Growing up in Chicago, Alison Victoria didn’t just live in her house; she was constantly reimagining it. While other kids raced home after school to watch TV, she was busy plotting furniture rearrangements and perfecting the art of making a house feel like a home.
“I knew when I was 10 years old that I wanted to be an interior designer,” she says with a laugh. “I had my two best friends, Britt and Becky, and after school, I’d say, ‘Let’s go home and rearrange the furniture and clean the house.’” She pauses. “They’d just stare at me like, ‘Why would any kid want to do that?’”
That childhood instinct to transform spaces wasn’t just a passing phase. It was the foundation of a design career that would ultimately lead Victoria, now 44, to open her own business and become one of HGTV’s most recognizable stars.
After graduating from high school, Victoria moved to Las Vegas in 1999 to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she studied interior design. Her first professional role was at Christopher Homes, a Las Vegas builder known for semi-custom luxury properties. As the firm’s youngest interior designer, Victoria gained hands-on experience and confidence early in her career.
Two years later, she took a leap of faith and launched Alison Victoria Interiors (alisonvictoria.com). The firm quickly grew to include a diverse client list, from private homeowners to boutiques and resorts, all drawn to her bold point of view and ability to blend old and new in a way that felt deeply personal.
Photo By Bethany Paige
From Interior Design To Television
In 2011, Victoria was approached to become the first female host of the popular “Kitchen Crashers” series on the DIY Network (now Magnolia Network). The show was a huge success and put her on the radar at HGTV. From there, she went on to appear in a string of HGTV favorites, including “Battle on the Beach,” “Rock the Block,” “Ty Breaker” and “Scariest House in America.”
In 2022, she stepped into one of her most unexpected and beloved roles when she joined comedian Retta on HGTV’s cult hit “Ugliest House in America.” Retta, known for her work on “Parks and Recreation” and “Good Girls,” serves as the show’s quick-witted host, traveling the country in search of the most unfortunate houses imaginable. Once a winner is selected, Victoria steps in with a $150,000 renovation budget to completely transform the home.
“Working on that show is truly my happy place,” Victoria says. “I do quite a bit of travel for it, and while it can get a little exhausting, it’s completely worth it because we have the greatest team in the world.”
Much of that joy comes from her genuine friendship with Retta, a connection that translates effortlessly on screen.
“Retta and I have become really good friends,” Victoria shares. “She just came to my birthday party, and I’ll show up wherever she needs me.”
The two have also bonded over antiquing, a ritual that has become a favorite part of the show.
“Retta was never really a big fan of the antiquing part, and now she loves it,” Victoria says. “It’s become her favorite thing. We have a blast together and always end up finding stuff for ourselves.”
Photo By Bethany Paige
A Personalized Approach to Design
Victoria’s latest venture brings her expertise directly into clients’ homes through Kitchen Quickie, a virtual design service that puts her just a Zoom call away. Appointments are booked as 30-, 60- or 90-minute consultations, during which Victoria offers real-time solutions and tailored design advice. After the session, participants receive a personalized recap, with the option to upgrade to the “Full Shebang,” which includes layouts, samples and a curated lookbook.
“Clients send over anything they want me to look at beforehand — floor plans, elevations, photos, inspiration and a scope of work,” she says. “We talk about what they’re trying to achieve and what needs to happen to move the project forward.”
Victoria describes her design style as a thoughtful mix of vintage and modern. That approach was on full display during “Windy City Rehab,” which ran on HGTV from 2019 to 2024. The show focused on renovating historic Chicago homes, many over a century old, some designated as landmark buildings.
Her current series, “Sin City Rehab,” marks a sharp contrast — and a full-circle moment. Premiering in September 2025, the show brought Victoria back to Las Vegas, where her career began.
“The homes in Las Vegas are newer than in Chicago and can, on the outside, look a little cookie-cutter,” she says. “I want to make sure my clients feel like their homes are unique.”
In the show’s first episode, Victoria transformed an upstairs rotunda into a treehouse-inspired library and entertainment room. She has also remodeled her own Spanish-style Las Vegas home to reflect her signature aesthetic, complete with a bar salvaged from a Chicago speakeasy and a glamorous kitchen featuring a Venetian plaster vent hood with reclaimed wood extending to the ceiling.
Custom wooden range hoods have become a signature of Victoria’s work, leading to a recent partnership with Hoodsly called the Alison Victoria Collection. The brand describes the line as blending “delicate artistry with bold, industrial strength.”
“A hood is really a form of artwork and should be treated as such,” Victoria says. “Each hood in the collection is a statement piece.”
Her design philosophy leans firmly toward timelessness rather than trends: “Finishes are important to me, and brass has been my favorite since I was little,” she says. “It’s not going anywhere. I hate when people say it’s trendy. It’s not. It’s here to stay.”
Photo By Bethany Paige
Creating Inspired Indoor-Outdoor Living Spaces
Victoria is equally intentional about outdoor spaces, believing every inch of a home should be lived in. In her own house, that means everything from a citrus garden to a hammock slung beneath a shady tree.
“When I’m sitting in my yard, with the sun on my face, I can look from the firepit to the family room and it feels like a dream house,” she says.
She encourages clients to design for their lives, not for resale.“This is your sanctuary and your safe space,” she explains. “This is where memories are made and where life happens.”
Her own home is filled with souvenirs, family photos and cherished items from her grandmother — artifacts that both ground Victoria and tell a story. “Every trip I go on, I always bring back one piece that becomes an accessory or a piece of art,” she says. “Gallery walls are important. They let you mix artwork, fun finds and family photos.”
If there is one mistake Victoria sees homeowners make over and over, it’s not doing enough homework before hiring a contractor. “You need to interview contractors, call their last five clients and ask about the experience,” she says. “Ask if they stayed on schedule and within budget.”
Photo By Bethany Paige
As her career has grown, Victoria says she has also evolved — not just as a designer, but as a person. When “Windy City Rehab” began, she was navigating one of the toughest periods of her life.
“I used to hide from the camera when I would cry,” she remembers. “I didn’t share the real fear and hurt until one day, when I decided to stop hiding.”
Viewers ultimately watched Victoria sue a former business partner for financial mismanagement, a story that underscored her commitment to honesty.
“My goal with ‘Windy City Rehab’ was to show people the truth — the good, the bad and the ugly,” she says. “When I stopped hiding, people saw my real life. We all face obstacles, challenging coworkers and life changes. I’ve always tried to be authentic. It’s the only way I know how to be.”
Looking ahead, Victoria is preparing for season two of “Sin City Rehab,” scheduled to premiere this fall. She’s also working on a salt cave spa in Chicago and a big custom build in Rosemary Beach, Fla.
“I feel really fulfilled, and I’m finally home,” she says. “There’s something very settling about feeling at home for the first time in my life. I’m living fully in the moment with friends, family, travel and spending time with my partner, Brandt [Andersen], and his children. Life is good.”