Every night on TV, families just like yours get rooms in their homes decorated by top design professionals, often for free. Chances are, you've seen these shows and wondered, why not me? Sue Skinner of SMS Concepts -- the Toronto agency that casts families for shows like Colour Confidential and My Parents' House -- gives STYLE AT HOME the inside scoop on winning the home-makeover lottery.
1 Target a show
“Visit the websites,” says Sue Skinner of SMS concepts. HGTV, W Network, Life Network and Prime are key. “Look in the Homes section of the papers, the commuter papers and your community paper for ads.” And watch the show. “It's not just about the before and after,” Sue says. “It's about the family. Who are they? Why are they in this mess?”
2 Sell yourself
The application is critical. “Really tell us the story. Be forthcoming, frank and articulate. Make us laugh. Grab our attention,” says Sue. “There should be tension -- not Jerry Springer tension, but a conflict of some sort. He's conservative, she wants bright pink; that kind of thing.”
3 Take great photos
Most applications require photos so the designers can see the space. Take wide shots -- north, south, east and west (so you get a picture of every wall in the room). “Pictures should be in colour and taken with the lights on,” says Sue. And taking a minute to tidy things up isn't a bad idea, either. “The before shot can look tired and outdated; that's kind of the point,” she says. “But if the room is so cluttered you can't see the floor or the couch, forget it.”
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32 Comments
This is all GREAT advice, however, I have one frustration, most of the decorating show which I'm a "junkie" of, require you to live in Toronto or the great area of Toronto! What about the West Coast?! Janet
Hi! I agree with Janet and I live in B.C. There "is" life beyond the "mountain range". Couples are nice, and yes, a kid or two, or one "on-the-way" is adorable, but...what about us single people, who work hard for years on end and have finally earned some "down time"? Or about those ones who have completely changed careers and their old stodgy homes just won't do anymore? More than just "couples" could use a hand. I'll now go back to my padded room. Thanks, Ingrid
I agree as well. I live in Nova Scotia and don't even bother to subscribe to "Canadian" type magazines as they are all geared to the Toronto area. What's the point if I can't get any of the items I like here, unless they are shipped with huge associated costs. There is life outside of the GTA, lots and lots of life and we'd like a shot at some decorator time as well!
I agree as well. I live in Nova Scotia and don't even bother to subscribe to "Canadian" type magazines as they are all geared to the Toronto area. What's the point if I can't get any of the items I like here, unless they are shipped with huge associated costs. There is life outside of the GTA, lots and lots of life and we'd like a shot at some decorator time as well!
I live in South-eastern Saskatchewan, only minutes from the manitoba border. Around here is a big boom for miles with oil. So I wonder how come we don't get the chance for these great offers? Contributing a small amount of money into the design make over, When they make 3 or 4 times the amount off the show being on the air? I don't understand the greed people have for more, I understand for better when you got nothing and you bust your butt everyday to "just scrape" by the meals you feed your family. I am a mother to 3 small daughters and I can't even afford to put them into skating never mind move my smallest off the couch. I have a 2 bedroom house and it's very small. One like your grandparents were raised in but I have a running bathroom instead of an outhouse. Lol...I deserve to laugh at this as most of you don't know what it is like raising 3 children in a tiny house and can't take them anywhere for fun as you got to watch the money coming in and going Out! I do know lots of people are homeless, but I have busted my butt everyday for years to have what, the government take more off my checks, bills being raised, food costs through the roof? When does this end? Thank You April Waschenfelder
HI I live out west and I have a hard time thinking that any of these shows would come out here. I would love a room make over as I am a mom of 4 teens and have the same furniture that I had recovered in 1989 (originally 1970's lovely floral. I agree with Kelsey that putting money out to do this show seems wrong, when anyone who would need this show doesn't have the money in the first place. Hence the make over!!
