Nine By Design: Episode 4

It seems like all signs are pointing to the beach. In this episode of Nine By Design, The Novogratz's head to the Hamptons for a new project. They also have to deal with the daunting task of hiring a nanny. I honestly can't believe they don't have one already but, more power to them if you know what I mean. Also, how can you not love this family? They put chocolate on their waffles!!

I love this episode because we get to meet Courtney's design assistant, Helen who I went to prep school with and she looks gorgeous! She is helping them with the Hampton's house for the VIP anonymous client. OOOO Intrigue!!

Courtney has so many great ideas for this slightly dated house. She wants to open up the floor plan, change all the sliding doors to french doors and make a floating staircase. The budget is only $300, 000 and they have 7 weeks so complete it.

Before-ish.

After!

While they were busy designing, the crew pretty much gutted the whole home. For the lighting on either side of the front door, they are doing a custom light box fixture with the map of LI. I love how they think outside the box for everything. It's so much fun. Hit up this video of the gutting.

Robert and George start to work on finding a nanny for the little Novogratz's! It.....gets weird. And really really funny, see this video here. They ended up hiring this super cute lady from Hungary--I hope she survives these cute little animals's antics.

Next, Courtney and Helen head on out to the Hampton house and tried to make sense of all the furniture that the client had delivered and the pieces that they ordered. I think they sure pulled it together, yes?

There are some disasters which are fixed, and some major successes like the light boxes and some other amazing light fixtures. It looks fresh and amazing, don't you think? This oven in a line that has 190 color options. Yellow is a nice choice.

Here is the dining room. Some mismatched chairs and a dramatic horse photo makes for a nice eclectic look.

So have you all been watching?? Thoughts? Let's talk.


Alicia B.

Nine By Design: Episode 3

Tuesday night was a FAB night for tv. I normally don't watch a lot of tv but Glee was incredible and 9 by Design gets better and better with every episode. I'm so in love with this family; they are quite endearing.



IN this episode the Novagratz's were challenged to design a gym in Hoboken for wrestlers (HAHA) and basketball players for only 50 grand (BAHAHA). They manage to convince the developer to up the budget, phew.

The other thing going on is Major's baptism. The newest member of the family, Major, is so insanely adorable. Each baptism has taken place in a different home and they seem to get bigger and bigger (about 200 people!?). Suzanne Vega even sang a song for them! VIDEO HERE. It's SO cute!

I loved "going shopping" with Bob. He loves to shop vintage and he took his cutie little son Breaker with him. They bought Courtney a cross necklace which she super loved! So sweet.

Back to the design. The main problem with the gym is the tacky bar in the kitchen (watch the video HERE). They end up trashing and opening up the space, and putting in a pastel Smeg fridge, this fabulous purple geometric wallpaper, and some cowhide rugs.

In the gym area, they designed a space with vintage gym equipment, large metal letters on the wall, and oversized blown up vintage wrestling photographs. It was VERY well received and was really incredible.

Did you guys watch the episode? What do you think?



Alicia B.

Nine By Design: Episode 2

I'm so sorry that I never posted about the first episode of 9 by Design on Bravo but here I am for Episode Two! I have to say I really love this show. Most reality show are all about how rude or mean/dysfunctional you can be but this family is so real and absolutely hilarious! The kids are relatively normal kids and Courtney and Bob Novogratz are really a practical couple.

They are amazingly creative, for one thing. IN this episode they move into an old sex club! Talk about taking on a challenge, but this house is incredibly unique so of course they couldn't pass it up. The house boasts a basketball court, movie theatre, huge windows, and great views of the Hudson!

This is Courtney and the contractor climbing the stairs. She said that they love to make the stairs the statement of the home. Mission accomplished, I'd say. SEE BELOW.

These stairs look sleek and gorgeous! Look down at how many floors this is.

I love this queen stamp artwork that Courtney installed over her tub. This looks so relaxing.

Robert bought this really cool desk by Zaha Hadid which looks amazing in this bedroom. The contractors and workmen were making fun of him for buying such a large piece of furniture.

They also have a great sense of humor. Check out this video of a REALLY MEAN April Fool's joke that they pulled on the family. The best part is when they tell Bob it's a joke and he calls them all animals. HILAIR. Have you guys watched the show? What do you think? DISCUSS!


Alicia B.

9 By Design

9 By Design is Bravo's latest design show to entertain us all--this time with the huge Novogratz Family of Sixx Design. The Novogratz family is made up of Courtney and Robert Novogratz and their seven beautiful children. Not only do they have amazing style, which I've shown on this blog before, but they seem like practical designers; taking into account a budget and the fact that living with children, you can't make everything very formal.

The couple started out just buying houses, living in them, re-designing them, then selling the house and moving on.

They then went on to work on other people's homes and countless hotels! I love their eclectic mix of modern and antiques/vintage throughout each space they design.

I watched a few of the videos on Bravo TV.com and the gorgeous couple seem really down to earth and surprisingly personable. The kids are hilarious and it's clear that their parents have a great influence on them because of their amazing personal style!

Most reality shows are all about being loud and mostly obnoxious but this one seems to be a great balance of fabulous style and much needed practicality when it comes to design and raising SEVEN children. You all MUST go to Bravo right now to watch some clips (I've done that about 5 times so far so you better catch up). Sixx Design also came out with a book Downtown Chic a few months ago, so this hot design team is on a roll right now! The show starts on April 9th and I don't know about you, but I'll be counting the days, so stay tuned for my reviews!!

Alicia B.