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!
I completely agree with other readers – I am tired of buy/sell shows. I turn the channel when they are on. HGTV does not realize what they are letting go. Your readers should have been on the panel! I would love to see your style of decorating on TV!
I am so sorry as well! I love your designs and would have enjoyed watching your show. I am like a lot of other readers here since I rarely watch HGTV anymore. I built a house to live in for decades, not to buy/sell and HGTV really ought to drop the “G” from its name since I don’t think they have one gardening show anymore.
Layla
I would like you to know that when I scrolled down and saw the room I screamed. That is exactly the look I have been trying to create. I have been stumped with the fireplace. I know you may be a little down today but just know that today you have inspired me so very, very, much and made a huge impact today. Thank you.. Thank you… Thankyou melanie
So bummed! I hardly watch HGTV anymore because I am so tired of House Hunters and the other buy/sell shows – yawn. I keep waiting for new stuff…wish it were yours. Hopefully, it’ll get picked up somewhere else. And if not, I’ll be checking in here for inspiration still!
Bummer! What do they know? I myself am sick of buy/sell shows. Hey HGTV–we want DESIGN, BUDGET, JUNK shows. Enough of the real estate crap.
I’m so sorry to hear that! I for one would have been a faithful watcher of your television show! I totally think HGTV needs a show like that…there is nothing on right now that incorporates the blogging world. God must have something even better in store for the two of you!
I’m sorry about your show too. Years ago I used to watch HGTV all the time but in the last few years, they just don’t have many shows to interest me. My daughter-in-law is a real estate agent & says not many are buying/selling these days – most people are staying & remodeling,etc. HGTV doesn’t get it.
I think this is just a little speed bump and before long you’ll be telling us that someone else has picked up the show…especially based on the stunning before and after!
Bummers I was so excited to see some real design! I never watch HGTV anymore since it has become the Real Estate channel. I really think they should listen to viewers…we want Kevin and Layla!
I never comment but I love your blog so much! When I found it, I went back as far as I could find and hit “next” on your posts until I caught up! Love what you’ve done with the house! 😉
For what is worth, like many lovely people here, I’m soooooo tired of buy/sell shows. I enjoyed watching HGTV every time I went to the States but now is just so not exciting.
I’m sure our Lord has great things in store for you guys. Not even the best plans we can come up for ourselves, come close to His plans for us (I hope that’s written correctly. Language barrier and all. LOL)
God bless you richly!
Fer
Thank you, Fernanda! We enjoy blogging so much, and are happy to have met you today! 😀
What a beautiful room! It’s HGTV’s loss–hopefully your show will be picked up elsewhere! I love design shows… what’s wrong with adding diversity to the lineup? I’m tired of buy/sell shows!
Best of luck.
Dang! I would have loved to see your show on HGTV!! Guess I’ll just have to hope some other network gets a clue and picks you up. 🙂 Love you guys!
I am SICK of buy/sell shows on HGTV!!! If I have to see another episode of House Hunters I think I’ll scream. Or what about Property Virgins…shoot me now! You have SO much talent and would have made a fantastic addition to HGTV…but it’s their loss. Lucky us we still get to see your design miracles happen right here on your blog. Sooooooo much more interesting than watching yet another buy/sell show!!!
I’m disappointed to say the least. I think HGTV has lost its way. House Hunters seems to be all that’s on with regularity. I enjoy Sarah’s House and Genevive but real estate shows are not that interesting to me. I believe you and Kevin are so talented that something will come your way. I love your attitude.
Karen
I’m shocked your show wasn’t picked up. Your style is better than all the other designers on HGTV. I don’t mean any disrespect towards them, because they are a talented bunch, but I just like your style SO much more! Your blog is so inspiring and, as everyone else has said, I know God has lots of happy plans for y’all.
The after pic of that living room is so beautiful! Could you please tell me where you got that fireplace mantel? Want to do the same with mine! 🙂
Hey Melanie!
Thank you so much for visiting us today! 🙂
We got the old beam from Southern Accents in Cullman, Alabama, and look forward to doing a full post about everything we used in the Morrison’s living room soon! 😀
Thank you!!! 😀
WHAT!? I am so sorry to hear this. I just don’t get the buy/sell shows…they do not interest me in the least. And with the economy being like it is, you would think they would welcome a show like yours. (We need a Bloggers Channel!)
Something bigger and better will come along, and in the meantime, you have a lot of fellow bloggers cheering you on!
