There’s a new show that I’ve just discovered recently on the Fine Living Network, called Mail Order Makeover. Have you heard about it? I have no idea how long it’s been on, but I love this show! Reminds me of some of the good old shows from HGTV, which sadly are now missing in action. The rooms are done very nicely and there’s none of this throw it together with painted plywood and see how cheap we can make it look. It’s just good, down to earth design sense.
Here’s the format of the show direct from Fine Living’s website:
Coming up with the right combination of furniture and accessories to satisfy the homeowners can be very difficult, and these designers are put to the test. Each designer orders their favorite furniture and accessories from mail order catalogs. When the items are delivered, the designers take turns furnishing the room in a way that they hope will satisfy the homeowner’s needs and desires.
The designer whose furnishings please the homeowner’s the most walks away with the satisfaction of a job well done. The real winners are the homeowners, who get to keep the furniture and accessories of the room design they like best! Watch the transformation on FINE LIVING’s Mail Order Makeover!
If you get this network, you have to check out this show. I have thoroughly enjoyed every episode I’ve watched. They use 2 different designers for each show and they have a ball ordering from all sorts of catalog companies and the internet, stores like Ballards, Home Decorators, Wisteria, Grandin Road, Horchow, and many more. Both designers come up with unique looks for the room and sometimes it’s really hard to decide which one to keep. The husband and wife have to make a quick decision on which one it will be. They don’t give the dollars spent and that would be fun to know.
Fun show! Give it a whirl if you get a chance to catch it. I’ve been recording the eipsodes, so I can watch them at my leisure.
So, I don’t think many of you will be trying the home hair color method, but thought you’d enjoy that book if you get a chance to browse through it.
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Nancy says
Oh my goodness, I am the first to comment…LOL;) I have seen the show and it is a great show…A++++ all the way! I too miss the old shows on hgtv…what has happened? Hope you have a great day….Nancy
mrsjones6 says
I watch FLN, but haven’t seen this yet. I’ll have to look for it. What a great concept!
Michelle says
I haven’t seen this show yet but will have to check it out. Yeah, what DID happen to a lot of the good shows on HGTV? Seems like EVERYTHING has become reality TV these days, huh?!
Rhoda, how is your business venture going? Hopefully well! You’ve got a beautiful sense of style and a great decorating eye….LOVE everything you do!
Have an awesome day!
Blessings 🙂
Michelle
Kelly says
I have seen the shows. They are great. However, it has been on for a while now and (for me) since I’ve been watching for a while, I’m ready for some new episodes. They’re all reruns now. Maybe they’ll continue to make more. I agree that it’s a fantastic show and hgtv should think about adding more shows like it to their schedule! Thanks for the tip.
Kelly
Diane@A Picture is Worth.... says
I haven’t seen that show but will check it out. Thanks for the post yesterday on haircolor! Very useful!
Manuela says
I don’t even know if I get that channel but I’ll see if I do. Looks like a good show. As to the hair color – I personally have never had good results with doing it myself. I just go every 4-5 months and have those foil highlights done. Sometimes my stylist with throw a few foils on when I go for a cut for free since I’ve been a regular customer of hers for ages.
Have a great week!
xo,
Manuela
Judy says
Unfortunately I do not get Fine Living Network (I have Knology and they do not offer FNL) but my daughter does and I’ll ask her if she’s seen it. I miss the good ol shows from HGTV, I hardly watch it at all anymore. Only Divine Design (if I remember) and sometimes that one with Vern Yip, Deserving Design. I don’t know who makes the decision as to what shows to air but the good ones are long gone.
I may be getting new kitchen cabinets instead of painting the old ones! David has called someone who is supposed to come by this weekend to see exactly what it is I want. Of course, I’m busy pulling pictures from magazines, nothing high end but I’d love to have the ivory and glazed look, crown molding, and possibly a new countertop. If that works out, I may need your help/input….wouldn’t that be fun?
Talk to ya later!
Judy
Anonymous says
I so agree with you about HGTV. There are just a few (very few) shows worth watching. Love Divine Design I love everything she does. So thanks Rhoda I will give this show a try.
Have you been watching Design Star on HGTV, I’ve been tiVo(ing), I do enjoy that.
Have a great day,
Kathy 🙂
Adrienne says
That is a great show. One of my dear mother’s favorites. ~Adrienne~
Bonita says
Check out my blog today for a Rhoda-inspired post! You just can’t imagine how much you help me, girlfriend!
justabeachkat says
It sound like something I would enjoy…if I watched tv, which I seldom do.
Hugs!
Kat
Valarie says
I love that living room!! That is so fun looking 🙂
Beverly says
Wow, I’ll have to see if we get this.
I know just what you mean about some of the design shows on now.
Thanks for the tip.
Deserae says
Oh I am so bummed….we don’t get that channel :o( HGTV has gone so far down hill I would love to see a good deign show!!!
~Des
Dana says
I haven’t seen that show, either, but will try to catch it. I agree, I am tired of the low end stuff they put together (furniture, etc) on a zero budget and call it “design” or better yet “ART”! I have been on a pretty skimpy budget forever, but I believe you can come up with wonderful decorating that way—just gotta be openminded, a bit creative and maybe look at a magazine now and then. I miss the Kitty Bartholomew (sp?) show, but I do love Devine Design, too. And I love being able to see what you put together–you need your own show on HG or FL!!!
Anonymous says
I haven’t seen this show but will be looking for it. Tell me, what happened to HGTV????? How can we make it better? All the great designers are gone. I have written them without ever getting a response. Do you have any idea? Chris Madden, Joe Ruggerio, Kitty Batholomew, Mary Emmerling just to name a few. are all being replaced with quick and cheap redos. HELP!!!!
Nancy Hood says
sounds like an interesting show! right now, I’m a bit ‘not interested’ in most of the new shows on HGTV and I hate that and miss some of the regulars I used to see~
Cottage Rose says
I wish I did get the channel it sounds like a good one. And I agree with you and the others HGTV has changed so much, I miss the old decorating show. I loved Kitty, and Country Style. And lots more that are gone. But I do still watch some times.
hugs
Alaura
Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says
Oh, I wish we could appeal to HGTV to get some real design back on their shows. I’m SO with ya’ll on that one and Anon, I have no idea what happened, but it has been a gradual slide downhill for the past 5 or more years. I used to watch faithfully all those shows you mentioned including Room by Room. As corny as those 2 were, at least they had decent decorating ideas that real people could follow and get something out of. I hardly ever see anything on any of these new shows that I can translate in my own home.
It’s ridiculous!!
Venting,
Rhoda
Susie Harris says
I cant say I have seen that show but now I want to. Thanks for that tip. I can always use a hood decorating tip! Thanks, Susie H~