Space Cadets

Trading Spaces, TLC’s famed and peril-fraught home décor show,
is planning to tape two episodes in Santa Barbara, and they’re on
the hunt for some brave Barbareños who are willing to entrust the
redecoration of their homes to their equally nervy neighbors. The
chosen ones will have two days — working at breakneck pace under
the direction of a Trading Spaces designer — to transform a room in
their neighbors’ home, while their neighbors do the same for them.
Although the idea of a newly decked-out interior is decidedly
enticing, the show — now in its sixth season — has not been without
its fair share of well-documented duds. Thus, I can only assume
that, surely, a certain percentage of Trading Spaces’s devoted
viewership owes to its inherent train-wreck factor: It’s undeniable
that the premise holds oodles of disaster potential. Who can forget
the black rooms, the striped rooms, the spray-painted bedspreads?
While, ostensibly, we watch it for cheap, quick, easy, and clever
design ideas, no watcher can deny that somewhere, deep down, part
of them hopes to witness a decorating debacle, and then, just
maybe, a nice emotional breakdown. (Or is it just me?) I’ve always
thought of myself as an adventurous person, but the balls it would
take to hand over my keys — fully aware that I’ll have no input in
the design decisions that ensue — remain elusive. However, I admire
wholeheartedly those who are willing to go for it, and wish them
beautifully redecorated digs that they will absolutely adore. The
Rules: Each team must be comprised of two people; the rooms to be
transformed must be at least 12 feet by 12 feet; the two homes must
be within a 15-minute drive from one another. Additionally, the
press release states that personality is key: “We’re looking for
lively, outgoing, quirky folks.” (Note they neglect to mention the
most important requirement of all: balls.) If you’re interested,
email dmcguigan@banyan.com (being sure to indicate Santa Barbara as
the city you’re applying for), and you will be sent an application.
Applications must be received by March 15; filming takes place at
the end of April.