Deserving Design with Vern Yip
I used to follow TLC’s Trading Spaces, and one of my favorite designers then was Vern Yip. These days, I don’t get to watch a lot of TV anymore. But I found out about Vern’s new show on HGTV, called Deserving Design, and I just had to check it out. I like the concept behind the show, that of giving a break the the people who need it the most. I’ve always liked Vern’s style on Trading Spaces, and he doesn’t disappoint in this new show.
Today’s featured homeowner was Carolyn Kayne, a community leader in Atlanta who has done her part in cleaning up her neighborhood. Vern cleaned up her living room which had egg yolk orange walls and a mishmash of Asian decorations and sagging accessories. He redid the fireplace, painted the walls a soothing purple color, hung up floor to ceiling silk curtains and spiffied up her furniture. Before the reveal, I was unsure of the purple palette that Vern chose. But he made it work!
As is the practice on the show, Vern also redecorated a second room in the house. The large hallway of the house had grimy checkerboard tiles and practically no seating, even though it was used by Carolyn to hold jam sessions with her friends. Vern installed a bamboo floor and hung huge black-and-white photos of local scenes on the newly-orange walls. The orange walls were tastefully done and opened up the space. I like the glass-topped dining table that he put in. However, I think it could do without the enormous baskets which made the space look cramped, and hampered conversation during meals (a short clip at the end of the episode show Carolyn’s friends eating around the table and barely seeing the tops of each other’s heads across those baskets). Also, my husband wondered whether putting candles near the ceiling (beside the chandelier) constituted a fire hazard.
You can see before and after photos of the two rooms here. The show airs on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. e/p, with replays at various other times. More information is available at the HGTV website.
Tags: Deserving Design, Vern Yip, HGTV, designing shows, home decor, interior design, housekeeping, homemaking
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POSTED IN: Deserving Design, Home Decor
30 opinions for Deserving Design with Vern Yip
Tracy Miles
Oct 10, 2007 at 9:28 pm
I love your program! seeing peoples faces light up with appreciation! well done Vern!
Jim Kraus
Oct 11, 2007 at 8:38 am
Mfg of solid wall “paint” used on one of your shows - in kitchen.
NOY THONGPHET
Oct 14, 2007 at 2:17 am
HELLO,
MY NAME IS NOY. I WAS WATCHING VERN YIP’S SHOW AND IT MADE ME THINK OF MY MOTHER. SHE WENT THROUGH A BAD DIVORCE WITH MY FATHER AFTER ABOUT THIRTY SOMETHING YEARS. SHE REALLY STRUGGLED WITHOUT HIM FINANCIALLY TO KEEP THE HOUSE THAT SHE IS LIVING IN NOW. SHE HAS BEEN WORKING LONG AND HARD DAYS SO SHE HAS NO TIME TO WATCH OVER MY LITTLE SISTER WHICH IS NOW 17. SHE BECAME REBELLIOUS ONCE MY FATHER LEFT THE HOUSE AFTER THE DIVORCE. MY MOTHER LOVES TO COOK AND ENTERTAIN PEOPLE. SHE ALWAYS HAS FRIENDS OVER FOUR PARTIES, BUT HER KITCHEN IS REALLY OLD AND DISGUISTING. SHE HAS BEEN WANTING TO RENOVATE THE KITCHEN BUT DOESNT HAVE THE TIME OR THE MONEY, AND I DONT THINK SHE EVER WILL HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT. I REALLY THINK MY MOTHER DESERVES A NEW KITCHEN, BUT I CAN NOT THINK OF ANY WAY TO HELP HER BUT TO REACH OUT TO YOU. I LOVE VERN YIP’S DESIGNS. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING HIM SINCE HE WAS IN TRADING SPACES. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT TO READ THIS LETTER. I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER THIS.
THANK YOU,
NOY THONGPHET
Maricar
Oct 15, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Hi Tracy, Jim and Noy,
Thanks for taking the time to comment here. I’m glad that you like Vern’s show, and find it useful. Unfortunately, I am not affiliated with either Vern or HGTV, so I’m unable to forward your comments to them. I do hope they will be able read this post and your comments.
