HGTV Stars Cortney and Robert Novogratz’ New Book Offers Insightful Home Decorating Tips

Husband and wife design duo Cortney and Robert Novogratz are best known for the bright, fresh, and fun style they infuse into their eponymous brand of furniture, textiles, and home accessories. Still, the bulk of the couple’s work is actually in interior design, with projects ranging from a 300-square-foot bungalow in San Diego to an 8,000-square-foot residence in the Hamptons.

HGTV Stars Cortney and Robert Novogratz’ New Book Offers Insightful Home Decorating Tips
The Nongratz family’s former Hollywood Hills home, which they renovated themselves.

Quarantine is offering many people a little extra time to work on projects around the house, including redecorating. If you’re in search of a little inspiration, there’s plenty to be mined in the way the couple blends modern and traditional styles, explores the contrasts between different materials, and mixes and matches clashing patterns. Even better, you can thumb through 11 of their favorite projects in their new book, Novogratz Design Fix: Chic and Stylish Tips for Every Decorating Scenario.

Cover of Cortney and Robert Novogratz' new
Cover of Cortney and Robert Novogratz’ new

“The Novogratz,” as they refer to themselves, cover everything from their own former Hollywood Hills home renovation to a small Airbnb space in the book, with a wide range of stylistic influences interspersed throughout. Each chapter details the challenges of an individual project, offering up solutions for all kinds of interior design problems. The first, “Castle House,” features a 100-year-old house once owned by a silent screen star, which was later sold to actors Norman Reedus and Diane Kruger when the Novogratz’ work was done.

Some of the tips you’ll glean include scoring the best finds at flea markets, artfully arranging items on shelves, creating beautiful and functional open floor plans, and carefully choosing items to splurge on (and understanding which ones you’re better off finding at a bargain). Some of the best advice focuses on choosing art.

The Novogratz family enjoys a fun afternoon in their colorful Bellport home.
The Novogratz family enjoys a fun afternoon in their colorful Bellport home.

Art is something people think they need permission to start collecting. They don’t know how to get going — what do I spend, what kind do I buy? We talk about art in one chapter; art is a great way to add color to a home,” Bob tells the Houston Chronicle. “I say everything is relative to your own budget. If you’re buying something expensive, research it a little. Find out where you’d buy it and who else is in the gallery. Have they had any art in museums?”

“There’s also inexpensive art. You can buy oil paintings in flea markets or limited-edition prints. Colleges all over the country have great art departments and you can buy from students. I always bought young artists. Now, very few people can afford anything but young artists. It’s fun to buy a young artist and later see them do well.”

Neat, colorful bookshelf designs straight from the Novogratz' new decorating book.
Neat, colorful bookshelf designs straight from the Novogratz’ new decorating book.

More than anything, they say, they want readers to come away with the confidence to take chances. Find a tip or two that resonates from each chapter and use it to create something that’s uniquely you.

Cortney and Robert Novogratz, along with their children.
Cortney and Robert Novogratz, along with their children.

You can find Novogratz Design Fix: Chic and Stylish Tips for Every Decorating Scenario at retailers like Target and Barnes & Noble for about $30. Plus, check out their website for lots more photos of the work they’ve done around the United States, and to shop their line (which is full of cool stuff at great prices).

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