Pic Above I took after meeting Hildi
Jan 11th, 2003, was the annual Home Builders Expo in Milwaukee. Since i am from there, and know my way around, i was thrilled to hear on the radio that Hildi and Genevieve were going to be there.
I arrived about 10 minutes into Hildi and Genevieves Q and A session, and learned quite a few things that I didnt know about both them and Trading Spaces.
For example when Gen and Hildi were asked " Who would you have redecorate a room on your house from the show", both Genevieve and Hildi said they would pick themselves, and Ty!!!!!!
Hildi's tip when buying anything new for your home is to buy a good piece for the room, dont go cheap, but get something that is really going to last, which i agree 100% !
When asked what was the furthest they traveled between homes when designing, was the episode where Hildi redecorated Dixie Chicks Natalie Maines mothers home in Texas, they were 12 miles apart ( I may be a couple miles off :)
Hildi and Genevieve said to watch out for future Celebrity Trading Spaces, but couldnt disclose what Celebrities were taking on Tradings Spaces
When asked about the London Episode of Trading Spaces, both Hildi and Genevieve said they Loved London, and Genevieve said how much she adored Handy Andy!
When asked if TS ever thought about Landscaping, Genevieve said playfully " well we will probably be making our own version of BBC's Ground Force, so sign up now all you Landscapers!"
One funny moment came when a lady in the audience asked Hildi and Genevieve why they take down the ceiling fans in rooms, and Genevieve made the comment that Laurie whom is notorius for her removing ceiling fans, herself has 8 ceiling fans in her own home! But Genevieve said in reply that it would cost just to much to buy a ceiling fan to go with the design they have, and if the home owners decide that they would rather put the fan back up after the show, they are welcome of course to do so:)
One of the last things i remember ( more may pop up soon ) was when asked how long they actually work on the rooms in one day, Hildi said its about 12 hours, and that she and quite a few of the other designers usually stay and help the team after the camera crew clears out during homework to make sure the room is done in due time.
Well after the dynamic duo finished the Q & A, autographs were coming up. I was about 15th in line for the half and hour autograph session, and found out that Genevieve wasnt going to be signing, because she went to a Milwaukee Waves Soccer game! While it was kind of a bummer I didnt get to meet her, I did get to meet Hildi, WHO WAS REALLY NICE, and I gave her a copy of the caricature I did of her ( on this site ) and gave her a copy I did of Genevieves caricature, to give to Genevieve, which Hildi said she would gladly do. Funny thing was, when i gave them to Hildi, she said they looked familiar, thats when i told her I posted them and the rest of the crew on a website, she said that while she doesnt go on the internet much she did see my drawings, ( on this site ) how cool is that? She said I had alot of talent and after our chat signed a photo she had of herself to me, and I thanked her for her time, ( I felt so bad for her, people were saying, "Hildi" and she would look up and all these people would start taking photos, and she just smiled for them and kept on signing, talk about the flash squares in your eyes!
I guess in closing the neat thing was that, what started out as a little set of drawings for my own personal art portfolio, actually got to some of the cast themselves, which is pretty neat. And i got to learn a little more about one of Favorite Shows, ( Being in College I dont have much time for tv, but i make time for TS :)
Well thanks to all of you for your wonderful comments to me, and for visiting, you all rock, God bless! :) -Vicki
