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July/August 2019 | Residential Tech Today 49
TTamara Day looks at the glass half full. This is
best exemplified by her show Bargain Mansions,
which airs on both HGTV and the DIY
Network. The show features Tamara, along with
her father Ward Schraeder, purchasing
undesirable and dilapidated mansions before
making them nearly unrecognizable after hours
upon hours of design and renovation. On the
show, Day’s positive attitude makes her the
perfect foil to her father, who provides oftenblunt
commentary when viewing the duo’s
fixer-uppers. While the two have different
personalities, renovation runs in the family.
Interestingly enough, it’s this relationship with
her father that put Tamara Day on the career
path of residential renovation in the first place,
as the two would fix up buildings on their
Kansas family farm together. This experience
paid off as, in 2008, Day fully renovated the
entire 5,000-square-foot house she had
purchased with her husband.
Between her renovation projects, hosting
duties, and mothering four children, there’s no
doubt that Day keeps herself busy. As she
comically told People, “There are days that I’m
an awesome mom. There are days that I’m an
awesome TV host. There are days that I’m an
awesome renovator and designer. But there are
also days that I suck at all of those things.” It’s
quotes like this that reflect why Day’s
personality is a perfect fit for TV.
Additionally, it was this engaging personality,
along with her massive knowledge of the
residential space, that made Day one of our
publication’s most enticing conversations. With
more episodes of Bargain Mansions on the
horizon, Day opens up about the inspiration
that comes from classic architecture, the
importance of sustainable renovation, and her
personal message to future renovators in our
exclusive discussion.
Residential Tech Today: The smart home
has grown so much over the years. How often
does tech play a role in your renovations?
Tamara Day: You know, it depends on the
situation, whether it’s for the show or for a
client. We’ve had some homes that are
completely smart homes for clients. But when
I’m on a renovation budget, it’s only the specific
houses that can handle that cost that I’m able to
put it in. I always want to put the tech in, but
I’ve got to pay attention to budgets too.
Some of these houses are small and we do
security systems that are all fully automated,
thermostats that are fully automated. In the farm
house that we did last year, it was really modern,
contemporary style, we did full house
automation with the theater room. It was
awesome to get to do.
I’m blown away consistently by all of the
incredible technology that’s out there and
available now. I went into one of my local places
that I work with and they had speakers that look
like drywall. I was like, “What is this? What little
bit of heaven is this for a designer?” You know?
You literally paint it. You shoe block it in and
you have whole-house sound but you can’t see a
single speaker.
RT Today: Is there any of that smart
technology you’ve incorporated into your
own home?
TD: We actually are just getting ready to do it
ourselves. We have teenagers, and they want to