4 design shows designers actually watch on tv including Happy to be Home and The Established Home

When I was in college, circa y2k, there weren’t many design shows out there. Trading Spaces was one of very few gaining popularity. And while I love that we got Vern Yip and Genevieve Gorder out of this show, most of the episodes were just…odd. It involved reveals that included jail-cell bedrooms and bathrooms with fake plastic flowers glued to the wall. Not even kidding. It was as if the network was trying to get viewers who enjoyed watching the look of horror on the homeowners faces when they arrived back at their house (I will admit enjoying that a tiny bit. Okay, you got me, a lot). I have great memories watching this with my Mom after class. Made available thanks to our TiVo.

This generation sure has it made when it comes to design shows on TV. It’s true that most are horribly unrealistic and involve staged theatrics, and annoying replays. But there are some great shows that have caught my most recently. Most, thanks to the Magnolia network, a network committed to sharing craft and talent from real people, in a documentary-style format. Finally!

What does it take for a design show to be “good”? For me, it just needs to be inspiring. I don’t have to always like the finished result, as in, ooo I want that in my home. I just have to walk away from it having been introduced to something fresh. Something I hadn’t thought of before. A good dose of vintage and some DIY to send me on my way. These shows do just that.

Happy to be Home

On its second season, this show follows the work of designer, Gray Benko.

Happy to be Home with the Benkos image source

She loves color and pattern and her hometown of Summerville, South Carolina (just outside Charleston) is the perfect setting. All of the historic homes end up looking like real-life doll houses after she’s finished with them.

painted piano, wainscoting with wallpaper, Gray Benko image source

I think what is so refreshing about this show in particular, is the fact that Gray is self-taught and very transparent about the fact she is new to the business of working with clients. One of the things that comes with a formal education and years of experience, is a certain level of discretion and refinement, which don’t get me wrong, are great to have in a designer you are hiring. But, it also often means these designers are not as willing to take risks. They have had some of those beautiful rough edges removed, and that can often keep them in a box. On Happy to be Home, I almost always walk away inspired by Grays use of color and pattern-play.

Oh, and her Dad, Grumpy provides the best comedic relief.

rainbow book shelf, gray benko, happy to be home image source

happy to be home, gray benko, blush pink paint image source

Gray Benko bathroom, Happy to be Home image source

Fingers crossed there will be a 3rd season of Happy to be Home.

happy to be home kitchen with painted floor image source

Happy to be home, Gray Benko interiors, image source

2. The Established Home

Where do I begin. The Established Home is one show that always leaves me nodding my head yessssss. Jean Stoffer is another self-taught designer, but one that has quite a bit of experience under her belt, and it shows. She is an expert at mixing traditional pieces with modern finishes and isn’t interested in chasing trends. It’s just very classic, with timeless color selections and tasteful styling. There are no staged blunders in this show, just beautiful videography as she works with her real-life client’s, over their projects which can take many months. Although any show made for tv can make you think it all comes together fast and easy, I think shows like this definitely help give a taste of what the process of working with a designer is actually like.

Jean is known for her kitchen cabinetry. Having worked closely with Amish cabinet makers for years, she knows quality craftsmanship when she sees it. Her clients are on the higher end so it’s nice to see the degree of elevated materials brought to these designs.

Jean Stoffer Design Kitchen image source

One of her grandest projects is her own home “The Madison” - a 10,000 square foot, 1902 Greek revival home in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Jean Stoffer The Madison Sun room image source

Jean Stoffer Butlers pantry image source

She has also incorporated her children’s talents into her business (one son is the photographer, another a GC and her daughter has partnered with her as another very talented designer). it’s a lot of fun to watch their sweet family and business grow.

Jean Stoffer Design Bathroom image source

In it’s 3rd season, this is a show that doesn’t look like it will be going away any time soon (to which we can all exhale). I can’t wait to see what’s in store for season 4 of The Established Home.

Jean Stoffer design living room, mushroom paint color image source

3. Makeover by Monday

Okay, this is a fun one. I think my favorite part about Jenni Yolo, the designer behind Makeover by Monday, is her authentic, down-to-earth personality. You just love her from episode 1 - she feels like someone you could be friends with. She’s comfortable on screen and keeps the mood light and fun (how could she not with a name like Yolo, right??).

Jenni is known for her DIY projects. The girl can work a saw and isn’t afraid to tackle almost any project. And she also generously shares these tutorials on her show in a way that doesn’t feel intimidating at all.

Jenni Yolo, scalloped bed, Makeover by Monday image source

Jenni Yolo Makeover by Monday image source

The premise of the show is basically making over an entire room in a weekend. How is this done? Well, it helps that her husband is a contractor. But she also manages this by avoiding furnishings with lead times altogether, and opting instead for locally sourced vintage and anything she can make herself. I’m here for it. 🙋🏻‍♀️

How amazing is this fishermen’s basket light fixture??

Jenni Yolo design, DIY fishermans basket pendants image source

Jenni Yolo also has her own line of wallpaper.

Jenni Yolo kids room, Makeover by Monday, fort in bedroom image source

In this episode, Jenni created a plaster-like finish on a faux-fireplace to anchor a focal point in this living room.

Jenni Yolo, how to plaster a fireplace, makeover by monday image source

A built-in breakfast nook with channel tufted bench…

DIY channel tufted bench, makeover by monday image source

Catch seasons 1 and 2 of Makeover by Monday on Magnolia network.

german shmear, makeover by monday, image source

4. Restored by the Fords

If you would have told me prior to watching that I would love a show where the designer mostly paints everything white, I would have said no way. Well, Leanne, you got me. There is something so refreshingly unique about her design esthetic - a mix of industrial, shabby chic meets ultra modern. Say what?? Yes, she is a brilliant mind I tell you and continually blows my fragile little mind. Enter Restored by the Fords, a sister and brother duo that make over homes in Pittsburgh PA.

There are very few designers on TV that are really breaking the “rules” - Painting outside the lines, and doing it fearlessly. Leanne Ford is a true artist - a visionary. And she just has a cool vibe, with a killer wardrobe to boot.

Leanne Ford, Paris street lamp, Restored by the Fords image source

On Restored by the Fords you can expect to see something you’ve certainly never seen before in each and every episode; a giant fishermen’s net used as a pendant light, a Parisian street lamp in a living room, a pool painted black. And almost anything made into a sink.

Leanne also knows what’s already good when she sees it and has a knack for exposing a homes good bones.

And when she does color…

Leanne Ford, green tiled mudroom, image source

Notice the faucet deck mounted perpendicular, on a prep table used as a kitchen counter. And yes, that would be a piano in the kitchen. She’s such a rebel.