THE Art of house tours - open house videos
There is something extraordinary about experiencing a house tour in person. You can truly sense interior architecture through its proportion, scale, and detail—appreciating how it feels to inhabit the space, its atmosphere, and its illumination. I've marked the Open House Festival in London this September in my diary for this exact reason. As a first-time attendee to this noteworthy event, I'm eagerly awaiting this experience after hearing such glowing accounts from friends and family.
When being invited into these types of coveted homes isn't possible, digital platforms provide access to exceptional spaces that would otherwise remain beyond reach. House and Garden's Design Notes Videos offer a relaxed, natural and authentic approach, frequently showcasing properties inhabited by creatives. These interior designers and industry professionals demonstrate impeccable taste and innovative approaches to their spaces.
There is also a plethora of talented designers working in North America from whom we can all learn. Their strengths are varied from spatial composition to material application. Not only are these videos fun, but Architectural Digest's Open House videos also present the work of gifted professionals alongside clients who possess a genuine passion for architecture and interior design. The celebrity element should not detract from the quality displayed. Here are some of my favourites and why I found their design so compelling:
DAKOTA JOHNSON’s Mid-century modern home
Photography by Simon Upton | Styled by Mieke ten Have
There is a reason for the immense popularity of this video. Johnson's mid-century modern Los Angeles home is filled with personality and feels like a sanctuary, nestled in a sleepy tree-filled cul-de-sac. The house is full of charm as it is history, originally built by architect Carl Maston and most recently designed by Pierce & Ward for Dakota. The olive-green kitchen has drawn many admirers, many thanks to Benjamin Moore's special hue Aligator Alley being featured.
Photo credit: www.architecturaldigest.com
PALOMA ELSESSER’s BROOKLYN TOWN HOUSE
Photography by Frank Frances | Styled by Michael Reynolds
This video showcases how Elsesser was highly influenced by her childhood lifestyle, growing up in a multi-generational household. In her own home, each room has been crafted to have multiple functions, with joyful multicultural layers. There are strong Italian design influences throughout, with Gregory Rockwell and Hester Hodde of Gregory Rockwell Interiors helping bring her vision to life.
Photo credit: www.architecturaldigest.com
AMANDA SEYFRIED’S NEW YORK PIED-à-terre
Photography by Cassie Floto Warner | Styled by Colin King
With soft edges and curvature throughout, alongside the prevalent creative use of natural materials. The wood arches around the restored windows are breathtaking and bring the country feel of Seyfried's out-of-town home to the city. The backdrop of the skyscrapers, along with the rationalised space, is a reminder of living immersed in a central urban area. For me, watching this video brought back memories of living in Hong Kong. I recognise that compact living experience all too well when I lived in my ‘cosy’ walkup apartment in an area called ‘Happy Valley’. There is nothing like a shoebox apartment to teach you the value of clever storage solutions and multifunctional spaces.
Photo credit: www.architecturaldigest.com
These house tours, whether digital or in-person, offer invaluable insights into how design professionals navigate challenges and express creativity within varied contexts. They remind us that truly successful interiors reflect not just aesthetic principles but the personalities and lifestyles of those who inhabit them. As designers, we can draw inspiration from these spaces while developing our own distinct approach to creating environments that resonate with both function and feeling.
