HGTV’s Divided by Design takes a turn toward the personal in “Villa Jimenez,” as married designers Eilyn and Ray Jimenez race against the clock to complete their own home renovation. It’s a familiar trope in the home-reno genre: the experts facing the same challenges as their clients, with the added pressure of a looming housewarming party. Because nothing ratchets up the tension like the prospect of entertaining guests in an unfinished space.
Simultaneously, Eilyn is putting the finishing touches on a three-year luxury project in the Florida Keys, a reveal that’s described as “breathtaking.” One imagines a lot of gleaming white surfaces, strategically placed succulents, and an ocean view that costs more than most people’s homes.
The show’s hook is the dynamic between Eilyn and Ray, who run competing design firms in Miami. It’s a manufactured rivalry, of course, but it adds a certain spice to the proceedings. Will their personal renovation be a harmonious collaboration, or a clash of design sensibilities? Will Eilyn’s client be appropriately wowed by her three-year labor of love? Will anyone actually care about the housewarming party?
Divided by Design airs on HGTV on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Check local listings for times.
