HGTV stars Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent design homes that tell accounts

Even the country's most googled interior designer one anointed by "the oprah show, With merch lines at Target give in to reliving his snow capped childhood.

When HGTV star Nate Berkus last have seen the Minnetonka home where his mother and stepfather still reside, He passed on a beloved winter tradition to his own children. "He was showing them how to sled in the backyard like he used to sled with his sister and his brother, Berkus' husband and design wife, Jeremiah Brent, Recalls on a recent call from oregon. "It became, Really darling,

"Not my tray, Brent interjects, Playfully bantering in reference to his spouse, Just as they will on HGTV's "The Nate Jeremiah Home product, The designer duo's newest and most personal cooperation.

On its skin, "Home job, Which debuted in july, Seems typical of the home renovation genre. with the exception that along with pulling up carpet or tearing off wallpaper, Berkus and Brent peel back the layers of their clients' people, Getting to know them through the stories of their collectibles. this approach, the couple say, Helps create not just beautiful looks, But beautiful human contacts.

"it isn't just stepping in and making something pretty, But stepping in and really trying to know what makes these people tick, Berkus statements. "So that client, the home and property really reflects them,

likewise, The couple reveal more about theirselves by bringing the camera into their own home. Simple scenes of the dads discussing their latest project while making pancakes or building towers and their kids show how the couple's zest for design is integrated with regards to daily life. Through these clips, Berkus and Brent give gay fatherhood greater presence than, most likely, all others couple. He was determined, partially, By his modern families, Whose careers involved using beautiful or interesting objects his mother as an interior designer and his father as a founder of the National Sports Collectors Convention.

After their divorce case, Berkus grew up mostly in Minnetonka regarding his mother and stepfather, Who relinquished a section of their unfinished basement to the then 13 year old. Thus ensued Berkus' first home remodeling: His own bedroom and powder room, custom built down to the nickel satin pulls and grass cloth wallcovering.

While his peers played baseball or on-line games, Berkus spent his time to yourself shopping. "people do not asiame review necessarily connect the Twin Cities with interior decoration, But growing up in the western suburbs of new york, have been flea markets, Or Stillwater and other towns enabling you to go to vintage malls, Berkus replies. "Downtown Hopkins was my stomping ground and I used to spend my allowance on decorative points that I would find in those big antique malls on Main Street,

By highschool, Berkus took over as youngest staffer at the Ralph Lauren store in Ridgedale. He loved the job and its associated with perks. "I was 15 and they gave me credit cards and a discount, And i had been like, 'My every day life is complete,or,--" He recalls. "It was terrific. I weren't able to drive, But I could charge a sweater, (naturally, Berkus loved the perks too much. "I was extremely freewheeling with my first credit card, he admits that. "My stepfather wanted to bail me out,)

likened to his peers, Berkus felt away place, And restless to understand more about a wider world. "I was desperate to leave the suburbs, So i did before take the bus from downtown Hopkins to Uptown and go to Ragstock and buy Army pants, he admits that. "i assumed I was very, very cool,

Berkus' an old hangout, The Ediner in Calhoun block, Is in length shuttered. But he has taken his family to other mn mainstays, and this includes Leeann Chin and Perkins. ("I almost got shamed beyond Perkins, Brent admits. "as they tried to order a Perrier, Berkus chides.) as well, don't forget, Berkus' mate Dairy Queen, For a dark dipped vanilla cone.

While Berkus and Brent have shopped in the downtown area Wayzata, 50th and france, your Galleria area, the pair are always sure to stop at H Gallery on Hennepin Avenue, their best treasure hunting spot.

But spending time with relatives and buddies is the top priority when Berkus comes to town. "I still am very associated with Minnesota, Berkus tells me. "we've nieces and nephews that still live there. My parents' friends that I was raised with are all there. Reported about Berkus avoiding his loved ones just is not true, he tells. "from the she wrote something once when I was in town about how I didn't call my family, Berkus tells.

"The only distinction between young Nate and the superstar you see on TV today is the cameras that follow him around, Notes childhood years pal Ali Kaplan, A fellow style maven and editor of Twin Cities Business publication. "there's a glow about him that tipped to big things ahead and the good hair and piercing blue eyes didn't hurt! What makes him so engaging and adored is that he's totally himself, From his insatiable sweet tooth to his relentless spirit. He truly loves design above all, The power it has to raise our lives. "Early in their working relationship, Berkus together with Brent, Who both worked in design and television, Kept their guru lives separate. Berkus was better established. He had hosted "The Nate Berkus have shown, Redecorated dr. Ruth's condominium, And written two best-selling books. Brent was a cast person in "The Rachel Zoe assignment" Who had just started his design firm and wanted carve out his own career path. "Initially, We were really like, 'You you should, i'll go ahead and do me, See you on the other hand,'" Brent is marked.

"it was vital for Jer to become who he was meant to become, And for me to not get when it comes to that, Berkus brings.

But the two couldn't help but discuss their design projects after were together, And soon they established skilled partnership, quite. They've since modeled along for Banana Republic ads, Hosted their first home rehabilitation show, "Nate Jeremiah By production, And collaborated on several branded products.

about their design philosophies, Brent is likely to push Berkus, Who leans more on convention and history, to prepare more radical choices. But even if you two hold diverging opinions on whether you can wash pillows, Or put an area rug on permanent carpet, They are aligned in their focus on personalizing their clients' designs.

"We're not trying to show you how to flip your house in three days, Brent statements. "We don't need to show you how to finish it in a weekend because we have no idea how to do that. But what we do know is the value of fabricating a space that tells your story and shows your experiences. The value of walking into a home and actually seeing yourself reflected in that area surrounding you, which people do know,

Compared with other home renovation shows, Shines the spotlight more brightly on the house owners. within your "change" segment, Berkus and Brent hear the stories behind their clients' sentimental decor for example, the heirloom music box and Steinway piano that two sisters inherited from their mother and incorporate special possessions into the redesigned space.

It's a stark contrast to sledgehammer happy, Home reno show individuality, Who often come off as more one perspective with their tough guy demo scenes and wisecracking, Goofball shtick.

"What we know as people trumps everything that we know as designers, Berkus reveals. "When we have a chance to walk into these homes and to be learning, together with the audience, About who these households are, What's been important to them in their lives, What joys they've seasoned, What they have got lost, what they have to hope to gain, We take all of that actually seriously.