As a seasoned gamer and interior design enthusiast, I’m always thrilled to discover behind-the-scenes stories of how celebrities bring their personal spaces to life with the help of talented designers. In this case, the collaboration between singer-actress Katharine McPhee and interior designer Tobe Morrow has piqued my interest.
Tobe Morrow of Morrow & Co. remembers being approached by a contractor who knew a couple selling a condo and requested help in making it more appealing. I accepted the project without meeting them first, unaware of their identities. To my surprise, the clients turned out to be renowned singer-actress Katharine McPhee from “Smash,” “Scorpion,” and Broadway’s “Waitress,” and 16-time Grammy Award-winning music producer David Foster.
I met this designer and was instantly charmed by her, she brought such positivity and enthusiasm into the room. That condo project we worked on together went smoothly, and now we’ve completed five homes for us as a team. Our newest endeavor is a beautiful Spanish-style house in Carpinteria, California. It’s situated between the mountains and the beach, just south of Santa Barbara – an idyllic location if I do say so myself.
For this project, my favorite designer, Morrow, was granted full creative freedom by the couple on the home decor. Normally, when she collaborates with us, she proposes various options, discusses fabric choices, and custom pieces are involved. However, due to their eagerness to have the house prepared for spring this year, the couple expedited the timeline significantly. With only two months at hand, Morrow required readymade furnishings. I recall her presenting some concepts to us, and our response was, “Go ahead!”
Fortunately, according to Morrow, “the house’s bones were strong and its setting was stunningly beautiful, making everything else insignificant in comparison.” However, McPhee acknowledged that certain areas required modernization. The walls were previously adorned with Jerusalem stone which gave the interior a dismal appearance. Initially, McPhee and Foster proposed removing it. However, Morrow had other plans. She convinced them to refurbish rather than replace the stone. Through lime-washing, she softened the yellowish hue, giving it a taupe-white finish. Furthermore, she revamped the floors by staining them with a rich walnut color and repainted the walls in white. As McPhee put it, “the interiors felt rejuvenated once Morrow had finished.”
Against an appropriately set scene, Morrow embarked on the quest for antique furniture and decorative pieces. According to the designer, “Kat has a fondness for the old.” This sentiment is reciprocated by Morrow herself. She believes that every home deserves items with history and character to add depth and life to its surroundings. Moreover, since the living area had to accommodate Rennie, Foster, McPhee’s young son, Morrow opted for sturdy Perennials fabrics for upholstering chairs and sofas, ensuring both durability and allure. “My intention is consistently to create spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical for families to use,” shares Morrow, a Pacific Palisades resident who resides with her husband, “The Young and The Restless” actor Joshua Morrow, their four kids, and two dogs.
McPhee and Foster’s project saw Morrow drawing inspiration from her go-to suppliers. She sourced artwork from The Collective Shop in Woodland Hills, planters from Big Daddy’s Antiques, decorative pillows and throws from Amber Interiors, a bed from Crate & Barrel, seats from CB2, a wardrobe from Anthropologie, and pendant lights from Soho Home.
McPhee and Foster have had a busy year with their concert tour, “An Intimate Evening With David Foster and Katharine McPhee,” and they’re not slowing down yet. In November, they’ll perform at the Hollywood Bowl for a grand birthday celebration honoring David Foster. Some notable guests joining the festivities are Andrea Bocelli, Jennifer Hudson, Josh Groban, Kristin Chenoweth, and Michael Bublé.
McPhee shares her enjoyment of their current touring show, expressing, “We’re having a great time with this.” She attributes its success to the intimate connection with audiences, adding, “It feels like we’re performing in our living room.” Pondering future plans, she considers options such as another Broadway production, a fresh series, or reviving a Stephen Sondheim musical. However, she is uncertain about which path to take next. “I don’t know what lies ahead,” she admits, “but I crave new experiences that truly excite and fulfill me.”
An earlier adaptation of this tale was published in The Hollywood Reporter’s July 22 edition. To stay updated, consider subscribing (click here).
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2024-07-25 19:54