Laurie Hickson-Smith

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Holiday Decorating on a Budget
With Laurie Hickson Smith
Designer, TLC's "Trading Spaces"
Monday, Dec. 10, 2001; 2 p.m. EST

The holidays are here and it's time to decorate. But what if you don't have a huge budget set aside for making your home a winter wonderland? Fear not. TLC "Trading Spaces" designer Laurie Hickson-Smith will be online Monday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. EST to share tips and tricks for holiday decorating on a budget.

Hickson-Smith is a featured designer on "Trading Spaces," which airs Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. EST; Saturdays at 11 a.m., 8 p.m. EST and 11 p.m. EST; and Sundays at Noon EST. Each show asks two close neighbors to trade a room in their home to be decorated along with a featured designer.

"Elegant, but eclectic" is how Hickson-Smith described her designs when she arrived on set for "Trading Spaces." She uses color and vibrancy to create new spaces on a limited budget and always does so with style and grace (and sometimes a bit of perspiration). Trained in New York, she returned to her Southern roots and has settled in Jackson, Miss., with her husband.

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Laurie Hickson-Smith: Thank you and hello to all of those who are online. I hope I can answer them to the best of my ability. We love that we have such an enthusiastic audience.

Athens, Ga.: Laurie, Your Designs always have a touch of class. Would you ever let your hair down, and do something "Frankish" (I love most everything y'all do)?

Laurie Hickson-Smith: Thank you for the complement. I appreciate it. I guess I am going on my own rendition on how one defines "Frankish." I only wish I were as talented as Frank. I try to be as diverse in my design as possible. Frank tends to be more folk art. If my homeowners were requesting that from me I would definitely try and put my own spin on that.

Lorton, Va.: I love Trading Spacing, and the designs that you manage to create for it. These are actually two questions I have about the show, and not the immediate topic on hand. First, do the homeowners get to lay out certain "please don't touch this" guidelines when it comes to their rooms? Second, I've noticed what occasionally look like expressions of restrained disappointment on camera (though certainly not in responce to one of your creations), and I wonder what's the most negative reaction you've gotten (or heard one of the other show designers get) from a room when the cameras are off).

Laurie Hickson-Smith: I love all these questions…

Absolutely yes -- much to the designer's dismay. We would love to be able to go in every residence with absolute freedom but there are always restrictions, especially if there is an heirloom piece the homeowner does not wish us to touch. We honor all request.

In season one and two we definitely had homeowners who are not scared to show their negative reaction -- although we have had a few where people start crying as soon as the cameras turn off. I have actually had my first very negative reaction just last week in Seattle (that will air in February.) She absolutely disliked everything we did on camera and said that it was all coming off the next day. Actually Douglas Wilson had a reaction in Seattle where the homeowner opened her eyes and started crying and had to run out of the room and couldn't even stay for the rest of the reveal. Ironically I thought it was one of his most beautiful rooms. You never know how someone will react.

Chesapeake, Va.: How can I decorate my small apartment for Christmas without overwhelming it. I don't want it to look overdone, just simly elegant -- like your designs.

Laurie Hickson-Smith: My husband and I live in a 1930s bungalow in Jackson Miss and it too is small with intimate spaces. If you have a fireplace mantel it is always lovely to dress it with a simply swag of garland. Also holy sprigs, pears, vases, etc. Poinsettias placed at the foot of the fireplace is a nice touch. A Green garland with little white lights around doors is a nice touch. I try to keep it clean. I prefer white poinsettias. Candles are always a nice touch. There is one I like a lot called Red Currant by Votivo. It is very festive.

Baltimore, Md.: Totally off the subject, but please forgive me... but please tell me Ty is single!

Laurie Hickson-Smith: Oh very!

No -- he does a girlfriend, but we don't know if Ty will ever settle down. But we wish he would!

Chesapeake, Va.: Fans of Trading Spaces love to gather on bulletin boards and discuss the show. We have seen many changes this season with the new production company, Banyan. What are some of the differences for you this year?

Laurie Hickson-Smith: We are forever indebted to Ross TV who really poured their heart and soul into creating Trading Spaces. They found all of the cast members. Banyan is a fabulous company out of Philadelphia. They do A Wedding Story and A Baby Story and various productions on TLC and Discovery. They are experts in their field and they too have adopted the show quickly and are trying new and experimental touches to make it their own and pull it into a prime time slot. And of course there is the new host!

