Totally Booked with Zibby Nate Berkus, FOUNDATIONS: Timeless Design That Feels Personal
Nov 18, 2025
Nate Berkus, celebrated interior designer and author, delves into his book, FOUNDATIONS, sharing his 30 years of experience. He discusses how a client's closet can reveal their authentic style and the importance of personal, emotional design. Nate emphasizes using heirlooms to enrich homes with memories and recounts surviving the tsunami and losing his partner, which reshaped his purpose in life. He balances authenticity with commercial work, illustrating how personal pain can lead to meaningful design and grateful living.
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Design In Manageable Sections
- Break design projects into focused sections so readers can tackle only the room they need.
- Create affordable, practical guides rather than expensive self-serving coffee-table books.
Closet As A Design Map
- A closet reveals what people feel good wearing and hints at their home's authentic style.
- Use that visual language to align interiors with personal identity rather than trends.
Ask About Favorite Outfits
- Ask clients about their favorite outfits and moments to identify their best self aesthetic.
- Translate those wardrobe cues into durable design choices, not fast-fashion trends.
