This is a special edition of the Barrett Awards, because there are several former hosts and designers on HGTV who have moved on to other challenges. I miss them. They have been the inspirations behind some of my stories.
Photos courtesy of HGTV.com and me.
John Gidding
| John Gidding is a former model, surprise, surprise. HIs main show on HGTV was “Curb Appeal,” although he also does interiors. I got to see him in person when HGTV and EPCOT used to present “Meet the Designer” at their annual Flower and Garden Festival. He admitted he’d even posed at one time for the cover of romance novels. Unfortunately, none of mine. Every so often, he shows up as a guest star on one of HGTV’s shows. |
Genevieve Gorder
This is one of the classiest designers around. She has appeared on several design shows on various networks, but I remember her best as a judge for several seasons on HGTV’s “Design Star” and on “Trading Spaces” for TLC. She is so personable.
Vern Yip
| Vern Yip is right up there on my list of classy designers. He also has been a judge on HGTV’s “Design Star” as well as several other shows. This photo was taken at the HGTV-EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival. Not crazy about my own picture, but rather than editing myself out, I wanted to prove I got to see him in person. |
Meg Caswell
Here’s another designer I got to see in person at the HGTV-EPCOT Flower and Garden Fesitval. Meg Caswell was one of the early winners of HGTV’s “Design Star.” A kitchen she designed was one of the first versions I saw of a banquette used to save space.
Sabrina Soto
I remember Sabrina Soto from “Design on a Dime” on HGTV. More recently she has shown up as a guest designer helping Ty Pennington on “Ty Breakers.” I got to see her in person, too, but couldn’t find the photo.
Taniya Nayak
This lady has been busy, both on HGTV and other networks. Her work includes “Designed to Sell,” “Billion Dollar Block,” “House Hunters on Vacation” and “Urban Oasis.” She has also helped Robert Irvine on his Food Network show, “Restaurant Impossible,” renovating restaurant interiors in just a few days. And, she is shorter than me!
Sarah Richardson
| Sarah is a Canadian designer, so most of her work is on Canadian television. But a few years back, the U.S. was treated to “Sarah’s House.” One season, each episode was the redesign of one room at a time. On another show, “Sarah’s Summer House,” she redid her family’s summer home on Georgian Bay in Ontario. I especially remember her co-conspirator, Tommy Smythe. |
Candice Olson
| I saved the best for last. My favorite designer of all time, Candice Olson. She first appeared in the U.S. on HGTV in 2003 on “Divine Design,” still one of my favorite design shows. In 2011, she was back with “Candice Tells All.” She has also been a judge for a few years on HGTV’s “Design Star.” Candice, please come back. |
What Do You Think?
What do you think? Do you remember any of these designers. Who are your favorites? I’d love to hear your ideas. There are still a few more Barrett Awards to hand out. Watch this space in future months to learn about the lucky recipients.
I’m back with an update. Taniya Nayak is currently appearing on HGTV’s “Battle on the Beach” as one of the three mentors to the competitors. If you watch her standing next to Ty Pennington, another mentor, and Allison Victoria, Taniya looks much taller than Allison and almost as tall as Ty. Normally, I’d say it was due to very high heels, but they’re standing in the sand, so I have no idea how they did it.