User Reviews

Most of the houses are really unique and stunning. But in only 4 episodes of ths series, there were some repetitive things Like the talk about fitting a house into nature, keeping lots of trees on the building site and so on. I don't think the female host is that horrible as people say, but she isn't an architect, engineer, interior designer or antyhing. So her comments are mostly useless. What bothered me was, that only the architects talk about how the house was built. I know there's a limited time for each house, but at least for the cliff house, they should have interviewed the engineers, too. People often think that architects create whole buildings and know how to build them, but the engineers and builders seem unimportant. It would be interesting to know for the cliff house how it is really fixed on that cliff and why did they build it from top to bottom. The architects clearly couldn't explain that. Of course you can't show all the builders and people involved, but anyone else than just the architect would bring in more perspective and make the show more interesting. I hope this show gets another season and tries a little to pick up on those flaws.

Saw some critics about the host, especially the lady Caroline. I totally disagree. The architect guy is very calm and knowledgeable, and Caroline adds excitement and vivid life flavor into the show. I think they are a perfect combination and make the show very interesting to see regardless how much architecture knowledge you have.

Many of the reviews disliking Caroline as the host fail to take the whole show as it's intended, in a spirit of fun. Both are proper English upper crusty culturally precious cariacatures. In fairness, Piers is as over the top as Caroline. No harm done. There is some repetition on the design themes, but show me any series like this that isn't repetitive. It's beautifully shot, too, by the way. I found both hosts upbeat and, at times, hilarious. And the homes were, true to the show's title, extraordinary. I was looking for a follow-up version. Hope there is one.

Piers is interesting, knowledgable and calm. I've watched a few shows featuring him and always enjoyed them so when I saw this had hit Netflix I went straight for it. Caroline on the other hand must be the most annoying person I've ever seen. I literally cringed in every scene she was in which peaked when she was crushing on a married Norwegian man right before meeting his wife. That aside the show is an enjoyable watch which would be made only better with less/no screen time for Caroline and a different presenter to bounce off Piers' enthusiasm. Nice to see this kind of content on Netflix and would quite enjoy some more.

***Update*** - Just watched an episode of Season 2 and Caroline seems a completely different person! Pleasure to watch...

My wife and myself are absolutely enjoying the show. Hosts are amazing and the homes they are showing casing are mind-blowing. Very nice show to watch in the evening with your family and completely relax from every day activities.

It's an informative, yet light-hearted, series about how some very wealthy people (for the most part) had some incredibly unique homes designed and built for them. Piers Taylor is a renowned British architect who is informative, yet somewhat dry, and Caroline Quentin is an accomplished British actress who flips houses on the side and adds levity to the viewings; the two play off each other because one is seeing it from an engineering standpoint and one is seeing it from a prospective owner viewpoint. Regarding the architecture, I found them to be innovative and in some instances, astounding, however, I, also, paid attention to why the houses were built the way they were - if you're not interested in this aspect, there are plenty of visually stunning perspectives to look at and you can ignore the technical information. I will advise the prospective viewer that if you only prefer certain types of architecture, like Craftsman, Tudor, or Cape Cod for examples, then you won't really like this show because, as most of these buildings are relatively new (within the past decade or so), the compositions displayed are, chiefly, comprised of concrete, glass, water, and wood in non-conformist ways with an appreciation for nature a resounding theme. There is one piece of information lacking for the entire series and that is how much each property cost - there are hints at how exorbitant some became, but, they never let you in on the overall price-tags - you have to use your imagination!

I love architecture, nature and exotic places and this is a show that combines all of them very well.

The basic theme (visiting the house, talking with the owners and the architect) works well and I especially like the still photos that show the various construction phases. I also like the drawings that Piers does in order to explan the basics of the design.

What I don't like is the lady. She is loud, annoying, always keen to steal screen time, her comments adding nothing of substance. In one particular episode she spent an entire section talking about how handsome the house owner was. Truly pathetic. And always laughing hysterically. Unbearable.

I watched the whole season on Netflix and I enjoyed it. But I wouldn't watch any more episodes with the same cast.

