HGTV and Me
Wed, Jul 1, 2009
My evening last night was what you might call less than productive. I finished up with work, got some dinner and made my way home around 6:30. By 7:00, I was lost in the world of first-time property owners and decorating on a dime.
I don’t usually watch a lot of live TV but for some reason the shows on the HGTV network (that’s Home and Garden TV for you newbies) get me every time. They’re the kind of programs that you can leave on in the background and not have to give a lot of thought to, yet they’re entertaining and enjoyable to watch and I always learn something new.
Property Virgins, for example, helps new homeowners find their first home. It’s always fun to see if their expectations are realistic or if they are way off the mark. I tend to watch and compare the new home owners to my husband and me when we were looking for our first house. I’d like to think that we weren’t as naive and clueless (since the CPA had been a homeowner before) but I’m guessing we probably were just as bad.
Then there’s Color Splash, with David Bromstad. The guy is amazing. I love watching what he does with color. As an added bonus, he creates an original painting for all the rooms he works on and he makes it look so easy to do. One of these days I am going to try it. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.
After Color Splash came my favorite show, House Hunters. In this program, the person looking for a house is shown three different properties and at the end of the show, they choose which one they want. I love trying to decide which house I would choose if I were in their shoes. Last night’s episode featured a neurologist and his wife who have a farm house property in upstate New York and who were looking to buy a vacation home in the Caribbean where they would live for six months out of the year. As soon as the show was over, I proclaimed that the CPA and I were definitely in the wrong occupations – we should have chosen neurology.
Finally, around 10:30, I decided I had had enough. (Actually, my husband was waiting in bed for me and I couldn’t very well tell him I wouldn’t join him because I was busy watching HGTV. I don’t think he quite understands my obsession with it.) So I reluctantly said goodbye to my shows, turned off the tube and headed upstairs.
But suddenly I realized – there’s always tomorrow night!
Do you watch HGTV? If so, what is your favorite show?
Popularity: 30% [?]
Tags: hgtv, home shows
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July 1st, 2009 at 5:06 am
House Hunters! House Hunters! House Hunters!! I love shopping for houses, even when they aren’t for me
All the fun of rating a property without the stress of making a decision!!
July 1st, 2009 at 5:14 am
I love, love, love HGTV but I don’t get cable anymore so haven’t seen it in like 3 years. I used to like Design on a Dime and most other decorating shows.
Julie´s last blog post..You’re Gonna Miss This
July 1st, 2009 at 5:32 am
Color Splash!!
Seriously. He is so so talented.
And who doesn’t enjoy looking at David?? He is totally hot. :]
July 1st, 2009 at 6:04 am
i love color splash…he is stinkin talented and very entertaining. i also like deserving design with vern. HGTV is a fave of mine as well.
Briony´s last blog post..into the wild: one
July 1st, 2009 at 6:11 am
I too love House Hunters and My First Place–at some point we will not be thirtysomethings living in an apartment and I live vicariously through the people on the show. My all time favorite is Divine Design–if I could hire Candace Olsen I would!
July 1st, 2009 at 6:21 am
I don’t watch a lot of TV and to tell you the truth I don’t even know if I get that channel! *eek* I have watched before though, at my mom’s house (she lives for HGTV). I always get mad at the people on House Hunters for choosing the property that is at the top of their budget, but still needs work! Wth?!
Jill´s last blog post..Fashion Friday: 9th Edition
July 1st, 2009 at 6:21 am
HGTV, Food Network, and for some reason…Game Show Network are my addictions!
On HGTV, I love Colour Confidential (Saturdays at 3:30pm) – I love it so much that I DVR it so I can watch it when it’s most convenient for me. On this show, the host/decorator (Jane) works with a person who wants to re-do a room for whatever reason but is having trouble with the design – she uses the color wheel and the person (or people) actually pic the colors they like. She sets up the color wheel showcasing the colors in an interesting manner – she uses a hobby or favorite vacation spot and pulls the colors from there. I’m always amazed at the end – sometimes not for the good, because either I wouldn’t pick the colors the people did or because the style of the room/furniture isn’t my taste, but I’m always amazed!
I also like Hidden Potential – sort of like House Hunters where the people are shown 3 houses but a decorator shows the people the potential the houses have by renovation.
Angela´s last blog post..Lifehacker
July 1st, 2009 at 6:47 am
i like property virgins. I’m in real estate and sometimes it just cracks me up how simplistic it all is in the realm of HGTV. I also love House Hunters…it’s almost like a little secret…you would have no idea who Suzanne Wong was unless you watched THAT show
cher´s last blog post..300th post
July 1st, 2009 at 7:12 am
When we were house hunting and shortly thereafter, we spent tons of time watching House Hunters, Property Virgins, My First Home and What’s My House Worth. We still occasionally watch these shows now that we dream about upgrading in the far off future. I love seeing the potential homeowners purchase a home and especially if the show shows them decorating it. On top of HGTV, I love watching Clean House on Style I think.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:56 am
I don’t have TV, so I don’t watch HGTV, but I have to say that “Property Virgins,” is a pretty funny title.
We were totally clueless when we bought our house. I am so glad that so many people in the neighborhood have known me as long as they have, because some of the older folks remember this house being built and were able to help us assess this house and the one across the street (built the same year) to determine which worked best for us.
Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com´s last blog post..This house should hold a family.
