To me Debbie is one of the better shows. She does do a lot things that are fun and inventive. I just wonder how it all looks in person. To do as much work to these places in just 3 to 4 days, I am sure the quality can't be the greatest. The thing that bugs me the most about her show is the contrived drama. Every show seems to have some big issue that all seems too staged.

One of my favorite episodes was when the husband and grown daughters conspired to redo and enlarge the master bedroom into a neighboring room. The finished product was quite attractive. Debbie had picked a dramatic paint color but the epilogue was that a few days later the woman had it repainted to a bland beige or something. Debbie's choice was actually better.

I do like her ideas. Not afraid to do work-intensive changes, which is great for the show. Maybe not so much for DIYers. I agree about the contrived drama. It also seems like she casts herself as being involved in the physical labor. I don't mind if she doesn't pound nails, but I find all the "we" language to be annoying. I haven't seen an episode recently, but having the lead construction guru as a character, per se, would be welcome.

Devyn, nothing like writing off 300 million people as all being the same. How boring. Fall off a tree.

I love most design shows. The more dramatic the better. Healthy entertainment for a change. Something Fun. Fun. I'm enjoying the fun. Nice change. My hats off to anyone who becomes a design icon on TV. 10 years ago only Bob Villa was fun.....we've come so far...:) With the trickle down theory, even the people at your local hardware store are cashing in. Everyone gets happy.......how else was Apartment Therapy spawned?

I can't not watch her whenever I'm passing by. I like the lead construction guru suggestion, however I find her use of the first person plural to be a welcome change from the more Martha-esque singular.

I also get a kick that it's filmed in Canada.

Now that we have a kinder, gentler Martha to contend with on NBC, it feels like Debbie has quickly filled TV's void for the intimidating, "scary", mean design lady. I don't like her show. And she really scares me. But I can never switch off "Facelift" when I stumble upon it. Watching it is like watching the videotape in "The Ring" (except I don't think anyone has died 7 days after watching her.) I especially love when she shows up on camera with big rollers in her hair and complains about the early morning. It's even more fun to watch her get cranky and scold the friends and family of the homeowner who are helping with the job. I guess I kind of like her show--but for all the wrong reasons. She obviously has a sense of humor about herself. (But I would never invite her into my home because I know she would make me cry.)

Thank you, Enrique! I'm not the only person who thinks she's really a meanie trying to be personable. I would find the inexperienced, well meaning friends and family annoying too. She does fill that Martha void with the "you're not as fabulous as me so shut up and worship everything I do." I can't really watch it because of her. I miss Mean Martha like nobody's business.

I really like this show. Debbie's funny, but sort of scary at the same time. Like when she comes in on day 2 with curlers in her hair (yet with a full face of TV make-up) and starts yelling at people to get to work. Anyway, her rooms alway come out great.

There is another Canadian design show that comes on HGTV (really late at night) where 3 potential suitors have their apartments checked out by the man or woman they will go on a date with. Then he/she choses the most appealing apartment and the owner of the place designs a room in his/her apartment. I don't know if I explained that very well, but it's a really good show with lots of good stuff. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

meg-me, it used to be called love by design (it had one woman designer and her co-host, richard)and then changed and was called date with design (with richard and a different designer every time). i haven't seen it in awhile and thought it had just disappeared off the hgtv schedule, but i always forget to check their website.

"Devyn, nothing like writing off 300 million people as all being the same. How boring. Fall off a tree." (fishpatrol)

I think you missed my point. It has always been clear that Canadian and British design shows are actually willing to take a bit of risk (Hildi not withstanding), and the vast majority of the time, the homeowners from Canada and England like the more contemporary designs.

American's (in general) are terrified of color, modern design, and anything not found at Home Depot or Wallmart. If that weren't the case, we would have more shows like the ones from Canada and England. (and we wouldn't have to import them.)

I think that the Debbie Travis shows actually put the process of design and reno into prospective. All the other shows only allow the viewer to see the easiest parts of the design process (including Candice).

At least with DT we see actual teardown and reconstruction going on. We see the homeowners freaking out at the mess and see them relegated to a single room to live in, choking on dust, tripping over tools and wire while chaos surrounds them. I find that refreshing.

Yeah, DT gets on my nerves with her "we did this or that" when all you see her do is direct and scare everyone around her. But a TV host that is willing to be on camera with no makeup and her hair in curlers is alright by me.

Devyn - MY definition of "Americans in general" is anyone west of NJ, east of California, south of Chicago and north of Miami (or maybe Atlanta). I wish I had a map of the US with those parameters drawn out.

Quoth Devyn: "American's (in general) are terrified of color, modern design, and anything not found at Home Depot or Wallmart."

Oh, puhlease! Target bases its entire marketing putsch on the notion that the average American in the big-parking-lot 'burbs will buy sleek, modern-looking stuff and brightly colored accessories. And it seems to work for them. They're everywhere, and getting bigger all the time.

When a British design show does the same thing as an American one (e.g., Changing Rooms vs. Trading Spaces), the original taste of the vic-... I mean participants seems to be equally bland and dreadful, regardless of originating culture. The designers are just more entertaining on the BBC version because one can't understand half the meaningless banter.

