The Untold Truth Of Trading Spaces

For eight years, the TLC reality show Trading Spaces saw two groups of neighbors renovating one room in each other’s home, with the help of professionals of course. Fans loved the colorful renovations, shocking reveals, and the humor of host Paige Davis, but even if you couldn’t get enough of the home renovation show, there might be some facts about it that surprise you.
From the British show that it was based on to the time they tried (and failed) to do a host-less version of the show, let’s take a look at the untold truth of TLC’s Trading Spaces.
#Truth #TradingSpaces #RealityTV
It wasn't an original idea | 0:00
The safe zone | 0:58
You could be disqualified | 1:23
Top secret | 1:48
Who renovates the renovators? | 2:13
The host got fired | 3:05
There's still more to come | 3:45
Read Full Article: www.thelist.com/34466/untold-t...

[@TheList]

Would you like to see Trading Spaces return to TV?

[@raggaduxjones]

The List That's sad that only 6 people said yes; & I'm one of the 6.

[@c.estrada8289]

Yes, I would LOVE to see Trading Spaces return to TV as long as they don't bring Hildi back. Her designs were atrocious!

[@sicilianotoronto]

The List no, it's done, I'm not interested anymore.

[@damn3521]

It already is

[@jenntip]

Won't be for long...they need to just let it go

[@LeeLee-pk4ss]

I never like Hildie she was one of those designers that didn't seem to care a fig about the homeowner's tastes or needs

[@UncoordinatedPixie]

remember the wine labels in the kitchen on the walls of the man who was an alcoholic? She didn’t give one volcanic shit about him.

[@Elketjeable]

@@UncoordinatedPixie that's just evil.. That's actually psychological abuse!!!! She's probably just a narcisist who became a designer to get energy from ruining people's lives!!

[@tammytaylor9383]

She was always drunk

[@zombieponcho]

Worse than that, she intentionally does what people ask her not to do and then claims people don't understand her way of doing things. Completely narcissistic.

[@melissas1603]

Hildy had to be one of the worse designers they ever had

[@idahousarmymomma9120]

Melissa S I completely agree with you!!!

[@baconbap]

Says you. Miss Republican I am all that and Three bags of chips. Disgusting.

[@snowmamm1410]

She was and NEVER will be a "designer"! she is just plain nasty and should be in a mental home!!!

[@drewconway7135]

God I hope they don't bring Hildi back. No room is safe! 😱

[@myishahutchinson652]

Drew Conway I agree. I'm not sure where she got her degree in design, but her designs never made sense. I'll never forget that episode with the hay. Friendships would have ended on live t.v..

[@drewconway7135]

Myisha Hutchinson She never got a degree in design. Therefore, she's technically a "decorator" instead of a "designer." It was pretty obvious who on the show had gone to design school (Vern, Laurie, Genevieve) and who hadn't (Hildi, Frank). I'm sure Doug went to design school, but I'm not sure he went to class.

[@shelaughs]

Designer certificate or not, I LOVED Frank! ...Hildi, however, was like letting a gremlin loose in your room. Yikes! What a trouble-maker.

[@melissas1603]

Drew Conway , exactly, all Frank could do was country style, so boring, but I liked his enthusiasm

[@GypsyFairy85]

Hildi was a snob. The decor she did for wealthy paying clients was nothing like the nonsense she screwed people over with on Trading Spaces. You could almost see her thinking "Peasants!" as she trotted around in her Prada pumps like her shit didn't stink in the modest homes of the poor unfortunates that would have to deal with her "creations".

[@dvnstwrt00]

That hay issue is insane. Why would anyone in their right mind do that?

[@miketype1each]

Love Billy Hildi once stapled fake flowers to the walls in a bathroom, and pasted newpapers to the walls in another home.

[@clearcasket1555]

Hildi isn't in her right mind, obviously.

[@fesalatijannati5677]

I don't think she is a real interior designer.. I'm sure they hired her to ruin people's homes just for shock value and ratings. There's probably something in the contracts preventing people from suing the program.

[@SayWHAT314]

I’m not a violent person but she would’ve have to get beat tf up I don’t care... she went to those peoples homes and intentionally ruined their property and didn’t even care for the children that were in the home.... that lady and the producers of the show are evil

[@baconbap]

Honey, she's a designer. One time she nailed a car to the ceiling. You want to be on tv so bad, you take some chances You people act like going on Trading Spaces insured a life of luxury.

