Ep. 453: Carson Kressley Mini-Series Pt. 1 - Thom Filicia

We are popping the champagne for a very special episode! To celebrate the launch of his exclusive new collection with Ballard Designs, the fabulous Carson Kressley joins Caroline, Taryn, and Liz as a special co-host for a 4-part mini-series.

And for his first guest? It’s none other than his original Queer Eye castmate, best friend, and acclaimed interior designer Thom Filicia.

Carson and Thom take a trip down memory lane, revealing the hilarious story of how they first met during the "chemistry test" for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Thom opens up about his classical training at the legendary firm Parish-Hadley, his philosophy on "Democratic Design," and why he believes every room needs a mix of price points to feel authentic.

Quick Decorating Takeaways:

• Embrace "Democratic Design": Thom believes great design shouldn't be reserved for the elite. Whether it's a custom piece or a catalog find, good design is accessible at every price point. The magic happens when you mix them together—high and low, old and new.

• Don't Be Afraid of Brown: Thom and the team discuss the resurgence of brown as a dominant color in interiors. Thom loves using warm, earthy neutrals (like chocolate, rust, and camel) to create spaces that feel grounded, sophisticated, and cozy.

• Your Home Should Tell Your Story: Authenticity is key. Carson and Thom emphasize that your home should reflect you—not just a showroom. Incorporate personal items, travel souvenirs, and pieces that have history to give your space a unique "fingerprint".

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

• 00:00 Welcome to the Carson Kressley Mini-Series! 

• 01:00 Carson introduces his new collection with Ballard Designs 

• 04:00 Thom Filicia joins the chat and the story of his legendary 5-minute naps 

• 10:00 Thom’s new home in Aspen and the process of designing for yourself 

• 21:00 Translating personal fashion into interior design and lessons from Dress My Nest 

• 29:00 What it was like designing for David Bowie and Iman 

• 38:00 Reminiscing about Queer Eye and Get a Room with Carson & Thom 

• 42:00 The art of High/Low design and why rooms shouldn't be too perfect 

• 51:00 Thom’s classical training and Albert Hadley’s rule about the "element of surprise" 

• 01:01:00 Advice for young designers starting out in the industry 

• 01:05:00 Where to find Thom Filicia’s showroom and product collections 

Also Mentioned:

• Shop the Carson Kressley Collection at Ballard Designs

• Thom Filicia | Website

• Follow Thom on Instagram: @thomfilicia

• Follow Carson on Instagram: @carsonkressley

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!

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