Top 5 Decorating and Design Shows

Divine Design with Candice Olson lives up to its name. Candice and her team provide their clients with top-notch work that appears seamless. We get to see the design selections before they are implemented and then travel along as the space is transformed. Project budgets are not mentioned on this show, but cost does not seem to be the controlling factor, thereby allowing us to preview high end products. You can watch this show on Saturdays at 4p.m.

Design Star is second on my list of inspirational shows. Because it is a reality show where designers compete for the opportunity to have their own HGTV show, the viewer can challenge their own creativity in attempting to solve the challenge as they watch the show unfold. For instance, one challenge forced the contestants to use only supermarket items to transform an empty white box into a room. Clive Pearse hosts the show. Other prominent HGTV personalities judge each challenge. My favorite contestant so far is Antonio, so I'll be watching to see if he wins on the finale this Sunday at 10p.m.

Color Correction is a stand out show for me just because it reinforces my belief in the importance of proper color usage. Color and paint are one of the most inexpensive ways to transform a space and watching this show will prove just how true that statement is. Constance Ramos helps homeowners adjust their color schemes on Wednesday mornings at 9.

On Design Remix Karen McAloon takes an educational approach to help owners understand their own sense of style and then sends them out to purchase items for the room while the transformation begins. The resulting product is a great example of what a designer can do for you and your home in real life. Some people think that designers create rooms according to the designer's own aesthetic, but a good designer helps you refine your own vision in a visually harmonious way. Tune in to the show (or TiVo) Monday morning at 9:30.

For me it's a toss up for the final show because I love to watch Danielle Hirsch on Color Splash to pick up new techniques, but for overall inspiration I would have to recommend Hidden Potential. On Hidden Potential they take three separate pieces of real estate and show how the space could architecturally and decoratively be transformed within the buyer's budget. They use 3D computer technology to provide the visual changes. This allows us to view the 'hidden' potential in an otherwise off-putting piece of property.