Fans of “Trading Spaces” on TLC know Hildi Santo-Tomas for her inventive and sometimes wacky design ideas.
From plastering a wall with fake flowers to decorating with hay, Santo-Tomas is the first to say she’s not afraid to take risks. For that derring-do, television viewers either love her or hate her.
A handful of Coloradans recently turned their homes over to this out-of-the-box designer when the “Trading Spaces” crew came through to film five episodes for the show’s new season, which began airing this month.
The Denver Post reached Santo-Tomas after her Colorado visit to glean a few impressions of our state, and the state of home improvement in general.
Can you share some of your impressions of Denver?
Denver is one of our favorite places to shoot. I love Denver because it is so natural and organic. Colorado obviously prides itself on the outdoors, and the homeowners are a little different. They don’t sweat the small stuff. They’re more laid back and organic.
I’m not one to do theme rooms. I don’t do seashells in Key West or boats in Newport. With the people and the homes in Colorado, there’s definitely an organic feeling. But of course, This is “Trading Spaces.” It’s $1,000. You don’t get to see the room beforehand. You work with the neighbors, and, boom, that’s what you get.
What inspires your interior style?
I’ve traveled extensively in the United States and around the world. I keep my eyes open to everything around me, whether it’s the people in China or Asia or Russia. I observe architecture, foods, the seasons, or something like the color of the saris in India.
(While filming) in Colorado Springs, we passed this valley with a train track going all the way across it. All of the sudden the train came by and I just stopped and watched it for a minute because you could see the entire train from one end to the other. To me, it was very linear…
I’m extremely creative. I think you can put anything on the walls, and I’m not afraid to so something that no one else has done. That’s what I try to do with every single room. I mentally take everything out of that room and think what can I create here?
My hope is that that inspires somebody to paint one wall red (when before) they were so afraid to do it. Never be afraid to try something new and different. These are not life or death decisions. If you don’t like the red room, then try again.
Obviously the economy is on everyone’s mind right now. What are your thoughts about tackling home-improvement projects when so many Americans are preoccupied with their financial well being?
If you only had $5, there are still so many things within your home that you can do, and it doesn’t call for purchasing. You don’t have to paint or invest in new furniture.
Even if we were talking about a $1,000 or a $10,000 budget, everyone should start by purging. Take everything out of the room and just bring back those things that you want or really need. Just because you brought things in 10 years ago doesn’t mean you have to live with them now.
It’s amazing how much stuff you can give to Goodwill, and already your look is cleaner and more modern. A lot of times I tell people don’t even start purchasing or investing until you have done that. Otherwise you are just masking your excess. Just clean up your act and clean up your space up, and it’s amazing how much your room will grow.
Upcoming episodes of “Trading Spaces” featuring room makeovers in the Centennial State will air Oct. 8, Oct. 18, Oct. 25 and Dec. 6.
Elana Ashanti Jefferson: 303-954-1957 or ejefferson@denverpost.com