[@ChezFeroce]

Can someone explain to me how Hildi was hired to be a designer? Or what school she got her training from? Either everyone on the casting team was her extended family or they conducted phone interviews. Hildi has managed to destroy these peoples homes with her cheap and unfocused designs. When her career ends (if it hasnt already) hopefully she'll write a tell all book on how she convinced the TLC team to put her on TV despite her ugly so call designs.

[@MissBophaLokei]

She slept with some of the producers. she's directed to ruin homes in order to gain shock value and she accepted it with glee

[@baconbap]

Geez, someone has a mean streak.

[@susandavis3544]

Well, its back and so is Hildie. I can only conclude Hildie must be related to one of the shows producers; because no one seems to like her or her grotesque "designs". The woman is a nightmare.

[@yeshuaischrist9951]

Susan Davis No no no!!! I will not watch it. Don't watch it.

[@nikadavise-br9lx]

She is so old ugly white males producers side piece and since he won't marry her she is determined to make him pay by fucking up a money making show.......................how she hasn't been beaten bloody by a homeowner or 12 is beyond belief.

[@baconbap]

So don't watch, Republican pig. Maybe some people like her designs. Oh I forgot, you people don't care about any other human being's opinion.

[@richardbudd7523]

I remember Page telling one designer not to touch an antique cabinet because of it's value well guess what he ignored her and painted it an ugly green and the show had to buy it. It was the family's grandmother who willed the cabinet to them how is money going to replace something like that. I was glad to see the show taken off the air so much for safe zones the designers do what they want. To bad it's back again but I won't watch it

[@PColumbus73]

I would have been irate

[@cheapskateaquatics7103]

It was probably Doug

[@baconbap]

So maybe those idiots shouldn't have been allowed to be on Trading Spaces. They just wanted to be on television. At the very least they could have removed the "antique piece" from the room before filming started. No sympathy here.

[@baconbap]

So don't watch. All of television will crash because of your decision.

[@baconbap]

@@PColumbus73 would you have been stupid enough to leave the piece in the room?

[@BehindTheHarleyShop]

I would love to see this show again but they need a bigger budget cause some of those rooms looked cheap.

[@WelcomeToMyDream]

I love the show, but yeah they spent a lot of time working on goofy stuff because of that budget, and it looks even cheaper now than I thought back then.

[@historylvr8000]

ReviewCam The extra $1k didn't make a hell of a difference...Hildi turned a room into a Kaleidoscope of a mess! She absolutely did not listen or care about input...nothing has changed!

[@annchovey2089]

History LVr Who would let Hildi or Genivieve (sp?) into their house in the first place or crafty Frank for that matter even though he does seem really nice.

[@historylvr8000]

Ann Chovey IKR!? She's already been on 2x since the new show premiered... Unfortunately the people that participate have no choice in who their designer will be, or I'm sure people would run...Lol!

[@EmilyB-px6vy]

The complete disregard for the safety of those children when designing the infamous hay room makes me very uneasy...

[@UncoordinatedPixie]

The kids weren’t going to die from hay.

[@FullMoonOctober]

@@UncoordinatedPixie The baby almost choked to death.

[@baconbap]

@@FullMoonOctober your proof? Facts? Sources? Oh I forgot, you are a Republican. Those things don't matter to you people.

[@baconbap]

@@FullMoonOctober your proof? Facts? Sources? Oh I forgot, you are a Republican. Those things don't matter to you people.

[@peggywelty5139]

I think they should have paid for that room to be done over

[@Romjen]

No HILDY!!!!!! I don't remember anything acceptable, or ready to live in, designed by her! Blah

[@lollypop6155]

In my humble opinion, the show was a joke. It was so hard to see the disappointed looks, and sometimes tears, on the people's faces during the reveals. I think TLC would do better to keep this show off the air.

[@shadrach6299]

Lolly Pop I saw one woman break into tears bc they painted a wedding present.

