Ep 18. Athens: County Road

In Trading Spaces season 1 episode 18, titled Athens: County Road, viewers are taken on a journey through a renovation project set in Athens, Georgia. The episode follows two families as they swap houses and enlist the help of the Trading Spaces design team to revamp each other's homes.

The first family consists of a retired couple, Jim and Betty, who live in a rundown home on County Road. The couple's house is dated and in desperate need of some TLC. In contrast, their neighbors, the Young family, live in a modern and stylish home, complete with an impressive collection of artwork.

The two families have drastically different tastes, and the challenge for the Trading Spaces team is to create new and improved spaces that will meet everyone's expectations. The designers are tasked with taking on each house, with the aim to mix things up and create something fresh and new.

The Young family's home is given to designer Genevieve, who is faced with the challenge of creating a contemporary space that meets the family's modern aesthetic. Genevieve is known for her love of bold colors and patterns, and she doesn't disappoint in this episode. She incorporates a stunning orange accent wall, funky chandeliers, and patterned curtains into the living room, making the space feel warm and inviting.

The kitchen remodel is the most significant undertaking on this project. Genevieve removes the dated cabinetry and replaces it with sleek, minimalist modern cabinets and matching countertops. The kitchen's unique design is completed with a tiled backsplash in a pattern that complements the living room curtains, tying the entire space together.

Meanwhile, designer Hildi transforms Jim and Betty's home into a vibrant and eclectic space. Hildi has a reputation for creating daring and unusual designs, and this project is no exception. She chooses an unexpected theme- Greece - for inspiration.

Hildi's vision includes creating an indoor-outdoor living space by removing the back wall and adding a pergola and stone patio. Inside, she creates a Mediterranean-inspired dining room with a faux finish mural complete with arched windows and gold leaf details.

The guest room also receives a makeover, with lively colors and bold patterns. Hildi creates a custom headboard with bright yellow and red geometric patterns, and the room is finished with shaggy orange area rugs that bring warmth and texture to the space.

The show also provides an insight into the challenges that the Trading Spaces team encountered while renovating these houses. The County Road project poses several unique challenges that the designers have to overcome. For example, the teams have to work within an incredibly tight deadline and budget. They need to make sure the homeowners are happy, taking into account their personal tastes and styles while staying within budget restrictions.

Overall, Trading Spaces season 1 episode 18 is an entertaining and captivating episode that showcases the ingenuity and creativity of the Trading Spaces design team. The episode offers viewers insider tips and tricks that they can use in their own home renovation projects. Trading Spaces fans will find themselves completely engrossed as they watch Genevieve and Hildi create their unique designs and work through the challenges that come with this complex project.