HGTV – Is it Design Reality or Not?

With all the do-it-yourself shows on HGTV it's no wonder most people have the impression they can create a beautiful home all on their own, even if they've never done as much as pick up a paint brush.  You would be amazed at the number of clients who have called us frustrated that they tried to do a project by themselves after seeing it look so simple on TV, only to end up with a torn up home and worse off than before they began.

On these "reality" home shows, many of them have major crews behind the scenes working around the clock on the home.   Those projects where "the designer" and the homeowner miraculously transform a house overnight with a mere 2 or 3 people working on it just isn't so.  It gives many people the false impression that transforming your home will only take hours.

Which brings me to another point of the design aesthetic on most of these TV projects. Design is something that is created to reflect your lifestyle,  your tastes, your world.   It's not about the latest "cool countertop (or insert what ever just-viewed object), because I saw it on HGTV".   It's not about making your house a home on the weekend, and it certainly is not a design contest to be won by elimination.

True professional designers are trained to help you create the look you want to have in your home, that fits your lifestyle.  Your life isn't throw-away and your home design shouldn't be either.  It's not about how much or how little something may cost, as good design can be in many price points.  A professional can help you get the most out of your dollars spent, and not give the false impression that it can all be done in 48 hours.

Submitted by Tom Gunkelman