The two Sarah Richardsons

M and I subscribe to DISH Network for our television viewing needs. As hinted at in a previous post, our subscription isn’t exactly DISH’s most fully-featured offering; indeed, it’s their bargain-basement level, something called DISH Family. In this context, “family-friendly programming” means “none of the real good stuff for you, cheapos.” Still, we’ve found entertainment here and there in the selection. The DIY network, for example. Being halfway enthusiastic householders, we like to inspire/berate ourselves by watching telegenic contractors with years of experience, unlimited tools, and a crew of helpers make home renovation look easy. Another favorite of ours is the Fine Living network. Lots of guidelines from these folks too, though these fall more generally into the “style you can’t quite afford” category. It’s good to dream, though.

Fine Living features a pair of shows with the same host, a Canadian designer named Sarah Richardson. Her shows are fascinating to me because of the very different ways in which Richardson is portrayed. On the first and somewhat older show, Room Service, Richardson is soft-spoken and gently enthusiastic as she describes design projects for the style-impaired. She’s really rather sweet; even the background music is soft and pleasant, kind of Windham Hill-ish. The second series, Design, Inc., is something else again: here, Richardson is the snarky, hard-driving leader of a team of designers putting together new looks for clients with cash to burn. It’s like the difference between a tranquil elf princess and a grand and terrible elf queen. At least, that’s the way I describe it to M, who always laughs.

Both shows, “both” hosts, very enjoyable. Though for very different reasons.

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