Attention to details
As the hunky and exuberant host of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," Ty Pennington has become something of a latter day Ed McMahon: He shows up on peoples' doorsteps and makes their dreams come true. But instead of balloons and a big check, Pennington brings his posse of home improvement experts and totally rebuilds a deserving family's home -- from the ground up -- in just seven days. Now, this self-proclaimed "Jack of All Trades, Master of None" is adding a few more notches to his tool belt with the launch of a new production company, a home design magazine named Ty Pennington Style, a new book, and a Los Angeles-based home store called ADHD: Art Design Home Decor. We recently caught up with Pennington to talk about his latest ventures. -- KATE M. JACKSON
With a new book, magazine, production company, and store arriving in the wake of your popular television show, do you have any free time at all?
I do, but I'm just one of those freaks that always has to be involved in a project. Usually in my spare time, I'll go and help out friends with some of their home projects. They're always saying, "C'mon, man, you're crazy. You never stop." But it's one of those things: The only way I truly relax is by doing the things I love to do.
Which upcoming venture are you most excited about?
Well I'm excited about all of them because I get to do more of what I love doing and that is getting to really use my creativity and help people at the same time. The book, though, is something I've been working on for awhile. It really means a lot to me because it's not just about design but the inspiration behind the design on some of the projects we've done. On the show, our focus is -- as it should be -- on the families and their stories. In the book, I get to tell the stories from my point of view; the families I've met, the experiences I've had. I've met so many amazing people over the years.
You recently teamed up with Bayer Aspirin for a campaign called Wonders of the Heart. What's that about?
We're exposing the heroes. There are hundreds of thousands of heroes out there working wonders in their communities and we're going to find them. As part of the program, you nominate people you know who are doing extraordinary things in your communities. This could mean tutoring kids or rebuilding homes. The kinds of stuff you never hear about. The winner, announced in April, will receive $25,000 and be featured in the first issue of my new magazine.
Your new store in Venice, Calif., is called ADHD: Art Design Home Decor. There is obviously some innuendo at work there as you've been diagnosed with ADHD.
A little humor there, a little inside joke. ADHD is extremely common in the artist community because artists are typically right-minded and creative, which means they are more likely to have ADHD than, say, an accountant. At the store, I'll be showcasing my art -- furniture, pottery, and lighting -- as well as the work of Venice-area designers. I'm really excited about it. I've always wanted my own store. Here, I'll finally get to showcase some of my one-of-a-kind designs. I've done custom designs on the show but the viewers only get to see the designs for three seconds and can't really appreciate some of the more intricate carvings.
You've been called the new Ed McMahon because of the euphoric reaction you inspire when showing up on peoples' doorsteps. How do you feel when people react this way to you?
Wow, really? You know, it's definitely weird, man. I am so affected by the people I meet. I get emotionally involved with all of these families because we're not just showing up, we're getting the community involved, we're really getting to know these people. I'm lucky that people trust me enough to share their stories but so much of it can be heartbreaking . We rebuilt a house on Redondo Beach for Kristina Ripatti, the LA police officer who was shot and paralyzed last summer. Seeing this woman, who'd once protected her city, sitting in a wheelchair, frustrated because she can't even protect her own daughter anymore -- that was just tough.
"Extreme Makeover," now in its fourth season, has really struck a chord with television viewers. What do you think makes this show so popular?
It's something that is positive. People watch the show and it makes them want to go out and do something good. It's not a show about "Hey, how do we out-strategize and out-manipulate each other so we can stay on an island." With this show, it all comes down to heart. And I put my entire heart into the show and everything else I do.
Who do you want to win the Super Bowl?
Oh man, that is so unfair. Well now that you guys are out of it, I guess it's safe to talk about it. I'm going with the Bears.
