Initial research: Bobby Berk

 Bobby Berk is an American self-taught designer who works in Interior, product and furniture design. Berk became a household name when he starred on Netflix’s Queer Eye  (Berk, 2023) ‘By 2015, Berk had made a reputation for himself as “the most millennial-focused interior designer,'' according to Builder Magazine’ (Aloian A. 2021) Berk’s brand really appealed to millennials, who are the largest target market with the most spending power as more that 90% of millennials are employed (Molenaar, 2022). Berk also appealed to the millennials social responsibility through his work using eco-friendly design (Mastroe K. 2022).

Casa Tierra is ‘located just outside Palm Desert, California,  this is a 5,000-square-foot luxury vacation rental.’ (Berk, 2023) Berk who created this design in conjunction with Paula Oblen (Interior designer) now rents this vast property on Airbnb Casa Tierra has ‘7 custom-designed bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms to the heated pool and hot tub to its onsite casitas and covered balconies’ (Airbnb, 2022) This luxury villa is Spanish style and incorporates organic, natural materials in the design such as; bold wood and wicker furniture and decorations which are a fusion of old Spanish hacienda and modern contemporary design.The tiled floors are reminiscent of any Spanish home and work here in the hot desert the same as in the climate of southern Spain. The colours of reddish, brown and gold reflect the desert environment outside. 

Bobby Berk’s interior design for Arroyo’s Edge Is a design of three homes for the community in Summerlin, Nevada, this is a very contemporary ‘take on traditional Spanish architecture’ (Smith, 2022).  These high end luxury villas (priced at $500,000) incorporate in the design a colour ‘palette of sage green and mustard yellow (inspired by dessert wildflowers), with accents of black’ (Berk, 2023) This design uses natural and organic wood with bright modern colours to reflect the Nevada landscape.  This design works for the community as it; ‘offers indoor/outdoor living with features like private courtyards and outdoor covered loggias that expand living space.’ (Smith R. 2022).  The design also uses minimalistic sleek furniture design and each home is adorned with indoor plants to really make it feel connected to nature.

The main difference between Arroyo's Edge and Casa Tierra is that Arroyo’s Edge is a residential home and Casa Tierra is a vacation let therefore, both are designed with different purposes in mind. Both designs are built in desert environments and both reflect the outdoors in the interior design.  Arroyo’s Edge did this through the yellow  and cream colours and natural minimal wood furniture.  Casa Tierra used a more rustic fusion design that is reflected through the reddish, brown and gold tiles that run throughout this vacation home. Arroyo’s edge uses a more contemporary modern and minimal style of furniture whereas Casa Tierra uses much more bold, bulky and more heavy wood in the furniture design.  The residential home (Arroyo's Edge) is much lighter, brighter and more airy than Casa Tierra which uses heavy and deeper colours throughout. Casa Tierra as this is a vacation home is meant to be cool and elegant using Spanish style and rustic elegance which suits the needs of the holiday maker.  Arroyo’s Edge is meant for a modern family and their everyday needs so the House is bright, airy, comfortable and welcoming in every aspect.

Reference:

Airbnb, B.B. (2022) Visit TV Host & Designer Bobby Berk's Desert Oasis - houses for rent in Palm Desert, California, United States, Airbnb. Available at:

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/569489573960444825?source_impression_id=p3_1682686899_q9eBg%2F7mmi66Cm4P (Accessed: April 28, 2023).

Aloian, A. (2021) How queer eye’s Bobby Berk took over the design world - Gotham Mag, Gotham Mag. Available at: https://gothammag.com/queer-eye-bobby-berk-furniture-interview (Accessed: April 28, 2023).

Berk, B. (2023) Bobby Berk. Available at: https://bobbyberk.com/ [online] (Accessed: April 28, 2023).

Berk, B. (2023) Arroyo's edge - naturally modern, Bobby Berk. Available at: https://bobbyberk.com/portfolio/arroyos-edge-naturally-modern/ (Accessed: April 30, 2023).

Berk, B. (2023) Casa Tierra – Spanish Meets Organic Modern. Available at: https://bobbyberk.com/portfolio/casa-tierra-spanish-meets-organic-modern/ (Accessed: April 30, 2023).

Mastroe, K. (2022) Bobby Berk blames Joanna Gaines for this tired trend - here's what he thinks is next, SheKnows. Available at: https://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/2560618/bobby-berk-modern-farmhouse-trend-sustainability/ (Accessed: April 28, 2023).

Molenaar, K. (2022) 20 millennial spending habits statistics that will blow your mind, Influencer Marketing Hub. Available at: https://influencermarketinghub.com/millennial-spending-habits/ (Accessed: April 28, 2023).