Carter Oosterhouse plays voyeur in Million Dollar Rooms

For the voyeur in all of us, HGTV brings us Million Dollar Rooms. The show, hosted by handyman extraordinaire Carter Oosterhouse, gives us an all-access peek into how ridiculously rich, recession-proof people live. “Some home owners go way over the top; it’s pretty crazy,’’ says Oosterhouse.

“The rooms are so spectacular and amazing I feel like I’m getting jaded. It’s truly the best of the best.’’ Last week’s premiere episode featured a two-story home gym and next week, it’s a visit to a backyard with exotic animal petting zoo and train station. In his travels, Oosterhouse was particularly struck by a Rococo-inspired space dedicated to seashells collected over the years. “There were literally over 800,000 all around, used on the chandeliers, on the entryway, in the trim work, the sconces. But there was nothing gaudy about it.’’ The origin of all those shells? “I don’t know where got them from to tell you the truth.’’

Yep. Oosterhouse is just as blown away as the next guy by what he’s seen on Million Dollar Rooms. “I love building, and I love my own projects, but it’s definitely fun to see the craftsmanship that goes into these homes, that’s for sure. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you haven’t.’’ His own quarters are a lot less fussy. The former Trading Spaces carpenter and wife of almost one year, actress Amy Smart (TV’s Shameless) have two residences. One is a 1950s ranch-style house in L.A., the other a 100-year-old farm house in Michigan, where Oosterhouse is from and Amy’s parents live.

Even though the former Carter Can host has the experience pounding nails, Smart doesn’t take a back seat. “She really has a good design sense; it’s very important for her to put her stamp on things,’’ he says of the Just Friends star. “If she is a little off track I’ll try to steer her in the right direction, but she is very passionate about her thoughts, and I am very OK with that.’’ The newlyweds are busy but manage time for each other. “If you’re looking for dirt you’re not going to find it,’’ he says with a laugh. “We’re very fortunate that we found each other, very blessed.’’ The couple is also into environmental causes, and Oosterhouse has a nonprofit foundation called Carter’s Kids, which builds playgrounds around the nation. One recently went up at John G. Dupuis Elementary School in Hialeah. “It’s so important to be physically active. We practice as much as we preach.’’

This story was originally published April 27, 2012 at 4:04 AM with the headline "Carter Oosterhouse plays voyeur in Million Dollar Rooms."