My 11th Year HGTV "Decorating Cents" Anniversary

11 years ago today I was lucky girl in Minneapolis filming  HGTV's "Decorating Cents."  I woke up this morning and realized what an amazing milestone this was for my Interior Redesign & Home Staging Business! - Reinventing Space

I had just moved back to Chicago two weeks prior, and was so excited that had been given the opportunity to showcase my work on national TV and benefit my newly relocated business.  Along with fellow redesigner Jackie Davis,we had been asked by our design organization the IADA to participate in the filming.  At that time our association did all the "Interior Arrangement/No Cost Decorating" segments for the show. 

HGTV was just a budding cable channel and the production company Edelman Productions filmed many (and still does) many of the shows and "Decorating Cents" was their hit #1 HGTV show - So I felt very honored that I was filming.

We had just a blast over the next 4 days and although coached and counseled by Redesigners that had already preceded us, we were in for a big surprise on what went on behind the scenes of filming a TV show. Out little 5 minute segment took 8 hours to film.  From the hailed "Lighting Guy," that was by far the most important factor of setting the scene, to the segment producer Tara that ran things like a ballet choreographer, to the "Guys" on staff that moved, schlepped and carried all and any of the heavy furniture and accessories that we were Redesigning - To this day, I wish I had those guys on hand at all my makeovers.  From how to light a room, to how a space is seen on camera, to how to act and appear on camera,  I've carried what I learned those four days in everyone one of my projects and speaking engagements. 

I also learned that people didn't buy clearance Cashmere sweaters there and who the singer Pink was, because she was staying in our hotel.

Jackie and I just exchanged emails this am and promised to dig through our photo archives to find the pictures and VHS videos of our segments.  After 11 years,  I have still held in memory my mantle Issue lines: 

"Although this fireplace is large in stature, its mantle depth is narrow, which causes a real dilemma when accessorizing it.  Let me show you what I did..."

So, thanks HGTV for giving me the opportunity 11 years ago!  Fast forward to 2011, and you can see my work on another HGTV show "My First Place" this Friday, July 8^th  at 6pm.

And since 2000, I've appeared on numerous Chicago-area TV segments from ABC, CLTV to WGN, and have two local cable shows I film every month - Who would of know? 

Since 1999, interior stylist Julea Joseph has owned Chicago area based interiors and home staging business - Reinventing Space. Your can see her work on HGTV or in the news giving homeowners expert insight on how to refresh, style and celebrate their space -Whether staging their home to go on the market, just settling in, or just in need of a change.

Julea also offers her expertise with mentoring and certification educational offerings to Realtors, Home Stagers and Interior Redesigners in the industry. Visit her site, JULEA.com or Interior Stylist Program. For more information or email her at Julea@Julea.com.