Robert and Cortney Novogratz

Robert and Cortney Novogratz are a husband and wife design team based in New York City. They currently have a design show on HGTV called “Home by Novogratz”. They are parents to 7 kids, Wolfgang, 14; twins Bellamy and Tallulah, 13; Breaker, 11; twins Five and Holleder, 6; and Major, 3. They are known collectively as The Novogratz.

Early Life

Robert grew up in Alexandria, VA (b. February 11, 1963) and Cortney in southern Georgia (b. September 8, 1971). Both were from large families and had parents who were decorating enthusiasts. The couple met in Charlotte, North Carolina, moved to New York City and got into the design world through real estate. Robert (or Bobby) was a sports enthusiast along with his brother Michael. both were fantastic athletes and enjoyed everything sport.

Career

They began their design career by renovating run-down properties in Manhattan. Their work combines the use of distinctive architectural details, unique interior finishes, and rare collectibles found while travelling to flea markets around the world. They are known for their distinctive style, which mixes vintage/modern high/low pieces. One of their most featured works is 5 Centre Market Place, converted from a former gun shop located on the edge of Soho. The home has been described in this manner: “the house has changed the nature of the entire neighborhood, along with the other three houses the couple has converted on the block.” In addition to Centre Market, the couple’s design of two properties, also in Soho, on Thompson Street sold for record prices.

9 By Design

In 2009, the television network, Bravo TV, featured the lives of The Novogratz in the reality television show, “9 by Design”. The show followed their "hectic" lives, raising 7 kids in Manhattan, while running a design company. The show premiered on April 13, 2009 and ran for one season.

Home by Novogratz

After the interest generated from “9 by Design”, The Novogratz returned to television with a new show on HGTV, which showcased their celebrated unique design aesthetic. Season 1 of “Home by Novogratz” premiered on July 16, 2011. HGTV accurately describes the show's premise, “In each episode, Robert and Cortney take on a new design project and create totally unique, wildly original spaces that showcase their funky, downtown-chic aesthetic, their unpretentious design sensibility, and their self-taught, drop-dead gorgeous style. They'll learn on the job, pull together an eclectic mix of shopping finds and, in the end, present their client with a spectacular and totally customized room that surpasses every expectation”.

A big first season success for HGTV, the second season of Home by Novogratz is set to premiere in 2012.

Downtown Chic

In May of 2009 Robert and Cortney’s first book, Downtown Chic, was published worldwide from Rizzoli. Their book chronicles their works and has received much critical and commercial acclaim.

Home By Novogratz Episode List:

References

http://www.bravotv.com/9-by-design/bio/cortney-novogratz. Bravotv.com. Retrieved 3/30/2012.

http://www.hgtv.com/home-by-novogratz/show/index.html. HGTV.com. Retrieved 4/2/2012.

http://www.casasugar.com/Rob-Cortney-Novogratz-Interview-17762311. Casasugar.com. Retrieved 4/2/2012.

External links

• The Novogratz Website
• Home by Novogratz at HGTV