As we head into the twenty first century, we find ourselves wanting more from our homes, (and our lives). The postwar home design paradigm that evolved to accommodate nuclear suburban families doesnąt cut it anymore. Not only do we want more flexibility, friendliness, and fun in our living spaces, we want big changes - by plunging ourselves into home makeovers, we seek to change our lives in meaningful and lasting ways. Home improvement media today speaks to our national need for transformation.

Americans are currently obsessed with transformation of all kinds - financial, physical, educational, professional, and perhaps above all, spiritual. Whatever our religious backgrounds, we seek revelation and rejuvenation in a new career, a new car, a new kitchen, a new type of yoga, fruit shake, weight loss technique or skin toner. Nowhere is this thirst for transformation more apparent than in the intersection of home improvement and "tough love" therapy offered up by the show Renovate My Family, hosted by bestselling author Jay McGraw, son of Dr. Phil Mcgraw. Home improvement now seems to be much more than picking out paint colors and drapes.

Lighting is almost as essential to our daily lives as shelter, food and water. Yet most architects, designers, and homemakers are relatively unaware of lighting and how it affects the spaces in which we live and work. In the arena of home improvement media, lighting presents a unique opportunity as a topic from which to view all other areas: interior design, architecture, furniture, homewares, even fashion. Lighting remodels can be much less invasive than 'extreme makeovers,' but they can also make or break any home design.