July 1st, 2009 at 8:21 am
I watch House Hunters and Property Virgins ona regular basis. I love house hunting shows!
Kristina´s last blog post..Hi! Kristina Pulsipher Here For An Awesome Tribute!
July 1st, 2009 at 8:30 am
Oh lord I could live all day watching HGTV — I love all of those shows and the ones that help me with the money pit! Now that we are trying to sell the money pit I think HGTV may come in VERY handy!
July 1st, 2009 at 9:05 am
I LOVE HGTV!! I like the old ones, Decorating Cents, and then Design on a Dime. I like the stageing one and wow, there are oh so many that I watch. I love David and I love the makeover contest that just finished a week a go Sunday. Can’t wait for the Next HGTV star, that is a lot of fun. I keep debating to cancel cable to save some money as cable keeps going up, but I can’t live without HGTV!!
Sandy´s last blog post..About a boy
July 1st, 2009 at 9:26 am
I don’t watch HGTV. BUT, I do watch discovery and love it. My secret love is Deadliest Catch. It’s awesome.
The Wife of Odie´s last blog post..sushi got me thinking
July 1st, 2009 at 9:49 am
David Bromstad went to Ringling College of Art + Design in Sarasota. He’s like a rock star around these parts. I’ve never seen his show, but I do enjoy a little House Hunters every so often. I think Joe likes these shows more than me. Or I think he likes that it’s a show we both can sit down and enjoy. As opposed to his Sports Center/ CNN/MSNBC habit.
Heidi´s last blog post..Got insomnia? Ride your bike 62.5 miles.
July 1st, 2009 at 10:18 am
I love watching Property Virgins! I also like the new one called The Unsellables (I hope that’s HGTV and not TLC, I get shows confused between the two networks sometimes..). I also like seeing what the property virgins’ expectations are and whether they need a reality check
Andrea´s last blog post..I do not…
July 1st, 2009 at 11:04 am
Sometimes I get lost in the world of HGTV too. Friday night is my girl night to watch TV. I really like watching TLC’s What Not to Wear and Say Yes to the Dress. Kind of pathetic, but I just can’t help myself. My husband hides in the basement during these shows.
-FringeGirl
the domestic fringe´s last blog post..Remembering the 4th
July 1st, 2009 at 1:28 pm
I really love Divine Design. Everything Candace does is genius!
Jana´s last blog post..Big Oops, All the Time
July 1st, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Alas, I don’t watch so much anymore because my favorite shows have been cancelled. I loved Design Remix and Find Your Style (I really like that Karen girl). And I thought Color Confidential had been cancelled, I love that show! (David Bromstad’s assistant Danielle was on that show before Color Splash.) I like shows that show you how to do things. That said, I do love Design on a Dime, and the staging one with Lisa LaPorta and Clive Pearse (I LOVE them), and that one with Kendra somebody with people who have remodeled their homes and want to see what it’s worth now.
erin´s last blog post..may be jinxing it
July 1st, 2009 at 4:43 pm
I love HGTV. That and Food Network are two of my favorite channels.
Sadly, I haven’t had satellite in almost three years, and any time I get to check in on my old favorites… I am shocked at how much things have changed. When did they add snotty judges to Food Network Challenge? So sad.
On HGTV I really liked Landscaper’s Challenge, I Want That!, whichever shows Paul James was on… and a show I think was called ReZoned, about houses made from old factories and things.
Also, I liked the few episodes of Living with Ed that I’ve seen, and have been meaning to Netflix the DVD.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:32 am
I haven’t watched a lot of HGTV, but I can see the appeal. It is amazing and fun to see the way their talented people can turn an average old house or room into something special. I think it would also be a pretty good place to get ideas for your own home.
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:32 am
Oh yes I love the House hunters show also. And I haven’t seen that episode but I would have to say I am in the wrong profession also, wow a house in the Caribbean, so cool.
Jenna @ Newlyweds´s last blog post..Meet the Newlyweds – Mr. and Mrs. Newlywed
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:20 am
I could leave HGTV on all day! My favorite show is Mission Organization – the Clean House (style network) and Clean Sweep of TLC. I haven’t seen it in a while, so I’m not sure if it still comes on.
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:32 am
–>I watch a lot of HGTV too. I like the Property Virgins show because Sandra is so honest with the “virgins.” House Hunters sucks me in a lot of times too. I would like What You Get For The Money more if they didn’t have that Stupid dramatic pause before the realtor tells the home owners how much their house is worth.
http://www.WebSavyMom.com
Hokie Deb´s last blog post..Tech Tip: Naming Your Pictures with Alt Tags
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:40 pm
HAH Deb I hate that pause too! And how they pan to everyone so you can see how anxious and expectant they are.
erin´s last blog post..recent addiction: quilting
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:43 pm
So glad I have a daughter to share the obsession with! Grizzly does not get it. He says all those shows just make him feel guilty – and scared. Scared I’m gonna come up with things for him to do! lol
Robynn’s Ravings´s last blog post..Welcome Back My Friend to the Show that Never Ends!
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:36 pm
I like House Hunters and property virgins. I cannot pull myself away. I have to shut it off on commercial because I have no will power.
Tamara´s last blog post..To the Love of My Life
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:22 am
Those are definitely some good shows that I can easily get sucked into watching all night as well!
~Tab
Tabitha Blue´s last blog post..days of summer:: 6