Apart from that, a very good show.

Great show, incredible homes, but what is even better is how the hosts give you two completely different perspectives, one from an architect and one from a regular person that loves art and architecture. Caroline is so funny, just the right addition to the show.

Would be a good show if only this annoying lady kept her mouth shut. I stopped watching this, couldn't hear any more S O S O E X T R A O R D I N A R Y.

You know when a potentially boring show is great when you find yourself putting it on Infront of others despite how it may at first appear.

You know when the show has an annoying and embarrassing host when you then find yourself digging your finger nails into the sofa when said presenter starts talking.

The language she uses, the way she talks and the way she acts dominates the show, detracts from the incredible footage and steamrolls over what anybody else is saying.

Piers can be a bit over the top and does tend to repeat himself a lot...but you have to remember that these guys are seeing these houses sometimes weeks apart and so he can be excused for using the same language and enthusiasm in every episode. And after a while it becomes quite charming.

The homes themselves are interesting, however, there's a lot of useless blather from the hosts. I, for one, didn't find the female host unbearable as some others put it, but there was simply TOO MUCH talk from both of them that didn't really contribute to the viewer's experience. I found the guy a bit pretentious also and the show tended to repeat info a lot. Seems like the episodes were fluffed up to fit a TV hour. My husband and I quickly lost interest and stopped watching.

I love how they highlight these beautiful pieces of architecture, but the woman host is hilarious and not in a laughing with you kind of way. She's so extra. It's like thy gave their rich aunt a TV show and were like "act intrigued, more excitement, focus on the bathroom." I also find it funny how when they're approaching a new house, they wander out of the most ridiculous areas and are like "oh, I think we found it," to get a good shot. Guys, we're gonna need you to wander into that rocky forest and act like you randomly stumbled upon this mansion. Overall it's a good show.

The show is structured nicely, with the couple exploring and analysing the homes by themselves, who then talk to owners and architects who explain their ideas and creations further. Piers is a well-spoken and knowledgeable architect and shows a clear passion for what he sees and experiences. The negative part of the show is that he gets followed around by an extremely annoying, yappy dog who seems to need the camera to focus more on her than the houses we are trying to admire. It's difficult to fully enjoy the show while having to listen to her constant theatrics. The show would benefit from a different, more insightful partner.

Oh gosh, I love architecture. This show takes you to achingly beautiful houses around the globe. Most of them are one of their kind, clever, visionary... But then, with her high pitch screams, hysterical laughter and artificial gasps our host Caroline steps in. She is always the center of attention. Imagine the camera enters a room with a panoramic view. You begin to appre... Caroline gasps like she is drowning in a pool. You discover that the bookshelf is actually a sliding door. Hmm clev... noooo. Caroline screams like she saw a pile of bodies lying in the next room. Actually, the second example is the moment that I was fed up with her nonsense. I will not be among the audience until she is no longer a host. I've never seen her asking a clever question or giving useful information. Goofing around like a spoiled child. I also don't think Piers is fitting well to the other host slot but this is whole another story and it is not that big deal. I don't complain. So, long story short: Wasted potential with horrible host choice. Mute it, maybe you can endure.

Tremendous show; interesting and well constructed but offered in a way that rivals, but does not mimic Channel Four's "Grand Designs". Piers Taylor provides insights into the architecture that are informative while Caroline Quentin, an accomplished actress, appears to be auditioning to replace "Patsy" in AbFab; she's ridiculous, over the top and irritating. Please remove from future series of this winning programme.

This is a great show and Piers is an amazing architect who could probably hold this show on his own. However, Caroline Quentin is an embarrassment and should be removed immediately. The homes are wonderful and their construction techniques and stories are woven well into the fabric of the show.

They should just get rid of that annoying,disrespectful and pompous lady.She adds nothing of value,and just wants to steal screen time.I find myself don't even watching when she interviews the house owners and architects.If they replace her,i believe the show has great potential.She's the only reason i rated with a 6,when the show is really an 8.

