If you’re a fan of home makeover shows, you probably remember Desta Ostapyk from the popular series “Love It or List It.” She was a familiar face, adding a certain charm to the show. But then, out of the blue, she wasn’t there anymore. What happened? Well, the story behind her departure is a little more complicated — and, honestly, kind of sad.
The Shift from Canada to the U.S.: Why It Mattered
Originally, “Love It or List It” was filmed mostly in Canada. This made sense since the show started there, and the feel of those homes was pretty Canadian, naturally. But in 2014, a big change happened. They moved production down to North Carolina. Now, Hilary Farr, one of the co-stars, explained in an interview that the move was all about trying to win over more American viewers. Apparently, a lot of the Canadian homes didn’t resonate as well with U.S. audiences. Makes sense, right? People tend to connect more when they can see something familiar.
But this switch didn’t just affect the backdrop or the style of houses. It affected the cast, too. Ostapyk, who was integral to the show in its early days, ended up stepping away. She herself expressed sadness about leaving. In a Facebook post, she even gave a shoutout to her old pals, Hilary Farr and David Visentin, saying she missed working with them. You get the feeling she really valued those connections. Fans of the show were probably hoping she’d make a comeback eventually.
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Continuing the Journey: What Desta Did Next
The good news is, Ostapyk didn’t just disappear from television. After “Love It or List It” moved back to Canada in 2020, there was some speculation she might return. But she didn’t, and for reasons she hasn’t really shared publicly. Then again, if you look at her work around that time, it’s easy to guess why.
She was pretty busy with several other shows. Titles like “Making it Home with Kortney and Kenny,” “Scott’s Vacation House Rules,” and “Project Bakeover” popped up in her credits. Her roles were quite varied—art director on one show, associate designer on another, and even on-set designer for a baking show. It’s possible scheduling conflicts kept her from coming back to “Love It or List It.” Or maybe she just wanted to explore different projects.
Interestingly, after 2022, she hasn’t appeared on any new shows, which might’ve fueled some hope she could return in 2023. But then, another curveball hit: Hilary Farr, one of the key original stars, announced she was leaving after 15 years. That leaves a big hole. So even if Desta had come back, the original team wouldn’t be quite complete anymore.
Keeping the Connection Alive
Despite not being on the show, Ostapyk has kept close ties to it—at least in spirit. Her social media posts show a lot of fondness for “Love It or List It” and her former co-stars. For instance, she shared clips of herself and Hilary Farr dubbed in Italian, which shows a fun, playful side. And she often praises David Visentin, noting how much he’s the same person on and off camera. That kind of genuine warmth is nice to see.
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Earlier this year, in 2023, she even posted a throwback from the show’s 100th episode party. It’s clear she cherishes those memories. Which makes you wonder if, perhaps down the road, she might make a surprise cameo. We can hope, can’t we?
It’s kind of bittersweet, really. The show has evolved a lot, and so have the people who brought it to life. Still, Ostapyk’s part in it feels memorable and missed. Sometimes, things shift because of practical reasons, but that doesn’t mean the feelings or the connections go away.
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