Source: HGTV
If my TV could talk, it would tell you that I watch a lot of HGTV. I have learned so much over the past 20 years and much of that has been through shows that make it look like you can revamp an entire house over the course of a 60-minute episode. If only!
While I have many favorites, the one I am most looking forward to is Season 2 of Rock the Block. If you missed Season 1, you have time to catch up before Season 2 starts in March 2021. This show features Good Bones’ Mina Starsiak Hawk, Hidden Potential’s Jasmine Roth, Restored by the Fords’ Leanne Ford, and Windy City Rehab’s Alison Victoria.
Each of these designers were given a $175k budget and 4 weeks to transform their identical Los Angles houses with the winner being the one who adds the most value to the property. This means that it is less about the staging (though there is lots of great staging) and more about the permanent changes (kitchen counters, beams, bathroom layouts and fixtures, wall treatments, etc.) that separate the winners and the losers.
Rather than spoiling it and sharing the winner, here are a few pictures that show how different the same spaces can be based on design choices. Each designer has a very distinctive style ranging from California Cool, Chicago Chic, Traditional to Ultra-modern.
Source: HGTV
Bet you can guess which ones are Leanne Ford, the modern design, paint it white queen. My personal style is a mix of Leanne Ford and Jasmine Roth, my neighbor up the highway in Huntington Beach, who does California cool like no other. Alison’s Chicago style did not fit very well in California so it will be interesting to see where Season 2 takes place since she is back again.
The wood paneled living room by Jasmine is flawless – well, except maybe the layered rug situation. The bathroom at the bottom by, you guessed it Leanne, was a MAJOR reconfiguration which took some awkward space from the garage. Not sure how practical it is because an open shower would be cold but it makes a statement.
Interesting fact that the house that got away was just down the street from Christina Haack (formerly Anstead and El Moussa) from Flip or Flop and Christina on the Coast. I imagined myself running into her with her French bulldog Cash and I would have Odin but alas, it was not to be.
Season 2 premiers in March 2021 and I am waiting not so patiently. The contestants will be Extreme Home Makeover’s Ty Pennington, Holmes on Homes Mike Holmes, Windy City Rehab Alison Victoria (only repeat contestant), Nate and Jeremiah: Save My House Nate Berkus and Jerimiah Brent and two previous Design Star Winners David Bromstad and Tiffany Brooks. I am putting my money on Nate and Jeremiah as I loooove everything they do except the stainless steel cabinets I saw Jerimiah post today.
Here are some of my other HGTV favorites (and one Netflix) in case you have already watched Season 1 of Rock the Block and need something to tide you over. Unfortunately, I am caught up on all of these (told you I watch a lot of HGTV) so I will just be sitting over here counting the days.
- Fixer to Fabulous
- Hidden Potential and Help I Wrecked My House
- Good Bones
- Home Town
- Flip or Flop and Christina on the Coast
- Dream Home Makeover – Studio McGee – this one is a Netflix special with 2 Seasons released rapidly and who I would have loved to nominate for Rock the Block Season 2 but alas, wrong network.aa