Streaming on Netflix.
Metadata: 2017 | TV-G | 1 season, 4 hour-long episodes
Genre: Home and Travel, British Cozy
Why I watched it: Shoutout to my sister who knows me well and told me that I would love this show. She was right: I did. (Really did!!)
You might also like: Can I re-recommend both Queer Eye and The Great British Baking Show? Because that's what I'm doing. And I'm not apologizing for it.
The concept of this BBC-via-Netflix home and travel show is simple: Actress Caroline Quentin and architect Piers Taylor travel the world to explore, you guessed it, extraordinary homes. Each episode shows off a different, challenging environment—mountain, forest, coast, underground—and unconventional buildings that have been constructed in that landscape. (Often literally *in* the landscape. See above. I promise there is a house in there!) I'm not sure how to explain it, but the amazing homes (which are AHHHMAZING) aren't even half the draw. Nope: Hands-down BFFs Caroline and Piers make this show absolutely everything.
The World's Most Extraordinary Homes is basically the antidote to HGTV. While these spaces are architecturally beautiful and provide plenty of inspiration for your future home (Spoiler Alert: It's all about the view!), nothing feels too perfect. We watch Caroline and Piers struggle to turn on the stove, open a door, find a bathroom. Caroline loves to give the camera a side-eye when Piers says something "artsy." The two hosts kick off their shoes, which are usually white touristy sneakers. And their reactions are so dang earnest! They squeal and squawk and cringe and laugh at these houses, and I love it. American reality television just doesn't give us enough of this kind of honesty.
After binging, 12/10 viewers will incorporate the words "tactile," "immersed," and "bliss" into casual conversation. At least 20% will spend time looking up how to go to architecture school.
Happy streaming!
Liz
