‘Trading Spaces’ Original Cast: Where Are They Now?

Credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

‘Trading Spaces’ Original Cast: Where Are They Now?

Trading places! Two neighbors, two homes, two renovated rooms and a team of interior design experts made up TLC’s Trading Spaces reality TV show.

The TLC series originally aired for eight seasons between 2000 and 2008, showing home renovation enthusiasts how to fix up a drab room in their home under budget and within limited time constraints. Each episode took place in a different city, introducing viewers to two families who lived next door and wanted to spruce up a single room in their house. To do so, they handed over their keys to one another for 48 hours and were matched with an interior designer and a carpenter to transform the space. They had 48 hours and a $1,000 budget to make it happen before the all-important reveal.

“As a host in those moments, to be quiet is really the best thing I can do,” Paige Davis, who hosted the show, exclusively told Us Weekly in May 2018 of showing off the final product to an upset homeowner. “Everyone’s disappointed. Everybody thinks, ‘Oooh, ratings! It’s so exciting!’ But nobody’s happy when the homeowners don’t like it. [I have] to let them vent and get it out, and be like ‘It’s OK, you can change it, you can always paint over it!’”

After the show went off the air in December 2008, the network eventually greenlit a two-season reboot — with several of its most iconic stars and an increased budget of $2,000.

“I will be hosting Trading Spaces again. I’m back at TLC, back home and back where I belong,” Davis announced in July 2017 ahead of the series premiere.

Airing nearly 10 years after the OG iteration went off the air, Trading Spaces brought back designers Hildi Santo-Tomas, Genevieve Gorder, Doug Wilson and Vern Yip to fix up even more rooms. Plus, former show contractors Ty Pennington and Carter Oosterhouse made the switch to designers. Newcomers Brett Tutor, Joanie Sprague, John Gidding, Kahi Lee and Sabrina Soto also starred on the program.

“When they came to me and asked [if I would do the reboot], I said, ‘Of course, I’ll do it’ because it’s family — the family that gave me my start,” Pennington — who wed Kellee Merrell in November 2021 — told the Chicago Tribune in May 2019. “Not to mention, to me, it’s still one of the most fun formats I’ve ever been involved in. You’re doing one room, it’s only 2½ days, and you’re giving somebody with a plain bedroom something that’s different, unique and fun.”

The Ty Breaker host added: “And everybody has fun during the process. It was a no-brainer. Because of my experience, I know not only how to finish a room but also know how to make good television now, so if you let me off the leash, I’ll definitely give you some entertainment. … The thing about Trading Spaces is it’s about making something out of nothing and to try to do it in a creative way.”

Scroll below to see what the cast has been up to since their days renovating on a budget:

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Paige Davis

While the Philadelphia native notably hosted most of the OG series and the two-season reboot, she joined the show in season 2. TLC briefly experimented with a host-less format in January 2005 before bringing her back for the show’s final seasons and the eventual reboot. Before becoming a TV host on Trading Spaces and Home Made Simple, Davis got her start as a Broadway actress, appearing in Chicago, Boeing-Boeing and Beauty and the Beast.

The Paige by Page author, who was previously married to Greg Benson, wed actor Patrick Page in 2001.

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Alex McLeod

The Texas native hosted the very first season of Trading Spaces before Davis took over the gig. Since then, she hosted the short-lived Joe Millionaire competition in 2003 and various TV correspondent duties. As an actress, she appeared in episodes of Married… With Children, Partners, Days of Our Lives and Night Stand.

She is married to real estate developer John Blazevich.

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Vern Yip

Yip was known for his sophisticated designs on Trading Spaces, often including silk, candles and flowers. He also showcased his decorating prowess on episodes of Deserving Design, HGTV Design Star, Design Star All Stars, First Time Design and Bang for Your Buck.

The Vern Yip’s Vacation at Home author and his partner, Craig Koch, share son Gavin and daughter Vera.

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Genevieve Gorder

Gorder was one of the OG designers on the TLC hit, known for her soulful and bohemian spaces. The Minnesota native also frequently appeared on Stay Here, Dear Genevieve, Best Room Wins, Genevieve’s Renovation and Battle on the Block.

Gorder was married to Tyler Harcott between 2006 and 2013, with whom she shares daughter Bebelle. After their split, she moved on with Christian Dunbar and they tied the knot in September 2018.

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Hildi Santo-Tomas

Santo-Tomas had an eclectic style that many homeowners notably did not like, especially after she glued hay to living room walls and covered a bathroom in flowers in separate episodes. The artist, who returned for the 2018 reboot, appeared on an episode of 2020’s The Pack.

Santo-Tomas wed Etienne Fougeron in 2002.

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Doug Wilson

From brown walls to a prison-inspired bedroom, Wilson’s spaces were always one-of-a-kind. Following his Trading Spaces tenure, he served as the host of Moving Up and America’s Ugliest Rooms. The Doug's Rooms: Transforming Your Space One Room at a Time author opened his own steakhouse in Sullivan, Illinois, which closed in August 2011.

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Frank Bielec

Bielec started his career as an art teacher before pursuing a Master’s degree in design and becoming a florist. On Trading Spaces, he crafted country-chic, cozy rooms. Bielec died in May 2020 at the age of 72 and is survived by his wife, Judy Lynn Neal.

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Laurie Smith

The Discovering Home author showcased her modern classic style on Trading Spaces through the years. She since partnered with Hancock Fabrics to release her own line of fabrics and Quoizel Lighting for a collection of light fixtures.

The Atlanta resident shares son Gibson and daughter India with husband Brad Witherspoon-Smith.

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Ty Pennington

Pennington rose to fame as the young, hunky carpenter on the TLC series, building custom woodwork for the designers’ episodic projects. He went on to host Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Ty Breaker. The Georgia native made the leap to designer on TLC’s While You Were Out and Trading Spaces reboots and HGTV’s Rock the Block.

Pennington wed Kellee Merrell in November 2021 after nearly one year of dating.

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Carter Oosterhouse

The Michigan native joined Pennington in the carpentry tent during season 4 of Trading Spaces. He later hosted Carter Can, The Inside Job and Million Dollar Rooms. He has hosted ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight since its 2015 premiere.

Oosterhouse married actress Amy Smart in September 2011, nearly five years before they welcomed their first child, daughter Flora, via surrogate.

The Trading Spaces reboot designer was accused of sexual misconduct in December 2017 by a former makeup artist, who alleged Oosterhouse coerced her into performing oral sex on the set of Carter Can. He denied the claims, telling Us in a statement at the time that their relationship was “100 percent mutual and consensual.”

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Amy Wynn Pastor

The Pennsylvania native also served as a carpenter on the OG series and its Trading Spaces: Family Edition spinoff. Her woodworking skills were further featured in her 2005 book, Yes, You Can!: Home Repairs Made Easy. She later hosted DIY Network’s Make a Move in 2008.