To the excitement of designers across the country, ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" announced it would travel to all 50 states to provide new homes to needy families.
In Delaware, not one, but two homes were chosen to be demolished and rebuilt in the Wilmington area. While families and volunteers prepared for the week-long project, local designers were given the opportunity to show off their goods to be used on the show.
Hector Correa, who owns the design store Delcor in Middletown, along with his business partner Milton Delgado, decided to audition for the show.
Correa says after he and Delgado applied they received word they would be contacted at a later date if the show wanted to use their merchandise.
"It was exciting, but I didn't know what was going to happen," Correa says.
He was finally contacted with the good news that his merchandise was going to be used in the new homes the day before the project began.
T.J. Paradise, a designer from "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" came to the store before shooting began to browse and make all of his selections for the houses. Correa says Paradise picked a lot of things, including a silver sunburst mirror and multi-colored vases.
"He is the backstage designer who does all the work but doesn't get on TV," Correa says.
Correa was unfortunately unable to see the home with all of his merchandise in place.
"The set was closed off because they were filming the delivery of furniture but I did get to see the exterior," Correa says. "It was one of those impossible weeks. I didn't get to the see the inside because I was an hour and a half late after meeting with a client."
Correa was informed about where things were placed within the houses. He knows his mirror was placed above a fireplace and the vases he donated will be going in the dining room.
To Correa's surprise, many businesses in the booming Middletown area contributed to the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" house. He says a Middletown florist donated flower arrangements and a local chiropractor also donated his time.
Correa owns a retail center in Middletown with a 2,700-square foot showroom. He also has catalogs for ordering custom pieces of furniture and draperies.
"I will do the artwork, furniture and drapery but I won't do your floor, that's too specialized," he says with a laugh. "My store has an upscale look but moderate prices. I want stuff that will wow clients with the look, but they also look at the price tag and know they can afford it."
Correa has been running the store for almost two and half years following a "midlife crisis." He graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a culinary arts degree, but when he was approximately 25 years old, he started looking at other career options.
"I said to myself, 'I don't know if this is what I want to do anymore,' " Correa says.
With advice from friends, Correa got into the furniture business and became a sales manager before going into his own business.
Correa says he is glad his new career direction was able to help others.
"Knowing that something was going to someone instantly, right into someone's home made me feel good," Correa says.
Correa donated approximately $700 in accessories to the Wilmington houses and attributes his desire to help to his humble upbringing.
"I grew up poor and I make sure that I give back," he says. "I also believe in karma. If you do good, it will come back to you."
After working with designers to donate the accessories, Correa learned some of the secrets behind the show. He says production on the show never stops. The crew has approximately 200 people who "look like ants" diligently working away through the night.
The extensive days and nights of work are how a house can be torn down and put back up in one week.
"You see it on TV and you're like, 'One week, really?' But it is only one week," Correa says. "I was told that on every house at least one person needs to be taken to the hospital for exhaustion."
Correa was unable to be at the reveal of the house, but says he will have a "reveal party" with a few friends when the show airs this Sunday.
"I will be watching the show," he says. "You have no idea how excited I am."
Correa says the show was a good experience and he enjoyed being able to do what he loves while still helping others.
"It is so positive," Correa says. "Everything they do is for the people. Their focus is only on the people that need the house."
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