With CHRISTOPHER LOWELL
You Can Do It!
The Video Learning Annex
Video Classics
5 days a week, twice a day, The Christopher Lowell Show became a mainstay for millions of global viewers, and would continue to be an appointment view for almost and entire decade.
Much of the success of the 8 seasons of my shows was due to a careful blend of achievable demos on real budgets and time tables. With it, essential design education where average folks could understand the basics. Our eye-popping makeovers were real and done on the same budgets and timelines that we know and budget challenged all our viewers. Personal motivation was key in actually giving viewers the courage to tackle a project and unlock their inherent personal creativity. Along with fun field trips there was, of course our signature comedy show opens.
Corny, silly and often out of the box, they were also essential to the tone of the show. After all, in teaching hundreds of creativity classes, I discovered that if you're not laughing, you're not learning.
Little did I know that the new template we'd created would change the very face of the how-too genre forever. Who knew it would become the inspiration for an entire new network called HGTV. Here's a peek behind the scenes from our Day In The Life Show (which you can view in its entirety on Youtube) along with a few bloopers that kept the atmosphere of the set light and fun. Enjoy!
These vintage classic videos from The Christopher Lowell Show and Work That Room are a flash from the past. Some are full shows and others are just segments that we think are as timeless today as they were when we filmed them. In fact, we worked really hard never to show anything on the show that would seem dated years from now.
You can view more on my YouTube channel.
Global Warming
Christopher starts by reviewing images from the book Safari Chic to introduce us to one type of global design. From the book Asian Style, Christopher shows examples of Asian design influence that can be found in many mass-market stores. Designer Mark Reusser meets Christopher in the studio to discuss how to mix and match different design influences successfully. We witness a dramatic office reception area makeover that features an Asian influence and uses techniques and ideas that could be applied to any room. Following up with an in-studio demo, Christopher shows us how he covered the unattractive doors and added wainscoting in the hallways of the office using organic textures. Scenic artist and art department staff member Steven Lee Burright joins Christopher to demonstrate how to simulate bamboo on a discarded chair.
It's Always Something
Designer Michael Buchanan assists a couple in designing a cottage style décor in their home. Christopher turns a 10- by 10-foot room into a '50s retro-inspired "His and Hers" office space complete with Prouves shelves and a Plexiglas divider to provide privacy and storage. Back in the studio, Christopher demonstrates how to make the Prouves shelves. Cliff Levin visits to discuss the need for proper ergonomics and do a show-and-tell of some body-friendly furniture. We're off to Islamorada, Fla., for another You Did It! segment. Dana Hope had to create a 100 percent dust and chemical free home as a result of her environmental allergies.
Design Trek The next generation
In this episode we spotlight some new and upcoming designers. First, we visit the Los Angeles home of lawyer turned designer David Desmond. David shows us how he has exercised his newly found talents in his own apartment. Back in studio, Sherry Payne joins Christopher to discuss how she got interested in interior design and what organizations are out there to help you get started. David Shearer stops by and fills us in on the recent trend toward 1950s American design. David brings by a few new pieces inspired by that era. Michael Buchanan follows with a walk through of a room vignette that he put together at the Christopher Lowell Show house. Michael also takes a moment to tell how he got involved in interior design. For this episode's You Did It! we see the home of Darlene Tompt in Huntington Beach, California. Darlene took on her overpowering white walls and transformed her house into a cozy space that she's very proud of. Bill Newkirk demonstrates how he does his "woven veneer" wall treatments.
Flex Appeal
Creating rooms within rooms.
Dual function spaces and flexible fabric ideas help us grow and change within our homes. Christopher shows how to convert everyday rooms into multipurpose living spaces filled with storage, display and work areas. Christopher then uses the example of the office pod room makeover to demonstrate how to create multiple spaces in one room. Four outsideworkstations placed in each corner of the room create an interior shared space, in this case, a library. Artist Marianne Bernsen joins Christopher and demonstrates her techniques of mixing paint and fabric with stunning results. Her painted fabrics can be used as wall hangings, pillows, furniture,floor covers and shower curtains. Christopher demonstrates how to build your own rolling room divider to create more definition and function in small spaces. Michael Salvatore and Julian Widom share their apartment makeover dilemmasin the "You Did It" segment. Randy Fuhrman of Creative Concepts offers thoughtful suggestions on how to entertain elegantly even when you're low on space, time and money.
