Places We Go (while sitting on the couch) : Great Interiors on (free) TV
This is the story of how you can tour incredible homes while sitting on your couch. When I discovered some free interior design youtube channels , I had to share with you. On youtube, AD (formerly Architectural Digest) has two series that take you on tours of celebrities' rooms. The tours are given by the celebrities themselves - everyone from John Legend to Viola Davis to Orville Peck. Fun to see houses where money seems to be plentiful. One of my favorite tours is of Jon Batiste and Suleika Jaouad's playful and sexy 19th century Brooklyn town house. Who thinks to create a spectacular chandelier made of upcylced plastic water bottles? Let's take a closer look.
The Batiste and Jaouad's town house was a total gut job. Each room, including the pink kitchen, turned out "Tunisiana" - their term combining her Tunisian roots and his Louisiana's. As the renovation progressed, Suleika spent months in the hospital due to a cancer relapse while Jon was trying to finish his American Symphony (their story is documented in American Symphony on Netflix). The story of their home can be seen for free on youtube. (details for all videos below)
Another AD tour features Salt Laker Tan France building his new 6500 square foot mansion. This tour is an expanded AD series, each video is 9-16 minutes long and features an area of the house (or exterior or guest house). I'm drooling over this kitchen, especially the wall of custom windows. And don't you like an old-school take on ceiling canned light?
I got a kick out of Tan France's school house ceiling light. What elevates it is the large plaster ceiling medallion. Home Depot sells them starting at $17. A similar one as above (36") sells for $120. Home Depot's are plastic but once painted, it's hard to differentiate.
You might know Tan as the fashion guy from " Queer Eye" (Netflix). I seem to tear up while watching each episode as the five guys respond to a nominated local hero who's in need of a little help to get back on track. The budget room makeovers on this show are usually pretty good (see above - fun to see some IKEA mixed in). There's a new decorating and design guy taking over next season and he's one of my favorite designers, Jeremiah Brent. Jeremiah and his husband, Nate Berkus, have had two fo the best design shows - “Nate & Jeremiah By Design" (TLC) and a “The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project" (HGTV). Both series are worth multiple views to study their decor sensibility. I learn something new every time.
getty images for paramount pictures
These guys are super busy. Last month, Oprah held a launch party for Jeremiah's new book, The Space That Keeps You: When Home Becomes a Love Story. I wasn't invited to her party (rats!) but I did buy the book.
ad.com - kelly marshall
And guess what? Jeremiah and Nate's NYC house is one of the AD youtube tour series. Interesting to watch them describe the incredible handprinted wallpaper in their primary bedroom. And let's bring back the old-fashion bedspread.
Poppy, their eight-year old daughter, choose this luscious pink wallpaper for her room. She already showing her decorating genes. I continue to find inspiration while watching these programs. I'm in love with this bird painting and am going (try) to paint similar birds on a living room painting. Wish me luck!
Nate+Jeremiah also have an affordable furniture line at Living Spaces. I look at it as a lower-priced take on the RH luxury brand.
living spaces.com
Nate+Jeremiah's Living Spaces furniture - (l to r) $850, $195, $695. Well made and so stylish.
Last on the list of good decor shows (not on HGTV) is Netflix's "Dream Home Makeover." Designer Shea and her husband/business manager Syd McGee, create room (and sometimes complete home) makeovers with a unique stye. If you don't have Netflix, not to worry. They have a new youtube series about remodeling their own custom home in Utah. I have always loved Shea's design and her decor line at Target. Now it's just plain fun to watch as her design style matures. You'll see her neutral, bare bones aesthetic expand with more layering, more wallpaper and more texture.
I always find something to buy at Studio McGee's Target brand called "Threshold Designed by Studio McGee."
Here's some of the Threshold Studio McGee's lamps at Target, ranging in price from $55 to $70. A great value and oh-so-cute. I'd be happy with everyone of these.
Their Target collection includes charming art prints in pretty frames from $18 to $22. Sizes are 8"x10" to 11"x14." Since they sell out quickly, order online or check area stores for availability. I hope you'll enjoy watching some of these programs. I get a kick out of them for sure. Have a Happy Sunday! It's a big day watching hoops and the Academy Awards, all the while moving to daylight savings time.. And I just realized spring officially begins on March 19 this year. Whew!
How to Watch Everything above -
Everyone has access to YouTube (either on your smart TV or any device). Just go to www.youtube.com.
Search "AD Home At Last" or "AD Open Door." Both series devoted to celebrity homes. Imagine AD magazine coming to life.
Search "The McGee Family Home Remodel" for Studio McGee's latest but there are scads of other youtube videos about her design style.
top photo : ad.com
