Venues
Events
VideoLocal Culture
Interview: Jeff Andrews
The designer behind Dexter’s Refuge in the Showtime House
Jeff Andrews
| | More
As one of Los Angeles most talented interior designers, Jeff Andrews, founder of Jeff Andrews—Design, has worked with the likes of Ryan Seacrest, Jamie King and Khloe Kardashian. Recently, he was asked to design Dexter’s Refuge in the Showtime House, held at the Cassa Hotel and Residences in Manhattan.
Encore had a chance to speak to the in-demand designer about his Dexter-themed work.
How did you first get involved with the Showtime House?
The producer of the Showtime House, Samantha Nestor, asked me to design a room. My projects have been featured in both of her books: The Luxury Bathroom, which made the cover, and Living With Wine, featuring a cellar I designed for Ryan Seacrest. I told her I would love to design the Dexter room.
How familiar with Dexter are you?
Very. In preparation for this, I watched all four seasons. I also had the opportunity to get insight into the character from Michael C. Hall as he is a client of mine. The information was very helpful in creating a space which is actually designed FOR the character rather than just INSPIRED by the show. My design is a refuge for the “Dark Passenger,” a place he would go if he didn’t have to hide.
How much input did Showtime or the creative team behind Dexter have?
Showtime gave the designers complete creative license to create whatever we wanted. I chose to create a space which is livable and representative of my design aesthetic while still having drama and intrigue. After all it is a themed showcase house!
What about this room says “Dexter” to you?
Everything. The room has many references to Dexter and the fragmented, broken, twisted part of his personality. The textures and materials—stone, leather, hide, metal and minerals—are a tie into the outer shell of the man and the inner person who has to hide. The hanging bed represents floating on water where Dexter feels the most safe, as well as where he dumps his victims. The color pallet is derived from the color he wears when he acts on his killer instincts, starting with the dark olive/brown walls to the black leather floors and the wallpaper on the ceiling resembling skin. In my mind, this part of Dexter is artistic, intellectual and masculine with a hint of creepiness and humor. The room definitely has that.
As an L.A-based interior designer, did you need to change to a Miami frame of mind, where Dexter takes place, to design the room?
This Dexter space could be anywhere. The only references to Miami are the water projected on the entry walls and screens and the Cuban music playing in the room. Oh, and there is a Miami Herald newspaper in the room…just for fun.
It says on the website that you’ve done design work for Michael C. Hall. Is it possible to separate the actor who plays Dexter with Dexter himself?
The design aesthetic is very different. I had to design for the character, not the man. He did help me quite a bit with the character insight but that is pretty much where it ends. Although, I do think there are some elements in the room he would find intriguing. During the design process, there were definitely times where I thought, “Michael would love this.”
To view more of Andrews’ work, please click here.
To view the Showtime House, please click here.