Rating: 
Summary: Fun but too busy
Review: I enjoyed reading this book for all the inside information it contained (the sewing people who do the actual work, the capenters' assistants) and also liked the biographies.However.....this was a difficult book to read. It was so busy, so "hyper" (much like the show!) that it was almost an assault to my eyes. I am sure that this design/format was intentional, but it made the book much less enjoyable for me. All the little boxes and sidebars made it impossible to read anything straight through. Other than that, it was a pleasant diversion.
Rating: 
Summary: Great backstage look for TS fans!
Review: I love the show, so I loved this book! It details some juicy behind-the-scenes info, but the best part is the designer profiles. Who knew Frank led such a colorful life? Read the book and find out why he'll NEVER be like Doug! Would you be surprised to learn that Hildi is a wealthy "mistress of the manor" living in Paris most of the time? (Although, I could have guessed she doesn't have any formal design experience...I mean, really....HAY ON THE WALLS?? Please!) You'll find lots of other fun tidbits here about each designer, and a great episode guide in the back covering past seasons. A fun read for true fans!
Rating:
Summary: Trading Spaces book is a must!
Review: I am an avid Trading Spaces fan, so when I saw this book, I bought it right away! It was certainly worth the money. This book has all the facts about your favorite designers (Frank, Laurie, Gen, Vern, Edward, Kia, Doug and Hildi), Paige Davis, Amy Wynn Pastor and Ty Pennington. There is also a guide to the episodes from Season One onward. This is a great buy also because there are decorating tips and great pictures! So, if you like Trading Spaces, stop reading this and go buy it!
Rating:
Summary: For the Trading Spaces Fan... mostly.
Review: If you are a casual fan - this book is an interesting read. If you a fan - it is a must have. As the title says... "Trading Spaces Behind the Scenes...". This is about the people of Trading Spaces - not their designs. I am huge Trading Spaces fan (now - but not always). If you are looking for the Trading Spaces "how to" books - wait... they are coming. If you are looking to know why you never see Paige in the same clothes, or how Edward became one of the designers - this is for you. Softsided with Frank-tastic glossy pages, this book has many Doug-licious picture of the designers and it is Gen-erously sized (sorry I couldn't resist). It gives an over view of the process to become a Trading Spaces homeowner. Even if you aren't fond of a particular designer - Hildi isn't on of my favorites - reading this will give you new insight - if not appreciation of each crew member. After reading this I would love to work with Hildi. Generic tips like "don't be afraid of color" or "choose one of your favorite items and design around it" are included from each designer. Beyond that, this is not what this book is about (ie: "Trading Spaces Behind the Scenes...."). The "how to" books are coming - be patient. Over all - it is a easy and fun read, a nice "get to know" the crew, and a handy reference for Season 1 to 3 episodes. I loved it. I gave my copy to one of my co-workers and bought a 2nd copy.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent show...
Review: I love the Trading Spaces show but until this book come out I didn't realize how much of a following this show had. It was fun to get to know the designers and cast of the show. The fun part of the book was when the designers talked about the rooms that made them famous (or infamous, depending on who it was). I'm sure all of the fans of the show remember the moss wall... There were a couple of people included in the end of the book, however, that I didn't recognize and I wish that there had been more pictures of rooms from the designers. Other than that, it was an excellent read and a must for every fan!
Rating: 
Summary: Not a great book
Review: Where to start... well, another person who reviewed this and said it is not a how-to book is dead right. The decorating tips and tricks advertised on the cover are few and far between. It goes on and on and on and on like a campaign ad about Paige. The vast majority of this book is what I would consider filler. It's not about design, it's about the people on the show, which is okay if that's what you want, I guess- but it's redundant (lots of quotes in large text to take up space) and badly edited - sentences that don't make sense because they have omitted words or repetions of the same phrase twice in the same sentence.
The cover also boasts "poster-size portraits" which I suppose could technically be true if you consider "poster-size" to be "book-size".
What it does have going for it are a few tips from Edward and Vern, but I'd recommend getting it from the library. You can probably read it in a weekend, which is apparently more time than the authors put into writing it. Most of the other tips would be obvious if you had already seen the show. If you want tips, there are some useful ones from the cast available for free if you search by the name of the show and "50 tips" (cached on a popular search engine.) Otherwise, a good design book is Christopher Lowell's 7 Layers of Design. The French Apartment is also good, but specific to Flea Market style, very dramatic design. Definitely some good budget ideas though. I haven't seen the Trading Spaces DVDs, which have gotten really bad reviews, but after reading this book, I will get them through a service that charges a flat fee per month for many DVD "rentals" rather than buying them.
Rating:
Summary: The designers and who would you want to do your house?
Review: I have had the pleasure (mixed) of seeing every episode of this great show. In the back of the book, they have a brief synopsis of each show and a place to grade them. I found out quickly there is no way I would let Doug, Hildi, Laurie or organic Gen touch my house. I admit some, but very few of their rooms. are anything I could live with and I don't think they could either. I feel like they think up the weirdest colors and decor they can think of. Robert, Vern, or Frank could have free rein, they listen to the homeowners while I feel that the other decorators think it is all about them and what they feel like doing at the time. That hideous theater in a garage by Doug, fabric covered rooms by Hildi etc., capped by moss on the walls of a bedroom with carpet ripped out by Gen. Then there is shrill stupid Paige - bring back the charming Alex please!! She was wasted on the Millionaire show. Good time reading the book though, looking forward to the next
Rating:
Summary: A Fun Read!
Review: I LOVED reading all the behind the scenes info and learning more about my favorite Trading Spaces designers. The book has a fun look to it, too. Now I can hardly wait for the next two books, which both promise lots of how-to.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I love the show, I love the cast, I love the fun, I love the funk, I love the humor, and I wanted to know more, more, more, more, more, more, more about the show, the cast, and how the show goes together. This book is fun and funny and interesting. It's just what I wanted. Now I can't wait for the next Trading Spaces books. According to a page of this book, the next books will focus almost entirely on decorating ideas. I'll want them all!
Rating: 
Summary: Virtually no decorating tips
Review: If you want a book on decorating on a budget, this is not the one for you. If you want to know all about the personalities on Trading Spaces, then you will love this book. I used to be a huge fan of Trading Spaces until it became all about "the reveal" instead of creativity. The book has one page of generic tips from each designer, plus photos of some of their rooms, but nothing on how to accomplish the look. A much better purchase would be the Changing Rooms book.
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