Stephanie Williams
Oct 18, 2007 at 4:22 pm
I just want to say tha Vern Yip is my favorite designer. Have loved him from Trading Spaces. His designs were original and very chic…….I cling to his every word on Design Star, because he knows what he is talking about. I so love him on Deserving Design, what a concept, what a designer. I have one room in my house that I wish I could get his help on….It really needs help and I am out of ideas…….Vern, you are the man!!!!
Stephanie - Douglasville, GA
Tonya Kirkpatrick
Oct 19, 2007 at 1:32 am
HELLO MR. YIP, I wanted to say I truely do admire your work. I live in a older home in Saint Joseph MO. I was born and raised here . Ihave one son who is 27 now. Him and his girl friend just had twins. They live with my husband and I. My son also has a 5 yearold who lives with us .Theresa my sons girlfrind has a 7 yearold that lives with us too.We are a close family but the one bathroom is starting to become a problem .this may sound boring and whinny but Icould really use a helpinghand in this matter.8 people and one bathroom is hard . I have seen your work on TV and feel you know what I maen thank you for your time. Tonya Kirkpatrick
Pat Auge
Oct 20, 2007 at 9:18 pm
how can someone be considered for a room makeover?
Tina Lakickas
Oct 31, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Vern Yip’s “red room design” featured on the Oct 31st Halloween episdoe of Deserving Design is absolutely disgraceful. I am embarrassed for him, HGTV and the interior design community. He berated designers on Design Star for the same mistake he made: color and theme gone overboard! What happened?
J. Hannon
Nov 12, 2007 at 1:52 pm
I am the mother of two special needs sons, Myself, and my older son, our cancer survivors. My oldest son was born premature at 2lbs. 2 1/2 ozs. My second son, who was born during my older son’s cancer treatment for Leukemia, and was diagnosed with Autism at about age 3. Several years later, I was diagnosed with Lymphoma. It has been a struggle to find the time, to do the things that need to be done around the house. In addition to raising our boys, and watching over my aging Aunt, my husband and I both work. Dad has previously coached Challenger baseball for about 8 years, and I am involved in a social group run through our continuing ed. program that provides social activities for special needs men and woman. Most families with children in their 20’s would be out on their own. Because of our unique situation we are still the primary caretakers, for our two sons. We live in a small ranch style house and the boys are with us 24/7, except for pt work for my older son, and school for the younger one. Many years back we did some work to our basement, but it could sure use some updating. This would provide a nice get away for our boys, and some respite space for me and my husband. Vern can you please help us out?
Maricar
Nov 12, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Thanks for the comments. For those of you who would like to be on Vern’s show, please see the website below for information:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/be_on_hgtv/0,1783,HGTV_3222,00.html
Maricar
Nov 12, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Hi Tina, I saw what you mean. Yeah, I’m not sure what happened either.
Paulette Bowler-Bostic
Dec 30, 2007 at 12:31 am
I love Vern”s personality. He seems to really enjoy making people happy. I agree, he was born to do what he is doing. Keep up the great work and please tell me where I can purchase those indonesian baskets.
Marsha Levison
Jan 6, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I have watched you since TRADING SPACES. Your work is truly awesome!
My aunts, (Juanita Moore & Wilma Dandridge) have homes that are desperately in need of and deserving of a total makeover. I strongly believe someone of your stature could help.
Gloria Kilgore
Jan 9, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Dear Vern Vip:
I love your show Deserving Design, and especially appreciate the way you take special interest in the men and women who serve our country well such as with your recent show with the fire fighters in Atlanta Georgia. We would like to HONOR OUR HERITAGE by doing something special for our local seniors who have helped change so many lives here in Columbus Ohio who are very deserving of a wonderful design.
The Heritage Day Health Center on the Eastside of Columbus has been in operation at this location for less than five years, and serves approximately 80 elderly men and women each day by giving the caregivers a much needed break. While the center offers a wonderful range of day care services to physically and /or cognitively impaired adults regardless of their ability to pay for services, the center is DEPRESSING and needs many upgrades to make the center a more enjoyable space for the seniors who are there all day five days a week. We’re thinking of something on the order of vacation dream home that is very relaxing, but filled with many activities that will enable the participants to continue living independently as possible in the community.
