Confession: I am a huge fan of reality TV. More specifically, I am a huge fan of reality TV that airs on Bravo. There are certain shows that I DVR religiously – Flipping Out and the Rachel Zoe Project – and others that I watch anytime I see that they are on. It’s fun, mindless entertainment, and I spend a lot of time being really annoyed that the Real Housewives of [Insert City] are neither housewives nor real. I’m deep, y’all.
I love my two favorite Bravo shows because they have taught me things. Watching Rachel Zoe, I’ve learned a lot about style and fashion, although I am unable to apply it to myself (that’s a story for a different day). Flipping Out with Jeff Lewis has helped me to develop an appreciation for modern styling and what it’s like to work with contractors. Add those take aways in with Jeff alternating between being the fun boss and yelling at staff members for the smallest of transgressions, and you have the recipe for my favorite show on Bravo.
And now, we can also add in that my new BFF is the designer extraordinaire and star of the show.
Jeff was in Austin last week for the launch of his new paint line – Jeff Lewis Color. The one thing I don’t dig about Jeff is his adherence to strictly neutral paint colors in his design work. Everything is just so white, gray, beige, greige, ugh. He’ll occasionally mix in an interesting wallpaper or an unexpected pattern, but you can usually count on a very “clean” feeling interior from him. He’s like the anti-Lindsay.
As you would expect, Jeff Lewis Color isn’t very colorful. But, the variations in the neutrals that he has selected for his line are very beautiful. Along with the whites and grays, there are some shades of blue and green. My favorite – and boldest of the fan deck – is called Green with Envy. It’s still not as saturated as anything I’d ever pick out on my own, but I got a sample can of it to see if I could work it in somewhere in my home.
I was able to spend some time talking one-on-one with Jeff, which was a really neat experience. We talked about his neutral color choices, and I asked him how he personally would use Green with Envy. He suggested to me using it on doors, a piece of furniture or cabinetry and then let me in on a little secret – he’s never actually used that color before. It’s a little bit outside of his comfort zone, and so he hasn’t gone for it yet. Then, the conversation went down like this:
Lindsay: Oh, you should use it! It’s a great color. I will be your guinea pig and try it out.
Jeff: Really? You will?
Lindsay: Of course!
Jeff: Will you send me pictures of what you do so that I can see it?
After I picked up my jaw off the floor, I said that I would of course send him pictures.
Everyone who I’ve told that I met Jeff Lewis wants to know one thing – was he mean to me? Ha! No, not at all. In fact, I found him to be one of the most personable and charming people I have ever met. When he was talking to me, it was as if I was the only person in the room. He had a warm smile, looked me in the eye, and spoke in detail. I have no doubt that he can “flip out” – hey, most of us can – but I think his on camera persona isn’t a true reflection of him as a person.
He even humored my inner fan girl who asked him to sign my paint can and fan deck.
And while I was walking away, he called out, “Really! Don’t forget to send me pictures.” I die.
Jeff’s business manager and partner, Gage Edwards, was also there. He was EXACTLY how he is portrayed on the show. He dished a little Bravo gossip and was generally delightful with a pretty dry sense of humor. Here he is with myself and my blogging friend Jamie from C.R.A.F.T.
I met some fun people waiting in line to see Jeff, including adorable personal stylist Shelly Riley. Jaime and I went out to dinner afterwards and bonded over some big laughs. It was a fun evening indeed. Thanks to Treehouse, our local and awesome sustainable home improvement store, for hosting Jeff!
Now that I can control my excitement, I need to figure out what to paint Green with Envy. Talk about pressure! I’m considering redoing this old chair that has taken a beating. Or maybe something else will come along that will be the right piece. Any suggestions?
OK, you have a sustainable home improvement store?! I have got to go there next time I am in town! I love, love a neutral paint color.
I love Jeff and his antics and never completely believed the persona on the show. I mean, look how sweet he is to his grandmother.
I am so glad you had a great evening and now I am getting to meet Jamie and she’s a doll too! Can’t wait to see you both in April…woot! woot!
