Though it doesn’t look like “Rico to the Rescue” will return to HGTV after airing for two seasons, the interior designer who brought spaces to life on the series is now getting her time in the limelight.
Colorado-based designer Poonam Moore appeared on “Rico to the Rescue” in 2023 and early 2024, helping emergency restoration expert Rico León transform homes damaged by natural disasters and poorly addressed by other contractors. Though León has told fans on Instagram his show won’t return, Moore has since gone on to appear on “100 Day Hotel Challenge” and has now landed her own HGTV gig.
On March 6, 2025, Moore revealed via Instagram that she was asked by the network to design its 2025 Smart Home Giveaway property. She’ll appear with “Married to Real Estate” star Mike Jackson on a one-hour special about the house on April 4, per HGTV.
“I am new to the HGTV network family, and I was surprised they even thought of me,” Moore wrote in her post,” adding that she was “flying high with excitement and joy.”
Poonam Moore Says Smart Home in San Antonio is ‘Spectacular’
In her post, Moore acknowledged previous “Smart Home Giveaway” host Tiffany Brooks, writing, “I am filling some very big shoes of a fabulous designer that paved the way for me.”
HGTV has run its “Smart Home Giveaway” every year since 2008, holding a sweepstakes for viewers with the chance to win a completely renovated home. This year’s prize package also includes a 2025 Mercedes-Benz and $100,000. Registration for the 2025 giveaway will open on April 1 at 9 a.m. Eastern time.
“This opportunity meant so much to me,” Moore wrote, “and I have been working hard on the designs for this spectacular home secretly for months!”
Some of Poonam’s new HGTV colleagues cheered her on in the comment section of her post, including “100 Day Dream Home” star Brian Kleinschmidt, whose team she was on for the “100 Day Hotel Challenge” spinoff.
He wrote, “What an amazing honor to someone very deserving! Mika and I are so happy for you. Can’t wait to see it. 🙌”
Her design partner on the spinoff, Cristy Lee, chimed in, “so amazing, can’t wait to see 👏👏”
Poonam told KDVR Fox 31 that because this year’s home was originally built in the 1950s and is located in San Antonio, it’s “inspired by San Antonio living and midcentury modern design.”
“The house is absolutely spectacular,” Poonam said. “We remodeled, it, tried to keep it true to the era of the house, but (with) really modern features.”
Who is Poonam Moore? Meet the HGTV Designer
Moore has run her interior design firm, Poonam’s by Design, since 2006 with two locations in Colorado, according to her website. She is a native of Fiji, per the Colorado Sentinel, but was raised in Los Angeles and Denver. She has lived in nearby Aurora for nearly 30 years, the outlet said.
Moore earned her interior design degree from The Art Institute of Colorado and was named a Top Designer in Colorado 2025 by Colorado Homes & Lifestyles Magazine.
She is married to first responder Everett Moore, who helps with remodeling projects whenever he can. The couple has two grown daughters.
HGTV’s “Smart Home Giveaway 2025” will air on April 4 at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
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HGTV Designer Lands Big Gig & Upcoming Show: ‘Flying High’