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Did anyone besides me see the two debut episodes of "Pop Shop" tonight at 9:00 EST? If not, the premise of the show is two youngish guys who own a Los Angeles shop stocked with salvaged and flea-market finds of a somewhat quirky nature. They hire themselves out as designers, and stage their clients' rooms with items from their shop. The items could be Hollywood regency, as in the case of a bedroom they redid tonight, or virtually any re-purposed furniture or accessory of any style. They seem to have a predilection for hanging large items from the ceiling. In the first episode tonight, they hung a life-sized white gorilla in their clients' master bedroom. (The clients later rejected it and had it removed.) In the second episode, they hung a huge hobby horse and a swing over their clients' living/dining room. My own take on the rooms was that they were certainly conversation pieces, but hardly likely to withstand the test of time.

I'd love to hear other reactions.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Salviati,

I agree with everything you said. I think this was a pretty fun show and I did enjoy it but that gorilla HAD TO GO! Yikes!

Salviati, I watched this show. You describe it very well. I got a chuckle or two out of it. These young men do not decorate in my style. I liked some of the things they did. Their artist painted a really nice headboard on the blackboard wall, but I don't think I want a headboard painted on the wall. I did not like the gorilla nor the hobby horse.

I did notice that they advertised another new show to be aired next week in this time slot.
I think it was decorating your house Disney.

Marylee

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mriley,

Sal, it looks to me, based on the two episodes I saw tonight, that the homeowners are going to get at least one good custom piece for their project. That could make the rest of it worth the trip! I don't care for animals in the form of heads, fabrics, dangling conversation pieces, or chandeliers so I'd be making changes right away.

I didn't see this show, but from what has been described perhaps they should go into business with Donna?

Thanks for the heads up, Sal. I'll pass.

doodles, there are differences. Not a bit of bling, and most important--they have a sense of humor about themselves.

I went to college in Phila. where there are several colleges of art. The Pop Shop interiors reminded me of how Art School students with no money would decorate for themselves. The style is whimsical,irreverent and somewhat over the top. This kind of styling had a great impact on me as a young adult.I was impressed to see interior design treated more like a sculpture installation and it did teach me to look at objects with a completely different eye. However,like any ad hoc art installation it does look like a temporary set. These guys are talented for sure. But will it be considered interior decorating by the general public? Or is it more like staging, or theater design?

They have one big plus...it is not real estate! They look for treasures at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. That is one BIG place. They also haggle over the price of everything they buy. Alexis is over-the-top in his ideas and Tom is more laid back and steady. They complement each other in their design work. I think it is worth watching.

Marylee

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mriley,

I think their "customers" as young adults probably consider the decor they are getting as temporary, so whimsical is probably okay. Their residences seemed like "starter homes" (a term I detest). A chalkboard wall with a painted bedboard might suit them until they get the hardwood floor paid for, as an example. And the swing as a chair until the custom couch is paid for??? The only thing I'd worry about in the second epidsode is having my child get too attached to the carousel horse as a light fixture.

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Originally posted by mriley:
They look for treasures at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. That is one BIG place.

Marylee, I've been to the Rose Bowl Flea Market and it is unbelievable! We got there when the dealers were setting up (it was still dark) and they allowed us to come in with them. Cool!

BTY, I had overlapping recordings scheduled for last night, so "Gold Rush" won out over Pop Shop. I was so sorry to miss the premier episodes. Hopefully Pop Shop will be picked up for an entire season so I'll get another chance at it!

My DVR is resting during this show from now on. Did record the first two. Didn't care for the final product in either one...just too different than my taste. It's not that the show is "bad", it's just not for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Charles D:
I went to college in Phila. where there are several colleges of art. The Pop Shop interiors reminded me of how Art School students with no money would decorate for themselves. The style is whimsical,irreverent and somewhat over the top. This kind of styling had a great impact on me as a young adult.I was impressed to see interior design treated more like a sculpture installation and it did teach me to look at objects with a completely different eye. However,like any ad hoc art installation it does look like a temporary set. These guys are talented for sure. But will it be considered interior decorating by the general public? Or is it more like staging, or theater design?

