The question has been on the minds of millions of HGTV fans since late 2023: What exactly happened to Hilary Farr on Love It or List It? After nearly two decades of witty banter, stunning renovations, and a playful rivalry with co-host David Visentin, the beloved British-Canadian designer officially announced her departure from the hit series. This article, updated for late 2024 and early 2025, dives deep into the true reasons behind her exit, the future of the show, and the exciting new chapter in Hilary Farr's career.
The decision to leave a show as globally popular as Love It or List It was not taken lightly, but it was a clear signal that Hilary was ready to embrace new challenges and focus on personal well-being. Her legacy on the show, which spans 19 seasons and over 250 episodes, remains a cornerstone of the home renovation genre, but her current focus is on a different kind of "tough love" in her own successful solo series.
Hilary Farr: Complete Designer Biography and Profile
Hilary Farr is a celebrated interior designer, businesswoman, television host, and former actress known for her dynamic personality and transformative home renovations.
- Full Name: Hilary Elizabeth Farr (née Labow)
- Date of Birth: August 31, 1951
- Age (as of late 2024): 73
- Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Nationality: British-Canadian
- Known For: Co-host and designer on HGTV's Love It or List It (2010–2023)
- Early Career: Started renovating properties in Los Angeles, worked in film and television as a set designer and actress in the 1970s and 80s.
- Current Show: Host of HGTV's Tough Love with Hilary Farr (since 2021)
- Other Ventures: Owner of Hilary Farr Designs, a global design firm, and creator of the Hilary Farr Collection of furniture and home accessories.
The 5 Key Reasons Hilary Farr Decided to Leave Love It or List It
After 19 successful seasons of the iconic HGTV series, Hilary Farr's departure in late 2023 marked the end of an era. The core reason was a desire for change and a need to reclaim her personal life. Here are the five major factors that led to her decision.
1. The Need to Reclaim Her Personal Life
The rigorous production schedule of a hit show like Love It or List It is demanding. Hilary herself stated that the show was "taking up too much of my life" and that she had "given it so many years." The constant travel between her home base and filming locations, coupled with the pressure of deadlines, became unsustainable. Her decision was fundamentally about prioritizing personal time and well-being over the relentless demands of a long-running series.
2. A Desire for New and Different Challenges
Hilary is a creative force, and after nearly two decades of the "love it or list it" format, she expressed a readiness to face "new challenges." While she loved the show and her on-screen partner David Visentin, the repetitive nature of the format—renovating a home to convince owners to "love it"—had run its course. Her creative energy was seeking new outlets and different design problems to solve, which she has since found in her solo venture.
3. Focusing on Her Solo HGTV Series: Tough Love
One of the biggest reasons Hilary could comfortably step away from her co-hosting duties was the success of her own HGTV show, Tough Love with Hilary Farr. This series, which premiered in 2021, allows her to take a deeper dive into her clients' lives, helping them navigate personal and emotional roadblocks that are often tied to their dysfunctional homes. This format offers a more meaningful and complex design challenge, allowing her to utilize her expertise in a more personal way, rather than just focusing on the design and real estate battle with David.
4. The Toll of Constant Travel and Filming
Filming Love It or List It typically involved lengthy production cycles. The show requires a massive team, multiple locations, and tight deadlines for the home renovations. For a designer of Hilary’s stature, the relentless schedule meant less time for her global design firm, Hilary Farr Designs, and other business ventures, such as her furniture collection. Stepping back allows her to manage her time and energy more effectively, focusing on projects that are closer to home or offer more flexibility.
5. Passing the Torch to a New Generation
The show must go on, and the reality of a long-running series is that hosts eventually move on. Hilary's departure paved the way for a new designer to take her place alongside David Visentin. HGTV announced that real estate expert and host Page Turner (known for *Flip or Flop Nashville*) would be stepping in as the new designer and co-host for the 20th season of *Love It or List It*, set to premiere in 2025. This transition signals a fresh start for the series while allowing Hilary to pursue her individual career path.
Hilary Farr's Thriving Career Post-Love It or List It: What’s Next?
Hilary Farr has not retired. Her career is flourishing, allowing her to combine her passion for design with a deeper, more personal connection to her clients.
Deep Dive into Tough Love with Hilary Farr
The primary focus of Hilary's current television work is her solo show, Tough Love with Hilary Farr. Unlike the competitive nature of Love It or List It, this series is centered on deep-seated emotional and functional problems within a home. Hilary uses her "tough love" approach to challenge homeowners to confront the issues holding them back, both in their living spaces and their lives. The show showcases her expertise in large-scale transformations and her ability to connect with clients on a meaningful level, proving that she remains one of the top design authorities on HGTV.
Focusing on Her Own Home and Design Business
With a lighter filming schedule, Hilary has had more time to focus on her personal projects, including the renovation of her own Toronto home, which she has owned for over two decades. This personal renovation journey, which she has shared with fans, demonstrates her continued passion for home design and her commitment to creating spaces that truly reflect a person’s life. Furthermore, she continues to oversee her international design business and the expansion of the Hilary Farr Collection, solidifying her status as a global businesswoman and design icon.
In short, while the playful rivalry between Hilary and David Visentin is missed by fans, Hilary Farr’s departure was a strategic career move. It allowed her to shed the grueling schedule of a massive production and channel her creative energy into a show that is more personally fulfilling and complex. Her legacy on Love It or List It is secure, and her future with Tough Love and her design empire is brighter than ever.
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