Firstly, I did not know that there are so many people that feel the same as I do. Have you watched one of those decorating shows where the people who have been chosen have no pride in ownership? We are in our mid 40's and have owned for only 4 years. All of our money goes to our mortage but we are PROUD of our home. I am alway making sure it looks good inside and out. By this I mean pruning, raking leaves,washing windows, painting the fence and all of those things that make the house mine. My husband does any of the needed maitenance. We have put a new roof on (ourselves), layed floors and painted. I guess we are all just jealous that it can't be us! That is that lucky...I am at the point where I can't even watch some of the shows! They need a show for average hard working people. People who don't "know" someone! Oh well, cheers to all of the proud hard working home owners married or single who have no flashy story!!!!! Sandra
Firstly, I did not know that there are so many people that feel the same as I do. Have you watched one of those decorating shows where the people who have been chosen have no pride in ownership? We are in our mid 40's and have owned for only 4 years. All of our money goes to our mortage but we are PROUD of our home. I am alway making sure it looks good inside and out. By this I mean pruning, raking leaves,washing windows, painting the fence and all of those things that make the house mine. I guess we are all just jealous that it can't be us! Oh well cheers to all of the proud hard working home owners!!!!! Sandra
I noticed too that all the shows require you live in the GTA - why does no one else watch the shows? How can you expect viewership across the country then be so narrow minded about where? I have a rec room and it needs doing and I really can't afford it so being asked to contribute $5000.00 to be on a show is nice to say you get up to $30000.00 but really who can afford to shell out $5000.00 unless you already have money to do it yourself? J
OMG - ANYTHING to do with decorating excites me - and RENOVATING takes me even a notch higher - except of course the CASH required - HOWEVER - if I had the opportunity to get $30,000 worth of reno, expert advice on the rest of the house's decor...I would find a way to get that %5,000 - I would borrow, work Overtime, cash in a savings bond - anything to get it...as this would be the easiest $5,000 investment I ever made - think about it - chances are - your re-sale value would be higher - and if not selling - IMAGINE sitting back and looking at the beauty of your new room....hey - I'm at the point that I get more excited shopping at Home Depot than shopping at a Lingerie Shop - dosen't sound right - but that's where I am LOL - love all decorating shows - they ROCK ! - ~Sincerely - Francine from Sudbury
Forget the West Coast....at least you have The Shopping Bags! lol But seriously, not only will these shows not leave the 'great' city of Toronto, but what about tiny houses? Not everyone lives in a 2000 sq ft house. And where do they find these huge places in Toronto, anyway? If you can afford the square footage in the GTA, you can afford to do any reno your damn self! Our place is old (1908) tiny (less than 700 sq ft) but we need help too! The people that lived here before us painted every room in official Coca-Cola RED! Including the outside. Seriously. We have a huge backyard to put everyone in, and the money to kick in, we just need the help! God forbid we live in The Falls, 100 km away from the almighty "TO"!
Hi I agree with the point that some of us nice people dont live in the GTA ,and would love to have a little work done in our house. And some of us can't afford that $5000.00 to fix are rooms. If we did I could have someone fix it for me. I love watching those shows and only dream of it happening to us. Insted of putting $30000.00 into one home put $10000.00 into maybe 2 or 3 homes. thanks for listening from a small town not the GTA. Rosemary Seguin Morpeth On.
I only live a 2 HOUR drive outside of the GTA and I agree that it seems as though soon as you leave the GTA nothing else exists for these shows!! It is too bad that they couldn't do a cross country type show. Maybe the shows shouldn't tout themselves as Canadian but rather Torontinian . . . just a thought. Lisa
Toronto is not the centre of the universe, people! There is actually electricity, home decor shops and TV studios in the rest of Canada too...imagine that? Alice Bannister, Calgary
Well, I would love for one of these shows to come visit us up in Flin Flon, Manitoba! (Especially MIKE HOLMES!!) I know that there are a lot of people who wish he would fix their homes here! Northern Manitoba people have feelings too! We are a part of Canada -- Please come see us! Flin Flon Gal!
