Trading Spaces Behind the Scenes: Including Decorating Tips and Tricks

Author: Brian Kramer
Customer Rating:

, based on 56 reviews

Lowest Price: $1.08
By Supplier: spiritbooks64

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Editorial Review:

Fans of cable TV’s mega-hit Trading Spaces know the rules: Two sets of homeowners, each helped full-time by a designer and part-time by a carpenter, swap houses and dive into a frenzied, two-day redo of a designated room. They have $1,000 apiece to pull off the job—no peeking at the other team’s work until time is up. But there’s more to reality TV than meets the viewer’s eye. This book tells all, including the actual number of days and off-camera supporting players needed to dramatize just one hour of on-air excitement and tension. This book is like a backstage pass for Trading Spaces groupies. They’ll read juicy biographical tidbits about quirky cast members, as well as design dos and don’ts. Bold graphics and splashy photography show off myriad styles: country kitsch, classic with a hint of modern, contemporary and sleek, rustic comfort, Euro chic, and even the outrageously weird.

Customer Reviews:

Good for fans, but it does have some problems

I'd probably rate this closer to a 3 1/2. The majority of the book contains biographies of the designers, carpenters, and Paige. At the end, all of the episodes from the first three seasons are listed, which includes the designers and a few details. It is a good book if you're a Trading Spaces fan, which I am, but the title doesn't really match the content. There is very little that is "behind the scenes" (although there is some, and it is interesting). The biographies don't go as in-depth as I'd have liked, and there were a few typos, which gave the book a less professional feel. It's good for a die-hard fan, and I am glad I bought it, but I also bought it used off amazon, and I don't know what I would be willing to pay full price for this.

2004-10-30

Good

Love Trading Spaces! This is a good book to give you insight about the show.

2004-07-01

FOR RABID "TRADING SPACES" FANS ONLY...

This is really a large sized, coffee table styled, soft cover book that focuses on the stars that make "Trading Spaces" the cable show hit that it is. It is a pictorial odyssey with text that reads as if a fawning fan were writing it and striving for the lowest common denominator. Still, a rabid fan of the show, to which I admit being, will enjoy finding out more about those who make "Trading Spaces" a show worth watching.

The book gives an overview the show and some behind-the-scene details about what goes into making an episode. It also gives a relatively brief biography of each member of the show's cast, as well as lavish, loving color photographs of them. It tells the reader how each cast member came about landing a spot on "Trading Spaces". There are also before and after photographs of some of the rooms on which they have worked. The book ends with a complete episode guide for seasons one, two, and three, replete with room by room discussions for each episode.

If one is not a rabid fan of "Trading Spaces", one should deduct at least one star from my rating and not buy this book. It is a book only rabid fans of the show would appreciate.

2004-05-31

Okay...this book gets old fast...even though the show rocks!

I bought this book recently, thankfully for less $ on Amazon. If I paid $20 for this book I would have immediately returned it after a day of paging through. There's barely any content with this book. I love Trading Spaces, it's a great show for the most part, but this book was a let-down. I wanted to know more about all the designers, especially Vern, and there just wasn't enough information. It was like they were holding all the fun or revealing information for another money-making book for us all to buy. I wish this book was written on more of a higher intellectual level, I read the entire book in 3 or 4 days. 60-70% of the book is pictures with very little content.

The true talent on the show is definitely Vern, Laurie, and the wild Doug, & Gen. they are the best designers. Of course Doug has his "what were you thinking???" moments, but that's my opinion, and Gen always seems to amaze you with her creativeness. Gen. has a wonderful personality. The carpenters bust their behinds trying to crank out quality workmanship in a time crunch with not-so-great MDF wood, it's amazing what they can do sometimes. I think it's an absolute PITY that the budget isn't slightly higher. $1000 must be truly a challenge because their wood cost and paint adds up to a lot. I wish the budget was at least $1100, $1500 like While You Were Out would be best, but I can't believe they can't raise the budget to $1100, it seems like whenever a designer's over budget, it's never more than $20-100. It shows TLC is stingy, but they can pay Paige big bucks....Paige needs to grow up a little, loose the baby voice, sorry to say!

Sadly, because of the somewhat let-down of this book, I will not be buying anymore TLC Trading Spaces book unless something SPECTACULAR comes out. As much as I love Trading Spaces, I'd HAVE to say with the risk of getting a horrid HILDI room, if I were to sign up for Trading Spaces it'd have to be for an insignificant room like a basement or unused den.

Also, I think Hildi is a DISGRACE to this show. She may fool you with her slight good looks and talkative charm, but once you see how her "VISION" for the room unfolds, it's a nightmare. I don't know about you, but I FEEL SORRY for all the people who had Hildi rooms they've dreaded. Feathers on the wall, CARDBOARD was the worst! People do move to a new home, lady! She has NO CONCERN for the happiness of the homeowner. To paraphrase, she's said when asked why she doesn't stay to see the reveal...."My work is done here, I know it was an excellent job". You're scared the homeowner will come after you wanting to know what the hell you did with thier HOME! Hildi is the reason I wouldn't go on Trading Spaces.....There should be a "HILDI RELIEF FUND"...I'd donate! I am not the only one....

2004-01-21

Getting to Know You

This book is primarily a tell-all about the designers and the hostess of the show Trading Spaces. While the book has a few tips and tricks, it is not about learning skills. I'm a huge fan of the show, so I enjoyed reading about these characters who frequent my living room. The book is put together in a colorful fashion with loads of beautiful photos and is fun to read. If you like the show and want to learn more about the cast, then read this book.

2003-12-31

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