Backstage at the Primetime Emmys Giving Suite: by “JOSH JOHNSON HOME”
Josh Johnson is a celebrity interior designer and event stylist, well-known among the prestigious A-list spaces that are right off Hollywood’s red carpet. With his signature look of "Modern Hollywood Glamour", Josh provides a luxurious and ultra-chic aesthetic for celebrity guests to enjoy while they mingle, pose, and lounge within his custom stylized vignettes, onsite at LA’s most sought after mainstream award shows and parties. Based both in West Hollywood and Nashville, Josh’s lovable personality earned him the nickname “Sparkle Josh” and the title of Fan Favorite during the second season of HGTV's Design Star, along with the Design Star “All Stars” series. Josh Johnson Home, Josh's exclusive line of glam home décor, is available nationwide.
Come along with us as Josh gives a firsthand account of the experience designing and hosting his space at last year’s “Giving Suite”, backstage at the Primetime Emmys in Los Angeles.
“Sparkle Josh” Johnson of Josh Johnson Home
Upon planning the exclusive backstage design of the official “Giving Suite” at the Primetime Emmys for the sixth year in a row, the creative focus was to expressly infuse my signature aesthetic of “Modern Hollywood Glamour” throughout the backstage experience. Given the high-profile nature of this event, sourcing statement pieces and coordinating décor was paramount, and I could think of no better resource for high glam, high style home furnishings and decor than the “Howard Elliott Collection”.
When designing celebrity environments, my preferred palate is typically composed of soft neutrals paired with bold metallics- This scheme provides an “unbiased”, tonal, yet elegant canvas for A-Listers and their “haute couture” ensembles, especially while they undergo press photographs and media interviews during the event.
Actress Angela Bassett in the Giving Suite at the 2018 Primetime Emmy Awards
The accent colors for last year’s suite were “Blush and Bashful”, reminiscent of Shelby’s (Julia Roberts) famous sentiment form Steele Magnolias. Blush had emerged as one of the hottest colors in home fashions during that season, and I incorporated various levels of its shades in the area’s softgoods with elements such as the high pile, patterned wool area rug, luxe velvet accent pillows, and metallic drapery. The space was anchored with a luxurious Chesterfield sofa upholstered in lustrous blush metallic velvet.
Actress Teraji P. Henson in the Giving Suite at the 2018 Primetime Emmy Awards
For an eye-catching centerpiece, I turned to the Faceted Mirrored Coffee Table paired with the Aluminum Silver Nest Basket from Howard Elliott. Emmy winner, Alex Borstein (Best Supporting Actress), knelt beside this table to pose with the statue she won just moments before, just to capture a charming photo op.
Emmy winner, Alex Borstein (Best Supporting Actress) with Howard Elliott Faceted Mirrored Table
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The stunning Caramelized Vase set and Suspended Glass Flared Vase set for the space’s live floral moments, and situated them atop the impressive Mirrored Pedestals with Offset Openings.
Howard Elliott Glass Flared Vases on Mirrored Offset Pedestals. View Online >
I also used a pair of HEC’s Stainless Steel Dining Chairs for some sexy and sophisticated accent seating. A-list actress, Patricia Arquette, lavishly lounged in in one of these chic chairs while enjoying all the amenities of this stylized celebrity space.
Actress, Patricia Arquette sitting on the Howard Elliott Stainless Steel Accent Chair. View Online >
Every Emmys season, this suite is also known as an “escape” and sanctuary among nominees and presenters during their backstage experience because of the luxe lounge and libations available to them therein. For an incredibly dynamic and dramatic backdrop to the well-attended bar, I installed a HEC favorite, the Crawford Mirror.
Howard Elliott Crawford Mirror and Mirrored Vases in the Giving Suite at the 2018 Primetime Emmy Awards
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Indeed, this exclusive celebrity environment was exquisitely enhanced and fabulously furnished by pieces from Howard Elliott, and I plan to continue designing all of my future Hollywood spaces with their outstanding products at the forefront.
We are very much looking forward to seeing more of what Josh creates using Howard Elliott product!! You can follow his design journey on Instagram at @SparkleJosh. In the meantime, you can live like a star and get these Hollywood Glam looks for your home! Check out our Glam decor on our website and order from your favorite Howard Elliott Dealer today!