Some of the items on Heritage’s wish list include a new closet racks and storage. The center currently DOES NOT have a closet rack to hang their coats. Currently, the staff stacks all the clients’ coats on top of each other on the table that reaches to the ceiling. The seniors would like a nice closet rack to hang their coats so it won’t get wrinkled, damaged and possibly contaminated, and storage for their personal items below.
Heritage also needs new electric massage recliners, curtains, large flat screen television (2?), wheelchairs, other furnishings, kitchen towels & dishcloths, adult bibs, round & oblong tablecloths, blenders, special grip silverware, bath towels, washcloths & body lotions, socks, twin & double flat sheets, medium & large sweatpants, gloves, mittens and scarves, large coats, walkie-talkies, a slide project a slide projector, DVD players and DVDs, camera, a camcorder, library of multi disc music CDs, DVDs, CD players and DVD players, large print books, books on tape & headphones, a karaoke machine, a ping-pong table and card table set.
We thank you in advance for all of your consideration in adding this project to your list of those most deserving design. Contact:
Ms. Renee Keels,
Community Relations Coordinator
Heritage Day Health Center
3341 East Livingston Avenue
Columbus Ohio 43227
P 614.236.0586
F 614.338.2350
http://www.heritagedayhealth.org
Humbly requested by Gloria Kilgore, Concern Citizen
anita
Jan 10, 2008 at 9:16 pm
This is one of the best shows on t.v .Keep up the good work vern.
sharon Kessler
Jan 21, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Dear vern, I am writing you about my sister-in-law. She has had a horrible two years. First she lost her father to a heart attack. Then shortly after her mom to cancer. Not long after that she was diagnosed with an advanced stage of breast cancer. Double mastectomies wer required as well as chemo treatment. Infection and side effects came next. As if that were not enough her dog for eighteen years died. Through this all her attitude, and her supportive husband and family have pulled her through this. to celebrate the end of chemo we planned a family get together for the first time in over fifteen years, that was not to be as a main water pipe broke in their apartment building and flooded their apartment causing them to cancel the first vacation together in thirty years ,as well as living in temporary quarters. I was wonderin if there was someway you could consider them for a apartment makeover. We are all now fundraisers for the Susan G. Komen race for the cure breast cancer foundation. Thank you so much for your consideration .Sharonessler
john landis
Jan 27, 2008 at 12:34 pm
my wife loves vern yip. she recently found out she had breast cancer and underwent surgery, chemo and radiation. she is much better and recently asked me to redue the bed room to make it warm and comfortable. we watch your show on sunday and i thought what a wounderful gift to give my wife for everything she has done for us. we will also be celebrating our 28th wedding anniversary.
thank you. john landis
Abby Hendricks
Jan 30, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Hi Vern:
I really think what you are doing for people is great. It is a blessing to watch your show and see haw it is touching lives in a positive way.
I would like to ask you for bed room ideas for my daughter she is turning 21 this fall, but she has Parkinson’s and dystonia so she crawls around instead of walking. Her room is only 10X10 and I have re woked it many times. But I thought you might have a new idea for me.
Thanks Abby Hendricks
Crystal Womble
Jan 31, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Hello,
I have been a fan of Vern Yip’s design work since the TLC Trading Spaces program began. I admired how he listened to the team who worked on designing a neighbor’s home. You were careful to make sure it was functional and beautiful from color selections to accessories…you did a fanstastic job! I heard you speak at a benefit luncheon a while ago and appreciated what you said about your work on Trading Spaces. I don’t remember the exact words but, you were discussing the importance of knowing when you left a home, you wanted to make sure your design was something people would enjoy long after the experience. How cool is that. It’s not about shocking someone but, giving them a sense of style that reflected their personality.
I notice how you continue to do that with Deserving Design.
I would love to have you do a room in our home but, want to share a story about someone who deserves it more….my mom. She’s a huge fan of your work.
I don’t think she’d mind my saying this, her proudest accomplishment was buying her home, on her own. Our father was in the Air Force and was gone a lot so, when our parents divorced I imagine how hard it was for her. She’d always been the a constant figure in our home, caretaker, disciplinarian and all. She’ll tell you it wasn’t anything other than what she was supposed to do.
