Trading Spaces Behind the Scenes: Including Decorating Tips and Tricks (Paperback)

~ Brian Kramer (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: TLC (March 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0696217120
• ISBN-13: 978-0696217128
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #738,151 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trading Spaces - A Breath Of Fresh Air!, March 28, 2003

By	Caroline P. Hampton (Columbus, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I'm a huge fan of TLC's "Trading Spaces". I love the concept (based on the fabulous BBC show "Changing Rooms") and I love the designers (they really are the ones that make this show a hit) and I love home design. BUT - if you are looking for a HOW TO book. This isn't for you.... this is a fun and gossipy book ABOUT the designers, carpenters and host Paige Davis. If you want HOW TO tips, wait until later this year when THAT book comes out.

This book if full of profiles, home pictures, tales and reviews of each of the designers and their most famous rooms. It's a fun look inside their lives and recommendations. It's a marketing person's dream :) It's fluff --- but in a good way. It's a great soft sided book that takes your mind off more serious topics of the day.

My favorite spotlights are Hildi (it really shows her softer and sweeter side) and my all time fav. groovy girl Genevieve. She's such a wonderful free spirit. BUT - without a doubt, my crush on Vern's talent is even greater after reading about him in this book.

"Trading Spaces - Behind The Scenes" is just a great pick me up and I enjoyed every minute of it!

68 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Everything you ever want to know about Doug Wilson, but...., March 14, 2003

By A Customer

This book is a good example of savvy marketing at it's best. My husband and I have watched the show ever since the Alex Mcloud era, and we were hoping to get some tips and how-tos on some of the designs we've seen over the years. This book is basically a big biography of the designers- I could give a flying fig where Doug Wilson went to High School, I want to know how he does those cool paint techniques! If you're looking for tips and techniques like me, hold out until August- TLC will be releasing two more books from the TS camp; one on furniture, paint and fabric, and the other on accessories. However if you're really looking for poster-size photos of the designers (I kid you not), look no further.

41 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Stars of Trading Spaces, April 6, 2003

By	William L. Gilstrap (Vidor, Tx USA) - See all my reviews

The book is an inside look at the designers and others who appear on the TV show. It is not meant to be a "How To" book. Within the scope of its purpose, it does well. It shows many pictures and gives a lot of information about the people. It's a sort of introduction to the show through its stars and does a good job of showing their personalities, quirks, & mess ups. It does show a little about the rooms that have been decorated on the show and has a list with comments about every show at the end of the book. It also does show a few tips about decorating. There are two more books scheduled to be published that will be more like decorating "How To".