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Book: Design Map
By : Saxon Henry
One thing is clear about Nate Berkus’ first book: the designer cares deeply about helping others bring intimate style into their homes. “I saw this first book as my perspective on a basic guide to design,” he says. “This was my way of answering the questions flooding in over the Internet after people saw me on television. I wanted to make a map to help them set out on their own when designing their homes themselves.”
The first chapter, titled “Inspirations,” encourages readers to ask 10 questions in order to identify their stylistic tendencies. My favorite is, “Do your decorating dreams correspond to the way you actually live?” Berkus, who’s a master at choosing clean, clear colors, devotes an entire chapter to the subject. He also presents primers on small spaces, kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and organizing, urging readers to think of the book as an appointment with him.
The book is filled with personal stories of people he’s helped to transform their interiors. In the chapter on color, he describes helping Hilary Offenberg—whose husband had died of cancer several years before—make over her apartment.
“With my own experience of loss, I knew that surrounding yourself with soulful yet subtle reminders can bring comfort and familiarity to a home,” he wrote, adding that Offenberg wanted to incorporate mementos from her marriage into the new interiors. “Like all of us, she needed to keep these meaningful pieces of the past in order to embrace the future. But she also wanted to make sure those elements were incorporated in a way that avoided turning the room into a shrine.” The yellow that Berkus chose for the walls in the updated apartment turned the once bland, monochromatic home into a sunny and heartfelt fresh start for Offenberg and her daughter.
Berkus’ introduction to the book reflects his design philosophy perfectly: “A home should be a reflection of your lifestyle and tell the story of the people who reside there over the years. As our lives evolve, so should our interiors.” Berkus advises that a home is the most important place to invest money and energy. “Your home is where you live, not just physically but spiritually and emotionally as well.”
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