Carson Kressley & Tom Filicia 'Get a Room' on New Bravo Home Design Show

Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia, two of the original "Queer Eye" cast, are back on Bravo with a new home design series, "Get a Room with Carson & Thom" (airing Fridays at 10pm).

On the show, the pair assist clients with their home d�cor and, in the process, help fight the conformity of American home design. On each episode, the pair assist two clients looking to transform a space. Some have big budgets and some small, but they're all trying to create a beautiful room that is unique to them.

According to the show's website: "With Carson's fashion sense and bold personality and Thom's designer acumen and friendliness, the bodacious besties will create breathtaking and affordable redesigns. These two arbiters of style work together, play together, argue, compromise and create spaces as only they can in their quest to make America chic again."

EDGE spoke to the pair about the show.

Great chemistry

EDGE: How did you meet?

Carson Kressley: Shockingly, we met at a gym back in the early 90s in New York City.

Thom Filicia: Carson and I were both power lifters back in the day. I know that you are thinking "it doesn't look like you guys went there very often," and I would say "you are correct."

EDGE: Instant chemistry?

Carson Kressley: I think we genuinely liked each other back then. We were friends before "Queer Eye," during and after it. Now doing this show together, people can believe we have great chemistry. I've know this old hag for over 25 years.

Thom Filicia: Oh, yes! The great part about working together, we can just be ourselves.

Making dreams happen

EDGE: With so many other makeover shows out there, what made you decide to do this show?

Carson Kressley: I thought I could design my own house and then I realized that I had no idea what I was doing. I have always asked Thom for advice, attended different kinds of home and furniture shows, and buying things that I liked. I have always pretended that I worked for Thom, now I just figure that I should intern for him and actually learn something about the science of interior design.

Thom Filicia: We both love the design space. It just made sense for us to do something together. I have always loved surrounding myself around things that I love especially when it comes to my home.

EDGE: First thing you had to teach each other?

Carson Kressley: I don't know if it was a teaching moment, but what I discovered about interior design a lot of it is about psychology. When working with a client, you must find out what they want, what their dreams are and then how do you get them to that.

Thom Filicia: Working together is key. Working together to come up with a concept and a plan. Also, making sure that we are making smart and well thought out decisions even though we might not agree with each other.

Keeping it fresh

EDGE: How do you keep a makeover show fresh without it becoming repetitive?

Carson Kressley: I think what is so great is that we have so much diversity in our show. Diversity in clients, homes, styles, and the different locations.

Thom Filicia: What I think is interesting about the show is that we are coming up with and defining who that person or people are. We are speaking to their style and showing them what they can achieve. We are constantly reinventing our point-of-view because it is driven by telling the story of our clients.

EDGE: First thing you tackle when doing a room makeover?

Carson Kressley: Have some wine and hear their stories, so we can help tell their story.

Thom Filicia: The first thing that we do is connect and have fun with the clients, so we can get a sense of who they are. At the same time, we are also learning where they live, the condition that the room is in and why they want a makeover.

Any failures?

EDGE: Do you have your own personal design failure?

Carson Kressley: I have many! I truly am an amateur that loves design, but who knows nothing and still learning. I have made a lot of mistakes and eventually you do get better at it. The more you do, the more confident you become. Lacking the confidence in yourself to design your perfect room is a big stumbling block for a lot of people.

Thom Filicia: For me, I would say my thing is that I usually leave my personal projects for last, because I am working on my client's homes and so many other projects that mine just get pushed away and forgotten. My home because the "Land of the Misfit Toys" with everything that I store there. It's like that one junk drawer everyone has, but mine is my home.

EDGE: Who are your Hollywood crushes that you would want to do a room makeover for?

Carson Kressley: Oh yes! Bradley Cooper. We could arm wrestle to see you gets him.

Thom Filicia: Right now, I would have to say Bradley Cooper. I would also like to get him on the show. Then see which one of us he would choose to date.

EDGE: What is a staple piece everyone should have in their home?

Carson Kressley: It is even the same when it comes to fashion. For women, always have great shoes and a purse. A man should have a great go-to suit. These would be investment pieces and then you have fun changing out the accessories.

Thom Filicia: The most important thing for a home whether it's a studio apartment or a Georgian colonial, you have to think about the rooms that you are in and what are your anchor pieces. Once you identify what your anchor piece is (i.e. couch, bed, or dining room table), you build around it.

"Get a Room with Carson & Thom" is now airing on bravo. For more information on the show visit, www.bravotv.com