Cornwall, U.K.: Laurie have you ever though about trading shows and appearing on Changing Rooms in the UK for an episode or two? I'd love to see you work your magic here in the UK.

Laurie Hickson-Smith: By all means yes! As a matter of fact there was even some buzz about getting the Trading Spaces designers to pair up against the Changing Rooms designers. If you would like to see that happen start writing into the Discovery Channel! We are currently airing there as "Changing Rooms U.S." I did just returned from Ireland and had a number of people in Heathrow stop me to say that they love Changing Rooms US.

Chicago, Ill.: I often notice during the 'Clearing of the Room' shots that you dance through the empty room, and have often wondered if you have a background in dance or ballet. You have the beauty, grace, poise, and stance of a dancer. Most artistic people tend to be multi-faceted. Did you study as a child? Do you continue to study as an adult?

Laurie Hickson-Smith: That is so sweet. I grew up dancing ballet. I was involved in the Junior Division of the Houston Ballet in Houston, Texas. However through the years I have not been as committed. Before design I was interested in theater, but now all my creative energy is channeled into design. I am glad you like my twirling.

Washington, D.C.: Hi Laurie,
You always talk about symmetry in your designs, but haven't you found that the new "in" tends to lean toward assymetric designing?

Thanks and I love Trading Spaces!

Laurie Hickson-Smith: Well, call me old fashioned -- and I guess that is kind of my take on my role in the show. As fat as symmetry, I have to look at the space. If we are dealing with a room that has an off center fireplace that requires furniture to be angled then I will definitely comply. However, unless there are any architectural elements that are really driving an asymmetrical design. I prefer scale and balance in a room.

Plus I had design school teachers that hammered that into my head.

Dublin, Ireland.: Decided not to have a Christmas Tree this year, so how else can we create a focal point that does not take up too much space?

Thank you.

Laurie Hickson-Smith: First of all, my husband and I fell in love with your country. We love Ireland and I just wanted to say that.

If you are choosing not to have a Christmas tree this year, very focal points could be, as I had said earlier, a fireplace mantle, but in addition to that I think that a dining room table is always a staple. I have seen some dining room tables be absolutely dramatic with the traditional red and green scheme - usually flowers. Roses, hydrangeas mixed with golden pomegranates. Here in the south we like to add a few magnolia leaves. On a less over the top approach, I love to use eucalyptus leaves with sprigs of lavender with poppy pods. They can be a very long lasting swag on a mantle or dining table.

Washington, D.C.: Hi! I am a HUGE fan of the show - I watch it all the time and I adore your designs -- very earthy colors.

Any idea where Alex McCloud is? She was a great host -- and how long are you planning to stay on the show?

Laurie Hickson-Smith: First, thank you.

We were sad to see Alex go and are thrilled to have Page as well. Last I heard Alex may be doing something with MTV but I have no idea. I think she may be auditioning in LA for some upcoming films as well.

As for me, I will be on the show as long as they have me. I am just happy to be here.

Cobourg, Canada: Laurie,

Has any designer on the show failed to meet the deadline? What REALLY happens behind the scenes when this occurs? I don't believe that I have ever watched an episode where it was said point blank, but one must wonder, especially about some of the more elaborate designs.

Laurie Hickson-Smith: We have the limit of two working days

I don't think that there is a single designer who hasn't had projects cancelled or edited out. We have run into one and two in the morning on day two, but usually that was because a designer was sick or we ran into weather problems.

But we never exceeded out two days of production. It would never be allowed. Time is money and Trading Spaces doesn't have any. Time or money that is.

Baltimore, Md.: NO NO NO! You or Doug (ok, maybe Vern and Hildy) are the only ones I would want touching my room. I'm sure Frank is a very nice man but it's all a bit too "corny country" for my tastes. And with Genvieve, I can't risk having my wallpaper replaced by moss or tree bark.

Keep up the good work!

P.S I know she's not on the show anymore, but can you hook a single fellow up with Alex McLeod (equal time for the guys out here please)?

Laurie Hickson-Smith: We appreciate it. On the other hand I think some of the funnest episodes are when people are not expecting something from a designer and yet get another thing. I think everyone is trying to color outside the box with each episode and push their creativity. We all must pay tribute to Genvieve's moss wall last season.

As far as Alex goes, can't answer that one for you, but she sure is a beautiful girl. You will have to go to LA and look her up.

