"It's the little things...I’ve seen big, expensive homes that don’t 'live' well because the emphasis was on show, not serve. Conversely, I’ve been in small homes that you never want to leave; where everything is where it’s supposed to be and you feel somehow transported because the thought behind it was evident on contact." – Christopher Lowell

Christopher Lowell, Emmy Award-winning host and best-selling author, has made his name mixing practical advice with infectious enthusiasm, which has made him one of America’s most recognized and trusted authorities in the home improvement category. Dubbed the “Doctor of Design” by U.S. News & World Report, his Seven Layer system has been embraced by the Oprah team. In the following interview, Christopher shares with GN his latest projects and the philosophy behind his design style.

GN: First of all, how did you come to develop your style?

Christopher: Unlike most designers who have a signature look, I do not. Because I teach design through many media platforms, part of my job is to help others find their style. Do I have methods, tricks of the trade and processes unique to me as a designer? Of course. That comes through experience. But my work ranges from low income to very high end and both residential and commercial, and from very traditional to ultra modern and even fantasy, depending on the job.

I’ve always felt (especially in residential design) that if someone walked into a space that I designed and said, “Oh, this must be Christopher Lowell,” I failed. I did not do my job well and actually indulged myself rather than serving the homeowner whose story I’m there to tell accurately. This, of course, keeps me, the designer, in the background where I should be. Having earned my chops in the American theater as a set designer, my job was to serve the play, the director and the audience first—habits I learned and have never broken.

Because of this, however, it fosters many misconceptions about the range of my work. But so be it. I think those who have only seen my work on TV would use words like “livable,” “inviting” and “clever.” Those in the commercial world would probably use words like “innovative” and “pared down,” and say it’s dramatic in a non-gender-specific, sensory kind of way. My style is to be a chameleon.

GN: Tell us about the last project you worked on.

Christopher: The last project I worked on was my second generation of office furniture for Office Depot. I loved that we had an opportunity to really take a current look at how we as a nation work today, then interpret that into three collections that solved many problems that hadn’t been addressed, especially in ready-to-assemble at mass-market prices.

The biggest challenge was designing furniture at low price points that were finished on all sides so they could float in centers of rooms and that also came with USB ports built in to handle cord management.

One of my favorite commercial projects was the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach, California. Working with small spaces and low ceilings was the first challenge. Creating a communal space that could become the hub of the town was the second and the most fulfilling challenge—since it’s packed by locals almost every night. The last was that it had to give guests a “beach feel” while not being trite, especially since it’s not on the beach.

“Yacht Chic”-inspired design for Shade Hotel:

[Image and main image credit: Shade Hotel]

GN: What advice would you have for homeowners in hiring and managing contractors, whether it be for paint, flooring, handymen or big remodels like custom-made closets?

Christopher: Don’t judge the work only by pretty portfolio pictures. Often what’s portrayed there is a culmination of many decisions that were made by the client and/or the designer they were working with. Instead, ask about the business billing, paper trail and communication with the actual client. Ask to see a real client file and credentials. That will tell you if your project is going to be completed on time with a minimum of stress.

GN: What elements make for a comfortable home?

Christopher: A comfortable home is one that reflects the homeowner while telling their story (who they are, what they love and how they live) accurately to everyone who enters.

GN: What's your philosophy on creating meaning in the home?

Christopher: Ah, great question! This is the basis of my new web series, Ask Christopher. Thought is the greatest and only thing that will bring meaning to a home. It transcends money, square footage and eye candy. Only through logical thought can a home pamper and indulge the spirits of those who live there. And it’s not just about the gorgeous nightstands, but what’s in the drawers, too. It’s not just about the accessories, but the tools that no one sees.

It’s the little things. Is the only pair of scissors you own in a place you can’t find it or do you need several pairs where you actually use them most? Are the things that serve you the most at arm’s length where they should be? Do you really use everything you own and the rooms they’re in? I’ve seen big, expensive homes that don’t “live” well because the emphasis was on “show,” not “serve.”

Conversely, I’ve been in small homes that you never want to leave; where everything is where it’s supposed to be and you feel somehow transported because the thought behind it was evident on contact. I’ve met prospective clients who live better in a great hotel suite than in their entire homes—why? Thought!

As an Emmy Award-winning host and best-selling author, Christopher Lowell’s mix of practical advice and infectious enthusiasm has made him one of America’s most recognized and trusted authorities in the home improvement category. Dubbed the “Doctor of Design” by U.S. News & World Report, with a Seven Layer system that has been embraced by the Oprah team, Christopher believes that decorating is a form of empowerment therapy and that his mantra, “You Can Do It,” is a way of life. The success of his growing multimedia company proves that he has made a loyal connection to how America wants to live now and in the future. His books include Seven Layers of Organization; Seven Layers of Design; The Hassle-Free Host; You Can Do It: Small Spaces; If You Dream It, You Can Do It! and One-of-a-Kind Decorating Projects. Visit Christopher Lowell’s website at christopherlowell.com.