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5 Surprising Reasons Hilary Farr Left 'Love It Or List It' After 19 Seasons (And What She's Doing Now)

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The news sent shockwaves through the HGTV community: After 19 seasons and more than 250 episodes of charmingly contentious banter with co-host David Visentin, design legend Hilary Farr officially announced her departure from the massively popular reality series, Love It or List It. The show, which premiered in 2008, became a staple of home renovation television, with Farr’s masterful renovations often battling Visentin’s tempting real estate listings. Her decision to step away, announced in late 2023, was not a sudden impulse but a deliberate choice driven by a desire for a new chapter and a better work-life balance.

For fans who have followed her career for nearly two decades, the question remains: why did Hilary Farr leave Love It or List It? The answer goes beyond the simple need for a break, touching on a profound shift in her personal priorities, a need for fresh creative challenges, and the grueling reality of a long-running television production schedule. This article dives into the definitive, confirmed reasons for her exit and reveals the exciting new projects she is pursuing.

Hilary Farr: The Full Biography and Career Profile

Before becoming a household name on HGTV, Hilary Farr had a diverse and international career that spanned acting, property development, and interior design. Her path to television stardom was anything but traditional, laying the groundwork for her distinctive, no-nonsense design philosophy.

  • Full Name: Hilary Elizabeth Farr (née Labow)
  • Date of Birth: August 31, 1951
  • Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Nationality: British-Canadian
  • Early Career: Before design, Farr worked as an actress, appearing in films such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) and Layout for 5 Models (1972).
  • Design Career Start: She began her design and renovation career in Los Angeles, transforming homes and later expanding her business internationally to London, England.
  • Television Debut: She became the co-host of Love It or List It in 2008, a role she held for 15 years and 19 seasons.
  • Personal Life: She was married to Canadian TV producer Gordon Farr from 1982 until their divorce in 2008. They share one son.
  • Design Philosophy: Known for her "luxurious and accessible" and "purposefully eclectic" style, she often focuses on maximizing space and creating functional, beautiful environments.
  • Other HGTV Projects: She also hosted her own solo series, Tough Love with Hilary Farr, which premiered in 2021.

The Definitive Reasons Behind Farr’s Departure from HGTV’s Hit Show

After nearly two decades of commitment to the show, Hilary Farr's decision to leave was multi-faceted, stemming from a desire to reclaim her time, pursue new creative avenues, and prioritize her well-being. She was candid about the toll the show’s demanding production schedule took on her life.

1. The Need for New Challenges and Creative Freedom

The primary reason cited by Farr was a professional one: the need for new challenges. After more than 250 episodes, the format of Love It or List It—renovating a home to convince the owners to "love it"—had become creatively constricting.

In a public statement, Farr expressed that she felt she had done everything she could with the show. She was ready to move on to projects that allowed her to explore different facets of her design expertise and television persona. This desire for fresh creative energy was a major driving force behind her exit from the long-running series.

2. The Grueling and Time-Consuming Production Schedule

A significant, and perhaps the most relatable, factor was the sheer time commitment required to film 19 seasons. The production schedule for Love It or List It was intense, demanding an enormous amount of time away from her personal life and other business ventures.

Farr openly stated that the show "was taking up too much of my life." She explained that she reached a point where she was "very aware of really wanting to take joy out of every day," a goal that the demanding reality TV schedule was making difficult to achieve. The long hours, constant travel, and relentless renovation timelines ultimately led her to conclude that it was time to step away.

3. Focusing on Her Solo Show: ‘Tough Love with Hilary Farr’

While she left her co-hosting role, Hilary Farr did not leave HGTV entirely. A key part of her transition was a desire to focus more energy on her solo HGTV series, Tough Love with Hilary Farr.

This show offers a different format, allowing Farr to delve deeper into the emotional and psychological aspects of home design, helping families confront the root causes of their dysfunctional living spaces. This new venture provides the creative control and deeper connection to design that she was seeking, making the decision to leave the original show easier.

The Future of 'Love It or List It' and David Visentin’s Reaction

The dynamic between Hilary Farr and her co-host, real estate expert David Visentin, was the heart of the show. Their playful, competitive banter—the "love it" versus "list it" battle—was a major draw for viewers. Farr’s departure naturally raised questions about the fate of the series and the reaction of her long-time sparring partner.

The Enduring Friendship with David Visentin

Despite their on-screen rivalry, Farr and Visentin share a deep, enduring friendship. When she informed him of her decision, Farr noted that Visentin had a hard time accepting the news and initially didn't believe she was serious.

Farr confirmed in her official statement that their bond remains strong: "David and I will remain friends forever and I expect him to be as fabulously and hilariously annoying as ever." Their chemistry, which made the show a global success, was genuine, making the parting bittersweet for both the hosts and the audience.

The Continuation of the 'Love It or List It' Legacy

HGTV quickly confirmed that Love It or List It will continue. The network announced that David Visentin will remain as the show’s real estate expert, and he will be joined by a new co-host, designer Page Turner, who is known for her work on *Fix My Flip*.

The show's format, which pits renovation against real estate, is a proven success. While the dynamic will undoubtedly change without the iconic Farr-Visentin rivalry, the show is set to carry on, ensuring that the popular concept of saving or selling a home will continue to entertain fans of the renovation genre. The transition marks a significant new chapter for the franchise, but the core premise remains intact.

Hilary Farr’s Next Chapter: Design, Wellness, and Personal Projects

Hilary Farr’s exit from Love It or List It is less a retirement and more a strategic pivot toward projects that align with her current passions for design, wellness, and personal fulfillment. She is leveraging her platform to focus on a broader scope of work.

Beyond Tough Love with Hilary Farr, which allows her to explore more complex design challenges, she is also dedicating time to her own personal renovation projects.

Her focus on taking "joy out of every day" is central to her new path, which includes spending more time on her personal life and business ventures, such as her Hilary Farr Designs product line. This line of furniture and home goods reflects her "luxurious and accessible" design philosophy, offering fans a piece of her signature style.

Ultimately, Hilary Farr's departure from Love It or List It was a deliberate and empowered choice. It was a move to trade the relentless pace of a long-running reality show for a more balanced life that prioritizes creative depth, personal well-being, and the freedom to pursue new, exciting ventures within the design and television world. While fans will miss her weekly on-screen battles with David Visentin, her continued presence on HGTV and her focus on new projects ensures that her design legacy is far from over.

why did hilary farr leave love it or list it
why did hilary farr leave love it or list it

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