Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Nixon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Uneven reality show about married designers in Miami.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Designing Miami
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
DESIGNING MIAMI follows Eilyn and Ray Jimenez, a married couple each running their own interior design firms catering to high-end homeowners, as they navigate their careers and try to maintain a good relationship with each other and their families. Latin American culture is touched on, as the stars come from Cuban and Dominican backgrounds, which informs their views on family. We see how each designer approaches a project -- Eilyn is more of a modern minimalist, while Ray can be bold and colorful -- and how they work with their employees and construction teams to bring their visions to life.
Is It Any Good?
The series falters in large part because it can't decide whether it's a design-focused show, a workplace drama, or a reality show with manufactured drama. The only real conflict in Designing Miami is when Eilyn expresses mild irritation at Ray for not standing up to his large family when they bring up her least favorite topic, having a baby. It's clear that both halves of the Designing Miami couple are majorly focused on building their businesses, first and foremost -- and at another point, Ray even states that while he feels ready for a kid, he respects that his wife doesn't and that he won't pressure her about it.
Still, we don't spend enough time on the relationship stuff to get very invested in their story, then the show shifts to before-and-after room reveals and tips on how to accessorize a bookshelf. Should the series get a second season, it would probably help a lot if they'd pick a lane and stick with it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of reality shows and of home improvement shows. Can you think of any examples where these two ideas are blended? Do you think Designing Miami does a good job of it?
Several of Eilyn's employees say she's like a mom to them, and that they don't want to disappoint her. Meanwhile, Ray has trouble with employees. How their management styles differ? What could each designer learn from the other when it comes to being a boss?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 21, 2022
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 18, 2022
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