Drew Barrymore Is Designing a Room for This Year’s REAL SIMPLE Home

Cue the confetti, because we’ve got some pretty exciting news to share: Drew Barrymore is designing a room in this year’s REAL SIMPLE Home! The beloved celebrity is joining a talented roster of top designers and DIYers tasked to transform a penthouse suite and two-bedroom apartment in a stunning, newly constructed building in New York City. The two units (featuring the most incredible floor-to-ceiling windows!) will be teeming with gorgeous decorating ideas, inspiring DIY projects, and brilliant organizing tips.

After the REAL SIMPLE staff collectively fan-girled over the news that Drew signed on, she got straight to work designing the dreamiest wellness room, despite the talk show host’s packed filming schedule. She sat down with our editor in chief, Lauren Iannotti, to chat about her inspo and plans for the space, without giving too much away, of course. The full reveal will take place in the magazine and online in September—timed almost perfectly with the new season of Drew’s eponymous show, which premieres September 8.

To get you excited about what’s to come, here are a few of her design ideas.

The Inspiration for Drew’s Wellness Room

When we threw the word “wellness” out to Drew, terracotta colors are what came to mind. “To me, that’s very grounding and very calming,” she explains. “It immediately puts me at ease, and it has enough light in it that it feels bright without the typical white or cream or yellows.”

This gorgeously rich, earthy clay shade and a beautiful striped sofa from her Walmart collection is what she called her “North Star,” informing the rest of the decisions she made for the room, which she hoped would emulate a luxurious spa’s waiting room. “I wanted it to be enveloping, calming, and soothing,” Drew says. “Almost like your eyelids could relax in this space.”

Drew explained the significance of creating a wellness room or space, and how we can all benefit from the concept. “I think the invitation to take care of ourselves is something that we, I believe, lose constant sight of, and so could this room be that invitation,” Drew says. “What does wellness mean to me? It means remembering to even put yourself in the mix, let alone first.” We so feel that.

As for the specific aesthetic of the space, Drew stayed true to herself with an eclectic mix of pieces from different periods. Think Bohemian-style woven wall art mixed with a sleek, modern accent table and traditional, ornate mirror. “I think I’m too greedy to settle on any particular style,” she says. “I want to be able to have every type of art and every type of color. I want to have mid-century that works with the florals, that works with the Moroccan, that works with the antiques.”

While Drew brought together these different elements, rest assured, they hang together beautifully. Everything works effortlessly and harmoniously. Nothing is too loud, nothing competes—it’s all balanced. After all, it is meant to be a room for relaxation. 

“That’s what the room is, the room should represent how to lower your eyelids, calm your nerves. Not think about this morning or this afternoon, but just be,” Drew notes. “I know maybe something good is around the corner, something just for you. And you did it for yourself. You carved it out for yourself. You somehow didn’t forget yourself today.” 

We really can’t wait for you to see her space in September. In fact, you’ll even be able to tour it in person if you’re in New York City!