[@lollypop6155]

sherry blackwood Oh no! You think their friend's/neighbors would have known better. That's Hollyweird for you! Anything for ratings. 😡

[@annchovey2089]

Lolly Pop I think it would be nice if they would let the neighbors have more input. I remember the one where the designer was told not to remove the ceiling fan and the designer did it anyway. I live in an area of the country where I could not stand the summer heat if I didn't have a ceiling fan in most rooms of my house. The designers need to think more practical then we won't have straw and thousands of artificial, dust catching flowers stapled to the wall.

[@baconbap]

Those people wanted nothing more than to be on national television. They should have been grateful.

[@baconbap]

@@shadrach6299 and the stupid lady should have removed it from the room ahead of time. Totally her fault.

[@adelechicken6356]

Vern Yip was one of the best designers on the show, every room he did had class! I might not have wanted it in my home, but they were always workable, and livable, I'd love to see how many of the rooms done on the show lasted for over a year and if any are still around.

[@squirrelboss7067]

I used to binge watch this show on weekends! I liked everyone, but I’m pretty sure Hildi had some mental health problems, she just wasn’t normal. She should’ve been fired!

[@baconbap]

Says you the professional design critic. Meanwhile a person loses their income and house and wellbeing because of your opinion.

[@mariaT20237]

This time lock Hildi Santos-Thomas in the attic and throw away the key. That woman is no designer...she's Loca!

[@kimberker1]

She was a menace. Her designs were the absolute worst.

[@yorocco1]

Agree. Hilda was a self-centered narcissist. She destroyed peoples homes to amuse herself.

[@baconbap]

Oh c'mon. She was quirky. Some of her work was good. She just needs to be in a situation where the homeowner is working closely with her.

[@ZumbaliciousCruz]

I pretty much didn’t like anything Hildi designed 👎🏼.

[@trinasto66]

ZumbaliciousCruz remember she feathered a bedroom and used plastic flowers all over a couples bathroom...then she used caedboard boxes all over a guest room with cardboard furniture .

[@MultiLisa10]

Hildi and Genovive were the WORST designers from that show!!!!! LOL!!!

[@533134]

Yvonne Reeves Genevieve was far better than Hildi!!

[@postgraduate]

Hildie has absolutely NO taste and never took the owners needs, wants, or likes into consideration when she threw up one of her hideous monstrosities into their homes and ruined their walls and furniture. I hated seeing the episodes with her in it.

[@theBeastcub]

I remember a beautiful fireplace being painted egg plant purple with creepy white hand statues on the mantel, which the traded people lit tried to argue with the designer not to paint it that it would terribly upset the homeowner but it got painted anyway, and I remember being just downright pissed off alongside the homeowner, that fireplace was utterly ruined.

[@baconbap]

Pissed off. Then don't apply to go on the show. They just wanted to be on national television Pigs.

[@peanuts_ma8965]

Trading Spaces: The show where you destroy your neighbor's soul.

[@loyshaw935]

I loved the show at first, but then the designers were so disrespectful on what the people wanted or hated.

[@TaysTings]

Trading Spaces: Boys vs Girls was my favorite show for the longest time. Those rooms were soo cool

[@texmom4697]

As long as you view it as a prank and have the time and money to completely redo it afterwards, sign up for the show!

[@azulverde8]

The best host was Paige Davis. She's very sweet, and a contagious joyous personality.

[@rust44]

Gia G Nah

[@baconbap]

She was. I had issues with her at first, but she turned out to be very professional and warm.

[@southernoregoncatmom6519]

I've always liked Ty Pennington. Such a fun and energetic guy.

[@ycartyahoo]

Those Brits are really talented.... we get alot of shows from them...

[@tammydeplata2526]

why the hell did they get rid of Paige when the OBVIOUS problem was one of their designers who's name keeps coming up in all these comments. and i have to say that i agree with most everyone here that didn't like that particular designer. heck, even my mom really disliked her and customarily she just loved seeing the rooms transform into something less boring or traditional. but yeah, my mom and i just didn't understand that Hildy person's vision. i think her intentions were decent enough but i don't think she really gave much thought to the actual spaces she was designing for. i mean, most of these rooms were not very large and i think she tried to design them with some kind of grandiosity that would only work well on a larger scale and more spacious room. she really was a little off kilter.

[@mechengr1731]

Didn't she paint a mural of her face in one room, bring in sand with God awful colors in another, and stapled fake flowers to the wall in addition to the hay incident? I never watched the show, and I already hate Hildi

[@jtv612]

1:53 omg the Psychic Twins 😂

[@evettechampion5214]

I totally miss this show. Augh!

