House Doctor is a television programme, originally broadcast on Channel 5 in the UK. Each week, the House Doctor - Californian real-estate stylist, Ann Maurice - helps UK home-owners sell their houses with her industry know-how and style tips. The popularity of the show has lent the word "house doctoring" to the British English lexicon, which is similar to the American term home staging. This program is now shown in many countries around the globe, which is broadening the use and familiarity of this term.
House Doctor (Season 6)
Cradley Heath (Episode 1)
Air date: 2003-09-09
Overview: Property expert Ann Maurice offers advice to Teresa and Nigel Parfitt, the would-be sellers of a two-bedroom semi in Cradley Heath in the heart of the Black Country. Ann sets about ridding the house of its clutter and collectibles, tones down the garish decor and tries to rectify the hygiene problems that come with having four dogs.
Milton Keynes (Episode 2)
Air date: 2003-09-16
Overview: Ann Maurice and Alistair Appleton head for Milton Keynes, where they help a couple desperate to sell their home so they can move to France. Ann sets out to persuade them to tone down the riot of colours and do away with the mountains of clutter that make the house seem small and dark.
Kensal Green (Episode 3)
Air date: 2003-09-23
Overview: Ann Maurice works her magic on an arty garden flat in the Kensal Green area of west London, where the owners are finding it difficult to attract a buyer.
Spennymoor (Episode 4)
Air date: 2003-09-30
Overview: Property guru Ann Maurice applies her home improvement remedies to a house in Spennymoor, Co Durham, for the purpose of finding an eager buyer as soon as possible.
Radford Semele (Episode 5)
Air date: 2003-10-07
Overview: Ann Maurice meets homeowners near Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, who are having trouble selling up. She shows them how to inject a touch of vitality and character into their bland property.
Wells-next-the-Sea (Episode 6)
Air date: 2003-10-14
Overview: Californian interior designer and estate agent Ann Maurice visits a cluttered B&B in the town of Wells-next-the-Sea on the Norfolk coast that is in need of attention.
Henley-on-Thames (Episode 7)
Air date: 2003-10-21
Overview: Alistair Appleton presents as interior design expert Ann Maurice casts her eye over a cluttered home in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Unfinished paintwork and dated details are among the factors giving the property a `youth hostel' feel, which despite the asking price being lowered three times is still on the market after six months.
Kirk Merrington (Episode 8)
Air date: 2003-10-28
Overview: Ann Maurice and Alistair Appleton tackle a cottage in Kirk Merrington, Co Durham, that has been on the market for eight months. The property is full of items that remind the owner of her late husband, and interior design expert Ann declares that they are the main problem as no prospective buyers can imagine making the place their own.
Hammersmith (Episode 9)
Air date: 2003-11-04
Overview: Ann Maurice and Alistair Appleton head for Hammersmith, west London, where a couple hoping to move to their dream home in Surrey are frustrated at not being able to sell their two-bedroom flat. A tour of the property reveals the problem is a combination of factors.
Norwich (Episode 10)
Air date: 2003-11-11
Overview: Property expert Ann Maurice tackles a three-bedroom terraced Victorian house in Norwich which, thanks to a vast array of deeply personal belongings, overpowering paintwork and too much furniture, has been languishing on the market for three months. A few coats of paint to neutralise the colour scheme, some effective storage ideas and a ruthless purge of useless items certainly impress the owner.
Welton (Episode 11)
Air date: 2003-11-18
Overview: Property expert Ann Maurice tackles a three-bedroom terraced Victorian house in Norwich which, thanks to a vast array of deeply personal belongings, overpowering paintwork and too much furniture, has been languishing on the market for three months. A few coats of paint to neutralise the colour scheme, some effective storage ideas and a ruthless purge of useless items certainly impress the owner.
Sandhurst (Episode 12)
Air date: 2003-11-25
Overview: Ann Maurice and Alistair Appleton head for Sandhurst, Berkshire, to offer advice to Julie Frith, the owner of a four-bedroom house that has remained unsold for a year, despite two reductions in the asking price. The first thing that strikes potential buyers is the property's unfinished feel.
Compilation 1 (Episode 13)
Air date: 2003-12-02
Overview: Ann Maurice and Alistair Appleton look back over home improvement highlights from the series, and focus on making the most of original features.
Compilation 2 (Episode 14)
Air date: 2003-12-09
Overview: Ann Maurice and Alistair Appleton look back over highlights from the series. A two-bedroom semi in the Black Country made quite an impression, thanks to the unmistakable smell of dogs and a large collection of dolls, as did a cottage in Northamptonshire that seemed to have four sitting rooms.
Compilation 3 (Episode 15)
Air date: 2003-12-16
Overview: Ann Maurice and Alistair Appleton look back on more highlights. They recall a basement flat in Stoke Newington, north London, that was putting off potential buyers because of its dark rooms, out-of-date fixtures and general messiness, and remember a cramped cottage in Quorn, Leicestershire.
