Get ready for spine tingling good fun as HGTV's newest show (which we are in), Small Space, Big Style premiers tomorrow night (sorry if you don't have cable). The Grey Lady wasn't pleased, however. It got swiped by Anita Gates in today's New York Times:
All look good, but the show doesn't offer the before-and-after fun of home makeovers. And the design tips are not exactly press-stopping news.
Ouch!
Perhaps she would like to wind back the clock and start life over with reruns of Trading Spaces?
If you ask us, we think the show is going to be great for just the kind of people who read this site (some of whom will be in future episodes!), who are sick of makeovers and just want a lot of visual information that they can use.
Most of the homes are funky, and one of our favorites is in Ms. Gates review: David Wharram and Franziska Neumann's 350-square-foot Chelsea apartment, which they share with their infant son, Luke.
I'm looking forward to Small Spaces, Big Style. They had a mini-show once which was great.
I'm also going to watch the trailer show on MTV; perhaps they have ideas as well.
I too am sick of makeovers and just want solutions that I can utilizein my own space. I refuse to watch any show that says, "go ahead and open your eyes". I watched Trading Spaces in the PPP days (pre-perky Paige). But it became more about personalities and entertainment, so I stopped. One show I did like was This Small Space, but since moving to the other side of Flatbush Ave. and a cable company change, I no longer get it. I am hoping Small Space, Big Style will fill the void.
I will probably watch at least the first episode of SSBS, but I am guessing it will be like most of HGTV's show's... Lot's of empty calories.
I'm very much looking forward to watching it.
I'm officially sick of Mission Organization, one of my past comfy faves. It's become one suburban basement catchall/office catchall/bedroom catchall reorg after another.
i love Home To Go so much. As a renter, I really appreciate the solutions they offer on that show (Hello, chair rails affixed to the wall by velcro! Cool!)
Will definitely watch Small Space, Big Style on Thursday. (After going over a year with no cable whatsoever, the cable guy is coming Thursday!) Does anyone know if Home To Go is still on?
Since the Times thing failed to mention it ... didn't someone say that our own Maxwell is on this show? So, especially before we chime in with nay-saying ... let's have a look shall we?
It sounds good to me! A refreshing change from those shows about sprawling estates and "dream homes", etc., where you're stuck in the middle of nowhere with a house so big and so over-run with the kinds of superfluous high-end gadgets for which they are probably completely impossible to get a repairman!
I'm looking forward to seeing this. (MAINLY because I want to see Maxwell in action!)
Home-to-Go is still on (at least with my cable co. out here in the Pac NW) but it shows up at odd times like in the middle of a day or in the wee hours of the morning. I like that show, too. Only complaint is that while they use sticky-back velcro a lot and note how great it is for renters, they don't show how to remove it when one is ready to move on.
I've never seen Home to Go, but it is on:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_hh2go
As Libby said, it seems to be on at odd times.
woohoo - my favorite show! Well, the pilot was up there at least. Now Maxwell is on it, things can only get better.
I absolutely agree that cutting to the good bits is where it's at and that is what I do with my DVR. I take a quick look at the befores and either so the 15 minute skip thing (ask me if you don't knwo about this on the TWC box/remote) or the 3X ffwd thing to get to the after. As much as I like seeing the process because I am used to actually "doing" the process myself (one of these days I'll send in tons of photos) I much prefer seeing the result.
For all you HGTV/DIY/FineLiving/TLC/Discovery/History/NG fans out there who are lamenting the fact that a lot of these shows are at odd times, get a Tivo or DVR!!! It will be one of the best decisions you ever made.
That small spaces show, was that the one with "our very own Peter" who also hosts Home to Go? I think the host's name was Susan Crenshaw and her other side kick was Philip someone. I never see it in the schedules and the TWC DVR is not so good at searching whereas Tivo is.
Anyway, go Maxwell, go!
so the 15 minute skip = do the 15 minute skip
Just checked HGTV.com (horribly slow site) and this small space archive is here
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/episode_archive/0,1783,HGTV_3897_65,00.html
No broadcast times so I'm guessing it's over now and not on a repeat schedule.
This Small Space was GREAT (jamie pup-- you'll be proud to hear that TiVo was well-applied to capture TSS episodes!) Peter Fallico of H-t-G used to do a how-to segment, and Susan would also interview Carl Lohnes (I believe a contributor to Canadian House & Home mag) or Steven Sabados. But they never reran the Sabados episodes once Designer Guys came on the scene.
One of my favorite TSS interiors shown was Peter's own smart and tailored townhome.
But I believe jamie pup is right... it's no longer aired. :(
And I agree that the makeover show is a tad overdone these days. If I hear "reveal" used as a noun, or see one more how-to on how to make a beribboned fabric-covered memo board, I'll take to the streets with my own staple gun...
I welcome any interiors show that cuts to the money shot, small-space oriented or not.
