If there is one reality program that kickstarted America’s home makeover madness, it’s “Trading Spaces.”
While the show helped secure a mainstream audience for do-it-yourself programming, it was arguably its handsome hands-on man, Carter Oosterhouse, who reeled in the viewers who might otherwise have passed on remodeling programs.
Room recently caught up to Oosterhouse, who is also a regular face on NBC’s “Today” show and “Three Wishes,” to talk about what’s next for this carpenter who People magazine once named one of the sexiest men alive.
Q: Talk about your recent trip to Denver.
A: The trip was fantastic. We were in Denver doing a test shoot for (my still unnamed) new shows on HGTV and the DIY Network. The HGTV show will be more personality-driven (and focus on) the homeowners. The DIY Network show will have the ins and outs of getting a project finished. We start shooting in April, and they’ll start running in the fall.
We met some great homeowners a little bit outside of Denver who gave up a room in their house. They wanted a nursery in this tiny, tiny house. The basis for (the shows) is someone knows what they want and can visualize what they want but they can’t complete it …
We made everything from scratch from the shelving system on the walls to the furniture. We created a Murphy-
style changing table they were able to access when they needed it. The rocky chair was customized. We took out their armoire, a table, and an existing chair. We were able to maximize their space and make it a full-fledged nursery.
Q: In your mind, what are the basic tools and skills any homeowner should have?
A: My five basic tools are a tape measure, a power drill, a hammer, a wrench or a pair of pliers and a picture-hanging kit. Hanging stuff around the house is something any homeowner should be able to do. Otherwise, it depends how deep you want to dive into remodeling and refinishing. The most important thing is to do the research and figure out how much something would cost and how much skill is needed. When you find out everything – from tools to prep work to the amount of time involved – before getting started, it makes things so much easier.
Q: Your professional biography includes several references to how “hunky and charming” you are but little information about your construction expertise. How did you actually cut your chops as a general contractor?
A: I don’t claim to be the ultimate craftsman, but I have a knack for figuring things out and getting them done. I grew up in Michigan and started working in construction there when I was 14 or 15 years old. That was a summer job. My brothers are both older than I am, and they were working in construction too. Now they’re both general contractors …
In college I became more focused on interior cabinetry and flooring. I moved to Los Angeles after college. I was working part-time with carpentry when somebody told me about this new show “Trading Spaces.”
Find out more about Carter Oosterhouse at carteroosterhouse.com.
Staff writer Elana Ashanti Jefferson can be reached at 303-954-1957 or ejefferson@denverpost.com.
