Unboxed With Nikki Chu
Season 2 The Home Channel (*176) 18:30 Lifestyle
From remodelling a couple’s bedroom to celebrate their wedding anniversary, to turning a dull and dysfunctional rental apartment into a chic new space that a landlord would approve of, celebrity interior designer Nikki Chu transforms her clients’ homes into masterpieces in her reno series Unboxed.
At the start of each episode, Nikki presents clients with two boxes that contain inspirational items and they choose one. “When I place the boxes down, there are objects that the clients might not recognise, such as a random gold bowl or a jar filled with sand,” explains Nikki, who refuses to reveal her age. The purpose of the exercise is to determine the décor style the clients are drawn to. After deciding, the clients leave their homes in Nikki’s hands for two days and when they return, they walk into a refurbished, fabulous home.
As Nikki explains, there’s added pressure in season 2. Besides viewers who write-in asking for her assistance, she takes on her A-lister pals’ projects too, like when she renovates actor couple Boris Kodjoe (Robert Sullivan in drama series Station 19) and Nicole Ari Parker’s (Lisa Wexley in comedy show And Just Like That…) patio in episode 1. “Those close to me ask for a few décor hacks but they don’t hire me to complete an entire space. It’s daunting, but I’m up for the challenge,” she says.
What gives Nikki an advantage is that she’s familiar with her friends’ likes. “I capture their personalities and push them out of their comfort zones. This season is emotional and close to my heart,” adds the interior designer.