I'm looking forward to seeing Maxwell, like I said, but yo! As the kids say, don't be hatin'! I'm absolutely FINE with "the reveal" on these shows. I like things that show visible improvements in things. Leaving it better than it was. Giving things a new lease on life. I think that that showing where something started helps you be able to appreciate what it took for it to get great.
For instance, only the people who saw me 10 or 15 pounds heavier bother to tell me, "You look great!"
Oh yes, Carl Lohnes. Thanks ptoo. Yep I am very proud that you tivo'd (can I say I tifaux? I got that from someone's blog and it never caught on but I liked it) TSS to death. To the extent that you saw the Steven Sabados episodes that I never knew about! What a shame they did not show them while both TSS and Designer Guys were on. I didn't see Peter's home either.
BTW, have you seen the Designer Guy's latest foray? They were so good before with the right level of playful "rivalry" with great results but now they've taken that whole rivalry thing way too far.
Home to Go seems to be airing all repeats now. They don't seem to be making any new episodes. But I agree they often came up with great ideas for renters who weren't able to make permanent changes in their homes. I'm looking forward to this new show. Though I agree I get bored with a lot of the "getting there/how its done" parts of these shows sometimes it is helpful to know what was involved in creating the final result.
Curtis:
Did you take before and after pictures?
jamie pup - I'm afraid that Tivo would be like crack for me, since cable On Demand already is (I've had a cheap special for a long time and it's going to end soon, which is when life will begin again...)
Personally, I'm done with these types of tacky contrived shows. If you live in NYC as I do and have many fabulous friends (gay and straight) with great taste and style why bother wasting time watching this stuff. Frankly, I find this website much more informative, and at times, rather entertaining.
Home dec shows are like those exercise videos of the 80's. I think a lot of viewers watch them from the comfort of the sofa thinking, "Yeah, I could do that" while chowing down on Ben & Jerry's.
Pixie - TIVO (or DVR) actually helps suck less time with telly, because you are less tempted to watch random crap when you have what you recorded available.
And you can fast forward really well, so Jon Stewart boils down to 15 fun-filled minutes..
I would certainly LOVE (really love) Tivo, but I've read that studies show that people with Tivo watch more tv than those without. I know the day will come when Tivo will descend upon me at an unguarded moment because I'm exactly the right kind of sucker (don't encourage me). I need to watch less tv. Maybe I should go back to broadcast and my VCR.
Libby, I agree with you about that. Instead of the Ben & Jerry's while watching the exercise video, now it's the home redo shows while your own place needs serious shoveling out. Of course, I love to watch those shows...
Yup, after a while makeover shows are just plain boring.
I am glad I found apartmenttherapy -- this is actually my home page. It's a nice way to start my computer time.
I like your emphasis on design and creativity -- form and function -- very basic. Applies to all styles and tastes.
Can't wait to see the show!
The problem with makeover shows is the reality that residents hating the result makes good television. They always do something that goes against their desires, and I find that very disturbing to watch.
I've helped several friends do one-day makeovers for fun and would never EVER foist something on someone after being told they despise it.
Valerie -
The most common version of that problem that I've noticed, and I can't remember exactly which designer it was, but on Trading Spaces, I think, was that they were told the home owner didn't like beige. Well, the designer decided that this color she had selected really wasn't beige, and that in the context of her brilliant design, the home owner wouldn't see it as beige, but as this wonderful thing. Well, she was wrong -- it was perceived as beige, and it didn't matter that it was some clever spin on it.
But, what I think you're REALLY talking about is even worse! Like when Doug and Hildi did that thing where they just decided between them that one would do a White room and the other do a Black one, they really didn't seem to give a rat's rosette what the home owners wanted.
It really did diminish my respect for both designers. As people. Big time.
So... yeah, one of the home owners liked it. But, the other one absolutely hated it, and although I thought they were both kind of pretty, literally flying in the face of the inhabitant's desires was ALMOST harder to watch than the bug-eating dance they do on Fear Factor.
Curtis--
I agree that the black and white episode of Trading Spaces was almost criminal. I understand that people are at the mercy of the designers when they go on that show, but that one went too far. But considering it was the two Divas (Hildi and Doug) it didn't really surprise me. But my opinion of either of them as people was never high enough to be diminished by that stunt.
Speaking of Trading Spaces, does anyone else HATE the new format without a host??!?
rat's rosette. ha.
Yup, I also hate the new Trading Spaces format. Tried watching it once and never went back.
On a more general note in favor of decorating and makeover shows, if I had not seen Maxwell on Mission Organization I would never have found Apartment Therapy. And I'm still addicted to most of them, although my time might be better spent doing a lot of other things, they at least inspire me to trudge on in my own efforts at decluttering and redecorating.
That's how I found Maxwell/AT too!
I didn't mean to sound like I had given up on decorating shows... far from it. I just welcome the introduction of a new format. Or, considering it sounds a bit like This Small Space, the re-introduction of an old format!
But I do prefer the non-DIY shows like re:Design, Divine Design and Facelift. Home to Go the possible exception.
The more DIY shows focus too much on carpentry and paint for me. No place that I can think of to stash either a sewing machine or a tablesaw in my current studio, so those concepts are pretty foreign to me.
