June 8, 2025Andy Cohen has got to be among the busiest people in entertainment. Not only does he executive produce the Bravo network’s wildly successful Real Housewives franchise and host a TV show, Watch What Happens Live, but he also runs his own production company. Still, the Emmy-award-winning star makes time for design, and for philanthropy in the LGBTQ+ space.
In his private life, Cohen, 57, is in the process of moving with his two young children from a large apartment in Manhattan’s West Village — made up of four units that he combined, with decor courtesy of interior designer Eric Hughes — to another even grander one in the same neighborhood, which designer Billy Cotton is putting the finishing touches on now.
Cohen is selling some of the choice items from the place he is leaving as a special collection on 1stDibs, with proceeds going to Housing Works, the much-respected nonprofit that benefits people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and works tirelessly to provide housing, advocacy and lifesaving services for vulnerable New Yorkers. It is especially well-known for its thrift shops and bookstore, which generate revenue to sustain its good works.
“It’s an incredible organization, a great cause,” says Cohen, who was one of the recipients of its inaugural Groundbreaker Awards in 2013 and particularly loves the organization’s Design on a Dime fundraising event. “It’s been a staple in New York City, and it’s always been a really great go-to place to donate high-end clothes and furniture. I knew I was going to be doing a major purge, so I thought of them. I don’t think I realized just how much furniture I was going to be letting go of.”
Hughes, who was involved in picking out all the items, notes that Cohen’s taste “would be considered more contemporary.” Still, he’s open to a wide range of design styles. “A piece just has to grab him emotionally,” says Hughes, adding, “He knows what he likes, and that’s the best thing for a decorator.”
To round out his curation on 1stDibs, Cohen has added a few favorite pieces from the site’s Pride collection, sourced from its community of LGBTQ+ sellers, including a capiz-shell chandelier by Verner Panton and a 1960s French wooden stool, which fit right in with his aesthetic.
In honor of Pride Month, Cohen talked with Introspective about the sale, his aesthetics — and the Real Housewife with the best eye for design.
Tell me about how you work with a decorator.
I’m very opinionated and decisive. It’s really quick with me. When I choose something, I say, “Yes, I want it. We have solved this. Let’s move on.” I’m really picky, and I don’t like things chosen for me. I really want to be involved in the process. But you can guide me around, and I need that. Eric was so fun — he really inspired me to just kind of mix and match a lot of different things.
How do you describe your taste?
I’m modern but traditional — I favor a combination of vintage and new. I tend to gravitate toward more-masculine-looking stuff, and I love color and pattern. I can be really classic and conservative. I love plaids, gingham and herringbone. I like modern twists on fabrics.
Those two couches that we’re selling are good examples. I really wanted a couch made in denim, so we used a Ralph Lauren fabric, and then that striped couch is covered in Paul Smith’s Epingle pattern.
What are some of the items in the sale that excite you the most?
These two green-glass lamps on the bedside tables. Eric found the perfect lamp shades for them. They’re so beautiful and heavy, and they look great at night. Also the Marcello Fantoni lamp in the living room is a stunner — it originally came from 1stDibs and is now going back to 1stDibs.
Speaking of green, the director’s chairs in brass, oak and jade-toned leather are stylish.
Those chairs are this buttery leather. They’re mid-century vintage, and they’re really worn in and comfortable.
What about the marble table?
Usually, I gravitate toward wood tables. But with the big slab of marble, that one just looks so interesting. And it’s such a thick piece of marble — it’s a really substantial table.
You also included some pieces from 1stDibs’ LGBTQ+ sellers in your collection. What stood out to you about those designs?
The blue snakeskin on the pair of side tables by Evan Lobel absolutely kills me. I think it’s so cool. There’s also a French stool that’s an incredible work of art. And I’m a sucker for a globe light — I absolutely love the explosion of them in the Fabio chandelier.
You have two kids. Does that affect your design choices?
It’s funny, when I was designing this apartment with Eric, I had a beagle mix, and with everything we chose, I said that the dog had to be able to sleep on it. I didn’t want to get anything that was too fancy that the dog could ruin.
Now, years later, I say, “Look, my kids need to be able to spill yogurt on this fabric. It needs to be really durable.” I’m someone who likes to live in my home. I want to sit on every piece of furniture.
Who’s the Real Housewife with the best design taste over these many years?
I think Luann de Lesseps [from The Real Housewives of New York City]. She had this house in Bridgehampton that always caught my eye with its shabby-chic look. Now, she’s got this cute little house in Sag Harbor that I’ve been to that’s right on the water. I think she’s just got good taste.
Margaret Josephs [from The Real Housewives of New Jersey] redid her home, and she’s got a lot of really bold, like, Marimekko prints all over the place and a lot of shiny lacquer and dark wood — those are things that I am drawn to. She took some big swings in that house.
And of course, Jenna Lyons [RHONY cast member and former president and executive creative director of J. Crew]. She lives in a loft in Soho, and she’s got a lot of vintage furniture — it’s really good. She has amazing taste.
What about your dear friend Anderson Cooper?
Both of his homes are kind of like Wayne Manor, where Batman lives. That’s what they remind me of.
It’s not my design sense, but it’s a very strong design sense, and I really admire it. He restored a firehouse. He has a lot of very big art — and he’s got some very big taxidermied pieces, too. He’s built a really impressive contemporary-art collection, but he’s got a lot of really old classic things, as well.
He also has a lot of art by his mom [the late Gloria Vanderbilt], which is really beautiful.
What’s your relationship with Pride Month?
I want everyone to party, but I think it’s going to be time for some serious activism, too. We should all be focusing on Project 2025 and what’s going to be happening in the Supreme Court. I’m really concerned about all of that. Our community is about to be taken by surprise.
But groups like Housing Works can help, hopefully?
Yes, we’re going to be relying more and more on nonprofits. Housing Works has done so much for the gay community over my thirty-plus years in New York City, and they’re always pivoting with what’s needed at the time. So I’m thrilled to partner with them.
