The “Queer Eye” guys are back for their third season on Netflix! And this time, they’ve dropped “For the Straight Guy” from their title, since this season, they plan to make over both men and women.
“No offense to men, but we have so much more fun with women,” interior designer Bobby Berk told Variety. Their goal, however, remains the same: improve their subject’s grooming, attire, home decor, and more in just one week.
In the season premiere, titled “From Hunter to Huntee,” Jody Castellucci of Amazonia, MO, is a 49-year-old with a passion for hunting—a point that’s scarily obvious based on all the taxidermied deer heads and ducks in her house. Food expert Antoni Porowski even finds squirrel in her freezer!
“Her 1975 home is a shrine to country living and love of hunting,” says Berk. “There are lots of dead animals.”
Christopher Smith/Netflix
The challenge is to bring a little light and femininity to these dark and dreary rooms, yet still reflect Castellucci’s nature-loving tastes.
“You definitely like more bark and leaves, not flowers,” Berk tells her, and she heartily agrees.
As the Fab Five work their magic in this episode, they pass along plenty of tips that could come in handy in your own home. Check them out!
Christopher Smith/Netflix
Don’t label masculine or feminine
“A lot of people try to define masculinity and femininity with specific colors and specific looks,” says Berk. “To me, it’s about what an individual likes, not what gender they are. Her house doesn’t have to be frilly and floral and pink to be feminine. It can be … Jody!”
How to add light without opening the curtains
Castellucci’s husband, Chris, works nights and sleeps during the day, so the couple have blackout curtains to keep the light out. The heavy, dark curtains are hanging on dark-colored walls. Even when the curtains are open, there’s very little light.
“You can accomplish a lack of light without it being so dark,” Berk explains mysteriously. He proceeds to lighten the walls with cream-colored paint and adds a new, light-colored border where the walls meet the ceiling. He also puts in brighter-colored curtains to make the room appear more cozy and less dank.
Be careful with religious icons
“And then … Jesus!” cries Berk as he notices a portrait on the couple’s nightstand, positioned so that he’s looking right at them in bed. Berk jokes, “Jesus don’t want to watch that!”
Berk is certainly not advocating getting rid of religious art that is important to you; he’s just saying that you should be thoughtful about where you place it.
Lighter linens also lighten up a dark bedroom
The couple’s bed is low, flat, and covered with a dark patchwork quilt. Berk makes that disappear, replacing it with a new, higher bed covered by a fluffy duvet with a white cover. Sheets and pillowcases are also a lovely, bright white. Numerous white-covered pillows are also added to the bed, to make it look even lighter and fluffier without ribbons and lace.
It makes a heavenly difference in what was once a plain, dark room.
Candlelight is perfect for a rustic look
“A cute, modern farmhouse, rustic look would be perfect for her,” says Berk when surveying her living and dining room. To achieve that, Berk places a row of soft, white tapers down the center of the dining table. When lit, they give a rustic illumination that fits in perfectly with the country-style decor.
Christopher Smith/Netflix
White makes bright
The living room is full of not only taxidermy, but also dark paneling and wallpaper. Berk’s answer for that?
“I painted everything white,” he says. “I got rid of the dark, depressing wallpaper. I got rid of the dark, depressing wood.”
He even gets rid of some of the dark wood furniture, replacing it with furniture made of lighter wood. As you can see, it makes a huge difference.
Christopher Smith/Netflix
Respect differences
Lining walls with taxidermy would not be Berk’s first design choice, but the “Queer Eye” guys are all about respecting diversity and inclusion. Since Castellucci loves to hunt, Berk finds more attractive and artistic ways to hang her deer heads in groupings with other natural elements, and he puts the ducks and geese together on one wall so they look like a flock in flight. Respecting other people’s tastes is important when you’re helping friends and family decorate.
Christopher Smith/Netflix
Do the Fab Five deliver?
To complete Castellucci’s transformation, fashion coach Tan France gives her a beautiful wardrobe that goes beyond camouflage. Meanwhile, Jonathan Van Ness styles and colors her hair and coaxes her into high heels. Culture expert Karamo Brown helps Castellucci embrace her inner woman without having to be a girlie girl—perfect for a date night at a new restaurant courtesy of food expert Porowski.
For the grand finale, they come home to their newly made-over home, and tears, hugs, and squeals of joy ensue. The Fab Five save the day again!
Christopher Smith/Netflix
