Nate Berkus Show Design Ideas

Who is Nate Berkus?

Nate Berkus is a design expert, a New York Times best-selling author, and a former regular contributor to The Oprah Show. After appearing regularly on Oprah. Berkus was given the opportunity to host his own show based on designing.

Maybe not a household name to everyone yet. Nathan Jay Berkus was born on September 17, 1971 in Orange County, California. Nate Berkus began designing as a child using his allowance to redesign his bedroom. Berkus jokes “Seriously, I was redecorating my room every week, I drove my parents crazy”.

The Nate Berkus Show http://www.thenateshow.com began in September 2010. It is co-produced by Harpo Productions.

The Show

His current show focuses on affordable design and design makeovers.The show also gives tips on how to design in small spaces, such as:

10 tips for designing in small spaces

• #1 Your Home Should Tell Your Story: Your home should tell your story! Add layers, textures, and photos to personalize your space. Make your home a beautiful reflection of who you are, and what you love!
• #2 Use Double Duty Furniture: Invest in multipurpose furniture. A tufted ottoman can be used as additional seating space or a coffee table.
• #3 Use Carpet Floor Tiles: Instantly update a space with carpet floor tiles. Carpet floor tiles are easy to install, and easy to replace when stained!
• #4 Float the Furniture: One of the easiest ways to make a small space feel bigger, or to create zones in a large space, is to float the furniture. Move your furniture away from the walls and put pieces on angles to add interest to your home.
• #5 Create Room Dividers: Create a bit of privacy in a large room with a makeshift room divider. Put up a collapsible screen, push bookcases back to back, or add a large dresser. When creating functional zones in a room, remember, a divider doesn't have to go all the way to the ceiling.

• #6 Add Area Rugs:Use area rugs to divide and identify a large space! If you can't install a physical barrier to section off a large room, area rugs are an affordable alternative that can help add distinction to a room with multiple functions.

• #7 Use Wallpaper in New Ways: Wallpaper isn't just for walls. Learn to use wallpaper in unexpected ways! Add it to the back of a bookshelf, use it to decorate the risers of stairs, or put it on a section of the wall behind an architectural piece to add drama to your space.

• #8 Dim the Lights: Showcase the beautiful design in your home with the right lighting! Lighting is one of the easiest ways to set the mood in your space. Create the right ambiance by installing dimmer units, which will allow you some versatility AND save you money!
• #9 Make Storage Space: Get creative when creating storage space for a small area. Use bed risers for additional storage room beneath your bed. Visit your local home goods store for under-the-bed storage chests, preferably with wheels for easy maneuvering.
• #10 Go Vertical: Living in a small area? Don't waste your precious space! Use an over-the-door organizer to maximize storage and closet space.

Berkus also has a love for vintage and antique finds. He is a self-described addict for flea markets and pieces that “tell a story”, and have character. But he also uses new pieces frequently scouring home improvement stores for deals.

Berkus is passionate about convincing Middle America that just because you are on a budget or don’t have a flair for design doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful designed home. He also shows how to design in spaces with small square footage.

He frequently takes old outdated pieces and redesigns them into new stylish pieces. Berkus network of design friends appear on the show with decorating and entertaining ideas.

Berkus is personable, warm, and enjoys surprising deserving people with giveaways and makeovers. He offers easy tips for updating your home with the help of a variety of design experts and do-it-yourself enthusiasts.

He began working in interior design straight out of high school and interned at Dominique Aurientis in Paris and Sotheby's in Chicago.

He then went on to study at Lake Forest College in Chicago and graduated with degrees in French and Sociology.

He traveled extensively which influenced his style and design knowledge.

Nate started his own design firm Nate Berkus Associates located in Chicago in 1995. Berkus natural talent attracted many high profile clients. Berkus caught the attention of an Oprah show producer, which landed him on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Oprah was so impressed by the designer he became a recurrent guest. As with many guests on Oprah he benefited from the “Oprah Effect”. Berkus was given the opportunity to host his own show. The award-winning designer/decorator has a Home Shopping Network line as well.

Personal Life

Berkus has suffered personal tragedy. In December 2004 Berkus and his partner, photographer Fernando Bengoechea, were vacationing at a beach resort in Sri Lanka when the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami hit. Berkus survived, but Bengoechea was swept away and never found. Berkus appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on January 17, 2005, to talk about his trauma and the loss of his partner.

The tradgedy of course had a deep imact on Berkus. He recently was interviewed about the Japan Tsunami, and it brought back painful memories.

Berkus is openly gay, but Berkus has remained private about his romantic relationships. He is handsome and stylish. Berkus could easil pass for a model; with a thick shock of brown hair, blue eyes, and a wide easy smile. He is charming. His sincerity and passion easily attract fans.

A self-described neat freak; He is self-deprecating about his slightly obsessive-compulsive personality. Despite being openly gay he gets plenty attention from female fans who gush over the masculine looking design star.

The show is about improving the environment you live in. Doing this can improve your mood, state of mind, and give you an excuse to invite friends over for a dinner party.

So Chill the wine and invite some friends over!