While I love HGTV, the part I like least is the buy/sell. I love the redo, makedo, use what you have style. I am sorry that your show wasnt picked up, but I guess someone has bigger and better plans for you.Love the new kitty. Keep up the good work.
They are wrong wrong wrong. Do we need more reruns of House Hunters, Selling NY/LA, Property Virgins, Sell This House, Income Property, etc. etc. The only great shows on HGTV are Emily Henderson and Sarah Richardson. They need you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think HGTV is really s shill for the real estate industry. So sad and so boring.
You guys will prevail somewhere, and I will be watching.
xo xo
I’ve never commented before, but I wanted to let you know that HGTV is making a HUGE mistake. You’re style is just what they need on a channel that spends way too much time airing House Hunters and the like. Your makeovers are amazing and I hope in time someone will move forward with your TV show project. Good luck.
My friends and I were just discussing how we are not watching as much HGTV because of all of the real estate shows. Perhaps we readers could start a campaign to help get your show on HGTV – as it should be. 🙂
~ robin
itsrobinwithani.com
That is so disappointing for you and for us. HGTV LONG AGO forgot its roots, where it came from. Not saying they shouldn’t evolve, but it would be nice if not ALL of their content pandered to the lowest common denominator of jerky camera, gotta get it done because we’re on some fabricated timeline, reality TV junkies. Used to be you could walk into my home any time of the day and find the TV tuned to HGTV; no longer so, and not for many years.
That’s my opinion, you’re entitled to yours, too. 🙂
Well, what an amazing compliment they had you make the pilot in the first place. I know there are still big things in store for you and I’m certain this “bummer” is going to end up being the best thing in hind sight. Love you, my friend.
I am so sorry about the pilot. What I am not liking about HGTV right now is the fact that there are so many buy/sell shows. I wish they would go back to more design shows. Maybe you’ll be picked up by one of their subsidiaries! We can all hope and pray!
I just wanted to pop in here and say a big thank you to everyone for such kind words and encouragement! I can’t tell how much it means to us and we appreciate you taking the time to leave us a comment today! 🙂
Too bad! Because I’m tired of the buy/sell shows. The design shows I believe more people are interested in. Most of us are staying in our homes due to the continued unstable economy and I for one would rather see shows that can help me improve the home I have. Sorry, I got on my soap box. I’m sorry again to hear it wasn’t a go. Maybe the producers will read the comments people are posting and change their minds!
In 2011, my husband and I were spinning on a never-ending dance floor with appraisers and lending institutions to obtain a loan. Five years ago, we purchased ten acres and last year, we were ready to build. What a journey (as joni mitchell put it: stepping stones on sinking sand) through interviews, documents, scrutiny, meetings with our builder, cost of installing a well to obtain permits, improving access road for the fire dept, building permit$, and the NO from 3 piece-suits – some of them whippersnappers. Pimple-faced kids telling my husband, who has worked his butt off for over 27 years, never missed a day’s work and never been late with a payment, “Sorry, corporate won’t let me.â€
We were sure that the last lender would be underwriting the loan, but to our dismay (for the 5th time) that possibility fell through.
Needless to say, the 1-year process put us through the ropes — mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically (bellyaching). Sure, there were moments of revelation; the eventual recalibration of our lives in terms of faith and perseverance. Counting our blessings. Of knowing; really understanding on an intelligent heart-level about the impermanence of this world. The fleeting perceptions about what should be happening. What is True Ground. What is true Home. The mistake of hitching our identity to form –a farm, a vineyard, an orchard, a prairie schoolhouse, a chicken coop with poop. But still. We are not that. Any of That. We’re not what we do. We’re not what we have.
It’s perfectly wonderful to have goals, and plenty of vision, and the pluck to create something beautiful and dear on this spinning ball, but I was pining away so hard that it seemed like wrestling a big ‘ol lion every day. (At that point, I didn’t understand that the lion was actually Love polishing my heart.)
So, on this next go-around (Bank #6), we decided to keep a space of quiet in our hearts about building the house. 2010 knocked the stuffing out of us and I was laying low about the whole ordeal. Mr. Y was mostly positive, but he was concerned to see my spirit droop, even though I tried to hide it, the lamentation in my heart was pressed into the walls. Who cries when chopping celery? Who sighs (extra loud so he’ll hear) at 3 in the morning?
When the Universe says No. Not yet. Be patient. Not yet. Maybe tomorrow. Not yet. And the Nos stack up like pancakes . . . . well, it just weren’t my cup of tea, all them doors slamming shut. I much prefer, Yes.
