How HGTV's Nate & Jeremiah Spruce Up A Basic Ceiling For Something More Unique

Even seasoned designers, including HGTV's Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent, face scrutiny for their creative choices, as evidenced by a recent design that garnered mixed reactions from fans. The incident highlights the subjective nature of style and the inevitability of varied opinions when publicizing design decisions. Nate Berkus posted a photograph of a dining room designed by him and Jeremiah Brent in a Los Angeles Tudor home. This particular design element, a graphic grid of Art Deco-style lights on the ceiling, drew significant fan disapproval, with many commenters likening the fixtures to "fire sprinkler lights." Despite the criticism, this situation underscores a fundamental aspect of design: personal taste. Even Berkus and Brent themselves have acknowledged disagreements on certain home features, demonstrating that even within a partnership, stylistic interpretations can differ. This project serves as a reminder that what one person considers innovative and stylish, another might find unappealing. It reinforces the idea that decor is not a universally accepted standard, and elements that resonate with some may not appeal to others. Berkus's Facebook post detailed their objective for the Los Angeles Tudor home, stating their aim was "to create a home that reflected the modern family living there — a home that felt sophisticated, happy, and warm, just like them." However, the chosen lighting arrangement, inspired by the 20th-century Wiener Werkstätte movement, became a focal point of contention. The ceiling featured multiple industrial pendant lights, each with bronze fixtures and dangling crystal strands, intended to evoke a vintage Art Deco aesthetic. Nevertheless, their distinctive shape and arrangement led to the "fire sprinkler lights" comparison, revealing the divisive nature of the design. This specific design choice aligns with Berkus and Brent's broader philosophy of an "anti-trend decor approach," which prioritizes creating timeless spaces over adhering to fleeting popular trends. Despite this intention, some fans expressed strong negative opinions. Comments included, "Stiff and sterile, without any softness or life. Especially do not like the ceiling fixtures," and "Love everything but lights in ceiling... look like fire sprinklers," illustrating the significant divergence in opinions. Berkus himself has previously emphasized that personal design choices, when authentic to the homeowner's vision, contribute to a home's lasting style. By adhering to their design principles, Nate and Jeremiah created a space with enduring character, even if it provoked controversy among their followers. #NateBerkus #JeremiahBrent #HGTV #CeilingDesign #InteriorDesign #ArtDeco #HomeDecor #DesignControversy #AntiTrend

The 2025 HGTV Smart Home in San Antonio, Texas, showcases a simple yet effective upgrade to the often-overlooked under-stair storage space: the integration of bright lighting. This solution addresses the common issues of awkwardness, darkness, and lack of warmth typically associated with this area in many homes. The article highlights how adding proper illumination not only enhances the aesthetic appeal and welcoming feel of the space but also significantly improves its functionality by making stored items more visible. The article delves into specific lighting options suitable for under-stair storage, recommending LED strip lights as a primary choice. These lights, exemplified by products like the Govee White LED Strip Lights, are praised for their ease of installation, low heat emission, and energy efficiency. Their adhesive backing simplifies the mounting process, and the ability to cut them to size offers flexibility for various storage configurations. The installation process is described as quick, typically achievable within a weekend, involving cleaning the surface, measuring, cutting, and then attaching the strips. A crucial tip provided is to consult manufacturer instructions to avoid common installation errors, such as incorrect cutting. Another viable lighting alternative presented is under-cabinet lights, such as the Lightbiz LED Closet Light. These rechargeable, motion-sensored lights are suggested for spaces with multiple separated cubbies. However, the article advises checking their dimensions against the storage area to ensure they do not occupy excessive space, as they might be bulkier than strip lights. Overall, the approach taken by HGTV's 2025 Smart Home demonstrates that a minor modification, such as adding appropriate lighting, can profoundly transform a challenging storage area. This design choice elevates the under-stair space from a neglected corner to a well-lit, organized, and inviting part of the home, aligning with contemporary trends in smart home design and efficient space utilization. #HGTVSmartHome #UnderStairsStorage #HomeImprovement #LEDLighting #SmartHomeDesign #HomeOrganization #InteriorDesign #LightingHacks

