Interior designers Mary McDonald, Nate Berkus, Dee Dee Taylor Eustace, Lori Dennis, Nina Freudenberger and Jennifer Flanders will be starring in three new design shows, each with very different formats, airing the next couple of months.
Bravo’s Property Envy, starring McDonald and interior designer Jeff Lewis, will explore the world of luxury real estate, while NBC’s America’s Dream Builders starring Berkus will feature home builders and designers competing for a cash prize. HGTV’s Real Designing Women will follow Eustace, Dennis, Freudenberger and Flanders as they meet clients, contractors and vendors, choose color schemes and fabrics, and oversee delivery and installation.
Mary McDonald on the set of Property Envy
Property Envy host Stephen Collins, along with McDonald, Lewis and Chicago-based real estate guru Brandie Malay, break down the world of luxury real estate, cutting-edge home technology and trendsetting décor, visiting one-of-a-kind cultural landmarks to $45 million dollar houses. The format, which is similar to E!'s Fashion Police, will be a sit down "panel discussion" between the experts. They will discuss a specific property or item in someone's home, and celebrities will often be involved.
"Bravo has wanted to pair me with Jeff for awhile now, although it took awhile to get the right show for us together," said McDonald. "I think we will have a blast knowing our chemistry. What could be more fun than talking about property, architecture and design without having to pay for it?!"
The show will air on Tuesday, July 9 with two back-to-back episodes at 10:00 and 10:30 p.m.
America’s Dream Builders is a home makeover competition hosted by Berkus, who also serves as a judge and advocate, mentoring the contestants week to week. He is also the show’s executive producer.
Two teams will tackle two new homes each week in cities across the country. The series will conclude in a live finale where America will vote to determine the winner and two dream homes will be given away to the viewers.
Nate Berkus
In every episode, Berkus will present the contestants with extensive design and build challenges crafted specifically to push the creative reach of each contestant. They'll take on a wide range of home styles and spaces, facing off to create the ultimate home transformation.
"I'm beyond excited about the fresh approach we're taking with this show,” said Berkus. “The challenges we have created are so visual, layered and unique—that even I have to admit I'm jealous I'm not competing."
Viewers will be able to tour the homes virtually online and purchase specific items that are featured in that episode. In addition, weekly prizes will be given away to viewers, ranging from luxury household items to home makeovers as well as cash.
NBC has not yet released an air date for the show.
A brand new HGTV series, Real Designing Women, debuts on HGTV Canada Saturday, June 1, with back-to-back episodes airing at 4:00 and 4:30 p.m. U.S air dates have not been announced.
The Real Designing Womnen from left: Freudenberger, Flanders, Eustace, Dennis
The 10-episode series follows the four designers as they find creative solutions to the very real—and sometimes potentially catastrophic—problems that arise in the glamorous but challenging world of a real interior designer.
"I think viewers are going to love peeking behinds the scenes and see what the design process is really like and how we really work with our clients," said Flanders, owner of New York-based firm Jennifer Flanders Inc. "Transforming a space is a very complex and challenging process and a good designer—one who has earned her clients' trust—makes an enormous difference."
"Fans are always asking me how do I do it all—a book, an interior design firm, editor-in-chief of a magazine and of course, my family," said Dennis, owner of L.A. firm Lori Dennis, Inc. "The show will be a glimpse into my dizzying, daily juggle and hopefully it will make people laugh, not cry."
The show also been acquired by South Africa's Home Channel.
Mary's photo credit: Evan Ward for Bravo