Oh I just love reading these posts!

I watch most of these shows. Small spaces tonight was - I thought - really good. Innovative. The shows that show "work" being done - well, in an hours' time, how much can they possibly show. I just had a closet redone and my cat is still spitting out paster dust and giving me dirty looks. It's filthy work. I think Travis in particular brings humor to it all. Her rollers are funny. Her staff is amazing. She produces the entourage because otherwise no one would be speaking to the camera and she's a designer from way back.

Devyn: "Canadian and British design shows..." - well, Hildi is Cuban and lives in Paris. She also has very large feet. Has anyone noticed?

Anne: Ditto twice. And I would think its North of Atlanta but I like your logic.

well, I'm floored. Who knew that Divine Design and Facelift actually are broadcast down in the US, not to mention seem to be highly regarded.

Up here in the land of toques, poutine, igloos and hockey, we've had Debbie and Candice forever. And while both women have their flaws I love 'em.

Candice - needs to get herself into a pot-light 12-step program. And Debbie seems to have mostly kicked her faux-something-or-other habit.

Did Debbie Travis' Painted House ever make it down to the US? It was clever, but... painful. Every single show did an all-paint overhaul. No reno. From murals to faux-marble, she did it all.

chzplz, I'm 99.44% sure I've seen Painted House in the US.

Yup. They still show Painted House on HGTV at least here in NYC, although not in prime time. I do agree Debbie seems a little scary at times. She's got strong opinions and visibly holds back at times which seems pretty real to me. I think it all comes off as being a good camraderie without covering up some of the disargreement. And they at least show how hard the crew really works to accomplish everything in so short a time frame. I love Candice show, but only one episode of the "making of" variety showed a lot of what goes on behind the scenes.

I saw that show too - the making of Divine Design (behind the scenes). It threw some light (not pot lights) on her method which I appreciated. When I get clients that want to know why they can't get everything in a couple of days and "how come it costs to much to have that made?!" I blame the lame "soup to nuts in a weekend" shows on HGTV that seem to claim it can be done for under $500 in one afternoon.

Painted House comes on everyday here (NYC) at 4PM on HGTV. Opposite Oprah.

Do you folks get Design Inc. in the States? It's on HGTV in Canada, filmed here in Toronto, and follows an actual design firm through actual design projects, with real clients and real (usually fairly sizable) budgets, over several weeks. The upside is that the quality of the work is high, as is the reality factor (or at least as real as you can get in a show that covers an entire reno in half-an-hour). The downside is that the projects, while stunning in their own right, tend to be rather safe and risk-averse in the way that you would expect of clients who are spending tens of thousands of dollars (sometimes more?)on their renos. The host/designer, Sarah Richardson, is very personable, charming, cute, and talented, on TV and in person, and her staff are kind of fun in that nice inoffensive Canadian way. Overall, it's a very fresh kind of show compared to what else is out there.

And no, I do not work for, shill for, or even know her.

Where is Debbie Travis? Is it just me or are there only repeats on now . This is the 3rd year the same Facelift Xmas special has been shown .Design Rivals has disappeared also anyone know why ?

Perhaps it's because I'm English but I don't find Debbie scary at all. I find her extremely affable.

again, perhaps it's because I'm English but I think Devyn's getting a bit of a hard time. Contemporary design is doing a lot better in the States these days. There's no denying the success of stores such as Target and Ikea but even Ikea says the American market was the most difficult for them to break into. Their studies shown the masses didn't want modern.

Reef

Reef

I'd be hard pressed to think of a design show I dislike as intensely as this one.

I LOVE Debbie Travis. I think she and her team think out of the box. I'd love for her to come to my place and just give it a FACELIFT...it needs it really. I think she'd get a good laugh and Lord knows we all need a bit more laughter in our lives. Debbie doesn't scare me a bit. I love the English folk. Have an English friend. She teaches me sayings and I try and repeat them but it just doesn't sound right without the accent :)

would love to have a surprise visit in my new ediface in Mtl. by Debbie Travis. I am one GREAT BIG FAN of hers .Please rsvp.

Dear Debbie,

I watch your show every chance I have. Me daughter and I have a rendez-vous went you are on TV. IT's our quality time. She 12 years old and full of ideas. Her room is very small, and to be honest with you I don't know what to do with it. I think as potentiel skill to be a designer. She try to have you come to our place for me but it would such an amazing surprise to have you come to our place for her. I can't wait to hear from you.

Thank a million.

Martine Galipeau Seaman for Victoria Seaman

I love your style. I just started watching your show and really enjoy it. I recently moved into my boyfriend's house and have the displeasure of looking at pale off-white walls everywhere. With a little color this house would be awesome. I am going to try to sit this traditionalist down and watch your show so he can see how great this home could be.

Regards,

Eileen

I am from Sunny South Africa,I watched Debbie's shows whenever I can!She is very talented and a beautiful person inside and out.I have been inspired by each and every show even if it was not my taste.Wow how she has the ability to make everyone happy.You keep going girl you inspire all women all over the world