THE LAST WORD

DOUG WILSON, star of TLC’s “Trading Spaces,” will headline the Greater Lynchburg Home & Garden Show February 15-17. The popular and controversial designer will speak at 11AM and 2 PM on Saturday, February 16, on the Love My Lynchburg Home Stage, in the former Macy’s space at River Ridge Mall. For information visit lovemylynchburghome.com.

HOME MAGAZINE EDITOR PERRY PAYNE MILLNER SITS DOWN WITH DOUG WILSON OF TLC’S “TRADING SPACES.”

ppm: If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be?
DW: Marie Antoinette. I did a Trading Spaces “Diva” show and designed my room based on her bedroom! I’d love to have dinner with her and chat about how I created a $2,000 room inspired by her boudoir.

ppm: what is your favorite smell?
DW: Fresh, invigorating and exciting, just like my design (laughing).

ppm: what design rule are you proud to break?
DW: All of them. Once you understand the rules you can bend them and twist them to make something unique.

ppm: what is the best piece of advice you’ve ever had?
DW: Don’t quit your day job. Fame is fleeting. Maintain a balanced life for yourself.

ppm: name a product or service you love so much you’d be its spokesperson?
DW: Just For Men. I love it. I don’t always use it, but it’s magic: When I want to take a quick five years off it’s nice to know Just For Men is in my cabinet.

ppm: what is your pet peeve?
DW: I hate interviews. (He laughs) Just kidding. Seriously, when I’m going through security in airports and people don’t put the tubs back in the rack after they get through the x-ray machine, then pick up their bags and walk away, the passive aggressive in me comes out and I can’t help saying, “That’s okay, I’ll get it. It’s your world, I know. I’m just passing through.” (Rant over).

ppm: what is your dream job?
DW: I kind of do my dream job. I love performing, being a handyman, doing construction, creating design and acting! I feel lucky that I have had these opportunities and I love my job.

ppm: what did you want to be when you grew up, as a child?
DW: An attorney. I loved everything about parliamentary procedure and rules of order. I was student council president as a high school sophomore. If I had gone that route I might have been president right now, which could have been a good thing.

ppm: what was your best purchase this year?
DW: My new Nikon 7500 Camera. The resolution is double what I had on my old camera, with 180K pixel RGB. I can shoot video for professional production. It is absolutely my favorite purchase this year.

ppm: what are you reading right now?
DW: I’m trying to get through “Pride and Prejudice” and it’s killing me. I feel so dumb! I have lost all my pride reading this book.

ppm: what living person other than family do you admire?
DW: I met Oprah Winfrey last Labor Day. I admire her for prevailing against all odds, for her generosity and the way she’s handled fame and fortune, as she stands firm, is ethical and moral. I admire the hell out of her.

ppm: what would you tell the 25-year old version of yourself?
DW: Follow your own instincts. Take the time to understand what’s going on and don’t let others beat you down.

ppm: what is your proudest accomplishment?
DW: Keeping my hair. No, really. (He means it.)

ppm: what is your wish for your Virginia visit?
DW: My wish is to bring an extremely successful home show to the area and expose people to new and interesting ideas and products for home, garden and lifestyle. I look forward to doing whatever I can to make it a success!