Nova Scotia, small town centre - lovely! We're very much 'ordinary' recent retirees with little left in the bank after purchasing our modest home. Renovations? - Yes, that is very much needed. I drool over some of these shows; not envious of the wealth portrayed but often wonder why these productions always feature the high-end housing with the corporate couple to boot? Likewise the Canadian Home magazines, i.e. 'Style At Home' continuously feature the half million dollar mansions that need updating ... so they say. My, the original looks good to me! Thus my reason for not subscribing to such magazines no matter how good the offer. Turn your cameras and work crews my way - the door is readily open! Help!!! Marilyn
I agree too, it would be nice to be able to get the hel pthese people get from these shows in the GTA. I know Mike "Holmes on Homes" has been out west, and that made me appreciate his show more. But being responsible and helping raise and support 2 daughters that live in another city, and travelling up to 5 days a week to see them grow up didn't leave much in the bank other than memories. And now that I would like to bring my house out of the 60's, it isn't cheap. The TV's plastered with these shows, but they are all in the mecca of the GTA, because I guess they are the only ones that count in Canada. Jim D, Regina SK
Regarding most of the comments posted, I can only agree. I have conflict in my home. Floral vs Stripes, Wood vs Fabric. My husband and I can only agree to disagree. But of course we live in Quebec and no one likes us up here, so we must suffer like all the other canadians who do not live in TO. One day we shall band together and create our own makeover show and it will never traval to GTA. So there! Nikki. MTL, QC
hi i want my parents to get a home makeover... They really need it and deserve it well im sure a lot of pople do.. but my parents have been trying to get their home in the best hape they can and something always turns out bad with thier home i whish i could help them to get the house ogf their dreams.. it does not even have to be fancy just have every thing working in it no leaks.craks on wall etc. im sure theyll be happy wiht just that.. i dont even know how to go about it... if any one can contact me
I think the answer to all your frustrations about the makeovers not moving out of the GTA area is simple. They are shows that are produced and filmed there, it's all about the GTA. If there were the same type of shows filmed and produced in the other provinces, then they would have the same stipulations. You have to live in the vicinity of the home base.It seems simple to me.
The answer to most of you frustrated followers of the makeover shows is simple. The shows are produced in the GTA, therefore they are about the GTA. If someone would pick up the ball and produce such shows in your province then you too would be able to participate in the makeovers offered. It seems to me to be provincial.
It would be nice if these shows could travel to all the provinces, but the reality is that, unlike the big American network productions, Canadian productions just do not have the budget to be able to travel - the amount of money that would be involved transporting crew, materials, paying for 2-3 weeks worth of accommodations for all these people...I really don't think that's going to be a reality anytime soon. Canadian shows are run on a shoestring budget nine times out of ten, believe me...if you look carefully at the credits at the end of most of these shows, the credits reveal that many of them are receiving government grants and the like. The money is just not there as far as I can see.
Sounds like a lot of sour grapes out there... Nobody has to give anything away for free, so it's a bonus if anyone wins something, no matter where they live. Take the info you get from this site and the magazine and enjoy without being greedy for more. Just my two cent's worth. Sorry if I've offended anyone, because on the other hand, it may not be so great to win things if you're not happy with the results or you don't like your life being disrupted or put on display for everyone to watch or see.
Sounds like a lot of sour grapes out there... Nobody has to give anything away for free, so it's a bonus if anyone wins something, no matter where they live. Take the info you get from this site and the magazine and enjoy without being greedy for more. Just my two cent's worth. Sorry if I've offended anyone, because on the other hand, it may not be so great to win things if you're not happy with the results or you don't like your life being disrupted or put on display for everyone to watch or see.
HUGE fan, I LOVE HGTV and all the other home & gardening shows. (Especially enjoy watching that gorgeous, sexy, macho Mike “Holmes on Homes”...the twentieth centuries version of the "Marlboro Man!" (Oops, maybe dating myself...lol) I enjoyed ready some of the comments and have to agree with one in particular, that I am hopeful, eventually the opportunities to participate in these contest will extend to all provinces. Another comment I would like to respond to is having to come up with $5000, seems pretty reasonable taking into consideration what it would actually cost otherwise. Anyway, no sour grapes here, if they emailed me today I would be absolutely delighted and would love to show it off for all you fans out there to see! Pick me! Pick me! Cheers from a "Beautiful British Columbia" Fan!
