In this week’s episode of NBC’s Open House, host Sara Gore shines the spotlight on memorable homes in Los Angeles, Savannah, and New York City featuring the very designers and architects who brought these inventive aesthetics to life.
We kick things off with interior designer Sasha Bikoff and her adorable pup Puff. See how she transformed an 1820s townhouse in the West Village into a maximalist celebration of all that she loves: bold patterns, unapologetic bursts of color, and a vibrant aesthetic that is equal parts Marie Antoinette meets Studio 54. From the open-concept main level that combines countryside charm through its 16th century French Braquenie wallpaper and antique Persian Tabriz rug — as well as a sense of modernity through fun touches such as a 1960s French Space Age PR pollard chair and contemporary coffee table from Glass Italia that is a spectrum of rainbow hues — to the tranquil garden patio right outside the kitchen (blue lacquered cabinetry blue and rose-gold hardware, anyone?) that is perfect for hosting dinner parties on warmer days, this home is dreamy, upbeat, and utterly inviting. As for the top floor? The entire section houses the primary bedroom and exudes a sensual Italian theme with a vanity mirror that greets you at the top of the stairs, sexy leopard-print wallpaper, a crushed velvet headboard, throw pillows that embrace a Baroque motif, scroll-work drapes with a satin trim, and an Eames lounge chair that is an heirloom passed along from her husband’s family.
We then zip over to Los Angeles to visit with partners in architecture and life, Peggy Hsu and Chris McCullough, for a tour of their striking Sherman Oaks home that they designed from the ground up. Inspired by the beautiful views right outside, they incorporated different materials and textures from the building itself, as well as interior plants and layered architectural features such as a chimney, to create a separate of space and maximize an indoor-outdoor flow. From the moody living room with its circular lounge sofa and steel shelf to host their impressive record collection, to the dining room that was designed with a focal art piece fashioned out of mini discs for a pixelated effect, a skylight above to make the most of natural light, and a log on wheels as a seating option, to the verdant roof garden and backyard that offer ideal reading nooks, this home exudes creativity, personality, and a sense of calm.
Next up, we return to New York City for a tour of a home that offers stunning views of the George Washington Bridge through a large corner window, as well as a “Havana on the Hudson” vibe. This is the aesthetic that architect Adam Rolston and his partner had in mind upon renovating their 1930s Art Deco-style apartment in Washington Heights. While their home respects the integrity of the original architecture, they chose to capture the beautiful patina seen on Havana’s historic buildings through an integral colored plaster beginning in the foyer. They also enlivened the space with color that physically aligns with the outdoor setting, personal touches influenced by their travels, furniture inspired by the glamour of the 1980s (as is reflected through a triangular coffee table that is a combination of oxidized brass and chrome, as well as a collection of Jay Spectre art and wing-back chair that pays homage to a Scandinavian designer from that era), and plenty of greenery.
We then join interior designer Lily Brown in Savannah, Georgia for a tour of a downtown historic townhouse that overlooks Monterey Square. This bespoke home (originally built in the 1850s) was a renovation project she took on for a client a few years ago, with a focus on honoring its traditional charm and architectural integrity — all while infusing a sense of sophistication and functionality across the 3000 sq. ft. space through a fresh cohesive design. From the oval lighting fixture and custom-made wooden table in the dining room that create interest that you see through multiple points of the home, to the kitchen that is framed by wooden panels (part of the original exterior wall) and features a black refrigerator, chef’s range with brass strapping perfect for cooking, and white cabinetry set against a textured marble backsplash, this residence effortlessly dovetails the new with the old in a refined and elevated way.
Our last stop is on the Upper East Side, where we join interior designer Philip Thomas for a tour of a pre-war apartment he renovated for a client. From lining the walls in pearlescent vinyl with a stingray embossing and the ceilings in a golden mother-of-pearl mosaic that complements the celestial feel of the chandelier to the private library teeming with books, Thomas maximizes color and implements modern materials in this classic NYC space — a notable juxtaposition that makes it feel bright and fresh at every turn.
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