Russell woman had part in 'Extreme Makeover'

By KALEY CONNER


RUSSELL -- Jamie Pasek never has seen an episode of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." But when Sunday evening comes, she might be watching herself on national television.

The latest episode was filmed in Wichita, and Pasek, owner of Custom Interiors, was asked by the general contractor to volunteer for the project. She traveled to Wichita Feb. 22 and 23 to help paint and hang wallpaper.







"It was boom, boom, boom," she said of the process. "They didn't waste one minute. They built this house in a week -- it's amazing."

The show airs at 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC.

The new home was built for the family of Carl Hall, a former baseball player for Wichita State University. Hall was injured in a car accident last year.

General contractor for the project was Wichita-based Bob Cook Homes.

Pasek has a friend who works for the company, which is how she learned of the opportunity.

"She sent me a text message asking if I wanted to hang wallpaper," Pasek said with a laugh. "I thought it was a joke."

But it wasn't. Pasek was one of many volunteers who joined Ty Pennington's surprise when he "ambushed" the family at the WSU baseball field.

Pasek expected to be lost in the crowd, but ended up front and center near the family.

"Here I had three cameras in my face, and I'm going ... I don't want the cameras there," she said with a laugh. "But it was really cool to be a part of that."

She also was given a microphone and filmed while helping one of the designers paint a custom-made table, she said.

"I don't know if I'll even be on the show," Pasek said. "It just depends on what they did with their editing."

Besides the cameras, Pasek said what impressed her the most was the fast pace, and how many people were working on different projects at once.

"It was really cool, except it was hectic," she said. "It was a madhouse, and I'm not used to working like that."

Most of the volunteers, she said, were from the Wichita area.

Pasek has been with Custom Interiors, 804 N. Main, for 14 years. She assumed ownership of the business in 2002.

The business is primarily a retail store, but also offers some interior design services. Custom Interiors specializes in floor coverings, wallpaper and window treatments, she said.

But in those 14 years of business, Pasek never dreamed the small store on Russell's Main Street would find itself on national television.

She plans to watch the show Sunday evening with her family and simultaneously will celebrate her daughter's birthday.

"I would do it again," she said of the experience. "Now that I know what to expect."