TV shows influence home design

In an earlier blog post, I talked about being inspired by the home improvement shows on HGTV. But I know at least one builder who gets design ideas from other types of television programs, such as dramas and reality shows.
April 30, 2013
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In an earlier blog post, I talked about being inspired by the home improvement shows on HGTV. But I know at least one builder who gets design ideas from other types of television programs, such as dramas and reality shows.  

Sean Ruppert, principal of OPal LLC in Lanham, Md., started including Internet nooks in all of his homes, thanks to—of all things—“The Osbournes.” “I’m not kidding you,” says Ruppert. “In between the kitchen and the garage of Ozzy’s house was this great little cubby they had for a computer station.”
 
His simple, clean trim details and columns were inspired by “Desperate Housewives.” Ruppert was captivated by one of the homes on Wisteria Lane: “The trim and columns were just so beautiful and well done and not ornate or fluffy.” Another idea he borrowed from the show: built-in window seats on all the stair landings. “It creates such a lovely environment for kids to read or wait for mom and dad to come home or watch the snow fall.” 
 
Ruppert’s monitoring of pop culture has helped him refine his home designs. How about all you PB/CB readers? Have you ever incorporated something you saw on TV into your homes?

About the Author

Susan Bady

Susan Bady has been writing about the housing industry for 25 years. She most recently served as senior editor of design for Professional Builder and Custom Builder magazines, and is now a contributing editor to those publications as well as the portal Web site HousingZone.com. Bady has also written for such consumer magazines as Cabin Life and Better Homes and Gardens’ Home Plan Ideas. You can reach her at [email protected].

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