Best of Trading Spaces

Best of Trading Spaces is a fascinating television series that aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) in 2011. This stand-out series is a compilation of the best and most unforgettable episodes of the original show, Trading Spaces, which was a beloved staple of home-renovation television. The premise of the original show was unique and captivating, involving two sets of neighbors swapping homes and redesigning a room in the other's house within a stipulated time period and budget, with the assistance of professional designers.

In Best of Trading Spaces, the audience gets a nostalgic trip down memory lane as they revisit the most memorable and dramatic episodes of the original series. This series is more than just a tribute to the original; it deftly brings together the magic, the drama, the fantastic and the disastrous renovations that made Trading Spaces an audience favorite.

Each episode of Best of Trading Spaces unfolds with the charm and suspense of the original series. The show begins with two pairs of neighbors, each set with the daunting task of redecorating a room in the other's homes. Amidst all the creativity, it is the unknown, the anticipation of the homeowners' reaction that becomes an invigorating part and parcel of the viewing experience.

The neighbors agree to 'trade spaces' and are given a limited budget, usually $1,000, and 48 hours time with the help of a professional designer, and a carpenter to complete the transformation. The crux of the show is based on trust as the homeowners have no say in what happens to their room, nor do they have any idea what their redesigned room looks like until the final reveal. Many times, this results in a mixed bag of reactions ranging from ecstatic joy to utter disappointment, providing the show with its hallmark blend of suspense and entertainment.

The choice of designers each episode brings in a distinctly different aesthetic and approach. Among the notable designers, including the likes of Hildi Santo-Tomás, Doug Wilson, and Genevieve Gorder, the design styles oscillate between lavish makeovers and polarizing concepts that always make for compelling viewing.

Yet, while the designing and redecorating are at the heart of the show, Best of Trading Spaces isn't only about interior design, it's about people and relationships too. The show often brings out the nuances of neighbourly bonds, friendships, and even familial dynamics as different groups of people join together to revamp a space. As they labor together, hauling furniture, painting walls, and responding to the designers' sometimes wild ideas, the series showcases the human elements of laughter, fatigue, frustration, and satisfaction. While every episode ends with a room reveal, it also invariably sheds light on the interesting dynamics of the relationships unfolding on-screen.

Another standout feature of this show is the lively, comedic hosting skills of Paige Davis. Davis' infectious energy and humorous segues keep the audience engaged, serving up an equal balance of fun and tension as the renovations progress.

Best of Trading Spaces brings back not just some of the most loved episodes, but also features some of the more controversial redos, the jaw-dropping reveals, extreme design choices, and the most emotional reactions. Fans of the original show will find themselves marveling, once again, at the dramatic transformations and the rollercoaster of emotions that accompany each reveal. Meanwhile, newcomers to the series will be captivated by the unique premise and get a front-row seat to see why Trading Spaces was a show that left such an everlasting impression.

In essence, Best of Trading Spaces is a combination of all the features that made the original show such a captivating spectacle. Whether you're an interior design enthusiast who enjoys the combination of creativity and practical challenges or someone who loves to see real-life drama unfold, the show promises a great viewing experience. It's engaging, entertaining, and full of surprises, encapsulating the best moments of a show that forever changed reality television and home redecorating shows. This isn't just about renovation; it's about the journey of transformation that involves a dash of surprise, a dash of suspense, and a whole lot of entertainment.