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CNN Live Today

Interview with Vern Yip

Aired September 19, 2002 - 11:48   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


KRIS OSBORN, CNN ANCHOR: You may recognize this animated scene here. If you ever wanted to redecorate your house, but thought, well, you had more ideas than money, it may not be quite as expensive as you think.
A fantastic thing to talk about with interior designer Vern Yip, and yes, he is from that popular show, "Trading Spaces." He is with us this morning -- thanks, good talking to you.

VERN YIP, INTERIOR DESIGNER: Nice to see you.

OSBORN: Let me first ask you about a burning question related to the show. You know, when people go in and see their remade rooms, and they act and seem very happy, are they really happy? A lot of people might wonder that.

YIP: Yes, I think people are overcome with emotion, you know, both ways. It is really unpredictable, but you have to think, you know, they spent two days working really, really hard on a neighbor's room. They come in, they are exhausted, and they left the room, they come back, and it looks totally different. So, it is a real emotional moment for them.

OSBORN: Well, and Vern, let's talk about some tips and some of the ways that you get people to this. What might seem impossible -- what is it, about $1,000, right, and then they remake the whole room?

YIP: It is crazy, but it is fun. It is $1,000 and two days, and basically two sets of neighbors switch rooms and transform a room in each other's house with the assistance of a designer, and I'm one of the designers on the room -- on the show.

OSBORN: And so what are some things you can do to do just that, like viewers might see on your show? You want to redecorate your house, but you don't have deep pockets.

YIP: Yes, actually, there are some key tips that we can talk about.

Number one is definitely edit. I think most people have way too much stuff in their house, and they can divide between the stuff that is good, better, and best. So, keep the best and get rid of the good and the better, and definitely the bad out the window.

The second one would probably be invest in good quality things. As you are beginning to sort of build your collection of what's happening in the room, invest in things that are going to be long- lasting, and definitely invest in the structure of the room itself, and look at your carpet for example. A lot of people don't even think about that. But flooring gets changed, and it is a good investment for the long-term.

And then, the third thing would be, use creative tricks. People often think of rooms as being just four walls, but there is actually six walls in a room. There is the ceiling and the floor that you have to think about. There are some new, creative products out there for lighting. Halogen lighting is always a great way to go. It sort of lends a nice, crisp lighting to the room. It is a good long-term investment. Some new carpeting that is out there simulates the look of natural materials. DuPont STAINMASTER, for example, is making new things that are really, really nice and natural looking that you can incorporate into your room, and think about area rugs.

OSBORN: Well, I'm a candidate for the remove the clutter suggestion, as I'm sure many others are. But I wanted -- you mentioned that creativity, that sort of "X" factor. You know, on one episode, they put candy on the walls.

YIP: Yes, actually, you can do all kinds of things. Just think outside the box. You know, people tend to sort of latch on to things that are familiar to them, but get yourself outside of the box, and be creative with your environment. It should be representative of who you are, and you shouldn't be afraid to sort of explore and try different things.

OSBORN: Express yourself. I guess the headline is, "It Can be Done."

YIP: Absolutely. It can be done. I'm waiting for you to sign up for the show.

OSBORN: Oh, I don't know about that. I am at sea. Interior decorating, I am at sea. I'll admit that right here and now.

YIP: We are going to get rid of those milk crates, right? No more milk crate coffee tables.

OSBORN: Absolutely. Oh, it was a pleasure talking to you. Thanks so much for coming in and giving us a bit of a break.

YIP: Thank you. Thank you very much.

OSBORN: Back to you, Fred.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Always good to hear that. You know, I like the idea of painting a ceiling. That can make all the difference in the world.

YIP: Absolutely, absolutely.

WHITFIELD: Yes. OK, I was taking notes.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired September 19, 2002 - 11:48   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KRIS OSBORN, CNN ANCHOR: You may recognize this animated scene here. If you ever wanted to redecorate your house, but thought, well, you had more ideas than money, it may not be quite as expensive as you think.
A fantastic thing to talk about with interior designer Vern Yip, and yes, he is from that popular show, "Trading Spaces." He is with us this morning -- thanks, good talking to you.

VERN YIP, INTERIOR DESIGNER: Nice to see you.

OSBORN: Let me first ask you about a burning question related to the show. You know, when people go in and see their remade rooms, and they act and seem very happy, are they really happy? A lot of people might wonder that.

YIP: Yes, I think people are overcome with emotion, you know, both ways. It is really unpredictable, but you have to think, you know, they spent two days working really, really hard on a neighbor's room. They come in, they are exhausted, and they left the room, they come back, and it looks totally different. So, it is a real emotional moment for them.

OSBORN: Well, and Vern, let's talk about some tips and some of the ways that you get people to this. What might seem impossible -- what is it, about $1,000, right, and then they remake the whole room?

YIP: It is crazy, but it is fun. It is $1,000 and two days, and basically two sets of neighbors switch rooms and transform a room in each other's house with the assistance of a designer, and I'm one of the designers on the room -- on the show.

OSBORN: And so what are some things you can do to do just that, like viewers might see on your show? You want to redecorate your house, but you don't have deep pockets.

YIP: Yes, actually, there are some key tips that we can talk about.

Number one is definitely edit. I think most people have way too much stuff in their house, and they can divide between the stuff that is good, better, and best. So, keep the best and get rid of the good and the better, and definitely the bad out the window.

The second one would probably be invest in good quality things. As you are beginning to sort of build your collection of what's happening in the room, invest in things that are going to be long- lasting, and definitely invest in the structure of the room itself, and look at your carpet for example. A lot of people don't even think about that. But flooring gets changed, and it is a good investment for the long-term.

And then, the third thing would be, use creative tricks. People often think of rooms as being just four walls, but there is actually six walls in a room. There is the ceiling and the floor that you have to think about. There are some new, creative products out there for lighting. Halogen lighting is always a great way to go. It sort of lends a nice, crisp lighting to the room. It is a good long-term investment. Some new carpeting that is out there simulates the look of natural materials. DuPont STAINMASTER, for example, is making new things that are really, really nice and natural looking that you can incorporate into your room, and think about area rugs.

OSBORN: Well, I'm a candidate for the remove the clutter suggestion, as I'm sure many others are. But I wanted -- you mentioned that creativity, that sort of "X" factor. You know, on one episode, they put candy on the walls.

YIP: Yes, actually, you can do all kinds of things. Just think outside the box. You know, people tend to sort of latch on to things that are familiar to them, but get yourself outside of the box, and be creative with your environment. It should be representative of who you are, and you shouldn't be afraid to sort of explore and try different things.

OSBORN: Express yourself. I guess the headline is, "It Can be Done."

YIP: Absolutely. It can be done. I'm waiting for you to sign up for the show.

OSBORN: Oh, I don't know about that. I am at sea. Interior decorating, I am at sea. I'll admit that right here and now.

YIP: We are going to get rid of those milk crates, right? No more milk crate coffee tables.

OSBORN: Absolutely. Oh, it was a pleasure talking to you. Thanks so much for coming in and giving us a bit of a break.

YIP: Thank you. Thank you very much.

OSBORN: Back to you, Fred.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Always good to hear that. You know, I like the idea of painting a ceiling. That can make all the difference in the world.

YIP: Absolutely, absolutely.

WHITFIELD: Yes. OK, I was taking notes.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com