This week on After the Jump, Grace Bonney is joined in the studio by interior designer, Thom Filicia. Thom is perhaps best known for his roles in hit television programs like Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Tacky House, but more recently, he authored the book American Beauty published by Clarkson Potter. Tune into this episode to hear why Thom decided to restore and fix up a home from the early 1900s in the Finger Lakes, and why he fell in love with the structure. Listen in to learn about Thom's original interest in design as a child, and why he almost decided to design automobiles. Want to know more about Thom's favorite interiors in New York City? Then listen to this episode of After the Jump! This program has been brought to you by Clarkson Potter Publishers.

"One of the things we talk about a lot is the 'democracy of design.' I love the fact that design is becoming universal at a certain level, from the Targets to the world to the high end.. There's this mix of high and low that I think is very appealing to the next buying power. That generation is all about mixing old and new, and high and low." [6:35]

-- Thom Filicia on After the Jump