[@norasepulveda2023]

I will love to see again While you were out!! That was one of my favorites

[@terripeterson669]

Nora Sepulveda I liked that show too

[@naya6593]

Nora Sepulveda omg I forgot about that one!! Yes

[@TheDmntdmnky]

I used to love that show!

[@secretlove72]

I couldn’t be in that hay room because I’m allergic to hay.

[@vjhreeves]

As are MANY people! Did they even check to make sure the homeowners were not?

[@CallieMasters5000]

The first host got fired too. She was less perky than Paige. Any new version of this show would probably have tons of social media and internet input, all crap.

[@JohnFourtyTwo]

Does anyone think you can do a renovation for $1,000.00 and it look good? That was the only clue you needed to know in order to decide to watch this show or not.

[@kenzip7829]

the clients are too nice to her. i would go OFF. i don’t care if it’s televised. she needs to be berated for these god awful “designs”

[@mechengr1731]

I mean, didn't some people specifically ask for some things to be protected, but the designers ignored it anyway

[@matthewliano]

Good news trading spaces is back

[@groomergrl75]

That's HUGE WOW factor...

[@leelacarroll7]

Yes I would love to see Trading Spaces return!!

[@Wonderfully_Wicked6664]

2021 is proud to say that show never came back!😂😂

[@ericsonjacques7643]

No not for me I don't like strangers in my house and room. ThANk you.

[@ratherbfishing455]

I love Paige Davis!

[@JudyNepune]

01:54 are these the psychic twins? 😱

[@Jade-nd2gc]

Judy Neptune OMG it looks like them!!

[@t.bby619]

You would be surprised how many shows are based off British television...like most the of ID channel

[@Sheabuttahbaby]

t. bby. I love ID

[@mauriceharriott2569]

Loved that show and boy did they have a few wtf moments lol

[@macsimmer8951]

1:53 did y'all see the physic twins

[@azulverde8]

I loved Trading Spaces! It was my favorite show.

[@miketype1each]

Hildi Santo-Tomas was the absolute WORST designer ever, barely edging out Constance Ramos of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. With hindsight being what it is, the show was far too ambitious, and will certainly be again.

[@knittingnana2939]

Fun fact about host Paige Davis . Paige's first name is actually Mindy . Paige is her middle name and of course the one she uses. She married a man named Patrick page. So if she ever decided to go by her married name and her preferred first name. Her name would be Paige Page. I dont know why, but I felt the need to share that.

[@lyledeyounges1276]

Can't believe they fired Paige. What were they thinking...

[@happy_bubble7]

One of my favorite "reality shows." Lol the designs were so bad much of the time. Would still watch. Would participate too if I were a home owner just because it's for the experience and silliness.

[@helloitisme7430]

Do you know where you can find episodes of the original series?

[@happy_bubble7]

@@helloitisme7430 I wish!! That's why I got on this video in the first place. Even with the bad designs and fake appearances it's one of the best makeover/design shows. Lol design on a dime was really good, too.

[@imani6124]

2 minutes away from your neighbor?

[@lorikorsgren5519]

Bring them all back. I loved them all and missed many hours of sleep watching. Retired now and have time to try some of it! Yahoo!

[@insomnia9999]

The straw walls episode took me out

[@megana7834]

1:54 are the psychic twins

[@missyevitt8150]

Paige Davis wasn't the original host.

[@crompton1434]

Themselves to blame?! Their safe zones were ignored wtf

[@onemorething100]

Alex was a knockout!!

[@justincase4812]

Paige is the only reason to watch the show

[@meikoblock]

why did they put straw on the wall???

[@skylovechasity]

meikoblock ikr..... why in the world? Secretly didn't like her neighbors I guess lol.. I seen that and I was angry for her 😂😂 I don't know how she looked her in the eyes ever again

[@clearcasket1555]

It was Hildi's idea, you expect a reason?

[@Rosie017]

Wether or not it was an original it doesn't matter. I still loved the show regardless.

[@sergeykazantsev1]

Please, don't make any reunions, stay away from people with your "designs".

[@TeriLaFaye]

3:06

[@samanthalambert323]

Watching this in 2021. Trading Spaces, in fact, did not return.

