The UK original, that spawned TLC's Trading Spaces, captures all the drama as two sets of neighbors swap keys to transform a room in each other's home. The rules are the same â?? they have only two days and a limited budget, plus the help of an expert interior designer, and carpenter "Handy" Andy Kane.

Changing Rooms Changes Hosts
In a new twist to the format Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen casts his designer eye over the rooms first, offering a candid critique of each space prior to the makeover. Not one to mince words when it comes to decor deprivation, Laurence says this about one very old fashioned kitchen: "If this is the heart of their house, I would suggest it's had a design coronary."

Laurence admits: "It's funny finding myself hosting. If nothing else it means I've done every single job that there is to do on the program. Obviously I've been designing for years and years since the pilot, I did a special where I was the handy man and, of course, I was a victim once (designer Linda Barker transformed Laurence's kitchen in one episode.) So being the host now means I can wear all the badges in a line across my chest."

Laurence's First Series as Host Laurence's diplomacy skills are put to the ultimate test in the opening show. Gordon Whistance goes über chic in his bedroom whilst Anna Ryder Richardson takes inspiration for her romantic boudoir from a skimpy pair of lace knickers. Guess which design ruins a friendship in this small northern town? (See the rooms here.)

Later in the season, rebel designer Oliver Heath injects "Hyper Nature" into a dull living room with a vibrant and energetic theme that has "Handy" Andy literally working his fingers to the bone. And just when you thought you'd seen it all on Changing Rooms, Linda Barker decides to bring a classic French toile de jouy design to life, and Laurence finds himself dressed in a pastoral costume chasing sheep.