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Studio McGee's Shea Shares Her First Impression of Syd: "Wearing the Skinniest Skinny Jeans I Had Ever Seen"

Photo credit: Studio McGee / Instagram
Photo credit: Studio McGee / Instagram

From House Beautiful

Since launching in 2014, Studio McGee has become one of the most well-known interior design firms in the nation. From a constant track record of pleased clients, a cool 1.4 million followers on Instagram, to its cozy home collection available at Target, Studio McGee is quickly becoming a household name. Now, the husband-and-wife dream team behind the magic, Syd and Shea McGee, have their own Netflix show titled Dream Home Makeover.

Here's everything you need to know about Dream Home Makeover as well as Shea and Syd McGee.

What is Dream Home Makeover about?

Dream Home Makeover follows Syd and Shea McGee's very busy life together, from running Studio McGee (as well as their sister home goods brand McGee & Co.) to parenting their two daughters —Wren, 7, and Ivy, 4. In each episode, the Utah-based couple tackles a project that will range from budget-friendly to over-the-top luxury. "Whether our clients have $2,000,000 or $20,000, I want them all to feel that sense of peace when they walk in the door," Shea says in one of the episodes.

How did Studio McGee get its start?

While Shea had a background in communications, she realized that design was her true passion. In 2013, she decided to change careers and took on her first big project: remodeling her home. Shea documented the process on Instagram — which at the time, was not often seen on the platform. Her posts were a hit and a fan base quickly accumulated for the newly-minted designer. Shea is one of the first design influencers on Instagram.

The following year, Shea and Syd decided to launch their own interior design firm after Shea’s social media success. They had one directive in mind for this firm: "Make Life Beautiful." This three word phrase would become their catchphrase, and their upcoming book title, which hits shelves on October 27.

How did Shea and Syd McGee meet?

Shea is from Texas, however, in the early 2000s, she was in California helping her brother move. Syd, a friend of her brother, also came to lend a hand. In the couple’s book, Make Life Beautiful, Shea described him as a "Californian surfer boy." She continued: "There Syd was on a skateboard, wearing the skinniest skinny jeans I had ever seen.” Despite not being exactly her type "we went on our first date the next night," Shea wrote. The couple got married in 2008 when they were 23-years-old.

Where can I shop Studio McGee?

In addition to running their interior design firm, Shea and Syd also own McGee & Co., a home good brands. Here you can shop furniture, rugs, wall decor, lightning fixtures, and more. All items are designed by Shea and Syd and their team at Studio McGee.

Studio McGee also teamed up with Target's exclusive home brand, Threshold, to introduce a fun new collection, that is available in stores and online. Here are our top picks from Threshold x Studio McGee.

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