Thursday, September 13, 2012

Same HGTV Fireplace Makeover?

I've been busy, busy packing my house for the hardwoods to be installed next week.  I only have a wee bit of time to spend on the Internet  This morning, I read yesterday's HGTV Inspiration post "60 Hot Fireplace Design Ideas".  There is lots of old-school brick and wood trim alive and well in the houses I consult on.  I was particularly interested in this makeover.
HGTV - BEFORE
However, to my old eyes, this did not look like the same room. The proportions in the makeover picture below looked 'off ' to me.  Is the ceiling significantly raised? Were the French Doors and window replaced?  It's a head-scratcher....

HGTV - AFTER

Remodelando la Casa - Before

Are you confused yet?  StagerLinda aka  Investigator Linda went digging. Actually, the second picture is the REAL before picture of the fireplace on the Remodelando la Casa website.  Nice remodel but certainly nothing spectacular in comparison to the HGTV Before and After makeover shots.
  
Check out the full view "After" from the designer's website.
Remodelando la Casa-AFTER
Say what?


Perhaps it was an oversight on a HGTV staffer's part.  I shot an episode of HGTV's "Buy Me" a few years ago.  All I can say is there was a lot of poetic license taken in the editing room.

Is it fair to misrepresent remodels for home owner's so anxious for a solution to their design dilemmas? Have any of you ever noticed a room being fabricated (ooooh, is that too strong a word?) for affect?

What say you deliberate? Or oversight?

Linda


10 comments:

  1. Linda, you know my personal view on "What you see, isn't always What is REAL!". HGTV is famous for making spaces and shows more interesting. Our favorite magazines do the same.
    This "I Spy" was so telling...Congratulations on a job well done. The rooms and homes might look better, but it only confuses the viewer and reader as to how to tackle their solutions.

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    1. You know Patty I am a big follower of DIY makeovers. It just seem so wrong to show a makeover that is two completely different spaces. Then HGTV acknowledges the designer that had nothing to do with a makeover of the original space.

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  2. Yes, I find it frustrating and "not right." I don't mind magazines photo-shopping out downlights, vents and other distractions, though. Good detective work :)
    Cheers,
    Loi

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    1. Yes, Loi the usual little cosmetic treatments are OK. I guess what really bugs the crap out of me is that the mentality of the publishers/editors believeing we are so vapid to we fall for anything. It is wrong! Love you, Sunshine!

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  3. As much as I love HGTV (and I do!!), this is not a big surprise - sometimes what they do seems impossible. I'm hoping this is an oversight on their part and not something that happens all the time. Great work digging to get to the truth.

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    1. I think is the norm rather than the exception, Heather.

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  4. Linda, This is such a peeve of mine. I love their budgets that conveniently leave out the cost of labor. I don't watch HGTV anymore.

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    1. Ain't that the truth, Kerry! HGTV comes in with a whole team of contractors that get the job done in record time and their cost is never accounted for in the budget! Anybody that has worked with contractors know that it takes 3x longer than they initially indicate.

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  5. Interesting isn't it? "Good eye" for noticing. The "after" is a beautiful room though I have to say!

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    1. Yes, Sherri, I kinda loved that after of the fireplace. I'd love to pull it off on mine.

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