Renovation Realities

I'm a sucker for home improvement shows - not so much the ones where I may actually learn how to install a garbage disposal, but the kind that have a good story - like Flip That House on A&E or Dream House on HGTV. I just discovered a new one on DIY called Renovation Realities and it is fabulous! The whole idea of the show is that you get to watch other people as they do their renovation project and learn from their mistakes (or some small cases their successes). My husband and I frequently fantasize about renovating our kitchen, our bathroom . . . adding on a deck. You name it, we've talked about doing it. Of course, we don't get past the talking phase. But I must say, watching this show has actually encouraged me. Yes, these people have made a lot of mistakes, but most of them have been pretty successful in the end - though over budget. Some of the mistakes they make seem so obvious - like planning on redoing an entire bathroom and adding a closet to it four days before Christmas! That's a mistake I would definitely not make. Of course, I still have to convince my husband. In the meantime, I'll keep watching Renovation Realities and fantasizing about a new kitchen. New episodes are on Monday nights at 10:30pm on DIY, but since it's cable, there are re-runs on all the time - so check your local listings.