I just finished the first season and I'm AMAZED about how good was the show. All the houses and how they did explained it! The host were the best for it. The architect was so calm and let you know every single detail of the houses in ways the normal people like me couldn't even think about it, and that's perfect because it helps you to see the building in a completely different way, and it's wonderful. The actress, otherwise, was perfect because she was the one who was showing more how those houses where really good to be used and she was working a lot on the sentimental part from the owners. She was also bringing a lot of joy in the show.

What otherwise would have been a great accomplishment of cinematography bringing together architecture and the people who have the blessing of living in these incredulous homes, is ruined by a very annoying woman. She is disingenuous at best and histrionic at worst. Very poor use of vocabulary by a so called actress, overusing the same adjectives such as "glamorous". Every word she uttered was pain inducing for myself and my companions.

Having an architect on the show gave it a very interesting insight as he would casually explain how the design worked to appeal to the eye. I also enjoyed the selection of houses as well as the conversations with both architect (of the house) and its owners, although they were once again cut short when the woman would throw in inappropriate comment.

Clearly not in the targeted demographic so perhaps it is my fault.

I couldn't disagree more with some of these reviewers who are saying that one or both of the hosts are annoying.

I really enjoyed this show _because_ of Caroline and Piers, not despite them. Caroline plays the perfect "everywoman" role, representing most of us viewers who aren't trained architects, and her often excited responses are perfectly reasonable and on-tone given how unique and amazing these homes are. Herr reactions are fun, genuine, and do well to ground what are multi-million-dollar structures and creations that defy any traditional sense of living.

Piers, meanwhile, is an architect who clearly appreciates the art of architecture while honing in on what makes the buildings truly work for their purposes rather than simply existing to exist. His explanations are clear and succinct while being informative and intelligent.

The chemistry between the two hosts is great, the visuals are fantastic, and the segments are timed just right to provide a great mix of eye candy with information.

If you're tired of brain dead reality shows but don't want to feel like you're going to design school, this show is a wonderful mix of smarts, true appreciation of art and design, and is an all around joy to watch.

Respect Mr. Taylor for his patience throughout the series.

I really enjoyed the hosts - they had a great dynamic together, and their enthusiasm for the various houses was infectious. Caroline Quentin did a great job of making it entertaining and affable, and Piers Taylor is clearly very passionate about his craft. It genuinely felt like they had a blast filming the show.

Indeed, Caroline Quentin was actually one of my favorite things about this show, so I very much hope that she returns for a second season. There are so many shows about architecture that are extremely bland - what makes this one so personable is the delightful host interaction.

I loved the thematic nature of each episode. By having the homes grouped into thematic episodes it allows you to think about certain kinds of environments, and how they effect architectural choices.

I had so much delight watching this show. I deeply hope that Season 2 is commissioned (and that the same hosts are brought back.)

If you delete one person from the entire series, this show would be amazing. He's calm and really passionate about all houses and surroundings, she on the other hand, ruins it all.

Or if you could just mute her that would be okay. I would give this show ten stars in that case!

She is SO ANNOYING and over the top on this show. I used to like her on Whose Line is it Anyway. I like Piers but Carolyn is really overbearing. She really ruins the show....want to mute her parts. It's too bad, I'm not sure what's gotten into her. She was great on Renovation Home.

I happened across this show when I was sick and loved the stunning homes they visited all over the world. I have never considered myself to be a lover of architecture, so I was surprised when I ended up loving Piers Taylor's descriptions and remarks about the architecture.

However, the show is absolutely intolerable because of Caroline Quentin. She is loud, obnoxious and unbearable to watch! I absolutely hated watching the show because of her. Hopefully TV execs come to their senses and fire her from the show because of how terrible she is. She has little to no knowledge of the actual architecture and there is far too much camera time spent on her. I would love to watch the show if she was not a part of it.

The show is amazing, but I suggest that one should either watch it on mute with subtitles or fast forward frequently during the episodes. I loved the show, but Caroline Quentin really ruined it for me. The architecture is truly stunning and it definitely deserves to be seen. I was shocked many episodes at how beautiful and sophisticated some of the houses were. Definitely watch the show to look upon the beauty of the houses!!!