HUGE fan, I LOVE HGTV and all the other home & gardening shows. (Especially enjoy watching that gorgeous, sexy, macho Mike “Holmes on Homes”...the twentieth centuries version of the "Marlboro Man!" (Oops, maybe dating myself...lol) I enjoyed ready some of the comments and have to agree with one in particular, that I am hopeful, eventually the opportunities to participate in these contest will extend to all provinces. Another comment I would like to respond to is having to come up with $5000, seems pretty reasonable taking into consideration what it would actually cost otherwise. Anyway, no sour grapes here, if they emailed me today I would be absolutely delighted and would love to show it off for all you fans out there to see! Pick me! Pick me! Cheers from a "Beautiful British Columbia" Fan!
How do I enter for the "get on the home maker show? Does anyone know? I can't find a link to click for "enter" Please and thanks.
Hi there: Just about everyone feels the same way on this page. I live in S.W. Ontario which is about 3 hours away from GTA. Wish we could enter!!!! Absolutely LOVE all "my" shows - to the point where my hubby gets so frustrated because I am always saying, but "Mike said", etc. Really wanted to redo the kitchen which is a very nice size room with patio doors to pool (unique "A" frame house built in '79), but just put in new windows all around, so $$ are tight, another 25,000-30,000 is lacking at this time. We want to retire (finally) in 18 months, so it is a little frustrating - last piece of the puzzle!!! Keep up the excellent shows and kudos to Mike and his crew for their fantastic work in New Orleans!!!! Very Proud Cdn. Sincerely, Bev Spencer, Sarnia, Ontario
Hi there: Just about everyone feels the same way on this page. I live in S.W. Ontario which is about 3 hours away from GTA. Wish we could enter!!!! Absolutely LOVE all "my" shows - to the point where my hubby gets so frustrated because I am always saying, but "Mike said", etc. Really wanted to redo the kitchen which is a very nice size room with patio doors to pool (unique "A" frame house built in '79), but just put in new windows all around, so $$ are tight, another 25,000-30,000 is lacking at this time. We want to retire (finally) in 18 months, so it is a little frustrating - last piece of the puzzle!!! Keep up the excellent shows and kudos to Mike and his crew for their fantastic work in New Orleans!!!! Very Proud Cdn. Sincerely, Bev Spencer, Sarnia, Ontario
Hi just would like to say I really love to watch Extreme Makeover, usually cry on each segment. Watched when Mike helped with Catrina building the home 8 feet off the ground, it is really nice to see these people get this help. Well I've purchased a home with a friend when we get home from work we are so tired, thank god all the kids have left but we just don't seem to have the energy to complete our task, we have our laminate in the basement since last fall and it is still there. we are aiming for the first week of October this year lol. Any way from Central Saskatchewan. Saskatoon Sk
Hi just would like to say I really love to watch Extreme Makeover, usually cry on each segment. Watched when Mike helped with Catrina building the home 8 feet off the ground, it is really nice to see these people get this help. Well I've purchased a home with a friend when we get home from work we are so tired, thank god all the kids have left but we just don't seem to have the energy to complete our task, we have our laminate in the basement since last fall and it is still there. we are aiming for the first week of October this year lol. Any way from Central Saskatchewan. Saskatoon Sk
Hi just would like to say I really love to watch Extreme Makeover, usually cry on each segment. Watched when Mike helped with Catrina building the home 8 feet off the ground, it is really nice to see these people get this help. Well I've purchased a home with a friend when we get home from work we are so tired, thank god all the kids have left but we just don't seem to have the energy to complete our task, we have our laminate in the basement since last fall and it is still there. we are aiming for the first week of October this year lol. Any way from Central Saskatchewan. Saskatoon Sk