One of the latest additions to the TLC cast is Christi Proctor, a Texan who spoke with the Sun's Kevin Franchuk about what in design works, what doesn't ... and what homeowners can do to spruce up their own tired homes without breaking the bank.
SUN: When did you first learn to love interior design?
PROCTOR: My dad is a southern Baptist minister, and when I was growing up, we always lived in other people's houses. My mother was absolutely a whiz at decorating on a dime. It rubbed off from her. She knew I was hooked when I totally redecorated my room when I was five or six.
SUN: How has life changed since you landed a role on Trading Spaces?
PROCTOR: It's like I'm a totally new person ... I had no inkling of changing my life until I answered an ad for the show as a joke.
SUN: A joke?
PROCTOR: Yeah, I was online and responded to an ad looking for designers for Trading Spaces. I remember going to my husband and son and saying (in a taunting voice), "I'm gonna be on TV." The next thing you know, I'm e-mailing portfolio pictures and getting hired.
SUN: What have been your favourite makeovers?
PROCTOR: There have been several, for different reasons. We did a dining room in New Orleans for a family who were so open to wonderful, fun things. We did ripped papers on the wall, and gave it a real French Quarter look. It was a very rewarding room and we got such a beautiful response to it.
The other one that stands out was a Western room, which is a major part of what's in my heart. We built an entertainment centre that looked like an old saloon bar. It felt good to do that room ...
On the other hand, we did another Western room for a beautiful family with four kids. They gave us absolutely no direction, so we said we'll just go for it. We put burned paper on the walls, and did a silhouette painting of four cowboys walking down the street. The boys loved it, but the mother hated it! It was too much of a major change for her.
I've talked to her since, and she said she'd kept everything in the room but covered up the silhouette.
SUN: That must be difficult, when the homeowners don't like what you've created:
PROCTOR: (Fellow-TS designer) Frank (Bielec) and I stress over it all the time. In that one case, the mother's whole house was soft and feminine. (The husband) had nothing (in terms of the home's decor). I made the decision that I would give it a masculine look, and people were saying she was going to hate me. She ended up liking it, but it was still very scary.
SUN: How is Trading Spaces changing the way people think of their homes?
PROCTOR: I think it's really opened it up. People are so afraid of trying things in their home. Then they watch these shows and see us tackling things, and they say, "Hey, I can do that." It empowers them.
SUN: How do you describe your own style?
PROCTOR: In my area of Texas, we have what's called Hill Country, where there are a lot of ranching settlements settled by Europeans. They're very beautiful, with a lot of incredible antiques placed in rustic settings. I call it "rustic elegance" -- think lots of stone work and rustic faux finishes, yet with crystal chandeliers.
In general, I love a lot of stone and rock. Slate in particular has a lot of warm, deep tones in it. It changes with whatever you're willing to do the decorating.
SUN: What trends do you see developing in interior decor?
PROCTOR: One I'm very excited about is being very much yourself -- taking something about you and expanding on it in your home. For instance, I love a certain antique china. I worked my kitchen design around it.
SUN: And you follow that philosophy on the show.
PROCTOR: Yes, I try to find something in their collection and make it a grouping, more of a central point.
SUN: Speaking of collections, you have quite an affinity for antiques. Tell me about some of your favourite finds.
PROCTOR: This could take awhile (laughing)! I love to find old things and bring them back to life.
We just found some little French Louis chairs. We stripped them down to nothing, put a real cool aged finish on and reupholstered them in five different looks, really gypsy-like.
SUN: Have you ever wished you could be on the other side of the camera and let someone else redecorate your home?
PROCTOR: Oh, no, I couldn't handle it! That would be my worst nightmare. I'm an interior designer, so I couldn't handle someone else working with my stuff.
