‘Queer Eye’ designer Filicia offers some fresh perspectives
“Are you OK?” My husband asks, coming into the family room worried, as he should be. I am doubled over crying with laughter, holding my ribs. I can barely breathe let alone explain.
What started as simple research for a column turned into a binge watch of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” the reality show that ran on Bravo from 2003 to 2007. In each episode, five gay guys descend upon a straight guy in dire need of a “makebetter.” The Fab 5 helps the frump upgrade his hygiene, wardrobe, culinary skills, culture meter and digs — all in one day.
The show’s interior design expert, Thom Filicia, is the reason I tuned in — more than a decade late. Filicia caught my attention when I saw that his New York design firm is celebrating its 20th year. I was intrigued that the same guy who transformed troll hovels also serves A-list clientele.
However entertaining the series is, to me “Queer Eye’s” strength is that it reminds us of the power of perspective. We all stop seeing ourselves and our homes honestly and can benefit from outside experts who have good taste and a keen eye to help us see what we don’t.
During a recent phone conversation, Filicia offered some perspectives we all can benefit from. MARNI >> How do the interiors you create for clients and the ones for reality TV relate?
THOM >> “My clients can afford antiques and custom furniture … but working in media lets me bridge what I do in my design firm into everyday homes.
M >> Do you have a design philosophy?
T >> Whether fashion or food or interiors, all design happens on levels — high, medium, low. I like an organic mix of all those. I love the idea of having the rare and refined along with the everyday to create a living environment that’s not too precious.
M>> What are the most common blind spots people have in home design?
T>> Most people don’t see what’s really great in what they already have. It might be in something they inherited or found, or are otherwise emotionally connect to. Instead, they turn to magazines and showrooms. While those are great places to get new ideas, it’s more important to look in front of you to see who you are and build on that. Creating your home is not about throwing everything away and starting over. M>> Can you give me your top do and don’t?
T>> Do invest in the anchor pieces of each room — the master bed, the dining table, the sofa. … You want good quality and great design that can last a lifetime. You can spend less on the supporting pieces like table lamps and end tables. Don’t try to live a lifestyle you think you want or should love.
M>> What tips can the rest of us take from fashion that apply at home?
T>> Fashion is a good starting point when talking about accessorizing. You would never wear all your jewelry at once, so don’t put all your accessories out at once. Editing is as important as decorating.
M>> Do you have a signature touch?
T >> I like to think my interiors have all the attributes you want in a best friend — down to earth, stylish, fun, interesting, approachable and unpretentious yet sophisticated.
M >>
What’s your home like?
T >> My New York City apartment is a glass box in a West Side high-rise with floor-toceiling windows. It’s modern, has lots of art and is a great place to entertain. I also have a house in the Finger Lakes area. Built in 1917, it’s a fresh take on a traditional lake house. They are two very different environments. They tell my story. M>> Tina Fey, Jennifer Lopez, anyone else we know?
T>> David Bowie, Sean Hayes, lots of celebrities, but I have also done homes for some amazing people who are far less known. All I do is create a backdrop against which they live great lives. Syndicated columnist Marni Jameson’s At Home column is published here weekly. Contact her at marnijameson.com. To see all of Jameson’s columns, go to mercurynews. com/author/marnijameson/. Jameson is the author of four home and lifestyle books, including “Downsizing the Family Home — What to Save, What to Let Go.”