Jenny and Dave Marrs of HGTV's "Fixer to Fabulous" are renowned for their transformative home remodels, utilizing changes in materials, color, and architectural details to realize homeowners' visions. A notable example is their recent renovation of a mid-century ranch home, which initially lacked distinctiveness. The exterior saw improvements like re-siding and the addition of cedar shingles. However, the most significant modification occurred internally, where a standard drywall ceiling was elevated with faux ceiling beams and zig-zag paneling, imbuing the space with a craftsman-style aesthetic the homeowners desired. This paneled ceiling design adds age-old character, warmth, and texture to the room. It effectively draws the eye upward to the vaulted ceilings, transforming a potentially boxy living room into a vast and stunning area. The choice of a similar wood finish for the floor and ceiling creates a cohesive and integrated design throughout the room. The advantage of faux beams is their non-structural nature, allowing flexible placement to highlight specific areas of a room. During the "Fixer to Fabulous" episode, Jenny Marrs recognized the need for an element to draw the eye up in the freshly drywalled space, stating, "The good thing we have here is the ceiling height, so we need to accentuate that and create a focal point." The Marrs addressed this by installing realistic faux ceiling beams in a warm wood tone, mirroring the flooring. This not only added warmth but also maintained the room's light and open feel, further enhanced by new, larger windows. The wood paneling features an innovative zig-zag herringbone pattern, with subtle variations in shading between panels that add another layer of visual interest to the neutral-toned room. Achieving a similar distinctive ceiling is feasible for DIY enthusiasts. One method for creating faux beams involves using two 2x4 cuts of wood side by side. For a thicker beam appearance, a 2x4 frame can be screwed to the ceiling, with a hollow wood casing attached externally. For the panels, primed shiplap with interlocking boards or sheets of wood paneling screwed to the ceiling can be used. Beams should be securely attached to ceiling joists or studs, typically using finish head screws spaced approximately every 14 inches along the beam. #HomeDesign #CeilingDesign #FauxBeams #WoodPaneling #DIYHomeDecor #FixerToFabulous #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #MidCenturyRanch

The popular home renovation show "Flip or Flop" concluded its 10-year run last month, leaving fans seeking similar content. This compilation offers a guide to ten other home improvement and design television series that capture the essence of home transformation, organization, and real estate adventures. Each show provides a unique perspective on the world of residential property, catering to different interests within the home design sphere. "House Hunters," a long-running HGTV series since 1999, follows individuals, couples, and families as they search for new homes with the help of real estate agents, ultimately choosing one of three potential properties. Netflix's "Dream Home Makeover" features interior designers Shea and Syd McGee of Studio McGee, showcasing their client projects and offering insights into their personal lives, family dynamics, and business operations. "Fixer Upper," starring Chip and Joanna Gaines, has made a return on the Magnolia network, continuing to document their real estate and renovation work in Waco, Texas, after its initial successful run on HGTV which attracted millions of weekly viewers. For those interested in home organization, "Get Organized with The Home Edit" on Netflix features Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, co-founders of the popular organization business "The Home Edit." The show details their process of decluttering and organizing homes for various clients, including celebrities, while also providing a look into their entrepreneurial journey. "Love It or List It" offers a unique premise where homeowners entrust their properties to interior designer Hilary Farr for renovation and real estate agent David Visentin for finding new homes. At the episode's conclusion, participants decide whether to keep their redesigned home or move to a new one. "Property Brothers," an HGTV franchise, follows twin brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott. Drew, a real estate expert, sources and negotiates prices for fixer-upper homes, while Jonathan, a licensed contractor, handles the renovations. The show highlights their collaborative effort in transforming older, run-down properties across North America. "No Demo Reno" emphasizes a minimalist approach to home makeovers, with design expert Jennifer Todryk redesigning homes without major demolition. Todryk, also known as The Rambling Redhead, focuses on achieving significant transformations without the extensive time and cost associated with structural changes. "Tiny House Nation" features design experts John Weisbarth and Zack Giffin, who travel the country assisting families in constructing dream homes no larger than 300 square feet. The show also provides viewers with practical tips for creating efficient small living spaces. "Extraordinary Extensions," a British four-part series hosted by Tinie Tempah, documents homeowners undertaking ambitious and often expensive home extensions across the UK, with project costs ranging from hundreds of thousands to over a million pounds. Tempah, drawing from his own luxury property experiences, guides participants through their complex renovation journeys. Finally, "Good Bones" stars Mina Starsiak Hawk, a real estate agent, and her mother, Karen Laine, as they acquire dilapidated properties in Indianapolis, Indiana, and transform them into modern family homes through extensive renovation. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #RealEstateTV #HomeImprovement #NetflixShows #HGTVShows #PropertyBrothers #TinyHomes #HomeOrganization #FlipOrFlopAlternatives

