This is why Shea McGee didn't include a sectional in her living room remodel – favoring a more traditional look instead

Interior designer Shea McGee, cofounder and chief creative officer of Studio McGee and host of Netflix’s _Dream Home Makeover_, has joined MasterClass as the latest expert on their Sessions platform. Her new session, available now, aims to guide individuals in creating spaces that align with their personal style and budget, while helping them avoid common and potentially costly errors in the design process. The MasterClass session is structured into eight parts, with a monthly subscription starting at $15. Unlike other design courses offered on the platform, McGee’s approach begins with a blank living room, incrementally building it up by incorporating various elements such as fabric schemes, mood board creation, and lighting selection. Throughout the session, McGee provides practical advice, including specific recommendations for furniture placement, such as marking out furniture positions with blue tape before moving actual pieces into the room. She also highlights two prevalent mistakes people often make when designing a living room. The first common error is purchasing furniture that is not appropriately sized for the space. McGee explains that using furniture that is too small can make a living room appear cold and sparse, while oversized furniture can lead to a cramped and unwelcoming atmosphere. She has previously suggested opting for larger sofas and coffee tables, and if space becomes an issue, substituting traditional side tables with slim floor lamps to save room. The second significant mistake identified by McGee is neglecting the room’s flow, which refers to how easily one can move through and around the furniture. If inhabitants frequently find themselves maneuvering around couches and chairs, the living room’s layout is not optimal. McGee emphasizes that the functionality of a space is as crucial as its aesthetic appeal, often asserting that addressing functional issues can inherently improve the room’s overall look. To enhance flow, she recommends using a round coffee table, which provides more central walking space. Additionally, incorporating benches and stools can offer flexible extra seating options that do not impede movement, contributing to a more navigable and comfortable living room environment. #SheaMcGee #MasterClass #LivingRoomDesign #InteriorDesignTips #FurniturePlacement #HomeDecor #DesignMistakes #RoomFlow #StudioMcGee

The internet offers a vast array of interior design aesthetics, from Scandinavian and Boho to Country House and Maximalist, each accompanied by experts and influencers providing guidance on essential items to achieve these trends. This has led Americans to spend an average of $1,599 annually on home decor, according to a 2024 Opendoor survey. However, LA-based content creators Robert Gigliotti and Ethan Gaskill have gained significant attention on TikTok by sharing their most disliked interior design and home decor trends, accumulating over 8 million views with their series called "home decor icks." Gigliotti and Gaskill, who are not professional designers but have developed a keen eye for design through personal and family experiences, advocate for working with a space's inherent features rather than against them. Gigliotti's interest in design stemmed from helping his mother flip houses, where he grew tired of the repetitive "builder gray" aesthetic and began influencing tile and finish choices. Gaskill was inspired by his father, a custom home builder, and his mother, a real estate agent, who instilled in him the importance of maintaining a tidy space that reflects one's identity and positively impacts their mindset. Their approach resonates with audiences because they openly admit to having made similar mistakes themselves. They emphasize that their critiques are lighthearted and not meant to be taken too seriously, encouraging individuals to have fun with their decor choices as long as they love the outcome. In the living room, Gigliotti suggests moving away from trendy, statement couches like the "funky bubble couches" or expensive Togo sofas, which he believes are impractical and difficult to integrate into different spaces or over time. He shares his own experience of quickly selling an orange bubble sofa after realizing it was a social media-driven purchase rather than a truly desired item. Instead, he recommends opting for more classic pieces or using versatile linen slipcovers, and also highlights thrifting as a viable option. The collaborators also caution against letting personal interests overwhelm home decor. Gaskill recounts an instance where his love for horror films led him to display a melting skull art print, which he later realized was too dominant. Gigliotti adds that while one can love fashion, there's no need to display luxury brand boxes as decor. Additionally, grommet curtains are described as an outdated and unappealing choice, likened to hanging a shower curtain in the living room. Moving to the kitchen, Gaskill advises against cluttering countertops with too many appliances, suggesting that only the most frequently used items, such as a coffee maker or toaster, should be left out, with others stored away. Gigliotti further emphasizes that appliances don't need to be a "design moment"; instead, they should blend into the space. He advocates for classic choices like stainless steel over "fake vintage or retro appliances." The article also addresses the trend of over-decorating bar carts and open shelving, which Gigliotti believes can make a space look overly curated and less lived-in. He suggests prioritizing functionality, as authentic and useful items contribute more to a home's appeal. For bathrooms, the duo strongly advises against peel-and-stick tiles, explaining that the adhesive often fails in steamy environments, leading to bubbling and an undesirable appearance. They suggest that poorly executed DIY projects can draw more attention to an area one is trying to mask, and that homes should not be treated like "craft projects." Furthermore, toiletries should not be treated as decorative items, and shelving should not be installed solely for displaying items like nail polish. The article also touches on "cringey" art prints, expanding beyond the well-known "Live, Laugh, Love" to include quirky food-themed or odd phrase art that is losing its appeal. In the bedroom, Gaskill advises against placing beds perpendicularly in a corner, as it creates unusable space and suggests a lack of thoughtful room layout. Lastly, the collaborators recommend against color-coding bookshelves, arguing that a mix-matched approach adds character and charm to a home. They conclude by stressing the importance of accepting a home's existing characteristics rather than forcing unnecessary design elements like fake beams or brick walls through DIY projects. For those seeking change, a new coat of paint and good artwork are recommended as the best starting points. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #DesignMistakes #HomeImprovement #DecorTrends #TikTokTrends #SpacePlanning #DIYDecor #FunctionalDesign

