By now we all know the famous interior design studio, Studio McGee and how it rose to fame after their Netflix show Dreamhome Makeover. Over the years Studio McGee has become so popular that people now use it as an adjective to describe their design style! If you think this is luck based, think again. A good design requires a lot of work, intentional selections and pairings!

In this blog post let’s look at why Studio McGee is so popular. You can learn about their design philosophy and implement it in your own homes to achieve ‘The Studio McGee’ look!

Timeless Aesthetics

In addition to sticking to a neutral palette which is reflects in their signature look, Studio McGee is known for their timeless aesthetics. The way they blend classic design elements with natural touches is what creates the enduring look.

For instance, in this living room the modern accent chair, light fixtures and the sleek fireplace pairs very well with the natural selections seen throughout the space - the fireplace mantel, earthy vase & other shelf decor, linen couch fabric. Overall, the living room feels timeless and can go without a decor upgrade for a while.

2. Thoughtful Use Of Pop Up Colors

Shea McGee, the found & head designer of Studio McGee is known for her love for neutrals and white. While most of her designs have a dominating white color palette, her skill of using pop up colors in a space is unmatched! She thoughtfully uses pop up colors without going overboard or causing a visual imbalance. One such example is this living room from the Studio McGee Spec Home. The brown velvet armchairs are a stunning addition to the neutral living room, bringing in warmth and coziness the space calls for.

3. Use Of Natural Elements

Studio McGee incorporates a ton of natural elements in their designs. You will find a lot of wood & stone in their spaces. Use of natural elements adds the organic texture to a room making it look very inviting, approachable and elegant in a non-intimidating way. Consequently, their designs seem to blend the indoors with the outdoors, making the home feel more warm and natural, as if it was meant to be!

4. Approchable

A lot of interior designers overdo their craft. In an attempt to do something creative and different, their designs are often too intimidating and abstract for the general public to relate to. Studio McGee is not one of those. Their designs are calming, peaceful, strike the balance between function & decor. You don’t feel intimidated by their designs and this is a big reason why their looks are so popular! Majority relate to their style and can see themselves living in those spaces. It is this sense of understated elegance that makes Studio McGee signature style a favorite amongst the crowd.

5. Dreamy Layering

Layering is a technique in Interior Design used to add depth by pairing a lot of texture, color and patterns together. It is a tough one to crack because of the sheer number of elements that play together. You have to be mindful of the fabric, color of the furniture, texture, color & pattern of the accessories like rugs, throw pillows, curtains, and other decor pieces.

Studio McGee does a phenomenal job at this. Their layering art of both soft and hard furnishing can be used as a master study for all of us designers and home decor enthusiasts. It’s this thoughtful layering that creates a visual richness in the spaces they design. For example, in this Hilltop Estate living room, every furniture piece you see (the accent chairs and two couches) has a different fabric and color. It is paired with a stone coffee table and velvet ottomans. In addition, the unique feature of this design is the use of wallpaper in the backdrop of the built-ins. The choice of the soft furnishings - rugs, throw pillows is simply cherry on the cake.

Intentional variations in the selections like this is what Studio McGee excels at and results in a dreamy layering.

6. Light and Airy Spaces

Yes, they do use a lot of white and neutrals in their designs. And like every art, this philosophy also gets it’s share of critics. But the result of sticking to neutral palette, the signature Studio McGee style, is amazingly light and airy spaces! Unless you’re deliberately going for a moody look, a good interior design always results in making the space feel larger than it actually is and Studio McGee does a great job.

7. Practical Designs and Optimization of Space

Striking the balance between function and decor is the key to a good interior design. A lot of the times designers steer more towards design and miss the functionality aspect of it. If you observe, every Studio McGee design uses maximum footprint of a space while making it look beautiful. Optimization of the space comes naturally in their designs and when you look at the finished picture it all feels intentional and meant to be!

If you remember this episode from their Dreamhome Makeover series on Netflix, Shea managed to create 4 zones in a not-so-big living room and added an entryway, writing desk, living area and a dining space. It is this balance between function and decor that makes their designs so popular!