Ceilings, often overlooked in home design, are gaining renewed attention as a significant element in a room's aesthetic. Historically, ceilings were highly decorated, but their importance diminished with modern architectural trends. However, interior designers note a resurgence in treating ceilings as integral parts of a home's decor, moving them beyond their traditional role as a mere overhead surface. This shift encourages homeowners to explore various methods to transform their ceilings into focal points. One of the simplest ways to draw the eye upward and enhance a ceiling's appeal is through the use of ceiling medallions. These decorative disks, available in various styles and colors, are typically mounted around lighting fixtures. Modern medallions, often made from lightweight polyurethane, are considerably easier to install than their older counterparts. They can add a touch of romance and excitement, even to a simple bedroom, by introducing an element of classic architectural detail. Paint offers another versatile and impactful way to refresh a ceiling. For rooms with tall ceilings or those seeking a cozier ambiance, extending the wall color onto the ceiling can create a seamless and enveloping effect. Alternatively, applying a darker or contrasting color can introduce boldness and visual interest. When painting ceilings, flat paint is generally recommended because ceilings are less prone to wear and tear or fingerprints than walls, eliminating the need for higher-gloss finishes. For those desiring a classic New England cottage aesthetic, wood paneling, such as beadboard, can be an excellent choice. Larger beadboard panels are preferred for their ease of installation compared to individual tongue-and-groove pieces. These panels can be cut with a saw, nailed to ceiling joists, and then stained or painted to match the desired look. Beadboard ceilings are particularly effective in bathrooms or on front-porch ceilings, adding a charming, rustic touch. Pressed-tin panels provide a vintage feel, available in large patterned metal sheets for straightforward installation. These panels can be nailed onto furring strips and sealed with clear polyurethane or painted with oil-based paint, contributing a unique historical character to a room. Similarly, modern drop panel ceilings have evolved beyond their utilitarian 1960s predecessors. Contemporary options come in a wider array of colors and textures, with some companies offering individual wood or tin panels designed to fit into existing metal grid systems, making them a more aesthetically pleasing solution for concealing utilities. Lastly, coffered ceilings, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, represent one of the more complex but formal and dramatic ceiling treatments. This process involves attaching flat or intricately molded beams to the ceiling to form a square, grid-like pattern, often finished with crown molding. While coffered ceilings can visually lower the room, making them less suitable for very small spaces, they add classic elegance to dining or living rooms. Beyond their decorative appeal, coffered ceilings are also practical for concealing imperfections in the ceiling or hiding ductwork, offering both beauty and functionality. #CeilingDesign #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #CeilingMedallion #PaintChoices #WoodPaneling #PressedTin #CofferedCeiling

Homeowners and builders are increasingly recognizing the design potential of ceilings, moving beyond the traditional white, flat surfaces to incorporate a variety of architectural details. Historically, ceiling heights have evolved from 8 feet to 9 and now even 10 feet, offering more canvas for creative designs. Ben Lively, vice president of sales for Arthur Rutenberg Homes, a custom builder based in Buckhead, emphasizes the importance of these details, noting that his company prioritizes unique ceiling treatments. Tray ceilings, once a ubiquitous feature in master bedrooms, have also undergone a transformation. While still popular, their design has become more nuanced, moving from simple two-foot insets to more intricate angled forms that extend upwards, adding greater visual interest. Lively points out that modern tray ceilings are designed with more detailed angles and dimensions, deviating from the simpler flat designs of the 1990s. Coffered ceilings, characterized by their crisscross beam patterns, offer a wealth of customization options. These include opportunities for recessed and backlighting, diverse color palettes, and elaborate moldings. Although they represent a more significant investment due to increased material and labor costs, they impart a luxurious and highly detailed finish. For instance, a 22-by-22-foot coffered ceiling could add approximately $4,000 to the overall cost, depending on the type of beams used. Other distinctive options include barrel ceilings, which at Rutenberg Homes, are sometimes enhanced with inlays featuring wallpaper that emulates natural stone textures. Vaulted and beamed ceilings are frequently incorporated into dens or club rooms, creating a sense of spaciousness and architectural character. False beams can also be added to flat ceilings, particularly in areas like kitchens, to introduce a rustic aesthetic without structural modifications. Fortress Homes, for example, offers multiple ceiling options in their developments, such as Stone Mill Creek in Powder Springs, where floor plans include vaulted ceilings in master bedrooms and family rooms, and coffered ceilings in kitchens and some master suites. Many of these homes also feature a mix of 9-foot ceilings throughout. Even for homes with flat ceilings, modern design trends involve using contrasting paint colors. Lively explains that painting ceilings in colors that complement the walls, often a few shades darker or lighter, can warm up a room and create the illusion of greater height. This technique also highlights crown molding and other trim details against a contrasting backdrop. A notable trend, according to Lively, is the move away from white ceilings, even in higher-end homes where almost every ceiling is now painted a color, further enhancing the room’s overall design. #HomeDesign #CeilingDesign #InteriorArchitecture #HomeDecoration #CustomHomes #CofferedCeilings #VaultedCeilings #DesignTrends