But, early in 2012, a magnificent blast of light pushed its way through our perceived predicament. We got “walking papers†to donate food to the needy through a wonderful organization in the PNW. See, my husband heard about a little boy at school, who, when asked why he didn’t have a good breakfast that morning had responded, â€It wasn’t my turn.†It wasn’t my turn. Maybe United Way tells that story often to get folks to donate –it don’t matter. It kindled his heart and right then and there he got the notion to take money out of every paycheck and buy chili, hearty soups and stews for the poorer families and deliver it to the distribution center. We learned that, in our County, 1 out 3 are not getting enough food. The distribution centers need protein.
Doves landed in our hearts!!!! I don’t know why a dove would take up residence in mine because I’ve had such a lack of faith during those last 12 months. But, I’ve prayed, still, to be true; to have joy restored to my awareness. And mostly, I’ve prayed for faith cuz mine’s been stinkin’ weak. So, in my struggle to build a house, Love poked my dreary complaint and blew open the windows and walls of my heart. And what was revealed? A storehouse of unimaginable wealth that I was too caught up in my storyline to recognize. I guess there’s some kind of alchemical process that a person might have to endure before the doors fly open. It was true for me. I ain’t sayin’ it’s true for you.
Something happened in that diamond instant of witnessing my ‘ol man filled with compassion. . . hearing him speak on the suffering of families in our own neighborhood. “What can I do to help?†I’ll never forget it. I quit pouting. It changed me – shook me from an unreal dream. He’s so wonderfully goodhearted and I feel an unbreakable protection in the goodness that shines from that heart.
As our Cups were running over, we completely forgot about our problems. What much needed rest! Just long enough that we reconnected to the beauty and wonder of life, right where we were. And as we abided in that place of gratitude and peace –to our astonishment, lo and behold . . . . . . .we finally got our loan. The Universe said… . . . . . YES.
We’ll be sweeping our new front porch steps, planting asparagus and standing on a balcony under the moon by mid-summer. By golly, I can hardly wait to pin trousers to the sky on a clothesline, to unpack library books and unwrap my kitchen that’s been in storage for 3 years.
One of the scriptures that ushered us through the Landscape of No, was this one:“ . . . but we also exalt in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance, proven character and hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us . . . “
One of the reason I’m spilling my beans here is because I know what it is to feel that kerplunk when someone says No to a dream that’s been placed in the heart. What I learned is that everything is on purpose . . for the good, even when we can’t see the reasons why. Keep the faith, you Two. Your show is going to be great! It will happen. So, when the day seems to close upon your plans like a flower closes at dusk. . . . still, trust Life. Those petals are in guardianship of something that’s being born into this world. It just needs a little more time before it can blossom.
That’s what I figure.
Thank you Laurie! What a great story! 🙂
Hi Layla –
Been a fan for a long time but now I feel compelled to comment – so bummed about the show. I am convinced that you are going to have your own show some day – may be not today and not with HGTV but soon! Too bad HGTV lost out on you.. their loss. How about DIY Network? 🙂
cheers,
Yishey
All I could see in this post was how incredible your attitude is. You were thankful and positive, and THAT’S what makes me respect you more than I already did, if that’s even possible.
And the good news is that God is so much bigger than this–and He’s using you both right now, today, in the way that’s best in His eyes. You mean so much to all of us, Kevin and Layla. And like you said, the story isn’t over yet. He might just surprise us all. 🙂
Sarah, you just made my eyes water. 🙂
Thank you, sweet friend!
Now I’m depressed 🙁 Are they crazy?!? I rarely watch HGTV anymore but was looking forward to tuning in to your show. Oh well, I have a feeling they will regret it. Keep up the amazing work!
You have an awesome outlook and your gratitude and upbeat outlook are inspirational….where one door is closed, God opens another…..it will be exciting to see what He has planned for you two. God bless always…!!
Thank you, Patty! You are so sweet to leave us such a friendly comment and we appreciate your kindness so much!
I, too, have quit watching HGTV for the most part. I don’t know WHERE they do their surveys, but they sure aren’t making programming for people like me. And that’s too bad.
Thanks for sharing this journey with us. I can’t wait to see what you do next!
Sorry to hear about the show. The room make over is just perfect! What color did you use?? Thanks
I’m sorry to hear this! I’ve always been a huge fan but am happy that you will continue to shine here on The Lettered Cottage!
Oh my goodness, Amy- you’re gravatar image is TOO CUTE!!!!!!! 😀
And thank you for your kind comment- we appreciate you swinging by and leaving it today!
