Bio

Monica Pedersen is an American designer, lifestyle expert and television host. She grew up in the world of home repair and remodeling, absorbing her father's handyman skills, as well as her mother's talents with a sewing machine. She developed a passion for beautiful textiles while traveling the world as a successful fashion model and incorporates what she calls her "fabric obsession" into most of her designs. As a designer and host on over 90 episodes of HGTV’s hit television series, Designed to Sell, and 50 episodes of Bang for Your Buck, Pedersen quickly became a trusted expert showing viewers how to add value to their homes while working within a tight budget. Her work as an interior design expert and television host has also been seen regularly as the Host of HGTV’s Dream Home and Green Home Giveaways, House Hunter’s Great Escapes and in appearances on NBC’s Today Show, Steven and Chris, The Revolution, Steve Harvey, Fox News, and WGN. Monica's design talents have received national attention on Live with Regis and Kelly, the Today show, Domino magazine and the Chicago Tribune. In addition to overseeing the renovation of The Deer Path Inn — a designated Historic Hotel of America located in Lake Forest, IL — Monica is also a spokesperson for the National Home Furnishings Association and a member of the Sustainable Green Furnishings Council. In addition to her work on television, Pedersen released her first design book titled Make It Beautiful in May 2012. Her designs and tips have been featured in national publications including People, HGTV, Redbook, Town and Country, Traditional Home, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman’s Day, and Family Circle. She was also featured as one of Chicago’s 50 most beautiful people in Chicago Magazine and is also a contributing columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times Daily Splash column. Pedersen is currently bringing her design style to retail and designing her own lines of home décor accessories, textiles, and furnishings.