Finding Inspiration — The Six Design Shows to Watch on Magnolia Network

Growing up, and even once I was out on my own, I never really had access to any of the fancy home networks like HGTV or TLC. They were the types of channels I’d look forward to bingeing if I had a hotel stay or was at a friend’s place, but never really felt the need to subscribe to on my own. I knew the general gist of Fixer Upper and could identify the Joanna Gaines-style interior trends, but had only caught snippets of the show here and there.

And then of course the way we watch TV changed drastically, with streaming options like Netflix taking over. But as far as home, garden and general design shows were concerned, I always found the selection lacking. A little too polished or cheesy or unrelatable. Honestly, I still kind of feel that way around the options in this category on Netflix, finding myself drawn instead to more docuseries, general creativity-oriented shows like Abstract (favourite episodes include Paula Scher: Graphic Design, Ilse Crawford: Interior Design and Jonathan Hoefler: Typeface Design, if you' were interested).

So when the Magnolia Network launched and we finally got Canadian access through Discovery+ last year, I was excited at the prospect but unsure what to expect. Farmhouse interiors aren’t really my thing and expensive reno projects with perky southern couples and cookie cutter design just don’t do it for me.

But when I signed up and started to explore the options, I was pleasantly surprised, finding more story-driven series that expanded beyond just interior design and reno content and included individuals I could connect with and a variety of inspiration. I always love getting a peek behind the scenes at how creative businesses are run, or how a project is brought to life, and there were a number of shows that offered that. I was (and still am) hooked.

Here are a few of my favourite shows to inspire:

No. 01

Growing Floret

This was actually the first show I watched on Magnolia Network, mostly because I was a little overwhelmed with the options and I was already familiar with Floret Flowers, having owned at least one book and followed along on Instagram for years already.

Floret Flowers is a flower farm in Washington, and the show provides a behind the scenes look as they grow the family business and expand the farm. They harvest flowers, teach workshops and write books, and also have a thriving seed business so that other cut flower garden enthusiasts can grow their own.

The show feels real and human, and is full of flowers and natural beauty while also showing the not-so-perfect sides of running a business, and specifically a business that I think a lot of us would tend to romanticize — what’s not to love?!

No. 02

For the Love of Kitchens

The next show I devoured was this series featuring the creative duo behind deVOL Kitchens. Their designs and signature style had just started to show up on my radar around the time I discovered the show, and though I was a little thrown off by the intro and voiceover that first greets you, once I was beyond that, I was hooked.

The series takes place in the British countryside, following the talented group of artisans that make up the deVOL team and who work out of their dreamy workspace, Cotes Mill. We watch them transform stunning kitchens in beautiful historic homes already brimming with character, following the project from start to finish and bringing these dream kitchens to life.

There is so much I love about this show, and about deVOL in general, but the highlights for me are watching the creative process and vision being realized, seeing how they treat every project individually and custom while still maintaining their signature style throughout (which is something I think is forever a goal for Studio Bicyclette), and watching the artisans design, craft and style each bespoke kitchen. It’s one of those shows that leaves me inspired and filled with creative energy every time I watch it, and I always need more of that in my life.

No. 03

The Lost Kitchen

I’m not a big “cooking show” person, so even though this kept popping up for me as I was scrolling, and I’m pretty sure it was recommended to me at some point, I kept fighting it for whatever reason.

Then I finally succumbed, and I wondered why I had waited.

The series follows Erin French, owner of The Lost Kitchen, a historic mill turned restaurant in Freedom, Maine (population 722). The restaurant is only open 6 months out of the year and doesn’t accept phone or email reservations, instead filling their tables through a postcard lottery system. Wild, right?

Erin’s passion for food and community is contagious, and we watch her lovingly, painstakingly create each menu item and dining experience from local farms and artisans with her all female staff, while she navigates and pivots through the ongoing struggles of running a small (and seasonal) business, through covid and beyond.

There’s so much to be learned here about creating experiences that are brimming with heart and hospitality, and being true to who you are and what your passion is as a brand and business. I’m a convert.

No. 04

Inspired Interiors with Sarah Sherman Samuel

One of many in the Sarah Sherman Samuel fan club, I’ve long been a lover of her style, drawn to her relaxed but edited and warm but modern designs and products, and the artful storied spaces she creates. She’s one of the few designers I follow religiously and really connect to, drawing a lot of inspiration for interiors, sure, but also design and lifestyle in general as a mom and business owner who has her hands in many different endeavours.

Each episode features a new project as Sarah designs spaces around the country, and I love the peek into her design process for both interiors and products, as well as the glimpses at everyday moments with her family.

No. 05

The Story of Home

Another long-time Instagram follow, The Story of Home takes us along as Jersey Ice Cream Co. founders Tara and Percy share their passion for old homes while they create their dream home in an old house in upstate New York.

Their creative process while designing always involves living in the home that they’re currently renovating (yes, even when it’s a client project), and so this unique approach shows the specific challenges that come with that. They do all of the work themselves and are focused on finding salvaged and antique pieces that fit with the original style of the house, which lends itself to a truly one-of-a-kind, lived-in feel that doesn’t follow trends or lean on pieces that can be found just anywhere.

No. 06

Storefront Stories

This one definitely pulled on my heartstrings a little with my past as a boutique owner, and when I saw it, I was excited for the focus on storefronts in particular, and how they are such a natural extension of a brand and a prime opportunity to share the brand experience. They’re quick little episodes (about 10 minutes each, I believe?) that highlight beautiful and unique stores and share the stories, heart and vision behind them, told by the shopkeepers themselves.