Office To Guest Room
This upscale budget makeover shows important storage, organizational and space-saving design techniques to quickly transform a home office into an instant guest bedroom when needed. Today more then ever, multi function is key to stretching every inch of our homes so that they live better and can easily morph from one key activity to another. We found this product to be a real lifesaver in doing this studio where it had to transform from a place to socialize to a place to sleep with a pull of a handle. It's basically an updated version of the old Murphy bed of the 40s and really is an amazing piece of furniture. Check it out.
In his New York City apartment, jewelry and home accessories designer John Landrum Bryant creates a fantasy home environment using dramatic murals, vibrant colors, sculptures and dimensional wall hangings. Christopher goes to his drawing pad to show some of the guidelines for creating focal points in rooms. Craft expert Renee Sparks demonstrates how to reproduce costly botanical prints with inexpensive materials and common household items. Christopher dresses a plain wall and sofa table creating three distinctly different looks. By using themed accessories, Christopher shows country, city and shore styles of arrangements. Christopher classifies arrangement types with Guest Designer Mary Kenyon With the help of the telestrator, Christopher shows images from the book Creative Display Ideas for Your Home. Christopher demonstrates techniques used by retailers to make successful display focal points. Christopher focuses on merchandising tables and sideboards. In a You Did It! segment Christopher visits Douglas Walton who realized his lifelong dream of living in a museum art gallery.
Home Focal Points
Rolling Bed Table
Popular full-length tasking tray transforms a bed into a multi-functional eat-live-work station. Form and function meets budget-friendly materials and solid, versatile design techniques. This was one of our highest rated shows and eventually we saw versions of this demo actually show up in retail store.
Best ever Guest Room
Simple twin beds transform into dramatic focal points that incorporate clever hidden storage, privacy ideas, lighting and unique fabric techniques along with a fullproof color pallette that's classic and inviting. Beautiful toile fabric completes this room.
It's Always something.
Dealing with life compromises.
Designer Michael Buchanan assists a couple in designing a cottage style décor in their home. Christopher turns a 10- by 10-foot room into a '50s retro-inspired "His and Hers" office space complete with Prouves shelves and a Plexiglas divider to provide privacy and storage. Back in the studio, Christopher demonstrates how to make the Prouves shelves. Cliff Levin visits to discuss the need for proper ergonomics and do a show-and-tell of some body-friendly furniture. We're off to Islamorada, Fla., for another You Did It! segment. Dana Hope had to create a 100 percent dust and chemical free home as a result of her environmental allergies.
Haute Interiors
Decore inspired by fashion.
Christopher welcomes former fashion model Kathy Ireland to the studio. They discuss the furnishings and accessories from her line. With the help of Larayne Brannon, Christopher uses apparel from a vintage and slightly used clothing store, Clothes Heaven in Pasadena, CA, to compare getting dressed to decorating with his seven-layer system. Fabric designer Robert Fischer creates dramatic images on fabric, which is then utilized in furnishings and clothing. Christopher follows up with a demo on how to build a custom shadowbox to display precious items. Bob Mackie brings us home with his own line of home furnishings. Susan Frank introduces clothing for the home. Updated cozies for vases, martini shakers and wine glasses add color and style to any room.
Mirror Magic
Christopher Lowell shows how to increase light and beauty with mirrors. This video is part of Work That Room with Christopher Lowell show hosted by Christopher Lowell . SHOW DESCRIPTION :Why did the American kitchen evolve from a utilitarian room to the hub of the home? Why do men suddenly have an opinion in a home's decor? How has our desire for open floorplans changed the rules of interior design? How has telecommuting changing the definition of "home"? In each episode, host Christopher Lowell examines a popular design trend through a person, couple or family facing a design dilemma. Christopher breaks down the design solution to its essential elements, including what inspired this look - bar, hotel, lounge, spa, restaurant or any other public space. Through consultation with the homeowners, he brings their ultimate design to life in Fine Living Network's Work That Room with Christopher Lowell.
Amazing Small Space Makeover
This transformation turns a cramped, cluttered room into a chic and sexy multipurpose space that now includes coffee/ wine bar, dining space, built-in living room and a slew of valuable ideas for paint color, fabric, lighting and flexible furnishings and space stretching mirroring techniques. On my series Work That Room, for the Fine Living Channel, this was one of my all time favorite makeovers. There are a ton of small space ideas here that you can use in your own home.
This homeowner also owned The Shade Hotel only blocks away. I was the executive designer on the hotel and then, doing the owners home, was what created the concept for the series. Hotel to home ....Who knew?
