ABC/BOB D'AMICO
Ty Pennington's all-American good looks may have landed him his first big break as a model, but it was his skilled hands that ultimately led him to fame. The carpenter put his handiwork to the test on TLC's hit show Trading Spaces, and his designs – and his big personality – won over audiences. In 2004 he became the host of ABC's inspirational reality series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, bringing miracles to needy families and hope to television audiences. iVillage spoke with the 44-year-old – who lives in Venice Beach, Calif., with long-term girlfriend and manager Drea Bock – about the show's success, his own home-improvement projects and what star left him speechless.
What's the best part about doing your show?
To really see the weight lifted off someone's shoulders. We've all experienced stuff in our lives -- especially single moms with just raising a family and trying to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. I'm a sucker for that. There have been some moments like that that I think will always resonate with me. That's what inspiration looks like.
Why do you think the show has been such a huge success?
I think it's been a success because I think everybody goes through some tough things in their life and wants to believe that when they're almost about to give up hope that somebody cares. Someone is there for them. I think that the show kind of gives everyone hope that the world's not a horrible place to live in. I think that's why it's watched: because everyone wants to believe that if something horrible happened someone would be there for them.
Have you always been interested in home improvement?
I've always been interested in working with my hands, and I think I've always been creative. Well, the first thing I built was a tree house, so I guess it was destined. I've always been building.
You recently filmed Ty's Great British Adventure in England. What did you miss most about home?
I missed the sunshine because it rained a lot. But it made me appreciate home. Building anything outdoors when it rains a lot is really, really tough, so it made me appreciate the sunny days we have in the U.S., that's for sure.
What's one part of your home that needs a makeover?
I'd probably redo the man's room, so that I actually have more in there. The man's room is sort of a garage that I have set up – it's got music and it's got all my art supplies. But, yeah, I've got projects that I have on hold. I guess if I had a little more time, I'd knock them out. But I paint all the furniture in my home, so I'm always working on that. Look, we'll never be able to finish, that's the beauty of it. There's always going to be something new.
What would you tell people who want to fix up their homes but think they can't afford it?
One thing anybody can do is add color to their home. It blows me away that people go into their closets every single day and pick out the clothes they put on their body -- which have color and texture -- but then sometimes are nervous about what to put in their own living room. The easiest thing you can do is add some color to your life. Whether it's cut flowers, bright new pillows or even a bright new accent color on the wall.
Doing what you do has made you a celebrity. Have you ever been starstruck around another star?
I was in Tennessee building houses, and I was staying in a hotel. And everybody seemed really amazed that I was there. And then I saw this gentleman with sideburns behind me at a table ordering a pinot noir. It was Neil Young. I whispered to the bartender, "Dude, is that Neil Young?" And he said yeah. I couldn't say anything. But he's sort of a legend.
