Cousins on Call

Cousins on Call, which aired in 2013 on HGTV, is a wholly unique home renovation and interior design show. The show is charmingly hosted by two first cousins from New Jersey, Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri, who are both co-owners of a construction company. With their immense passion for remodeling, family values, and undeniable charisma, these cousins have brought a new flair to home makeovers.

The show's central concept revolves around these talented and friendly cousins receiving calls from homeowners who are desperately looking for help with their home makeover projects. Their clients typically range from frustrated homeowners with half-finished DIY jobs to families scrambling to make room for additional members. Sometimes, the cousins even handle renovation tasks for deserving recipients in need of a home uplift to support new life circumstances.

Once the 'cousins on call' identify a project, they roll up their metaphorical sleeves and ambitiously dig into the tasks, providing both the technical know-how for the work at hand and inspiration for sparking their clients' imaginations. They are well versed in all aspects of construction and are capable of handling both small touch-ups and complicated conversions. Their impactful transformations often encompass every nook and cranny of the house, including kitchens, bathrooms, backyards, and attics.

As the backbone of the show, their central NJ-based construction company - Brunelleschi Construction, is where all the magic happens. It's the place where they brainstorms designs, plan, strategize, and lay out the blueprints to execute the projects. This is where viewers get to see the behind-the-scenes activities, from budgeting to planning, pulling permits to ordering materials.

Beyond the construction element, what sets Cousins on Call apart is the deep relationship built between the hosts, the homeowners, and their spaces. Anthony and John make it a priority to fully understand each client's needs, desires, and lifestyle. This information helps them tailor their design and renovation efforts to create spaces that feel authentically tied to the homeowners. It's not about enforcing their style on the families; instead, it's about reflecting the family's personality in the new design, creating a space that not only looks like home but feels like home too.

Throughout each episode, Carrino and Colaneri expertly balance humour, heartfelt moments, and handy tips for home improvements. As viewers, people get to experience the power of family, community, and the impact that thoughtful design can bring to one's life. It's not uncommon to see recipients moved to tears by the transformation of their living spaces.

In addition to the regular episodes, Cousins on Call also featured special projects and collaborations. For instance, in a special episode, they joined forces with talk show host and philanthropist, Ellen DeGeneres, for a surprise home makeover. Such heartwarming episodes add further glamour and appeal to the show, making it a viewer favourite.

While the construction and makeover aspect of the series are compelling, it's the strong sense of family that truly captivates the audience. Anthony and John, alongside their fathers and other family members who often make appearances, showcase the importance of familial bonds. It goes beyond the construction, beyond the design - at its core, Cousins on Call is about coming together, supporting others, and making spaces more meaningful.

In essence, Cousins on Call isn't your typical home renovation show. It combines construction, creativity, and a healthy dose of family spirit to create a compelling and relatable series. With Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri at the helm, viewers are taken on a journey of transformation, not just of homes, but of people's lives. After all, the right space can make all the difference, and these New Jersey cousins are here to prove it!