Shabby chic is an interior decorating style characterized by its blend of vintage and cottage elements, soft, romantic colors, and varied textures, culminating in an elegant, yet worn and welcoming aesthetic. The style gained significant popularity in the late 1980s, largely due to designer Rachel Ashwell, who coined the term and opened a store bearing the same name. Ashwell's vision involved transforming vintage and thrift store finds into casual yet elegant home decor, a concept she later expanded through partnerships with mass retailers like Target, making the style widely accessible. While its initial peak was in the 1980s and '90s, shabby chic has seen a resurgence, particularly during the pandemic, as people sought comfort and familiarity in their homes. This modern iteration is more streamlined and refined, moving away from overly embellished, heavy, and frilly elements of its past. Designers note that the updated shabby chic maintains its core of comfort and age-old charm, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere effortlessly. Key characteristics of shabby chic include distressed furniture, often painted with chalk paint, floral patterns, muted hues, and ruffles. The style embraces a vintage or relaxed appearance, embodying a romantic and grounded feeling. A unique aspect is that the more wear and tear furniture acquires over time, the more it contributes to the style's charm, making scratches and nicks desirable features. The current shabby chic aesthetic has evolved to incorporate more depth, with softer, more subdued colors inspired by English interior styles, popularized by shows like 'Bridgerton' and 'Downton Abbey.' This includes creamy whites, light grays, taupe, and mellow pastels such as mint, peach, pink, yellow, blue, and lavender, along with quiet English-style colors like powder blue and hushed gold. Wall moldings, floral wallpapers, vintage accessories, and organic materials like jute are essential components, emphasizing a connection to the outdoors. To achieve the "chic" aspect, designers recommend integrating pieces like French bergère chairs and crystal chandeliers, which add a regal touch. Custom slipcovers made from quality fabrics, with refined details like flat flange or ruffled skirts, can elevate upholstered pieces beyond a flea market appearance. The best sources for shabby chic furniture and decor are antique stores and flea markets, which offer items with inherent history and depth. When shopping, it's crucial to adhere to a consistent color palette and select items that possess a worn-in feel to maintain cohesion and prevent visual clutter. Styling shabby chic furniture involves mixing and matching diverse pieces and styles to create an intentionally haphazard look that injects character and coziness. While traditionally leaning feminine, the style is adaptable and can be masculinized by incorporating industrial elements like galvanized metal. Shabby chic shares similarities with cottagecore, both embracing cozy, lived-in comfort. However, cottagecore extends beyond an aesthetic to a lifestyle, romanticizing rural life with an emphasis on handcrafted, homegrown, and homebaked items. Other related styles include modern farmhouse, rustic, bohemian, and French country, all of which incorporate vintage elements and convey a relaxed, welcoming ambiance. #ShabbyChic #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #VintageStyle #Cottagecore #RachelAshwell #DistressedFurniture #RomanticDecor #HomeTrends