I love Dear Genevieve, hi-lo project, yard crashers, etc. I am an avid hgtv fan and watch daily. I am very disturbed that these shows are now so obviously sponsered by ikea, target, and lowes. I feel like they have lost all credibility. I can't imagine Genevieve would head straight out to Ikea no matter what the project. I'm so disappointed - I don't watch these shows to see how to outfit my house with ikea and target products. I feel you have boxed in your designers and taken away their ability to be creative. So very sad.

I agree - on that Mom Caves show, they also just seem to have a HomeGoods bag strategically placed so viewers can see the logo.

While there is nothing wrong with the occasional item from IKEA or Target, and I have used these stores when the client's budget or project calls for it, I'm insulted at the 30 minute commercials for these places.
When Sabrina Sota does nothing but flip thru the online Target catalog viewers are robbed of seeing what else is out there - often better quality, less expensive, and better looking - than what she crams into a project because she is a paid spokesperson for Target.

GMA's June 15th episode reported HGTV's House Hunters as fraudulent. Legitimacy irrevelant; watched for visual, geographical demographics. Show amply meets viewers' queries and entertainment needs and is much appreciated.

I guess maybe the main reason for using IKEA, Target, etc. is because most of us have these stores in our town or near us. Sometimes when a decorator goes to one of their local favorite stores (NOT Target, IKEA, etc) I think, Shoot, no way can I find that. So I'm kind of glad they are using stores EVERYONE can use.
How many channels does your TV offer. Maybe we should try another if we don't like a particular channel.

I'm an hour away from the nearest Target and more than four hours away from an IKEA, so those stores are as much a dream for me as any other.



But I can't say I've noticed any of the design shows I watch seeming like a 30 minute commercial.

This is all part of the current trend for second screen interaction. We will be seeing more and more of this type of programming. Sponsors will be featured prominently on a show so that the viewer can immediately go on their lap top or tablet and order up what they are seeing in real time. I don't really mind this type of programming as long as it is on shows that actually feature decorating, gardening, crafting etc - a rarity on HGTV these days...

quote:

Originally posted by indycatCarol:
I guess maybe the main reason for using IKEA, Target, etc. is because most of us have these stores in our town or near us. Sometimes when a decorator goes to one of their local favorite stores (NOT Target, IKEA, etc) I think, Shoot, no way can I find that. So I'm kind of glad they are using stores EVERYONE can use.
How many channels does your TV offer. Maybe we should try another if we don't like a particular channel.

Carol, the point (to me, anyway) of seeing decorators go to fun, out of the way or unusual places is to get the viewers to realize that there ARE these kinds of places in almost every location. OK, so if you live 50 miles from the nearest shopping area, you may be in trouble, but generally speaking you CAN find terrific things if you take the time to look and poke around.
One of the things I always tell my clients: Don't pass up a showroom just because you think it's either too expensive or won't have anything you might want. I do a major happy dance when I take a client into a place where I practically have to drag them in ("this is too expensive" - "HERE????" - "Oh, I don't know about this") and we find EXACTLY what they fall in love with that fits into their budget and works into the overall project. One client just shook her head and said "I guess you DO know where to shop!" These shopping trips are something everyone can do IF they are willing to take the time! No, we can't all go to NYC or up to Dallas or whereever - BUT...you never know what you're going to find in that old antique store- or even HOme Goods! LOL