Every week, the Manhattan set of Live with Kelly and Ryan welcomes a who’s who of the entertainment industry. Just this month, Jimmy Fallon, Jennifer Lopez, and Aidy Bryant have all made appearances, as have Julianne Moore, Brie Larson, and Trevor Noah, to name a handful of venerable visitors. But if you imagine the show’s guests arriving to find a cocoon of luxury awaiting them, guess again. For years, such stars have prepared for their appearances in a windowless greenroom, with forlorn furnishings and less-than-flattering lighting. “It’s not green; it’s not even a nice room,” joked Ryan Seacrest, referring to the decade-old decor. “It seems older than that,” added his cohost, Kelly Ripa.
BEFORE
David M. Russell/Walt Disney DTCIEnter AD100 designers Christine and John Gachot of Gachot Studios, who teamed up with Architectural Digest to transform the space into an oasis of backstage glamour. Nevermind that the budget was tight and there would only be a week for demolition, construction, and installation. The intrepid Gachots were game. “It’s no secret that I am a HUGE fan of the show, so from the moment I heard about this project there was no question I had to do it,” reflects Christine, prompting John to chime, “I can attest—she loves Kelly!!”
Springing into action, the duo and their dedicated team envisioned a space both residential in vibe and multifunctional in spirit. “We wanted to create a warm feeling, to welcome guests and make them comfortable,” says Christine. “We knew there could be a more effective use of space.” To that end, they conceived a furniture arrangement with two seating areas that could elegantly accommodate one large group or two small. On the far wall, a curtain of Arabel Fabrics linen canvas, fabricated and installed by Distinctive Windows, conceals a green screen that, through the magic of post production, can transpose backstage guests against any backdrop. As John explains, “Here there were some specific and interesting requests we haven’t often had to consider—the room has to function for everyone from celebrities to children, even all kinds of animals.”
In anticipation of those eclectic visitors, the Gachots chose elegant furnishings, many of them custom designed, that could withstand some wear and tear. Bespoke sofas fabricated by Artistic Frame—one upholstered in Fil Doux mohair, the other in Kohro cotton velvet from Angela Brown—distinguish the conversation spaces, each one anchored by a Mark Nelson Designs rug. A swivel chair by Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, a stool by Thomas Hayes, and side chairs by White on White offer additional perches. Lighting, meanwhile, ranges from floor lamps by Circa Lighting to table lamps by Stone and Sawyer, the collective glow of which obviates the need for overhead fixtures. “We knew that by introducing elegant forms, materials, and fixtures we could change the room completely,” notes Christine, pointing out special finishing touches like the bespoke side tables, credenza, and cocktail table, all made by Woodworks; the Tribeca Stone surface and artwork provided by Sandeep Salter of the Picture Room.
Transform the room the Gachots did, as revealed on Live this morning. “Oh, I love it back here!” noted Seacrest, joined by his cohost for the day, Lisa Rinna. Added Michael Gelman, the show’s longtime executive producer, “Our goal is always to make guests feel welcome, knowing that they’ll have a relaxed and fun time on the show. And that’s the same feeling we want the greenroom to convey. My favorite aspects of the design are the clean lines and the functionality—it looks great, and is going to give us new flexibility.”
Given the timeline and budget, the Gachots concede they would have never been able to pull off the project without the help and ingenuity of some trusted collaborators (or as John calls them, “the best in the business”). Their go-to contractor, Habiterra NYC, seamlessly managed demo and construction, while their favorite flooring team, State of the Art Wood Floors, successfully laid pristine smoked white oak, wire-brushed with a matte finish despite fears that it couldn’t be done on a time crunch. And Trixie’s Delivery Service navigated the studio’s labyrinth of halls to bring in all the furnishings, which the Gachots had gathered in their own storage off site.
