Nate Berkus Is My Oprah
One of my favorite after-work rituals is to cuddle up with the pups on the couch and watch that day’s episode of the Nate Berkus Show, which airs at 2 pm. Thanks to Tivo, that is no obstacle to Barton, Lucy and I getting our daily dose of dreamy design ideas.
Today Nate posed a design identity quiz worth sharing. As most things Nate, the quiz is geared toward a female audience, however you fellas can feel free to subsitute words like “manicure” for “sports car.”
1. YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR A SWEATER… WHICH SWEATER WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
A. TAUPE TWIN SET
B. MULTI COLORED STRIPES
C. HOLIDAY SWEATER
D. WHAT THE MANNEQUIN IS WEARING (on the episode this was a red wrap sweater)
2. YOU’RE GETTING A MANICURE SPORTS CAR… WHAT COLOR POLISH DO YOU PICK?
A. CLEAR
B. HOT PINK
C. NAIL ART (A DIFFERENT DESIGN ON EACH NAIL)
D. A TRENDY COLOR FROM YOUR FAVORITE MAGAZINE
3. YOU’RE HOSTING A DINNER PARTY… WHAT DO YOU SERVE?
A. LAST MINUTE TAKEOUT
B. TRICOLOR PASTA, YELLOW SQUASH, RED VELVET CAKE
C. A HAWAIIAN LUAU FEAST
D. RECIPE FROM YOUR FAVORITE COOKING MAGAZINE
4. WHAT’S ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND?
A. NOTHING BUT A BOX OF KLEENEX
B. A LAVA LAMP
C. SNOWGLOBES FROM YOUR TRAVELS
D. A CURRENT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
5. YOU’RE AT YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT… WHAT DRINK DO YOU ORDER?
A. WATER
B. A COSMOPOLITAN
C. PINA COLADA
D. “I’LL HAVE WHAT SHE’S HAVING”
Here is what Nate says your answers say about your design style:
Mostly A’s = Design Phobic
Mostly B’s = Color-crazed
Mostly C’s = Theme-a-holic
Mostly D’s = Design copy cat.
Whether you’re a design phobic, color-crazed, a theme-a-holic, or a copycat, there’s a way to express your personality in a room without going overboard. Most of us have a little of each personality.
Nate then built a room that should suit all of these personalities for many different reasons.
Neutral Sofa
For the color-crazed and design phobic, start with a classic, neutral sofa. Choosing a neutral sofa allows you to be flexible choosing paint colors for your walls and deciding on a style for the space. You’ll never get tired of a neutral sofa, because it goes with any room.
Patterned Rugs
For theme-a-holics and copycats, add a rug that’s patterned, but not too loud.
Wall Paint
Paint is one of the easiest ways to update a space with a new look. If you’re color-crazed, pick one color for a room and stick with it! Try painting your walls neutral colors to see how it changes the look of the entire room.
Simple Lamps
If you’re a design phobic, add lamps constructed with a simple brass rod and simple beige linen shade. These types of lamps are classic and they never go out of style! If you’re a design phobic having a tough time making a decor decision, always err on the side of classic!
Studded Coffee Table
If you’re a design phobic or a theme-a-holic, try coffee tables with a studded theme to give your room a unique look. The studded tables have an edge that the theme-a-holic will love, because they’re not overly simplistic. Because they’re fairly universal, they work well for design-phobics, because they go with just about everything.
Accent Pillows
Adding pillows to the room is great for theme-a-holics and color crazed, because they’re the easiest thing to TRY in a space. You can play around with different pillow designs until you’re happy with the look. Add pillows with a Moroccan feel, patterned, heavy-textured weave pillows. Remember, a home should look assembled over time, and when you design in small doses with little accent touches like pillows, you can always change your mind and return what won’t work (as opposed to buying a massive upholstered couch only to realize it doesn’t work well in the space!) Also, accent pillows in a room allow your personality to shine through without doing anything permanent.
Classic Chair
The chair is a classic design choice for all design identities. It’s a staple of any room and upholstered in a solid fabric. You can add pillows or drape a throw over it.
Drapery
Drapery is great for design phobics, because if you pick a solid color, you can’t go wrong! If you’re a design phobic, take a look at your wardrobe. If you find a color you actually wear regularly, chances are it’s a color you’ll love living in. If you’re putting it on your body, you’ll like waking up next to it.
Of course I loved loved loved this room, probably because it incorporated all four design styles and our answers were all over the board. This post makes it no surprise we love a good theme, and of course our Copy That Room page says it all.
The question is, does having answers in all four categories mean you have a well-rounded design personality or does it mean you really have no clue what you’re doing? Anyone else out there in the same design identity boat?
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Hello, how are you? I hope you are doing well. I wanted to say that I like Nate Berkus Is My Oprah.