Well, the good news is I didn’t have to spend Valentine’s Day sitting in a jury box. The bad news is, it’s the day we found out that HGTV decided not to go to series with our design TV project.
And even though we’re bummed our pilot episode didn’t turn out to be what they were looking for, we’re so grateful they allowed us the opportunity to give the whole wacky thing a whirl.
The biggest bummer, however, is that we won’t be able to collaborate with blog readers & writers, in person, on a regular basis. We love that kind of stuff, and that was definitely the best part of filming the pilot. A whole bunch of fun folks met up in Suwannee, Georgia, and shared their time & talents, and in just 5 days, we were able to create a colorful, new living room for newlyweds Alex and Emily Morrison, together…
It was so nerve-wracking/fun to reveal it to them on day 5!
Anywho, our production company *may* try to pitch the show to a couple of other channels, but we’re just going to keep on, keepin’ on- doing all the things we’ve loved doing all along: creating art & photographs, writing music & books, and blogging about whatever tickles our fancy, and tugs at our heart strings.
And as always, we’ll continue to bust out our video camera to document our own “indie” style renovation adventures, too!
Thanks so much to everyone who encouraged us on our design TV journey. It was a wild ride, and we feel so blessed to have had the chance to experience it!
Abigail
I am so bummed to hear this!! I would MUCH rather watch a show that helps bloggers/people trying to work on their own homes succeed!! In this economy this is the kind of show that makes sense! Great job on the rooms and here’s hoping someone else will pick up the show. HGTV is missing out big time on this one.
Jessica
HGTV has bumped their head!!! We were so looking forward to some REAL decorating again! You guys are great! Actually, your blog is one of the first I started following! Thanks for sharing your home and all the other wonderful things you do! I’m inspired by your work!
Debby Messner
I sent an email to HGTV as well. ((((HUGS)))))
Stephanie Truitt
I’m also bummed that we won’t be seeing you on HGTV! Love the room re-do. What color did you use on the walls? Love the reveal room!
Martha
That stinks. I was looking forward to seeing your show. I hate all the buy/sell shows. I want to re-think my own house. Not look at a de-cluttered and staged home show. O-well. I will keep reading the blog, which I love so much. I <3 you guys. : )
Katherine @ Grass Stains
Well, I for one am really disappointed! I love HGTV and I love TLC, so I was really hoping this would work out. Although I don’t comment often, I read every single day and was really rooting for you. You and Kevin are such talents, and I know you’ll be successful in whatever you do! So glad you’re continuing to blog. 🙂
Sandy A
All I can say is this is HGTV’s loss–and ours! HGTV needs to have a show like you and Kevin created. Hopefully a network will pick your creation and develop it for TV. The room you designed is absolutely perfect. Designed and decorated, yet totally life friendly. I only wish you could come and help us with our home! Good luck in having your (and our) dream show a reality. Just know you have thousands of fans in blog land…
Jennifer Jensen
That after is amazing! I hope you will be able to share some of the details with us 🙂
Dee Brownfield
Well. darn! Having said that … let’s look at the bright side!!! You WILL be picked up, kiddos! You two are just awesome … be patient, Dear Ones!! It is coming … the best is yet to come!!!
Pink Hugs,
Dee
ps. I love “watching” what you do!!!
Laurie
Such sad news! I hardly ever watch HGTV due to the fact that they don’t have the shows they used to any more. Your show would have been perfect! I am not buying or selling, I want to know how to update what I have with a reasonable price! Some of the shows have them renovating bathrooms and kitchens with outrageous pricetags that are free with doing the “series”. I want to do budget friendly renovations. Plus I would love to be able to watch a few of my favorite bloggers. I am hoping your pilot will be appreciated somewhere else so we will be able to watch you every week! Keep up the amazing blog posts!
