Q&A: HGTV's Shane Tallant Dishes on Design

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AS THE HOST of HGTV's "Designed to Sell," Shane Tallant knows his way around paint chips and laminate countertops. The Reston-based dude, who makes a living helping folks make over their homes, will dish about design Feb. 23-24 at the Capital Home & Garden Show (Capitalhomeshow.com) at the Dulles Expo Center.

» EXPRESS: The real estate market stinks right now. What can people do to sell their places in a crummy economy?
» TALLANT: Any tricks that will get people interested in the house help. People should think of creative ways to offer incentives to buyers — like spending $1,500 on a flat-screen TV that comes with the house. Or including a year of maid service.

» EXPRESS: What kind of remodeling projects give the biggest bang for the buck?
» TALLANT: Pulling carpet up to expose unused wood floors. It's essentially like getting new hardwood floors. At my place, I'm thinking of pulling up the carpet because my dog has peed on it. I'd expose the concrete floors, have them sanded and stained, which would look pretty modern and industrial.

» EXPRESS: What else can people do to spiff up their pads without spending much?
» TALLANT: You've heard it a million times — decluttering. You wouldn't believe some of the things I've seen doing "Designed to Sell." Some people, it looks like they've dumped their closets in their living rooms. If I have a neighbor coming over, I clean up. Some people don't think like that.

» EXPRESS: What's the best DIY skill you've learned being on the show?
» TALLANT: I don't know what I'm doing! But I've learned so many things, particularly about the design aspect. And I'm a master painter now. I have a steady hand.

» EXPRESS: What remodeling chore is easier than people think?
» TALLANT: Tiling. I'm always surprised by how quickly it goes. It's harder to decide on which tiles to use than it is to do the project. But getting the old tiles out is a much bigger deal.

» EXPRESS: How has being on "Designed to Sell" affected your own place?
» TALLANT: Well, I didn't know how long I'd be out here, so I have to admit that I purchased a model unit that was completely furnished and designed in Reston. It was the easiest move — all I had to do was bring my clothes and put a TV up. But I have done a couple of things myself. I painted an accent wall a cool olive green and I've hung up some art.

» EXPRESS: What sort of art?
» TALLANT: I love cooking, so I've got vintage Italian posters in my kitchen.

» EXPRESS: What's your prized possession?
» TALLANT: It's funny, my prize possession is really my dog.

» EXPRESS: You've got a minute to make your place more appealing to guests or buyers — what do you do?
» TALLANT: Light candles, space them evenly and dim the lights. That'll hide things you don't want people to see, and it's sexy.

» EXPRESS: Do you have any local hangouts?
» TALLANT: I love places with good decor, like Proof. They have screens that look like TVs over the bar with changing black and white images. And I like BLT Steak. It wasn't the best steak I've ever had, but the open floor plan gives it an up-close-and-personal look.

Photo courtesy of HGTV/Ed Zeiler