We sat down with Chayse to ask her some of your most frequently asked questions. Find out what she had to say!

Q:		How realistic is it for a homeowner to redo a space in their home in just two days?
A:		We are insane miracle workers, why rush it and chance mistakes if you don't need to? It's much easier to paint a room over a weekend, or build a desk, or hang a light fixture — but all at once? You'd have to be quite manic and have many skilled hands to get it done and done right in just two days.

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Q:		Any advice for first-timers wishing to start a design project?
A:		Don't be afraid of change. The biggest thing I see in people starting designing or renovations for the first time is the fear of changing. Just do it. Think it through, have a plan, an idea, even hire a designer — one of the benefits of hiring a designer is that a lot of time we'll bring ideas to the table you would never even think of that you may love. And then we can make it happen.

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Q:		What are your top three tips for designing on a budget?
A:		1. Use what you have: Re-stain, re-upholster, re-finish. This will definitely be cheaper than buying new. 2. Try and locate a garment district for fabric before going to higher-end places, you can definitely save money if you are using a lot of fabric. 3. The more you can do yourself, the more you will save — if you own a sewing machine — use it, if you enjoy painting — do it yourself, if you're handy with tools — build and stain it yourself. Labor is a huge expense on a job and the more you do yourself — the more you'll save.

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Q:		Where are your favorite places to budget shop?
A:		Garment district, both in Los Angeles and Manhattan, because they have so much fabric at great prices. Also, IKEA lighting — amazing the prices they sell some stuff at, and you can bring it home and get creative with paint and fabric and make some really interesting light fixtures.

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Q:		What are your favorite splurge items?
A:		I love to use antique chandeliers in fun places that you'd least expect it, such as bathrooms and bedrooms. Some aren't so outrageous in price and some are, but they are just decadent!

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Q:		Do you have any favorite color combinations?
A:		I love the right combination of any colors, things you don't usually see — oranges and blues together; burgundy and chartreuse; navy, burgundy and cream; sage and tan … it could never end. Everyday I find another combination I like that is slightly different than something I've done before.

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Q:		What is your favorite room or space to make over, and why?
A:		I love bedrooms because of the intimacy of the space, trying to create pure comfort for someone is very enjoyable. For that same reason, I love designing offices as well — people don't really focus on comfort there, but in fact, I think that's a very important thing to bring to an office, because we spend so much time there in sustained uncomfortable positions. People are so much happier in a nice space that has some design incorporated, and it makes a huge difference in terms of productivity.

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Q:		What is your funniest moment experienced while producing While You Were Out?
A:		Definitely looking for our carpenter Andrew Dan-Jumbo in a time crunch and finding him building a coffin for a mouse he'd found. I did laugh very hard after I got over my initial instinct to kill him!

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Q:		What's it like when viewers recognize you?
A:		What's funny is when they don't know how they know you at first, where did I grow up? Where do I work? It's funny. People are very complimentary and I am always happy they enjoy the experience of watching the show — because for me it's madness, and sometimes I forget we are even making a television show.

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Q:		Favorite While You Were Out project, and why?
A:		That's hard. They're all fun and great challenges. But I have two answers: my Thailand Honeymoon bedroom simply because Thailand is one of my favorite places in the world, and I loved bringing the exotic, peaceful ethnicity of that place into their home. Also, the first show I ever did was the fisherman's porch in New Jersey. I loved this episode because the before was so dysfunctional and not aesthetic at all, and the after was truly something I think they really loved.

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Q:		What is the most unique item you created for a homeowner on While You Were Out?
A:		I created these Thailand rice sculptures that I am sure are going to become a cult classic (ha ha)!

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Q:		Have you ever experienced any major design disasters (either with WYWO or in professional capacity)?
A:		Come on, I don't have disasters. Okay, maybe it was spilling that gallon of paint on someone's bedroom carpet — but we got it cleaned up pretty fast.

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Q:		How would you best describe your design style?
A:		Every client and space has a different energy and desire, and I try to incorporate that into a comfortable, inviting, fluid space that not only serves their purpose, but also is also beautiful.

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Q:		Which While You Were Out designer would you like to have redo a space in your home, and why?
A:		I'd like to have Stephen Saint-Onge design my library, which is yet to exist, but I'm sure he'd come up with something cozy and fabulous with lots of candles and a map table. Then, I'd like for John Bruce to redo my office, because he'd be very clever in how to add function and fun AND increase my work surface area.

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Q:		How did you first get started in designing?
A:		When I was punished as a child (only once), I would get locked in my room for a length of time and that would cause great bouts of creativity. I think that was my first official moment of home bedroom design. Everyone's hoping I was feeling very punished — then they'd hear large pieces of furniture being pushed around, banging, etc., they'd eventually come up and see me happy in a completely different room. The really didn't punish me after that. They put me to work! It's amazing what solitude can do for creativity.

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