Laurie
TanyaLea
Layla & Kev~
I’m so sorry to hear the news. Frankly, I think HGTV is missing the boat on this one. I have to say, in an age when buying/selling are not at their peak, I think there is no better time to launch a show like yours, where people can refresh, make new and learn to love the spaces they already have. I’m a little bored with all their buy/sell shows and haven’t been watching HGTV nearly as much as I used to …and let me tell you, I’m not exaggerating one bit when I say that 80-90% of my DVR used to be filled with HGTV alone. It’s simply not the case anymore. They need to get with the times!! 😉
In any case, I LOVE the reveal of the room you did. I’m disappointed that they are not jumping on board with your show right now, as I was really excited about it and was sharing it with many of our fellow Minnesotans! But I know that you and Kev will keep doing what you do best and entertaining us with your fabulous personalities and fresh perspectives on design. I find the pair of you refreshing on so many levels. Not only are you awesome at what you do, but your marriage and love for one another are a great example to everyone who follows you!
May God continue to open doors and bless you in all that you do! I’ve been following you since the early days, and will always be one of your biggest fans!
Blessings & Hugs,
~ Tanya
Carrie - The Corson Cottage
Keep your chins up & keep on keeping on Palmers! I am so bummed for you! I was hoping to see you on your own show. I am a firm believer everything happens for a reason. While it may be difficult to know what that reason is now, just know that there are bigger & better plans for you. One day you will know what they are I’m sure of it! You all inspire so many please keep doing so!
Leslie
“Bummed” does not even come close to describing it – good grief, I was even going to get cable to watch you guys!! ; )
Seriously, I can’t imagine who their focus groups are trying to reach – I quit watching HGTV because the only thing that was ever on was a ridiculous HouseHunter-type show with “second home” budgets of $5 million on an island somewhere! Come on, HGTV, there would not be a million home design/reno/crafty blogs if people were not interested in them!
I’ll just keep looking forward to your emails and the short, sweet escape it provides during the day!
Carole Stucker
The reveal is so fresh, crisp and has great energy. Love it! I used to be addicted to HGTV but now only watch the new episodes of design shows I’ve recorded….and they’ve become nearly rare. The buy/sell shows are such a snooze and are actually annoying to me. I was so looking forward to seeing your show on HGTV. How disappointing.
Regina
The room you did turned out so bautiful! And cozy! How could HGTV make that decision? So wrong. It would have been such a nice new twist seeing your fresh design taste in one of their shows! Am getting sick of the existing formats.
Anne
Another door will open, of this I have no doubt. Fabulous makeover – as always! I continue to be inspired and check in several times weekly. I love your blog!
Karen
Layla and Kevin,
It’s too bad that HGTV didn’t pick up your show. It would have been a great start to them coming back to who they are.
I no longer watch HGTV because I have no interest in watching people buying and selling their home.
Maybe the first show of it’s kind was “novel” where they re-designed a lower priced home to suit the buyer.
But real estate shows?
I’d rather blog hop and find the “real gems” like you guys have here.
Keep on going the way you are. You are inspiring so many people.
K
Ginger
Wow. The focus group must not be “real viewers” I’m kind of getting tired of the same old buy/sell shows. I was really looking forward to the pendulum swinging back more towards design. Too bad you didn’t offer to have bloggers fix it up to “sell” it instead. Their loss!
Well, I’m sure the big man upstairs has something extraordinary in store for you two. Can’t wait to see what it is.
Michelle Duke
Major bummer Layla! I was so excited about the show and thought it was a great concept. I was looking forward to it. Very disappointed. I love the design work you and Kevin do and wish you the best! By the way, the room looked great!
Jude
SUPER BIG HUGS go to both of you!!!!!!! Love ya, Mom
Susana of Montessoricandy
Wow, I’m really disappointed in HGTV. People on their forums have already been complaining that they are tired of those buying/selling shows. Why don’t they listen to their viewers? You have such a great attitude, and all this means is that there may be something greater on the horizon for you both! Thanks for what you do. We appreciate it, and I’d personally love to watch the Layla & Kevin show over real estate shows!
hello haha narf
i love your positive attitude.
xoxo
(sorry things didn’t work out…YET)
Carrie - The Corson Cottage
After reading the other comments, I just have to say dido on HGTV. I hardly EVER watch anymore. I like the HGTV Canada programs. Frankly I do not care to watch 2 hours of house hunters every night. Their loss. What about the OWN network, just a thought.
