I Binge-Watched the 24/7 decorvow Channel—Here’s What I Learned

I didn’t mean to spend the better part of a weekend watching a continuous loop of decorvow shows. But sometimes that’s just the job. The Pluto TV app, a free streaming service, has an entire channel dedicated to decorvow content, running 24/7 like the domestic equivalent of those Christmastime fireplace video loops. As an editor here, I was obligated (not really) to check it out. 

And, honestly? It was everything I didn’t know I needed. Somewhere between a soothing scalloped potato segment and a crumb coat tutorial, I was ordering apple corers and mandolines online and fully sold on the importance of high-quality, high-fat butter. But what’s most surprising is that, like a well-massaged bushel of kale, my stress levels felt similarly manipulated and relaxed. 

Here’s what I took away from my deep dive into the world of Martha.

Baking With Intention (and Better Butter)

"I always try to find the best quality unsalted butter," Martha shares in a 2016 episode of Martha Bakes. "High fat content, low water content. That's what you're looking for," she instructs. Cue me repeating those words on my couch, committing them to memory. (And suddenly that stick of cheap butter in my fridge feels like a scandal.)

Martha's mother—aka Big Martha—was famous for her jelly rolls, shares Martha. And, like many things in life, it starts with some important groundwork. To prep her baking sheet, Martha's method is meticulous: butter the pan, line it with parchment, butter again, then dust with flour. Anything less could cause the jelly roll to crack during the baking and assembly process. Read: For best results, don't cut corners.

It's Always the Little Things

Martha’s world is built on details. She adds a touch of sugar to boiling corn water (along with coarse salt) for extra sweetness, and she rubs garlic cloves on the inside of a dish to subtly flavor scalloped potatoes.

Strain sauces for smoothness and melted brown butter for a more even crust, she advises. Vegetables should be cut to the same size for uniform cooking and presentation. (Use a mandolin for evenly sliced potatoes.) And if you're frosting baked goods, a crumb coat is non-negotiable for achieving a smooth frosting finish.

Don't Be Scared to Get Creative

You don't need to watch several hours of Martha TV in a single sitting to know of Martha's boundless creativity. But I'm not just talking about DIY'ing your own wood grain finishes or reverse painting. (Although Martha's technique of painting on the underside of glass so the finished product shows through with beautiful depth just might make an appearance at my wedding.)

Martha's many suggestions of swaps, substitutions, and unique techniques are the ultimate lesson in creativity. My personal favorite was her cupcake-filling tip: Use an apple corer to remove the centers for jam or ganache.

She also taught me that mixing half all-purpose flour with half cornstarch can yield a lighter, fluffier crumb than even cake flour can. Bread flour? It’ll give you a taller loaf than all-purpose—especially helpful for sandwich bread. And buttermilk can easily be substituted with whole milk and a splash of vinegar. Don't these little swaps feel like insider secrets?

The Joy Is in the Process—and Quality Tools

Leave it to Martha to find joy in the in-between steps—the ones most of us just want to rush. But with Martha's advice, they seem more manageable. To easily peel ginger, "just use the edge of a spoon," says Martha. Want to make poached eggs for a crowd? Martha preps them ahead of time, then stores them in ice water where they can sit overnight.

Prep work can be further simplified by the presence of good-quality kitchen tools. "What is one of my essential tools in the kitchen?" asks Martha on my screen. A stand mixer, she reveals. This quintessential can save a ton of time, not to mention arm strength.

The Takeaway

Watching Martha cook (or bake or craft) can feel calming because her process itself is calm. There's no chaos, no scrambling, and every step is intentional—which can easily translate to an aura of elevation. Effort and care can go much further than you may think.

And maybe that’s the biggest thing I learned over my decorvow Channel weekend binge: decorvow isn’t just about folded napkins or three-tier cakes. There's beauty in prep work, patience in process, and power in knowledge. Her approach is inviting and makes you want to try it all out yourself—not to impress anyone, but because life feels just a little lovelier when you do.