Room by Room

I generally refrain from participating in web postings, but in this case, I felt it necessary. Room by Room is uninspired, bland and often insulting. Let me recap what you are likely to see on most any episode you watch (please, don't eat before viewing)...

Beige, grey and white for walls, counters, tile, carpet and any place you can put it. Color is a very bad thing when used in paint, wall paper counters and flooring.

You will not meet the home owners. I only infer that this is because they are embarrassed.

Fake flowers, and more often, greenery. Sheri, the Stepford-Wife host will put it anywhere and everywhere there is an open space.

Cheap, home made wood items. Matt, the even worse host (I am not sure he understands where he is), likes to build stuff - lots of stuff, and use cheap wood. Look for wall units, stools, headboards, tables, knick knack holders, and things you'd never dream of building.

Furniture at an angle - they seem to put something in every episode at an angle - sometimes it's a couch, sometimes a bed, sometimes just whatever is handy. Sheri tells us that this becomes the center piece.

And so it goes. Take that, sprinkle in bad taste, insultingly childish facial expressions and totally unbelievable surprise reactions to what each is doing, and you've got this mess.

I don't completely understand why HGTV continues to air episodes of this show. Hosts Matt Fox and Shari Hiller certainly have a friendly, down-to-earth manner in sharing their ideas and techniques, and the show is especially useful for learning about simple building and sewing projects. However, the show still fails to inspire, as most people who watch HGTV and follow design magazines will likely find their room makeovers nothing short of tacky. Their selections of paint, fabric, and accessories are rather outdated and kitschy, and they faux finish to the point of excess, dangerously giving viewers the impression that drawing design inspiration from the dining room of a Mimi's Cafe or Olive Garden is a good thing.

I understand that not everyone will like what I enjoy, however a couple of comments on here are a bit outrageous. This show is a gem because they show you how to improve your home step by step and in major detail. Yes much of it is outdated but it's an old show. You can always just use the techniques but apply your own style. Matt is a very talented carpenter so I have no clue why one of the commenters said his work looks cheap or something to that effect.

Their personalities are super sweet and classy. No yelling theatrics, dramatics or talking loudly like so many HGTV and other reality design shows. I truly miss these two!

This program is very interesting, but unfortunately, the hosts seem to forget that not all of us are financially well-off to spend the money like they do when they re-do a room. I am sure that they don't expect us to emulate a room like they have just done, that they are just giving us ideas for decorating a room. The hosts are very informative and nice--easy to watch. Another good program found on the HGTV network.

Matt and Shari are wonderful in their upbeat and entertaining show, "Room by Room". I found the show when I had just moved into my own house and their decorating ideas have been very valuable to me. Their personalities are also engaging as they make all the tasks seem easy. I also enjoy their coffee break crafts. There isn't any type of room that they haven't tackled over the years. Their seasonal programs are some of my favorites as they show decorating ideas for Halloween, Christmas or springtime! Matt is playful, and his expertise on tools, painting and woodcraft show anyone how they can tackle even the most complicated project. Shari is wonderful. She has a real flair for decorating and making a house a home. It is their joined on screen presence that enlivens the program. They are the best, and I never miss the show.