LoveFeast Table
We’re sorry to hear this news!! We would have loved to see a real show about real peeps than buy/sell any day. We wish you more amazing opportunities and adventure ~ best wishes on all your future possibilities!! The LoveFeast Girls
Jennifer Grey
So bummed you guys! I was rooting right along with ya, hoping your pilot would get picked up. But you know what they say…when one door closes, another one opens. I think there’s something even better out there, just waiting for you to grab hold : )
PS – great pic of you two!
oxox
Jennifer
Vicki V
Frankly, I’m in shock. I cannot believe they didn’t go with “y’all!” IMHO, HGTV has WAY too many shows already about buy/sell (esp. House Hunters ad nauseum). I have pretty much tuned out because of it. Anyway, you’re VERY talented, and your readers appreciate your gifts and talents so much! The room you designed above is just beautiful, and I’m sure you did it on a shoestring budget. I think that’s what most of us REALLY want to see on HGTV, with an occasional smattering of the “dream” re-dos like Candace Olson’s for variety. And I’m tuning into blogs a whole lot more than TV now for that reason.
Sandi Lou Hixson
well, i think they made a BAD mistake…but i know you two won’t let it HINDER you!!! blessings to you!!!!!
Theresa
!I am kinda tired of all the buying/selling shows on HGTV, you would have been a breath of fresh air! Personally, I have to say I would have loved to see your show, you are talented and fun to read, so watching you would be even better. The makeover was, as usual, fabulous!
Theresa
Annelies
So sorry to hear this news. I am soooo bored with HGTV, and rarely watch anymore. Just not interested in this continual “home buying” syndrome going on. Your show would have renewed my interest in their channel. I think they chose wrong….but thank goodness we have your blog. XXX
Laura Putnam
So many things to say here…first, HGTV is wrong. I am so sick of buy and sell shows, give me some inspiration!
Second, that room is amazing! They are very lucky people!
Third, since I first found your blog, my thought has been – these guys should have their own show. You two are the only bloggers I have ever thought – i want to see how they are in their process, how they interact, the fun they have creating.
I think this didn’t work out because there is a better fit out there for you both that just hasn’t been found yet. Maybe you need to develop your own channel! Ha!
We will see you on our screens one day, of that I am sure!
Take care,
Laura
Sam @ The Junk House
I don’t know if I’m more bummed about your show not getting picked up or about HGTV continuing this buy/sell show nonsense. I’m sick of House Hunters and would love to see more decorating shows again..especially yours. That room turned out AMAZING!
But y’all are so talent, so I’m sure there will be another amazing opportunity soon!
Lisa
Oh bummer! But at the same time – what an incredible experience!!! Not many people can say they created a pilot tv show!! I love how the room came out by the way!
MimiG
First, the Food Network lost me – I cannot watch another Iron Chef, Chopped, Cupcakes, Diners….. show. So, I just watch create TV for any cooking shows I may want to see, plus the PBS ones are really much better. Now, HGTV – enough with the buy/sell shows. The “sell” market is still down in case they haven’t heard. Let’s get back to the “fixing up what you’ve got” shows. It’s just another Bye Bye for me.
Becky Neville
The room was beautiful! Keep doing what you are doing… opportunities will open up in the landscape of your lives. That is a promise!
Joyce tx
SO sorry!!!!! I was really looking forward to making your show a constant, too! Maybe HGTV will realize that the whole world does not want to buy and sell, but make their own, don’t-have-to-get-a-new-mortgage house BETTER! I know you two would have done that, too!
Jana
Bummer! As a renovation, make all things new kind of gal, I was so looking forward to your show. The HGTV pendulum really needs to swing back to some practical, inexpensive, repurpose, do it yourself projects that speak to the average home and make it a calming, inspirational, fantastic place to live . . . just like you show us with your pics and your blog. (Love, love, love this room makeover you did for the newlyweds!) More good things are coming your way, I’m sure of it! Thanks to you and Kevin for inspiring me and sharing your awesome talents!