We do, Lisa! It was my first time there and it’s really neat. SO excited about April!!!
I never get jealous but I am so flipping jealous right now. I love, I mean I am seriously in love with Jeff Lewis. I always tease my husband and tell him he’s his long lost twin. You are like the luckiest girl in the world. I am so happy that you got to meet Jeff and Gage. Please keep us updated on the pictures you send him. AMAZING. Aww, I’m literally “Green with Envy” right now, seriously, Lesley
LOL! It was so much fun. I’ll definitely keep y’all updated!
Ahhh LOVE HIM!! 🙂
Lucky! Oh, I am Green With Envy! I love him and his show AND his new paint line! Can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Eek! Exciting!!!
i die. jeff lewis is my only reality crush. i suspected that his nastiness was at least partially put on for a gimmick but that his short temper was probably real. they’re both super cute. you’re a lucky girl. now go paint!! i want to see a jeff lewis color. <3
🙂 Yeah, I was very relieved to find out he was so nice.
I don’t think your the only one who is addicted to reality shows. Thanks for sharing though, it’s great to see you got to meet your reality crush.
I love it Lindsay! I re-posted the blog post to my SHELL facebook page. I can’t wait to see what you do with the paint and what pictures you send him!
I think it would be fun to pin stripe a accent wall! I absolutely LOVE Jeff and my dear hubs humors me and watches with me once in a while!
What a sweet husband! Mine watches, too. He acts like he doesn’t want to, but he gets totally into it.
YAY! So happy you go to come and meet sweet Jeff and I got to meet you! Super excited to hang out some more in Utah (and hopefully at TreeHouse too)! Can’t wait to see what you do with your Jeff Lewis Color paint sample 🙂
Thanks, Jamie!!
I’m so obsessed with Bravo reality tv too! And Jeff, speechless. I would have him & Gage in such a tight-locked group hug crying happy tears they would call security in 2.2. Way to hold it together & act like a big girl Lindsay;)
I can’t wait to hear how the paint is!!!
PS don’t you think Andy Cohen has one of the best jobs ever?!
He has the BEST job! Everyone wants to hang with Andy, right? He’s in town right now shooting 4 or 5 episodes at SXSW, and I seriously want to go stalk him. If my kids weren’t on Spring Break, I totally would. 🙂
I love Bravo reality TV too and I love Jeff and his colors for some of my paintwork. I personally prefer more vibrant colors in my home. I am very interested to see what you come up with with Jeff’s paint sample!!
Oh my! I adore Jeff! You are so lucky! I am also the opposite of neutral but loves everything Jeff does. Can’t wait to see what you do and how Jeff responds.
I”m getting caught up on blog reading… and how super cool is this?! And you looked super cute, so that probably scored some points with Jeff Lewis. 🙂
I desperately want to ask you whether he named a paint color one of the names he mentioned on his show, but since no one else here is making a dirty joke, I will refrain…
I’ve been WAITING for someone to ask this, so you win the prize! LOL I was definitely hoping to see one of THOSE color names, because I’m apparently a 15 year old boy. HAHA! But no, the colors are all tame.
*DYING LAUGHING* I always say that I’m a 12 year old boy! haha! I will look forward to meeting you at Haven this year, Lindsay. I’m a second-timer. 🙂 xo
I love the desk redo….and am excited to see more of your furniture redos. Three of the four links you have at the top of your furniture page are for pages that are no longer available. Have those pages been removed or were they moved and so those links are just broken? Don’t want to miss any great ideas!
Thanks!
AKS
I love Green With Envy too. Please do post photos. I want to do my living/media room in either it or F&B Card Room Green. I’m sure lighting a room painted that dark will be a challenge.
Great ideas and a very nice job!
Hiya! Quick question that’s completely off topic.
Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My blog
looks weird when browsing from my iphone. I’m trying to find a
template or plugin that might be able to resolve this issue.
If you have any suggestions, please share. Thank you!
Very nice!