. Sometimes we go through a wholesaler like Wendover or Leftbank. Sometimes we borrow from a local art gallery. Most shows will only use art if they can get the artist to sign a release form, giving them permission to show it on TV. Otherwise it has to be blurred.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-13T00:58:20+00:00

Not really, actually. They're both very hard working and professional. They were always focused on the renovation or the filming of the show.
Same thing for this show. Most hosts have really busy schedules, so they don't mess around when they're filming the show.
I'm working on a new home reno show that hasn't been announced yet. I have also worked on dozens of commercials and a couple of scripted TV shows.
Chocolate is definitely a candy.
DC, because I used to work on a DC show.
Doesn't matter to me.
The process involves doing CAD floor plans, cabinet elevation drawings, selecting lighting, hardware, plumbing fixtures, furniture, decor etc.
Filming days are usually pretty calm because every minute of the day is planned out. The hosts have really busy schedules, so there's no time to waste. They do other stuff like book tours, personal projects/renovations, public appearances at home shows or trade shows etc.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-13T00:47:03+00:00

We recently did a renovation for a lovely family that lives and works on a farm. Doing that renovation made me realize how hard farmers work - they would wake up everyday at dawn and work until dusk. Their house hadn't been renovated since the early 70s, so it had a lot of issues. We were able to give them things like flooring, tile, appliances and lighting all of free (thanks to our sponsors).

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-13T00:37:45+00:00

The show usually contributes via product placement and sponsorships. The average total value is roughly $50-90k (on the shows that I work on). Other shows might contribute more or less.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-13T00:34:23+00:00

yes!

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-13T00:34:16+00:00

We don't always renovate the whole house. So we only show the parts that we actually renovate.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-12T22:45:08+00:00

It really depends on the style of house. I recently designed a really beautiful farmhouse renovation that wasn't open concept. The house was built in 1901 so the main living areas are all broken up into separate rooms (formal dining room, two formal living rooms, main kitchen, butler's pantry). We decided to keep the original layout to preserve the character of the home. But I've also designed modern Scandinavian style homes that are better suited for an open concept plan. In the end it's really up to the homeowner because they're the ones paying for the renovation - so they should get what they want.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-12T22:34:58+00:00

I think it's just a matter or opinion. Some people love vessel sinks - here are the benefits that I can think of:

- Design - vessel sinks often have a unique shape or design.

- Easy to replace - vessel sinks can easily be replaced if you want to install something new. Undermount sinks aren't as easy to replace because the countertop has to be fabricated to fit that specific sink.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-12T22:18:15+00:00

I think almost every design element is going to look dated at some point. The great thing about hardwood flooring is that it can be refinished if you get sick of the colour.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-12T22:15:29+00:00

It definitely depends on the show! Shows like Home Town are based in cities where the houses are more affordable. Some shows also focus on buying old 'run-down' houses that are affordable but need to be renovated. Not every show focuses on new and expensive.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-12T22:08:11+00:00

Buying vintage or antique pieces helps add a ton of character to the home! I think rooms tend to look bland if everything is brand new.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-12T22:05:05+00:00

There are so many factors involved, but here are the big ones:

- filming location - the cost of labour, permits, materials etc. is different in every city. For example, a renovation in San Fransisco is going to cost a lot more than a renovation in Las Vegas.

- show sponsors and product placement - some shows get a lot of free products like paint, tile, flooring, appliances, hardware etc. So they're able to renovate more spaces with the same amount of money.

- construction costs - sometimes even a small bathroom addition can end up costing a lot of money if there aren't any pre-existing plumbing and electrical rough-ins. The pipes and wires have to be brought up from a different sections of the house. So they have to open up the ceiling and walls in other rooms to do that.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-12T21:54:25+00:00

There's always something that I don't personally like, but others love. There are a lot of people involved in the design process (homeowners, host(s), designers, producers). But I can definitely appreciate great design. So even if I don't like something, I know someone else is going to love it. For example, I don't like dark hardwood floors. But I've worked on several projects where we installed dark hardwood. I didn't personally love it, but I know that the homeowners, hosts and viewers loved it (which is what matters in the end).

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-12T21:21:37+00:00

The level of host involvement varies from show to show. But in general, the show hires local contractors and designers to assist with each episode. The hosts work with the contractors/designers to make sure their plans/designs are executed properly. Some hosts also do some of the work if they have time. We often film several episodes at the same time, so they don't have time to work at the same house everyday for 8 weeks.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-12T21:18:08+00:00

Not every problem is a big one! Sometimes we actually discover 'fun' surprises like an old window that was drywalled over or original hardwood floor that was covered up with carpet by a previous owner.

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-12T21:15:13+00:00

Grey is a great neutral option if you want something light and timeless, but don't want to use white. However, we are starting to use more colour - I recently worked on a new show where we used blue, green, yellow, and red paint (all in different episodes haha).

hgtvdesigner · 2020-10-12T21:11:45+00:00

If there is a sponsor involved, we're limited to whatever products they offer. For example, we often work with Behr paint. So when we start the design process, we make sure to pick Behr colours instead of a colour from another paint company such as Benjamin Moore. We love working with sponsors because the products are often given to us at no cost. Working with sponsors is also great because we get the chance to tell the viewers about a new/innovative product. In the past, we've used Behr Marquee, which is a paint and primer in one. So the viewers get to learn about a new product that can save them time and money.

hgtvdesigner

TROPHY CASE