Shilo
I’m so bummed! You guys would have been such a REFRESHING gift to that network with your THANKFUL, CAN-DO perspective! I was just reading in Ps. 73 this morning and verses 23-24 make me think of you, “You hold my right hand, leading me to a glorious destiny,” While this is undoubtedly disappointing, I pray your faith will dig deep into that truth and I’m thankful you’re bringing us along on the journey to the Palmer’s glorious destiny! Blessings!!
Jennifer
I am crushed. and also amazed at your wonderful, positive attitude!
They made a big mistake, is all I can say. I am so tired of “sell” shows. And that makeover was fabulous!
Angela
I’m so disappointed to hear this news! I was looking forward to being able to get my TLC fix on TV, too! Not sure what HGTV are thinking…seems everyone has, pretty much, the same sentiment as far as the buy/sell shows go! The only shows I watch on there now are Sarah’s House & Kitchen Cousins…& the latter isn’t, necessarily, for design purposes, either…if you get my drift!! 😉
I’m going to stay optimistic, though, and expect to see you guys on the box [somewhere] soon!
SheilaG
Well, phooey! I’m with everyone else here- I rarely watch HGTV any more because every time I turn it on, House Hunters is on. I miss the real design shows. I’m sure filming people looking at houses is a whole lot cheaper than paying for design, but surely their viewership has suffered tremendously, and doesn’t that affect ad income? I was truly looking forward to seeing your show. ~sigh~ 🙁
SheilaG
Oops, forgot to mention- the room turned out absolutely gorgeous!!! You guys did an amazing job!!! It look so much bigger & brighter & fresher. Love the colors.
melaniek
I am disappointed too! I really wanted to watch it…. hope it gets picked up elsewhere
Shar
So sorry to hear the news, You know, the timing may be wrong, but this gets you ‘out there’ & noticed & something else will come along. Hang in there & keep doing what you do!
Kim
So disappointed for you! I use your ideas for inspiration almost daily! Love the redo – PLEASE tell me what colors you used on the walls & woodwork. I am in the middle of a rental renovation and I just adore you color choices. I will pray that your show gets picked up by another network. As I always say, when one door closes, another one opens!
Itsa
Well…I am disappointed!
Margy
Like all the others, I am disappointed that your show won’t be on HGTV. I’m so tired of seeing whiny people looking at houses that they can’t afford. Just not that interesting to me. Who do we write to? Maybe all of your followers could send mass emails to HGTV to pass on this info. Guess we’ll just have to satisfy our decorating needs on your blog! Good luck.
Toni Turner
I think its time to get a writing campaign going to HGTV. I think we all just missed out people. I gotta say I am surprised they passed up a show like this. I love both of you on the camera. Soo going to write them right now. Who is with me!!!
Jennifer
I too am bummed about the show. I don’t watch hgtv much anymore because there are not enough drsign shows. I love the couch in the living room you did. Could you tell me where it came from?
amanda
disappointed for you but looking forward to what God has in store in the weeks and months to come. Good stuff I’m sure! 🙂
MJ May
This is dissapointed I use to be a HGTV addict but not so much anymore for the reason that your pilot wasn’t shown. I am tired of all of the buy/sell programs that are on now. I know that the housing market is down and these shows inspire buyers and sellers but there are still more of us in our own homes that are going to stay in our homes that would like to have programs geared to us and to what we like for ourselves (not some prospective buyer out there). I do like your additude…don’t give up…I love what you and Kevin do and I love all the links to other creative people. HGTV will miss out if/when you get picked up by another channel…..kind of like Pretty Woman “Big Mistake…Big Mistake”. LOL
Mary
while i have to admit, i’m a little bummed about this news,
i KNOW God has an amazing plan for you two inspiring sweethearts!
i am continually blessed by your blog and the inspiration/upbeat attitude found here!
keep on keepin’ on!
xo