Lance Bass's Kitchen Is Straight-Up Design Porn
You're going to want to move in—especially when you see his Champagne stash.
You probably know Lance Bass from his days in *NSYNC or from his current gig as a Meredith Vieira Show contributor, but what most people don't know is the man loves to cook. He and his husband, artist/actor Michael Turchin, recently renovated their Los Angeles kitchen—modeling it after cooking show sets—so they can get their Iron Chef on anytime. Prepare to be obsessed with this space.
They Studied Cooking Shows First.
"One of my favorite things to do is cook with my husband, Michael," Bass says. "We love watching chef shows—anything with Chef [Gordon] Ramsay—and we thought, 'why not make it look like we could shoot a show here?'" Bass is actually working on developing a show now. "It willed itself to happen," he says.
Hank Hill Would Approve of Their Stove.
Bass took choosing a range very seriously, and shopped around with one demand: "It had to be gas," he says. "I had to have a good burner. I cook half my food with a cast-iron skillet—it's probably my favorite kitchen gadget—so that was a must."
Their Oil and Vinegar Collection Is Unbelievable.
The open shelves flanking the range are stocked with all different kinds of oil and vinegar, which have become Turchin and Bass's absolute cooking staples. "I was never into vinegar, but Michael dips everything in it, and he really expanded my taste buds," Bass says.
Their most prized bottle? Southern Pecan Vinegar from Ferrari Olive Oil Co. in California. The shop closed recently, so they've been saving every drop for special occasions. "That stuff's like gold," Bass says.
Those Copper Accents Aren't Just Trendy.
Bass and Turchin included rose gold and copper accessories throughout the kitchen—from trays to wine glasses—not just because brushed nickel is so 2006. It's also a nod to their lives together. "Our wedding bands our rose gold, and we love the color, so we carried it throughout the house," Bass explains. "It helps one room flow to the next, so things don't look disjointed."
They're All About A Great Deal.
Like any red-blooded human being, Bass and Turchin can't resist a bargain. The stools, for example, came from HomeGoods, as did some of the rugs, side tables and other accessories throughout the house. "I go there every few months and see what's in stock," Bass says.
Try Not to Be Jealous of Their Insane Cheese Spread.
Bass grew up in the South, and every year for Christmas, his grandmother sends him a taste of home: Blocks of pepperjack, cheddar and Edams cheese from Mississippi State University. "It lasts us about six months," Bass says. "Edams is a total Mississippi thing, but it makes for the gooiest, best grilled cheese you've ever had."
You've Got to Actually Be There to See the Coolest Part.
Bass and Turchin joke that they live in a tree house, and for good reason: "The entire wall on the opposite side of the kitchen strips away to the outside, so it's almost like you're cooking outside," Turchin says. They're surrounded by a forest, separating them from the chaos of LA life. "It's really peaceful."
They Weren't Into Plain White Kitchens.
"Just because it's a kitchen doesn't mean it has to look like a kitchen," Bass says. The pair chose matte solid wood floors and used reclaimed wood throughout the kitchen to make it feel like a warmer, more inviting space to hang out—not just cook and go—and bring in the earthy feel of the forest that envelops their home.
Nobody Can Resist Subway Tile.
Clean white subway tile brightens up the kitchen, and it's simple enough that you won't get sick of it a year or two from now. Bass and Turchin kept the pops of color (like these turquoise jars) confined to the accessories, for the most part, so they're easy to swap out over time.
Yes, Those Champagne Bottles Are Real.
Don't expect Bass and Turchin to be popping those massive bottles of bubbly anytime soon. "They were a gift from Moet & Chandon on our wedding," Bass explains. "Every time we walk in, those remind us of that day."
They Keep the Essentials Close at Hand.
While Bass and Turchin try to eat healthy for the most part—every day starts with a glass of kombucha tea and plenty of fresh fruit—Bass is known for killing it in the kitchen with two dishes in particular: fried chicken and his Mimi's cheesy chicken casserole. "My Mimi, my grandmother, taught me how to make this dish, and it's got Ro-tel tomatoes and Velveeta cheese, which is so Southern, but it's the best-tasting casserole ever," he says.
Sounds like the perfect dish to launch his cooking show—or a Delish Kitchen Takeover.
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