Recently I was invited by my friend Linda Sellers of One2One Network and LindaSellers.com to participate in a conference call with none other than Nate Berkus!  I had the privilege  of sharing this call with Teresa Anderson from Blissfully Domestic, Vivian Manning-Schaffel from momlogic, Christine Koh from Boston Mamas, Erin Renzas from iVillage, Emily Johnston from Material Girls Blog, Katja Presnal from Skimbaco Lifestyle, Angela England from Untrained Housewife, Danielle Smith from Extraordinary Mommy, Laurie Turk from the Tip Junkie, Duong Sheahan from Live Healthier and Happier, and Kimba Rue from A Soft Place to Land.  It was conducted by Melissa Armstrong from Sony Pictures TV. What a fantastic group!

In 2002, Nate Berkus was invited to make over a small space for “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” From there, Nate became a featured design expert for the show and continued to garner national press in publications such as ELLE décor, US Weekly, People, O Magazine, Lucky and Domino, to name a few. In the fall of 2005, Nate celebrated the release of his first book, “Home Rules: Transform the Place You Live into a Place You’ll Love,” (Hyperion), which went on to become a New York Times Best Seller. A year later, in 2006, Nate debuted his radio show, The Nate Berkus Show on XM’s, “Oprah Radio” channel, where he talked each week to celebrities, callers, and in-studio guests. In 2008, Nate hit prime time as the host of the movement-making hit show, “Oprah’s Big Give.” On September 13th, 2010, The Nate Berkus Show launched in households across America, and Nate couldn’t be more excited about his new daily series dedicated to living beautifully.

During the hour long phone conference, Nate answered numerous questions from all of the participants.  He was so gracious and friendly.  Although I would love to include the whole transcript, I’m sure the other women will cover the questions they had answered by Nate on their websites.

BA: Hi, Nate. How are you?

NB: Hi, Beth.

CG: I have to tell you that I love how you give such positive suggestions and advice to people. I think your warm personality is contagious.

NB: Oh, thank you.

BA: Some of my readers sent in questions and I’d like to ask you just a couple of them.  Nadia from New Jersey said, “Home is where the heart is. What is your number one tip for personalizing your living space?”

NB: Books and framed photos and I’ve never seen a well-designed room without either.

BA: Great.  Joanne from Oklahoma said, “My home is full of furniture passed down from previous generations. I don’t feel that it all fits my style, do you suggest I try to update these pieces or just get rid of them?”

NB: Definitely update. One of the first things that I do when I’m hired to design a space for somebody is taking inventory of what they already have and repurposing and reusing. And, you know, adding a coat of paint and new hardware on a chest of drawers or painting the frame of a vintage looking chair a bright color and recovering something or making a slip cover for it, to me those are the things that add layers to a room.

It’s very hard to have a beautiful space when everything is new. In fact, I would say it’s almost impossible. And I’ve never been a fan of very modern interiors that – even though I think there’s great modern design out there, I always mix it in with pieces that have patina and have some history and have some age and have some meaning, because otherwise I think that it’s a real miss design-wise, and also the room just never feels right.

BA: Sometimes it’s nice to have grandma’s pieces tucked in with new things

NB: I think it’s imperative, to tell you the truth. I mean, and I – it – you know, if you don’t – if you aren’t lucky enough to have things from grandma, then that’s when it’s time to hit the flea markets and the yard sales and the estate sales to start building a collection of things that come from different periods and different times.

BA: Right. And then, things you can then pass down to the next generation.

NB: Yep. I mean, I’ve had my sofa in Chicago for 15 years. I’ve recovered it once. And, you know, it’s – for me it’s a – just, you know, buy classic, timeless pieces and the personality comes from what you add to it, and those pieces that are hand-me-downs, you don’t have to use all of them.  I mean, if it’s a dining room set and you really – you’re not into the whole look, then, you know, store the chairs or give them to a family member and buy yourself a set of new upholstered chairs that are more contemporary to use at the table, but don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

BA: Well, that kind of leads into my next question from Shelly in Texas. She basically wanted to know if one was going to make an investment, what’s a timeless purchase for your starter home?

NB: I think there’s a few, actually. And I think the most timeless is a beautifully well-made simply upholstered sofa. Don’t go for a trend. Don’t go for pattern. Don’t go for color. Do it in linen or in leather or in cotton duck, something that’s just durable and is going to stand the test of time, and the style that works with whatever you evolve to be, as far as your sort of design personality as the years go on.