I used to like This Small Space a lot..I guess it is gone now.. Also enjoyed Home to Go, which now shows up in the middle of the day I think, at least on weekends. I think I saw lot of interesting ideas on H2G if I think about it.
Cant take Trading Spaces anymore or pretty much any of home shows on TLC.
Some of Design on a Dime is good. I am a DIY person always looking for ideas.
When it comes to design shows I like Divine Design quite a bit. I am always impressed with Candice Olsen's concept to delivery process.
I can like Redesign too at times, not always.
Debbie Travis can be interesting to watch, but any of her stuff would either require an army or too much dedication!
Have been watching the new Room Service show in Fine Living channel. Has the fresh face appeal. Dont have any opinion yet.
Catalog This on Fine Living is a stupid show IMHO.
Designer Finals can be very interesting at times. Sometimes I wonder where could one find designer students like that in the Boston or NY area?
Another thing I always wonder about these makeover shows (the cheap ones) - After the crew leaves how long does stuff hold up on the wall or whatever. Sometimes things look too flimsy for my taste.
Patrick (too), ditto on the lack of room for DIY table saws and the like. I wish I could figure out a place to store a tall ladder (or one that folds down small) so I didn't risk my neck when changing light bulbs!
Another show I've been enjoying is Design Remix, but then I don't have space enough to hang onto all the stuff she finds to reuse in such clever ways.
I totally love Home To Go, too...I wish they did re-runs of that on HGTV as much as they do all the other schlock where 2000 sf is considered small. Here (Wash DC), it's on at 2 pm on Sundays. Sad that I know this...I'm greatly anticipating Small Space, Big Style, though!
What I really love is Dwell on Fine Living Network.
So I only liked one of the houses last night! The first one was super cute and I loved how she used slipcovers to change the looks of the room. The black+white+red was pretty damn cool looking too.
The New York one was cute too (I loved the vertical LACK shelving in the living room... white shelves on blue walls) but that desk/changing table was not custom made. I just bought it from Hold Everything in espresso two weeks ago. It's called the Carroll Desk.
Maxwell was so adorable last night! I think I have a crush on Gita from Thread Collective. Am I imbalanced for crushing on talking heads from HGTV?
Maxwell--
Congratulations on your appearance in SSBS. I liked the show a great deal and hope it continues.
To all--
Like many of you, I miss Home To Go. I wasn't aware it is in re-runs, but I tape it assiduously while I "like on the couch and say I could do that" and then don't really do anything. So far.
But I love H2G and wish it were on more frequently. The ideas are very good and I enjoy seeing how they are executed. I'm waiting for an idea of what I can do with my humongous collection of books in my NYC-sized apartment. Last night's LACK shelving was great--for a small collection.
the show was ok..did not feel too excited..felt somewhat rushed and the ideas were so so..have to keep an watch for future episodes..
I was pleased to see Maxwell on a new show. His makeovers on Mission Organization were THE BEST! As for the show itself we particularly liked the home in LA, but all had clever ideas. We taped the show and found it difficult to keep up with the speed of the camera so had to look in slow motion to actually see parts of the home. Look forward to more episodes.
I am in love....I hope that the up coming shows are much like this one was.
Much like Shirley, though I thought that the speed was a tad fast, there are great idea's, I love the 4 poster bed and the lights in the wall.
Living in less than 500 square feet, I look forward to more ideas that are usable.
For once I'm sad that I don't have a television! I would have loved to see the show. Next time I'll have to commandeer the television of one of my unsuspecting friends.
Ok the space that the two brothers created, they're in a band . . . I need to see pictures of it. It was fantastic! Do you know the name of their band, by chance . . . or where I can see some pics of their space?
Fun show.
HOME TO GO - They still get new episodes on HGTV.CA but we don't here. Does anyone know how
to get that show here in USA? Does Peter have the episodes for sale as some shows are doing now? Does anyone know if he has a decorating book-if not he sure should.
I saw Maxwell Ryan on Mission Organization and
SSBS, I like his ideas too. Does he have a book?
With so many apartment dwellers, where are the shows????????? Ann
I am enjoying the show...but I think it could be better. First of all, several of the segments feature one person (or even a couple) living in a 900 or 1000 sq. ft. apartment -- I'm supposed to think of this as a small space? I guess in a country of sprawling suburban homes, maybe...but I still don't think there is much challenge in living in 1000 sq. ft. unless you have a couple of kids. It certainly doesn't require any space saving ideas. So I think the show should concentrate more on truly small spaces that require some cleverness and originality. I really like Maxwell and his new hair style. I think the other two commentators are lame. The show is best when it has really funny or annoying people showing off their apartments, like that loser with the neon green walls and the "family crest" above his bed. That was awesome!
This show is slammin'. I love seeing what people can do with small spaces. Although the one where the couple lived in a teeny trailer in the middle of the wilderness was majorly creepy and cramped. I think I had to remind myself to breathe LOL. SSBS is the best show on right now.