Charles, it's always lovely to read your professional point of view, and I miss you when you're not around. I won't argue with these guys' cleverness or ingenuity. They are just so far removed from my taste that I won't be further tuning in. I've seen my share of arte povera and found art installations. But it just seems to me that HGTV is going so far out on a limb with this one that the show will be viewed as nothing more than a gimmick, with little repeat viewership.

It sounds like I missed a new show. I hope I can catch it again.

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Originally posted by doodles64:
I didn't see this show, but from what has been described perhaps they should go into business with Donna?

Doodles, you may have a point. Anything to rip the bling blinders off Donna's eyes!

quote:

Originally posted by aychihuahua:
Thanks for the heads up, Sal. I'll pass.

Awww, come on Aychi! The commentary wouldn't be complete without an entry from you!!

I have just seen the notice of a new show next Friday at 9pm ET. It is called "My House Goes Disney." This is the time slot that "Pop Shop" was in this past week. When I searched My House Goes Disney they only list the one episode. I wonder what HGTV is doing now.

Saw it. Definitely won't be including this show in my HGTV rotation.

quote:

Originally posted by Salviati:

quote:

Originally posted by aychihuahua:
Thanks for the heads up, Sal. I'll pass.

Awww, come on Aychi! The commentary wouldn't be complete without an entry from you!!

Aren't you sweet, Sal. But that was my commentary on the show.

If I ruled the world HGTV would have a seperate sister station for all of its real estate sales related programming. This would leave plenty of space for all the flea market decorating.

Then perhaps there would also be room for HGTV to offer viable design solutions to the public who choose not to have astro turf, flaky painted furniture and Asian "antiques" of questionable vintage.

I happen to like the Novogratz's, I can tolerate Emily, and I will be watching the Pop Shop guys.

I personally would prefer designers who could show Mr. and Mrs. Smith how to get the Veranda/ Elle Decor look without having to go to L.A. or N.Y.C.Then, I like a fresh modern take on classic. This leaves me a little bored with "junque shop" style.

If we could have an informative variety of both trendy and classic for the outside as well as the inside, we would truly have a home and garden network.

Charles, if I ruled the world you would get your wish. But I would also decree than no pick up trucks would be allowed in the city limits unless the back was filled with furniture, plants, or SOMETHING showing the driver actually NEEDS the d*amn thing. And sane SUV's--they would have to be filled with all these children their owners claim to be chauffeuring around! That would mean that we who drive as G*od intended--in sedans with good visibility at every corner,

Charles and sms, Have either of you contacted HGTV for a chat?

I gave info on how to do that on Feb, 18th under the topic "Ask Abby G." You get to chat with a real live person. I don't know how much good it does, but at least you are getting your questions and comments to someone.

Re: your posts, I agree with you, Charles and you put it very well.

SMS, One of my pet peeves is parking lots. Plenty of room and the trucks and vans park right beside me.

Marylee

mriley, I need to chat with Abby. And I agree with you about trucks and vans in parking lots. Don't you love coming back to the car and finding a huge truck/van parked so close to your door that you have to get it from the passenger side? I have to go into a parking lot and exit from there to get out of my neighborhood because there are always a row of trucks parked there so near the street that you cannot see oncoming traffic when turning in either direction.

Can anyone tell me what the guys used in the second episode to frame the metal shelves? I recorded the show and they really did not say exactly what it was. I loved the shelves and that was about it...

In the episode in which a horse was used as a chandelier, the horse was clearly painted with a lead-based paint. What's more, this horse was placed over a dining table--constituting a huge health hazard to the adults, and especially the child living in the house. Using reclaimed materials is an admirable goal, but doing this requires knowledge and caution. What was done in that show was irresponsible.

Today was the first time I saw this show. The episode with the horse and grass carpet I only stayed tuned in just to see what the finished product looked like. I preferred the BEFORE over the makeover they gave the room. I watched the first couple of minutes of the next episode to see whether that last episode was a fluke, and I quickly realised that was a no...

It's definitely not my aesthetic and I can't appreciate whatever design/decorating they do. It's odd because, I don't necessarily need to share someone's design aesthetic to appreciate it. For instance, Sarah Richardson, my taste is different from hers but I can always appreciate the beauty and style of the rooms she does. These guys, not so much.

quote:

Originally posted by doodles64:
I didn't see this show, but from what has been described perhaps they should go into business with Donna?

Yes!!!!!