[@ghostmedic86]

Paige Davis was this 15 year olds older woman crush for years.

[@Aluapay]

They didnt fire Hildy?????

[@user-os8kb5bo6q]

Trading spaces didn’t tank because they fired the host. It ranked because ppl were tried of seeing hildi deliberately fuck ppl over and by time y’all fired her ppl were too done with the bullshit to return and You Know It. Or else why even fire her in the first place.

[@historylvr8000]

Well I saw the new Trading Spaces yesterday and apparently their awful taste in decorating has not evolved! First episode included the dreaded Hildi and she did not disappoint in creating a mess of a kaleidoscope room makeover! The other designer was the silver haired guy ( he's name escapes me)and his was not as bad, but he tapered the walls in burlap...so no! I say run away from being on that show...they still don't listen to anything the participants want or don't want!

[@ChristopherUSSmith]

Doug Wilson. He used burlap in his first ever TS episode too.

[@ycartyahoo]

Hay?

[@UncoordinatedPixie]

It was straw actually.

[@joylovingyeshua5861]

Horrible show... the makeovers were so aweful!

[@victrola2007]

Hildie was/is a highly unlikable induvidual who designed to satisfy her 'unorthodox' (translation - self absorbed, inconsiderate of owners' needs post departure and treating this as an abstract last minute design school mid-term project, ALL rolled into one). It is as if she challenged her victims to dare question her 'brilliance', a deliberate affront to what she presumed were their 'unrefined sensibilities'. I could not stand her. She wasn't that great. I finally decided that she did that to compensate for lack of real talent like Vern, who sought to combine swappers's needs with elevated design.

[@annchovey2089]

I wish Paige would bring back her old hairdo.

[@wynmae4013]

They should fire Hildi instead of Paige Davis.

[@SirWrecksy]

the minute you dummies fired Paige...yeah, I'm out

[@01denese]

Paige got weird once she got engaged. All of a sudden she was dressing in prairie skirts and flip-flops and wanting to do prayer circles all the time.

[@HINDRIXX]

They make Hideous changes

[@katherineknapp4370]

😮😊

[@baconbap]

On the remake, Vern's plastic surgery had his eyes and mouth pulled so far back he looked like Eartha Kitt after her face lift.

[@tammytaylor9383]

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ORIGINAL WOMAN WITH THE STRAIGHT BROWN HAIR BEAUTIFUL WOMAN! WHEN IT VERY FIRST STARTED ?? SHE JUST DISAPPEARED WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION!! ALWAYS WONDER ABOUT HER.

[@cheapskateaquatics7103]

I miss the early 2000's reality shows. Straight fuckery and human suffering.

[@olie171]

Sometimes I feel like Hildi is pushing people to beat the crap out of her.

[@ComeliaO7]

She definitely did. And she would’ve sued them too. Just a truly horrible person.

[@baconbap]

No offense, but Hildi did kinda suck. So did Kia.

[@KEL346911]

What about Alex McLeod? I liked her over Paige

[@jeffreyclarke736]

Ty Pennington on Crystal Meth. Come on... You know it, and so do we.

[@ishtar0077]

8yrs ! Of ugly show? Omg so sad .

[@1943ofour]

I hated Ty Pennington...

[@TheDmntdmnky]

MD D me too - I thought I was the only one

[@bettegregory4960]

Let it die! It wasn't a show of what it could be but about designers ego! Dumb show. Really cheap looking rooms

[@savannahjohnson633]

Currently Trading Spaces about to be on again now I think it's pretty shity what they did to the people at the hay even after being warned that the children could choke on it and the b**** saying well they'll just have to be told not to that's not the way any of that work and I woulda sued the s*** out of them for knowingly putting my children in danger that is not in any way part of the deal

[@Commentator541]

Horrible horrible designs and they always use awful patterns to paint the walls. A joke all around.

[@yvettesutten211]

Uhh huh uuuhu Ihu iuui

[@Elketjeable]

Get rid of this crap show and put debbie travis on instead..

[@elainemoberly4574]

Why is Page Davis always touching people. It’s kind of creepy. Even when they let go of her hand she grabs on again. She’s to weird !

[@ryeguyseattle]

This is a prank show. You can’t convince me otherwise.