Oh, my friends totally saw this coming. Of course they did. There was no way I’d let the premiere of the Trading Spaces reboot go by without proclaiming, “I DID THAT!” from every rooftop I could find.
Getting on that iconic show (yikes) fifteen years ago was, aside from partying it up in Nashville on my milestone birthday, the most exhilarating experience I’ve ever had. Being thrust into the pop culture limelight was beyond anything this attention-seeker could have ever imagined.
The Experience
We were lucky enough to participate in Season 4, right when the show was at its peak. Ratings were through the roof, and they decided to up the ante: with cameras capturing our authentic reactions, my three unsuspecting pals and I were told our decorating budget had skyrocketed from $1,000 to a whopping $50,000 (insert a series of shocked emojis, which weren’t even a thing back in 2003). We were chosen for Trading Spaces: 100 Grand! — and it felt like Ed McMahon had just delivered a gigantic cardboard check to us.
We spent the weekend listening to Ty Pennington strumming his guitar late into the night. We realized just how scripted unscripted television can be. And yes, we had our favorites among the cast (as for our least favorite? That’s a secret I’ll only share in person—wink).
The whole experience was nothing short of amazing. The episode was meticulously planned without any input from us. To the producers, we were merely props in their grand design, but we happily went along for the ride. Months of sponsorships had culminated in a flurry of trucks delivering furniture, appliances, electronics, and plasma TVs (which, in 2003, felt like something out of The Jetsons).
After the Reveal
I remember crying into my lapel mic, declaring that unless someone in my graduating class had conquered Mount Everest that summer, I would undoubtedly be the star of my upcoming high school reunion. And I was.
For two full weeks after the big reveal, as we settled back in, gave away our old furniture to astonished friends and neighbors, and attempted to lead a normal life (which was no small feat since we had to keep everything under wraps until the episode aired eight weeks later during sweeps week), I would wake up each morning and be overwhelmed with emotion. I’d look around in disbelief, and the adrenaline from the experience would wash over me, causing me to sob—every single morning.
I would quickly dry my tears before my kids, aged 2 to 10, came bounding down the stairs. I did my best to keep them off the $800 white chairs, the $4,500 silk rug, and far away from a $1,600 table lamp. Fun fact: 15 years later, those chairs, although no longer white (thank you, fabric spray paint!), are still holding strong, and the lamp has survived countless near disasters (thanks, boys!). Unfortunately, the $5,000 plasma TV didn’t fare as well. But hey, you can only control so much when four kids are involved.
The Publicity
The publicity surrounding the show’s premiere was massive. We had a segment on the Today show, appeared in USA Today, and were featured in local newspapers for weeks. After the episode aired, I was approached in parking lots. Yes, that was me, and yes, I still clip coupons (laughing emoji). What they created was pure magic: our two-hour segment achieved the highest ratings for a non-network show ever, and they did it all without Twitter. Can you believe that?
To promote the show’s reboot, they’ve been airing old episodes to generate excitement, but I know mine won’t be re-broadcast. My episode aired during the show’s golden era and was one of the first gimmicks they used to reinvigorate a series that has seen its share of cast changes. I get it; it happens to the best of them (we’re over it, Mr. Clooney, but we certainly missed our Dr. Ross when you left). I understand they’ve returned to their roots, trying to give fans what they loved initially, which is a smart move (and honestly, I still have a VHS copy at home, so it’s all good).
We’ve since moved from our Trading Spaces house and now live with rugs from Home Goods, but we keep some framed photos around as a reminder of our incredible fortune. Plus, I have an amazing scrapbook from that time.
Forever a Memory
I’ll probably talk about this experience forever, but I suppose a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like that deserves a permanent hall pass. My friends know I still find ways to weave it into random conversations (okay, deliberate ones), and they tolerate my stories. True story: I was chatting with a spirited senior at a restaurant bar recently, and out of nowhere, she mentioned living “right near where that TV show came to town.” I might have slapped her shoulder in excitement, my eyes lighting up as I stage-whispered, “That was us!” My husband actually kicked me under the table, but it was pointless; she didn’t even hear me.
I wrote about this experience years ago (feel free to check it out here), but thanks to the statute of limitations imposed by my kids, I probably need to move on from writing about it again and just cherish the memories. But I’d be happy to answer any questions you have. Just ask away!
In Summary
In summary, the time I spent on Trading Spaces remains a cherished memory, filled with laughter, tears, and life lessons. Despite the passage of time, it’s a story that continues to resonate not only with me but with my friends who still enjoy reminiscing about it.
Keyphrase: Trading Spaces experience
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