15 Cool Rooms and the TV Shows They Want You to Watch

It’s finally time for our “stories” (as my friend Michael calls sudsy TV shows, in honor of his grandmother) to pick up with new episodes again. With ever-changing technology, fall premieres may not have exactly the same urgency they did back when we all waited with bated breath to find out who shot J.R. But it’s still fun, and I am looking forward to catching up with Dr. Mindy Lahiri and Alicia Florrick, Esq., in the coming weeks.

Where do you envision watching your favorite show? I have gathered a few rooms that seem to call out for certain programs and have suggested some coordinating snacks. Who knows, they may even inspire you to try something new (the No. 1 possibility on my list is Madam Secretary starring Tea Leoni). By all means, choose your own shows for your own favorite rooms on Houzz — and share your favorites in the Comments section.

1. Outlander (Starz, catch up at OnDemand).

Marrying the past and the present in Scotland, this room is Outlander all the way. As for our noshes, you are in luck — there is the amazing Outlander Kitchen blog full of recipes inspired by the books to help us. Personally, I like the sound of Crowdie Cheese.

See the rest of this home in a castle


2. The Mindy Project (Tuesdays, premiered Sept. 16, Fox).

With its pops of pink and green, this cheerful room is a more grown-up version of Dr. Mindy Lahiri’s New York City apartment on The Mindy Project. Perhaps it’s for the more reserved British version of Dr. Lahiri. Serve (clean) bear claws.


3. Game of Thrones (Seasons 1-4 HBO Go; Season 5 premiere: spring 2015).

High ceiling, castle-like proportions, large lantern, elegant grays with a regal red — all that is missing is the iron throne. Host a Game of Thrones party with all your GoT-geek friends. You should serve a feast, buffet style. Chicken legs, sausages, stew or pumpkin soup, hunks of bread with honey. Leave the horse and pigeons off the menu, and beware of anyone dangling a necklace bauble near your wine glass.


4. Downton Abbey (PBS, Sundays, Season 5 premieres January 2015 in the states; U.K. viewers get to catch it on BBC starting Sept. 21).

Ooh la la — a gothic-style fireplace, comfy upholstery, big coffee table for serving — this grand yet cozy room is calling out for some Downton Abbey viewing, accompanied by sweet buns, rhubarb crumble or syllabub. (Thanks to Pamela Foster’s blog for the suggestions.)

Everything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned on Downton Abbey


5. Scandal (Thursdays; premieres Sept. 25); The Good Wife (Sundays; premieres Sept. 21).

This room is tailored and transitional yet welcoming. It’s just the spot for nestling in with shows led by stylish businesswomen like Olivia Pope and Alicia Florrick. I’d get my Scandal and my Good Wife on in here, with a hunk of Vermont cheddar sharp (in honor of the house Fitz built) and a heaping glass of Cabernet (to join the Fixer and Saint Alicia when they unwind from stressful days).


6. College football (Saturdays on a zillion channels all day long).

Outdoor TV heaven equals college football all the way. Think tailgate party: hot dogs, hamburgers, wings, butterscotch bars and beer. Since this space is in Michigan, the menu should also include hot toddies.

See more of this dream outdoor media room


7. Masters of Sex (Showtime, Sundays, playing now, catch up on OnDemand); Mad Men (AMC, Sunday nights; Season 8 does not start until 2015, so now’s the time to catch up).

This take on midcentury modern design features vintage furnishings and architectural moves but also has modern-day style. Thus, it’s just the spot to catch some modern-day shows that take place during the ’50s and ’60s, such as Masters of Sex and Mad Men. On Masters of Sex, midcentury modern furniture and architecture represent forward thinking in the case of Dr. William Masters’ home in St. Louis. On Mad Men, Don Draper’s move from his traditional suburban home to his groovy ‘60s Manhattan pad represented a huge transition in his life and lifestyle.

See the rest of this house


8. Jersey Belle and
Watch What Happens Live (weeknights on Bravotv.com).

The bathtub-TV combo: A heavenly indulgence that goes well with guilty pleasures. Watch anything on Bravo — my personal favorite is Jersey Belle — or enjoy some fun and games with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live as a nightcap. Instead of noshes, I’m going to recommend eucalyptus bubble bath in here, because eating and tubbing do not go together.

Learn more about this bathroom


9. Made in Spain With José Andrés (PBS); Top Chef (Bravo; you can find a marathon or two every week).

Get things cooking in this industrial-style kitchen and the clever hanging TV that serves a bunch of spaces. Find inspiration from Made in Spain With José Andrés. Or watch Top Chef and be happy you’re warm and safe in your own kitchen and not trying to prepare a tropical feast over one flame on the beach during a monsoon. Snack as you go.


10. Madam Secretary (CBS, premieres Sept. 21).

There’s something a little executive about this stately room, yet it’s full of elegance too, like Tea Leoni. Try out a little Madam Secretary in here. For now, serve up something fresh and organic, White House- veggie-garden style. We’ll update snack suggestions when we see what the secretary likes. Stay tuned …


11. Revenge, (ABC, Sundays, premieres Sept. 28).

This living room looks like Emily Thorne’s beach house and Victorian Grayson’s manse mixed together — it’s time for some Revenge. I’m thinking gazpacho, because whatever you’re making, you should serve it up cold.


12. Alpha House (Amazon, Season 2 premiere TBA, catch up with Season 1 on Amazon.com; New Girl, (Fox, Tuesdays, premiered Sept. 16); Golden Girls (catch reruns on the Hallmark Channel).

This room has a grown-up fraternity house feel to it, and I mean that in a good way. It’s actually believable that a group of roommates over the age of 30 could live together here. Gather them together for New Girl, Alpha House or a Golden Girls marathon. Order in Chinese food (just don’t get mad when they leave too many menus).


13. Parenthood (NBC, Thursdays, premieres September 25).

Layers of prints, warm beams, wingback chairs, reading lamps and a stone fireplace — this is the spot to gather for Parenthood. There’s something about this room that evokes the cozy feeling of the house where Zeke and Camille Braverman raised their family. Settle in with make-your-own-sundaes.

Side note: This ideabook is making me realize that, though we had plenty of family dinners at the kitchen table, I grew up eating many meals and snacks in the family room, while watching TV. Did you? Do you do it now? Let us know in the Comments section.


14. Stalker and Criminal Minds (CBS, Wednesdays, both premiere Oct. 1); The Walking Dead (AMC, premieres Oct. 12).

I am too scared to watch the new show Stalker on CBS. I was thinking if I had a panic room, maybe I could. This secret room would also be a good spot for watching The Walking Dead or Criminal Minds. Stock up on canned goods and non-perishables.

How to Survive an Epidemic of Walking Dead


15. Designing Women (sell your opal pinky ring and invest in a DVD box set).

You could also just forget about trying out new shows or paying attention to your returning favorites. Is there anything better than watching reruns of Designing Women, especially the one where Julia Sugarbaker gives her “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” speech? I don’t think so.

What are you looking forward to trying out? Which favorites are you excited to see come back? Let’s talk TV in the Comments section!

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