During a time when many black women in our community were only able to find work as domestics but, began to have other opportunities because of the University and growing school districts, my mom made the choice to continue working cleaning other peoples homes. She found it just as easy to continue this work because she was able to be home when all of kids got there after school. She is retired now but, just after retirement was able to make the final payment on her home. I don’t think she ever expected this to happen so we were just as suprised and proud of this as she was.
Over the years, we’ve painted and patched what we could but, the house is aging and it’s hard to save and do the repairs that really need to happen.
Mom is very independent and insist on paying her own way in life, I think this, her strong work ethic, and integrity is what I love most about my mom. That said, I don’t know how or if she would accept it, but I would really love to have just one room of her house redisigned by someone who understands what it means to help someone make their house a home.
Sincerely,
Crystal Womble
Urbana, Illinois
Nancy Hoar
Feb 7, 2008 at 6:55 am
Dear Mr Yip,
I am writing you in regards to my neice and nephew in Des Moines Iowa. About a year ago, my nephew’s mother died of cancer and she left two grandsons that she was trying to raise. The oldest grandson is 14 years old and the youngest is 12 years old. The oldest grandson is autistic and requires special attention and lots of love. This young couple who are in their 30’s promised that they would take these boys and raise them. They have a son of their own who is 17 years. This couple are doing great with the boys. They are active in their church, are doing good in school and are active in community sports. They live in a modest home which is in great need of a kitchen makeover. This is an old style farmhouse kitchen with no countertops, and hardly any room for their table. They have no dining room and their living room has TV trays and two seating places. Pat and Carla would never agree to me sending you this email, but they are such a deserving couple. I wish we had to money to hire someone to come in and do a makeover for them. Maybe I can win the lottery ha! If you can’t help them, maybe you could give them some good ideas on how to make their kitchen workable. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Nancy Hoar, Georgia
Barb
Feb 15, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I love this show. I always cry when I see the clients’ reactions. Vern has incredible ideas and the finished project is always wonderful.
Irene Mermelstein
Mar 11, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Dear Vern,
I wanted to nominate my husband as a potential receiver of one of your great room makeovers. He is an incredible human being who never considers what he does as something deserving of recognition.
I always consider my husband a late bloomer. When we met, I think that he was a candidate for the worlds largest number of community college credits in the world. At the age of 36 he decided to go back to college. We had two children, he travelled on his job for the State of California, with a full time plus job and he coached soccer for our son. You wouldn’t think that he could successfully complete college with that schedule, but complete it he did. As time passed, he decided that he wanted to do something that would have an impact on his community so he decided to become a Parole Agent with the State of California and he worked out of the Concord area. He became a high notoriety case worker and the sex offender specialist for his area. He developed a unique program which encouraged the law enforcement community to learn more about the potential parolees who were being released into their jurisdiction. He was one of the first agents who discovered the connection with sex offenders and the Internet. He has a vanity wall in his office which rivals most politicians. He was recognized by the local communities, by the State of California, by the Federal government for his contributions upon his retirement.
In 1999, it was discovered that he had an aggressive form of Prostate Cancer. It was in remission for five years but has since returned. He takes drugs that cause very severe night sweats and disturb his sleep.
In 2000, a heart condition was diagnosed that caused him to be retired on disability. It was considered presumptive that it was caused from the stress of his work. The medication he takes for this makes him feel cold all the time.
He lives to laugh and enjoy life and refuses to allow his health issues to color his life or his future. When I get down about his health, he gives me 24 hours to get happy because he says, he refuses to live as if he is going to die.
You would think that all of these things would have allowed him to rest on his laurels but he wouldn’t think of it. We sold our home in California and followed our children and grand Children to the State of Oregon where we live in a small suburb of Portland. Since moving here he has been a Police Department Volunteer, a volunteer at the high school in career and scholarship counseling and he is currently on a Community Diversion Panel which gives first time youth offenders community service and redirection rather than incarceration.
