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Winnona Park has ‘Curb Appeal’

by Carol Lynn

Vicki Johnson didn’t set out to become a reality TV star when she purchased her Winnona Park home three years ago.

She just wanted a home for her and her then-toddler daughter – preferably near the highly rated Winnona Park Elementary School. 

Then, last year Johnson read an item on the City of Decatur’s Facebook page: The Home and Garden cable television channel, more commonly known as HGTV,  was in Atlanta looking for eyesores to renovate for its nationally televised “Curb Appeal : The Block” show. 

Johnson, it turned out, had just what they were looking for. “I literally spent 20 seconds writing them an e-mail ,” she said, to tell the show about her “sad, drab house that didn’t reflect my family and lifestyle.”

It only took two weeks for HGTV to sign her up. “I think they liked the single mom wanting to live near this desirable school angle – at least that’s what they played up in the show (which aired Feb. 20),” she said.

The next thing she knew show host and architect John Gidding was in her front yard doing sketches and talking to her about what she wanted. A more inviting look with an outdoor living area, she told him, and some sort of front porch so she and daughter Sula wouldn’t have to teeter on the steep steps while struggling to open the front door.

How much input did you actually have in the final look?

“Not that much, really. The designs for the porch and patio areas were all John’s. They did bring over paint colors to choose from, but they only showed me three colors. I love it now, but I would have never chosen such dark colors.” (dark green paint accented by plum-colored shutters)

Did you feel like your privacy was invaded?

“I never got the sense that it was some kind of reality show where they were trying to embarrass me.  But I did have to wear a wire, and it (interviews and filming) was more than I expected. It seems this season was the first year that “Curb Appeal” didn’t feature a host but rather wanted to focus on getting to know the homeowner better. Of course, only a fraction of the video appears in the final half-hour show.”

Were there any unexpected problems?

“There were a few small things, but the biggest issue – which they didn’t talk about on the show – was getting a variance from the city to build the front porch. That was complicated by the fact that the house is in a flood fringe zone because we’re right next to Shoal Creek.”

The show is called “Curb Appeal: The Block.” What else did HGTV do on the block?

“Doing something for the school was a natural because it’s just across the street. They installed an arched gate as an entrance to the school field and playground. It included potted plants, which need to be replaced now that spring is here.  Also, the show producers picked the home of my neighbors, Stefan and Muffy Blue, to spruce up the exterior with pressure washing, new paint and new front porch lights.”

How do you and your daughter like being TV stars?

“Well, I have had a couple of celebrity moments when I was recognized in a store by someone who saw the show. That was a little surreal but fun too. Sulu enjoyed being on TV with some of her friends. Of course, now she thinks that we can just call TV shows for help with anything—she told me the other day that we needed to call the ‘Dog Whisperer’ when one of our dogs was acting up.”

Would you do it again?

“Oh, yes. They used top-quality materials and workmanship. And it was free more or less, because I had to pay taxes on the $20,000 worth of work they did. The show sort of makes it look like HGTV was doing all the work, but actually they hired well-respected local companies: Renewal Construction for the work on the house and Plants, LLC for the landscaping and patio, and they all did an awesome job.”

To watch this Episode titled “Single Mom Gets Dream Remodel” on TV tune to HGTV on either of the following dates and times.

1. April 18, 2010 8:30 AM e/p
   

2. May 10, 2010 2:30 PM e/p
   

To watch the full Episode online go to: http://www.hgtv.com/videos/single-mom-gets-dream-remodel/49662.html

Story author Carol Lynn lives on Shadowmoor Drive with husband Mike, a terroristic cat named Ninja and the world's friendliest dog, Dillon.

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