<P> In each episode, two sets of neighbors redecorated one room in each other's home . Each two - person team had two (later, three) days, a budget of US $1,000, (later $2,000) and the services of a designer . Although the producers generally allowed the teams to go over budget slightly, there was one instance when a designer went $150 over budget and the producers forced her to return a rug she bought for the project . </P> <P> The teams have no say over what happens in their own homes, but they are able to give input into what happens in the home they are redecorating . The teams are not allowed to enter their own home for the duration of the show, and the transformed rooms are revealed only at the end of the final day . </P> <P> The show was generally credited with sparking a nationwide interest in home decorating and improvement television shows in the United States . At the peak of its popularity, it inspired ancillary products, such as two Trading Spaces books and a computer software program . The show also served as the launching pad for Ty Pennington, one of the show's original carpenters who went on to become host of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on ABC . </P> <P> The first season featured original host Alex McLeod and some designers who never returned to the show such as Dez Ryan and Roderick Shade, and was produced by Knoxville, Tennessee--based Ross Productions . After the first 40 episodes, Alex McLeod received an Emmy nomination for her work in the first season, but left to pursue other television opportunities . Beginning with the second season in 2001, Paige Davis took over as host, with the new production company Banyan Productions of Philadelphia . Early - season episodes were traditionally videotaped in and around the production company's home base . </P>

Who is the black designer on trading spaces