Over the years, HGTV has served up plenty of home renovation shows featuring spouses.
“We do the exact same thing, but we don’t work together,” Ray explained toHGTV.
“We’re the competition.”
Keep reading to discover all there is to know about HGTV’s “Divided By Design.”
“We all had a great time.”
The short answer: it doesn’t.
In fact, they feel that it actually strengthens their bond as a couple.
“Our energy and vibe is so connected,” Ray said.
We’re the perfect embodiment of each other."
“I have to for my mental sanity and mental health,” he explained in an interview withPeople.
“At the end of the day, we care about our relationship,” she said.
“He’s my best friend, so nurturing that is really important to us.”
“However, Ray and I have different design perspectives and approaches when it comes to each project.”
“But at the same time, we lean on each other for advice,” Ray added.
“We compliment each other when we do a great job.
We also do our best at taking in some constructive criticism once in a while.”
Amazingly, they never encountered each other until a mutual friend introduced them in 2016.
While both are Latin American, each comes from a markedly different culture.
Meanwhile, Ray’s roots are in the Dominican Republic, although he doesn’t technically come from there.
“I was born in Puerto Rico before making my way to Florida,” he told HGTV.
Bringing their respectively rambunctious clans together for their wedding was an experience Eilyn said she will never forget.
“Combining our close-knit Cuban and Dominican families was priceless,” she recalled to HGTV.
“It’s been a lot of fun to build this house together.
“Every corner and detail tells a story that we can’t wait to share!”
“So much about choosing a designer to work with is connection-based.
“In the end, we’re always cheering each other on.”
“She’s a minimalist with a clean aesthetic; he prefers a maximalist approach.
However, working together on the Netflix series proved to be something of a milestone for them.
ilyn proved to be a natural in front of the camera.
For Ray, however, appearing on camera was a bit more of a challenge.
“I didn’t really get comfortable until the last couple of weeks,” he admitted.
As a result, he’s not particularly fond of watching himself onscreen.
“I have really only seen the show once,” he said.
In fact, their competing maximalist vs. minimalist styles are also influenced by the melting pot that is Miami.
“I really want to bring something unique and different,” he said.
“Modern industrial is the vibe and aesthetic that we’re going for in all of our projects.”
“What we have going on it’s special,” he gushed.
“It’s different, it’s unique.”
