As you may have been able to ascertain, I am a huge fan of the Netflix reboot of Queer Eye. I’ve devoted lots of space to Jonathan Van Ness, but in an attempt to show love to the other members of the Fab Five, today we focus on interior designer Bobby Berk.
Bobby was the hardest working member of the Fab Five, renovating some spaces that were desperate for more than just a good coat of paint. And, with some of those houses, he sure had his work cut out for him. Remember Remy’s “stuck the 1970s” digs, complete with shag carpet and yellow curtains, from season one?
If every renovation he did on Queer Eye didn’t already make me jealous, his own home is an interior design dream. He took People on a tour of his downtown Los Angeles loft, located in a 114-year-old former train station, and it’s gorgeous. When choosing his palette for the home he shares with his partner of 15 years, surgeon Dewey Do, he said “I like it to be very muted, more on the dark side with masculine tones.” I not only covet the credenza with the built-in speaker, but I must have the Fab Five prayer candles, stat.
Bobby got started on the path to design greatness as a kid, recalling, “I do remember when I was little, I had to have been no more than 6, I redid my room. I talked my mom into taking me to a store, and I got, like, all coordinating blue, green and yellow colors, and the theme was dinosaurs.” After leaving home at 15, he eventually ended up in New York a “with three months’ rent and $100 to spare.” He then went from managing a Restoration Hardware store to launching his own home furnishings company, Bobby Berk Design, in 2006.
As for advice to achieve a fabulous living space, Bobby says using “different textures to create layers,” combines “to create a very homey and lush feeling.” And, if you’re going to have one prestige item in your home, Bobby asserts, “To me, the one thing you should splurge on, if you only have a certain amount of money to spend, is your bed because you spend about 30 percent of your life in bed, and you should be comfortable, and you should wake up every day just feeling good.” If you do have money to spend, check out some of Bobby’s favorite LA shopping spots.
Even though Queer Eye left Atlanta without Bobby making over my dark cave of a condo, I was blessed with a little tip from the man himself. Now, if only I could afford this.
— Bobby Berk (@bobbyberk) June 22, 2018
Photos: Getty Images, WENN.com
When I got to the the name of his partner I thought, “Dewy? Is that a guy’s name or a girl’s name?”
DOH. Think I need to go have a glass of wine…it’s been a long week!
Let’s talk Queer Eye. I like his personality but in terms of his input the rest of the guys (esp Bobby who does so much work every ep) are carrying Antoni. Discuss.
That’s Hadley Freedman’s opinion over at The Guardian. Since I read it, I can’t unsee it. I can’t recall any opinion or good advice Antoni has ever given. Hadley even thinks he’s never cooked in his life 🙂
HE IS funny though: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zbn13QrrEo
Honestly, I think this is an idea that a lot of people have, but my understanding is that it’s pretty unfair on Antoni. Obviously there’s what we see of him with the client and usually making one basic dish or whatever, but I’ve read quite a few times now that he does way more than that- cooks different dishes with them, goes through their kitchen with them and does them out menus and meal plans- basically helps them overhaul what they’re eating.
None of that has made it into the episodes- I guess maybe it doesn’t make for very interesting tv? Which I think is a shame, as a) it does leave Antoni looking like he has a lot less to do with them and b) I actually think it WOULD make for interesting tv- maybe not in EVERY episode with every client, but it must be one of the most useful, helpful aspects about the week. It would be for me, anyway! Plus, like you I like his personality (and, like, his face isn’t hard to look at either 😀 :D), so I wouldn’t object to getting to spend more time with him!
I’m interested to see how they proceed going forward, actually- seasons 1 and 2 were actually all filmed as one, but season 3 is now starting anew, a little bit, and I’m interested to see if they change things up a little bit. I would think that’s one area Antoni might actually LIKE to have more input on what they show, because he’s admitted in interviews to being upset by the perception that he doesn’t do much.
@XDANIX If that’s the case, I totally want to see it. I’d be so down for watching him do more with the folks on the show because I do genuinely like him and yeah, girl that face does not hurt one bit. If he is doing all that stuff, I hope they show it in season 3!
Antoni is an angel! You cant expect him to teach novices how to cook, he works with what he has and says if he sparks a curiosity in healthier eating then he feels good. He adds alot more to the show than just his category, as do all the guys.
It does come across that Antoni’s skating by.
Surely you are aware of the internet avocado jokes?? The first season, every recipe involved an avocado. It was ridiculous/hilarious. Some recipes were ONLY avocados.
In Season 2, if I’m not mistaken, even his fellow Fab 4 teased him about how the recipes that season didn’t involve any avocados.
He did teach someone to roast peanuts in the ep I watched last night tho 😂
I highly recommend the podcast episode of Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness featuring Antoni. He was born in Poland, moved to Canada (Quebec), moved to West Virginia, spoke Polish first, then French, then English. He’s got culinary skills from several cultures and he’s crazy-smart. It was fascinating.
The best episode is with Tan. I bawled my eyes out. If you want to hear how the show has profoundly changed HIS life, listen ASAP with a box of tissues nearby. I love all these guys so much.
Oh my gosh! So neat that he tweeted you corey!
I enjoy the show immensely. Can’t wait for the next season. I’ve learned so much. I no longer use shampoo with laural sulfate, have rearranged my living room, and updated my bed linens., at their suggestions. My hair and home are better for it.
The dinosaur bedroom story is so cute! My son insisted on me painting his room lime green, calling it “iguana green” at around that age but that’s as far as his decor ambition seemed to go.
Ok, after reading about the love for the show here last week I tried to watch it over the weekend. I’m sad to say I didn’t love it…I loved the guys but something about the format felt so contrived to me. Admittedly I only watched the first episode. Does it get better?
@Esmom I hate reality tv with a passion but it does get better and better. This is the only format where it seems a certain form of education and social service is being done. It helps getting to know each one of them and regarding the needs of each person you see more or less of them. Also there is a kindness in their relationship to someone in a vulnerable place that becomes deeply moving as you keep watching.
For me, Season 2 wasn’t as good as Season 1, but I still love the show. Season 1 was excellent.
Love the show. The guys are charming.
I find Bobby’s backstory fascinating. He was adopted into a very religious family. He went through so much in church (the ASsemblies of God) and its activities, as well as facing acceptance. He left Missouri thinking he didn’t ever want to be back and it was a closed chapter. Now it’s been revealed that the 3rd season will be filmed in Kansas City, Missouri, lol. LOL. I hope it’s not hard for Bobby but it will definitely be good for tv to hear his story reconciling his past and how he moved forward even more.
This is why Bobby has become my “favorite” of the new crew…. he’s been so open about his struggles within the church and his family over his sexuality. He’s been incredibly vulnerable, especially in that episode with Miss Tammie. I think it’s important for straight people to be exposed to Bobby’s struggles, because that is such a common experience and him sharing his story has the potential to change hearts.
I swear I just want to hug Bobby so hard. I adore him!
I love all of the guys and think Bobby usually has the hardest job, redoing these places! I also like his style the best. The way he’s opened up about the trauma his religious childhood imposed on his is so brave too. And so important to discuss.
The devil works hard, but Bobbi Berk works harder!!!