McLean, Va.: If you had to choose one of the other designers on Trading Spaces to do a room in your own home, who would you choose and why?

Laurie Hickson-Smith: Oh no! You are going to get me in trouble!

I have often thought to give all of the designers the same space and see how different they ended up being.

If I have to integrate one element of each of the designers into a room in my home I would want Doug to do the plaster finishes on the wall, I would want Hildy to design a piece of furniture with her clean lines and sophisticated touch, I would want Vern the architect to lay out my furniture with a true sense of scale and proportion, I would want Genevieve to do the art work in my room - she has a fabulous eye for design and color, and I would want Frank to do the finishing floral arrangement and paint some sort of special box or decorative item to have on an end table.

Grayville, Ill.: I would love to paint my kitchen cabinets before the holidays. My kitchen is cranberry and tan. The bottom is rag rolled tan with cranberry and the top is tan with a border between. I want to crackle my cabinet doors but I am bouncing on which color to use for my base. I thought about cranberry for the base and crackle the tan. I would love to know your thought. I would love it if you would just come to my house and help me. I am a HUGE fan of the show.

Laurie Hickson-Smith: Well, sounds like you have a lot going on in that kitchen!

I wonder if you don't need to go with some sort of creamy white or warmer finish on the cabinet. Without seeing the colors exactly it would be difficult to pull one, but perhaps a warm trim color is Benjamine Moore color called Navajo White and maybe that would work as a glaze wash or crackle finish on top of a lighter gradation of the tan color.

You could also always strip the paint and do warm wood cabinets.

Good luck.

Wantagh, N.Y.: Laurie, what are your favorite decorations that you add to your home for Christmas, and do you think Trading Spaces would ever do a holiday room makeover? I think you and Frank would be great on a special show like that.

Laurie Hickson-Smith: That is very kind.

I am sitting in my living room and am looking at my tree that just went up last night. This has been a crazy year for me, with so much traveling, so I have to admit my house is lacking. I do add one special touch to my mantle. I love the dried magnolia leaves and I have a garland of them on my mantle with pomegranates as an extra touch. If I am really ambitious I may put up garlands on the outside of the door, but that won't happen until next week.

When it comes to Christmas Décor I tend to be a "less is more" gal, but I do love it.

And yes I agree, I think Frank would be great for a holiday special. That man has more tricks up his sleeves for craft projects then the law should allow.

Poinsettias and baskets of pinecones are also simple touches one can add.

Arlington, Va.: Laurie -- Any great ideas on how to decorate a tree (1st time tree owner) if you don't have a ton of ornaments? (See you over Christmas, MG)

Laurie Hickson-Smith: If you have the patience to string the lights up and carry them deep into the branches and up to the tips that can conceal a lack of ornaments. My husband and I have only been married two years and ran into this at the beginning. Our first year we went to the homestores and decided to get nothing but inexpensive silver balls and did that on the tree with tinsel. When we were able to start collecting more unique ornaments we put those on the tree, that is what we prefer.

Pittsburgh, Pa.: You always wear the most classy and stylish outfits for the renovations on Trading Spaces. Where do you shop?

Laurie Hickson-Smith: I have kind of gotten a bad wrap. Everyone teases me and say that I match the color of the room.

That is very sweet. I really have to be a very good bargain shopper because we ruin so many clothes with paint. I am always looking for a good deal.

Washington, D.C.: Dear Ms. Hickson-Smith,

I know you were trained in New York as well as many of your colleagues on Trading Spaces. Do you feel a background in design is necessary for a successful designing career?

Laurie Hickson-Smith: Absolutely not. It helps to have training but I believe design is like any other art. You either have that intrinsic eye or you do not. Some of the most well respected designers in the business had no formal training. I felt that I needed the training. I had a lot of creativity but didn't know how to channel it. I enjoyed going to school because it taught some things that d not come naturally such as draft drawing.

I left the world of marketing and advertising to go to the New York School on Interior Design and I am very proud of my studies there and had some fabulous professors.

Laurie Hickson-Smith: Thank you. I wish we had more time. They are going to start promoting it soon, but just so you know, if you have the television on Christmas day we will have a marathon of all new Trading Spaces. I believe it is upwards of 15 new episodes all day Christmas day. I think there will be premiers, mine being one of them, of new episodes from Chicago as well.

And remember to watch us on prime time on Saturday nights.

Thank you again for watching and your enthusiasm and excitement.

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