Well, I’ personally tired of all the buying/selling shows! I hardly watch HGTV anymore as a result. The room you guys did is absolutely adorable. 🙂
What I think HGTV doesn’t understand, is that variety is the spice of life. We get sick of the same old thing, over and over and over. Just because it works, don’t over do it (Trading Spaces anyone?). I like to tune in to Selling New York, but only out of curiosity. I like seeing the high end design and DYI design–if it’s not cheesy. I feel HGTV is losing a lot of viewers to the design bloggers, that is who I turn to now for inspiration. You would think signing a top design blogger would be common sense! I hope they stuck around long enough to read these comments and see what it is real people want. Absolutely their loss, because someone is sure to snatch you two up. You already are, and will continue to do great things!
Thank you Cammee!
This is crushing news 🙁 I was looking forward to finally having a show on HGTV that I would want to watch. They are going in a direction that is becoming unrelatable to the everyday DIYer. There are way too many “high-budget” shows on. I wish I had an alternative. Don’t worry Layla, I’m sure there are big things coming your way!
Oh I love what Sarah@SpeakingofTruth said… He’s so much bigger. 🙂
Excited what WILL be right for the two of you! Props for putting yourselves out there in the first place.
And for real- that living room made my jaw drop. It is so beautiful. I wish I had that kind of eye, or a friend near me that had that kind of eye! Absolutely fantastic job. 🙂
There’s something better out there, just waiting for you. I know you are probably bummed, but be patient, my pretties (and I mean that…your photo where you are kissing Kevin is adorbs! You look super skinny!)
BTW, LOVE the room redo! It really looks like a completely different room. Had you put them together side by side I would have never imagined they were the same room! Kudos.
Still waiting for you to come help me with my house if you need a trip to Cali and are looking for something else to do! 🙂
HUGS!
That’s too bad. I would have watched your show. I’m SO tired of all the selling shows. I like the actual renovating shows better. Oh well.
You all are so talented and have a lot of supporters in blog land! I am sure it took courage and passion to go after a pilot,yet your talent got you the pilot. The unknown possibilties ahead are exciting. I look forward to your book and seeing what chapter opens and surprises you both. Best wishes and I always look forward to seeing what you have to share. I love that you went after a dream.
Love the wall color-do you remember what it was??
So sorry to hear about your pilot not being picked up, but maybe down the line someone will. Frankly, I’m so tired of seeing real estate shows on a design channel. That was not the origional intention for this channel. And frankly, even the deisign shows are getting a little weak. I was so looking forwad to seeing you guys on a regular basis sharing your enthusiasm and great ideas.
Well, poop on that! I was all excited and ready to jump on the bandwagon.
That being said, I am a HUGE believer that detour signs keep us from the wrong road sometimes. Maybe the reason is something big or something small but I’m sure it is significant regardless! Can’t wait to see where you guys end up and kudos to y’all for chasing the dream.
Love the room & I’m betting they did too!
I almost never comment, but I had to say that I am so disappointed! I don’t watch HGTV anymore as there’s almost nothing on that I am interested in, but I was SO looking forward to seeing your show! The room you did is absolutely beautiful and I know another door will open for you! 🙂
Thank you Valerie, I appreciate the kind words!
Sad. 🙁 I was looking forward to seeing you on my TV screen! The Lettered Cottage will still be one of my very favorite blogs. I love when it’s bold on my Google Reader in the morning. 🙂
I’m so sad to hear this & surprised as well. You & Kevin are so adorable — just perfect for TV. And, of course, your designs are so beautiful & accessible — perfect for the HGTV audience. I have to agree with the other posters who said that they are tired of all of the buy/sell shows…yawn!
I was so looking forward to seeing you on TV! I used to watch HGTV pretty much everyday, but I am so annoyed with all of the buy/sell shows that I hardly watch at all now. I like to see makeovers and design inspiration, which is why I guess I have fallen for the “blog world”. Best of luck to you – I know something great is in store for you.
I haven’t read the other comments since there are over 200 so I am probably repeating what everyone else is saying but I’m BUMMED!
HGTV is wrong to keep doing buy/sell shows. They are on constantly now. I enjoy the shows but from 8 to 11 every night is way too much! I think they have made a huge mistake.
Boo Hoo…, they obviously don’t know what they are missing. You guys are great! Must be something bigger and better around the next corner:)
I LOVE the room!!! I am sorry that it did not work out because I was SO looking forward to your show. I need inspiration on our fixer upper. You guys did a great job. You are really HGTVs loss!