By Anastasia Burton
We all have our favorite Netflix series and we all like to share our love for said series with our friends. Although we all seem to love the “basic” favourites, it is very hard to find someone with an interest to some of the more “indie” Netflix gems. For example, Extraordinary Homes, Stay Here, Tiding Up with Marie Kondo. Most of these shows are guilty pleasure shows, which is completely fine, but it’s practically impossible to find someone who also watches these shows.
Here’s a little more on these programmes:
Extraordinary Homes
A show dedicated to exploring the world’s most bizarre and unique homes on the planet. The two hosts travel across the globe to stay and judge these amazing homes. They speak to the architects behind the job as well as the homeowners, and get a glimpse at the inspiration behind the properties but also cost and materials needed for such designs. It’s a truly fascinating show which is best watched at the weekend with a glass of wine and snacks, it really brings out everyone’s inner housewife/househusband.
Stay Here
This is an Australian–based show dedicated to finding the best instant hotel between four to five different establishments. This is incredibly entertaining, with drama–filled competition and beautiful homes, while the travel destinations near the instant hotels add to the enjoyment of the show. In each episode, the contestants visit each other’s instant hotels (sort of like B&Bs), stay a night and enjoy some fun activities in the area the home is located in. At the end, the contestants find out their scores for each instant hotel and the winner hotel gets a title of best instant hotel. The owners also receive great prizes!
Tidying up with Marie Kodo
If you’re a fan of feel–good, decluttering series that make you feel at ease, then this show is for you. Its recently had its popularity spike and most know of the show but have never seen it. I, myself, happened to be one of the people who kept putting off watching this series and recently got sucked into it. The series follows Mrs. Kodo and her translator/co–star travelling around the states helping families organise their homes. This show is not just a reality tv show where they clean homes and leave the family forever. No, this show helps the family talk about their problems and discover how they got to a stage where they can no longer control the clutter in their home. Mrs. Kodo teaches the family the value of things and the importance of thanking an item when you are getting rid of it. One very important lesson which I personally found helpful from the show was letting go of things that no longer spark joy. For example, if you are going through your wardrobe and are discovering that you have a lot of items that you like but won’t ever wear again, why keep it? Kodo’s approach is very minimalistic and traditionally Japanese, in that it is very organised. In the show, many of the families whom she helps are on the verge of separating due to the stress caused by the clutter, and it’s heartwarming to see that by the end of the episode, the family are working through their issues.
These shows are worth a watch if you are into shows like Place in the Sun and Four in a Bed. They’re long enough to keep you entertained but not too long to bore you to tears. Beware, the content is very addicting.