Again, you would think that this was enough but I have an elderly Father who has just recently moved from the home next door to us. During my Dad’s residency, my husband did everything you could possibly think of to love and support him and continues to do so now that he has moved to Assisted Living. He drives him to the doctor, takes him to dinner and on outings and generally supports him in any way possible. He does his banking and behind the scenes management for him as well.
We also have a set of children who need a little extra bit of help. They both have learnning disabilities which make managing money a trial so he handles all of their affairs.
He is handy so all of us depend on him to fix things around all of our homes. He goes on field trips with his grandchildren.
Recently, my health hasn’t been great and he has been the chief cook and bottle washer, aid and health care provider for me as well.
I would love it if you would do either his office, the garage where he works beautifully in wood or in our master bedroom which really could use some updating since we have our original 42 year old furniture in there.
Thank you for considering my husband for a makeover. Vern, we would love for you to do something in appreciation for this fine man.
Sincerely,
Irene Mermelstein
Janini Vega
Mar 19, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Dear Mr Yip,
I love to see your program. I am from Belize C.A.
of the district of Orange Walk, in a small village called San.Estevan. I am 14 years going to 15 in May. I’m having trouble decorating my room in is 12″ by 13″, I would like you to make a short sketch in how I can decorate and arrange my room following Feng Shui. I would like it to be in Asian style but at the same time with a tropical environment. If its not a problem or in your free time I will be grateful if you do this for me.
Sincerly Yours,
Janini Vega
Pat Dunsmoor
Apr 12, 2008 at 9:14 am
Dear Mr.Vip,
I have been remodeling on my house for seven years. When I became a divorce/ single mom everything in this house started falling apart.Truly before I DIVORCE,things were falling apart.The list is so long,I can not begin to tell.My kitchen, my cabinets are awful.I painted them about 10 years ago and now the paint is chipping off, the counter top is coming up. What my question is, what products out there that I can use to take off the old paint and repaint. I can not afford new cabinets.Please help, I truly enjoy your show and your are the man.
Pat Dunsmoor
Apr 12, 2008 at 9:16 am
Mr.Vip.
Also counter top.
Joan McNutt
May 16, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I was wondering if the winner of the kitchen/laundry room makeover has been chosen yet? No matter, I still love Vern Yip and his show.
Karen Hicks
May 17, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Vern, Your show has been a blessing to me the past 3 years. I have had 9 surgeries on my left foot and leg. without recording and watching your shows over and over, I don’t know what I would do. I have been remodeling my kitching for over 4 years and now that I’m injured and in constant pain, I don’t know when my remodel project will be complete. I have gotten so many wonderful ideas from your show and you inspire me not to give up on my 1960’s lime green kitchen. There is hope.
Jale
Jun 9, 2008 at 9:28 pm
i was so excited when i first saw the show, i just wish i knew how to apply to be on the show because i have a best friend who is the most deserving person i know!!!!!!
Gale Powell
Jul 15, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Vern,
God bless your heart! I wanted to give you an opportunity to help an “old” woman who is trying to buy her first house. I just turned 59 and have been praying for this for years. I raised my 3 kids alone and now that they are all married and gone, I want to have at least 5 years in a home of my own before I am too old to enjoy it. Do you want to let God use you to make my dream come true? haha Blessings to you, Gale
REGINALD IN BIRMINGHAM
Jul 24, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I have followed Vern Yip for years. I love his designs and always said that when I purchased a house I would hire a desinger and tell them to think like Vern Yip. Long story short I purchased a house and seperated from my wife all in the same month, now I do not have the money to decorate. With three kids on my own and little time I was looking to see if I could get my kids bedrooms decorated, the truly deserve it. They are young bet seems to understand that i have little money so they don’t even ask for the things that they know are not an absolut must. They have been forced to make so many sacrafices and that is not fair to them. In their rooms they have their bed which I had to struggle and buy but that is it. Everyone tells me that love is the most important thing I can give them but I wish I could give it to them with more thatn just hugs and kisses. A bedroom makeover would bjust what they need and if you cannot come to Birmingham, Al and design these two room ccan you pleas tell me where I can find inexpensive decoration for their rooms. I have little money and they know it so if you give me any suggestions, I will find a way to buy one thing at a time just to make them happy, afterall their happiness is the ost important thing to me.
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