Second to that, a vintage or antique chest of drawers will last forever. You can use it in the bedroom, in the dining room as a side board, in the entry, and also a beautiful mirror is something that is really hard to get tired of.

BA: I have one of those sitting in a closet, actually. It was passed down from my grandmother. I’m trying to figure out what to do with it.

NB: Oh, great.

BA: One last quick question. Lisa from Michigan said that she’s on a very, very tight budget, but that she feels like her home décor is just outdated. What is the single most important thing that she should go look for to try to update her home décor? She’s thinking a sofa is such a big investment, but like lamps or pillows or pictures? Is there one thing on a budget that you would suggest that she go for first?

You know, the thing is, if you really want to have a beautiful room on a budget you have to do some leg work, and I’ll give her a few ideas. One is, go to Goodwill and thrift stores and things like that buy dresses or old cashmere sweaters or beautiful printed shirts, and turn them into pillows.

Another would be to update your lampshades. You can go to Target and get a new lampshade that will completely change the look of your existing lamp. And another tips is to paint the inside of the lampshades a soft color, pale blue, pale pink; pale gray, which changes the whole feeling once the light is one.

Then, you know, adding pottery, a collection of pottery in an accent color. All the same or like a rainbow of greens — for instance — on your mantle that you can find for under $5, $10 a piece if you go to a few different thrift stores and yard sales and the sort of inexpensive antiques malls and things like is another great way of adding huge impact for not a lot of money.

But, it takes effort to have a – to live beautifully and not spend a lot of money on it.

BA: Well, thank you, Nate, so much. I really appreciate you answering all these questions for me.

NB: You’re very welcome.  My pleasure.

Check out The Nate Berkus show this week where Nate will be doing some special holiday surprises in store!

TUESDAY – NOVEMBER 23, 2010
SHOW NUMBER 1061 – “SHARED SPACE – DIFFERENT TASTE SOLUTIONS”: Plus, Nate’s Week Of New Rooms Giveaway Team Rolls On…Next Stop, Massachusetts!

Tune-in for day two of Nate’s Crate Week of New Rooms! A Nate’s Crate is delivered in Boston to a widowed mom, who gets a life-changing surprise makeover. Then Nate showcases the perfect solutions to get your kids to agree on their shared rooms. Plus, how to bring the classic “mod” look into your home for next to nothing!

WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 24, 2010
SHOW NUMBER 1060 – “ULTIMATE HOLIDAY CHECKLIST”: Plus, Nate’s Crate Brings Christmas A Little Early For A Deserving Family.
Tune-in for day three of Nate’s Crate Week of New Rooms! Watch as a family who will be forced to spend their first Christmas apart in 17 years get a special delivery from Kim Coles: a Nate’s Crate! Then, elegant ideas to make your holiday party sparkle and your centerpiece sing. And, your design etiquette problems are solved! Plus, perfect gifts for the person who has everything, all for under $20.

THURSDAY – NOVEMBER 25, 2010
SHOW NUMBER 1018 (rerun) – “FROM HOMELESS TO FIRST HOME”: From Homeless…To Full-Ride College Freshman!
Nate will introduce Orayne Williams, a student who completed high school while living in a homeless shelter. Now Orayne is off to college and Nate helps him decorate and save space in his first home; a shared dorm room. Nate offers great space-saving tips for any small room. Then, Gossip Girl star Michelle Trachtenberg stops by to share the design tricks she can’t live without. And, how to throw the ultimate stress-free family reunion!

FRIDAY – NOVEMBER 26, 2010
SHOW NUMBER 1062 – “5-STAR HOTEL SECRETS FOR YOUR HOME”: Plus, The Nate’s Crates Just Keep On Coming
Nate reveals the secrets of five star hotel living and tells you how can turn your home into a luxury hotel experience without spending a fortune. Then, a hard working hotel maid gets a “tip”- in the form of a crate – she’ll never forget. Plus, get the secrets to negotiate like a pro. Also, do-it-yourself flower arrangements.

Check local listings for your viewing times and channel. Visit www.thenateshow.com.  You can find Nate Berkus on Facebook and Twitter.

Beth B. Anderson is the creator and President of Chic Galleria Publications, LLC and Editor-in-Chief of Chic Galleria magazine She is a Lucky magazine Alpha Shopper as well as a member of The Runway and Style Coalition. Beth lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she has been featured on FOX23 Daybreak and in the Tulsa World.

Tags: beth anderson, interviews, media, Nate Berkus