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Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos invite you into their classic New York City home. In a new episode of the Architectural Digest Open Door series, the couple welcomes viewers into their “favorite place in the world” as they call it, their Upper East Side townhouse. Watch the video of the Live with Kelly and Mark hosts share the history and personal touches that inspired their family home, which Ripa confidently declared is where they’ll reside forever.
“I don’t want to sound morbid, but they’ll have to carry me out of here feet-first, because I have gotten good and comfortable in this house,” she says.
How Kelly and Mark designed their dream NYC townhouse
The pair, who married in 1996 after falling in love on the set of All My Children, moved into the five-story building 12 years ago. While Ripa was ready to move in right away, Consuelos saw room for improvement. The vision was 1970s NYC melded with 1920s Paris, but also something more functional for a family of five.
The couple share daughter Lola, 23, and sons Joaquin, 21, and Michael, 27.
“We needed a place for all the scooters, bikes and sports equipment,” Consuelos says of the then-adolescents.
They teamed up with AD100 designer William Sofield, who suggested they go to Paris to pick out decor, and turned their home into Art Deco grandeur balanced with familial warmth and comfort. For example, twin Deco-style armoires are deep enough to store the family’s outdoor gear.
Kelly and Mark’s bedroom
The vibe for the pair’s bedroom is meant to emulate European-inspired luxury hotels, Consuelos explained. “The feeling that you get there—it’s sexy, it’s peaceful, it’s quiet,” he says. “That was the feeling we were going for in the bedroom. I really feel at home here.”
Ripa explained that nearly every light fixture (along with most items in the room) came from the flea markets in Paris.
“Something more interesting than just us happened to all of these beautiful pieces,” she gushed. “And we are glad to be able to give them new homes and new lives in New York City.”
Behind the headboard is a handmade silver leaf backdrop. There’s a large mirror opposite their bed, but Ripa notes that it hides a TV which the couple use to enjoy Judge Judy.
In front of the bright white windows is an oak desk where Ripa says she spends most of her time and feels the most productive as she works facing a garden that makes for a stunning view all year round.
I wrote my book right there at this desk on that chair and I had to have it reupholstered,” she revealed. Because I wore the fabric out of the chair in the shape of my rear end. That’s how much time I spent there.”
The desk is adorned with framed photos of the family together, which Ripa says she loves because the kids are the ages in the pictures that they were when they first moved in.
Sweet family touches in their home
Stepping out from the primary bedroom into the hallway, Mark and Kelly are met with massive images of each of their kids’ eyes. Artist Marc Quinn photographed and then painted the eyes from the inside looking out.
“They don’t live here anymore, so when we leave our bedroom, it feels like they’re still with us,” Consuelos says.
And I could stare at my kids’ eyes forever,” Ripa adds. “I just think they’re great.”
Kelly and Mark live well together
People are often surprised to find out that Kelly and Mark still share a bathroom and closet instead of taking over one of the kids’ since they no longer live in their rooms. The pair have always shared these spaces, and they believe they always will. In addition to being very compatible, Ripa says it also forces them to be diligent about their purchases and not be wasteful.
“It keeps you honest,” she says.
A home for the holidays
The “informal formal living room,” as Ripa puts it, is fancy-looking without being too precious. It’s a place where parties have been hosted and comfort is key. They also enjoy watching people slide while trying to sit on their sheen, velvet couch.
“At the end of the day, we’re still us, so it’s gonna be goofy,” she says.
A 19th-century Louis XVI–style marble mantel and fireplace are at the center of the room. And during Christmas, they have the middle part of the couch removed, the chairs spread and a Christmas tree in front of the window.
“And this entire room becomes a Christmas room,” Consuelos says.
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