Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent Mint a New Style Bound To Catch On Far and Wide: ‘Farmhouse With a Passport’
HGTV
On their show “The Nate & Jeremiah Home Project,” married designers Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent rarely wield sledgehammers to break down walls and start from scratch. Instead, they thoughtfully preserve as much of a home as possible, which not only honors its spirit but is easier on the wallet, too.
On the episode “Keep It in the Family,” for example, they head to Franklin Square, NY, to help newlyweds Jenn and Steve create a stylish living space for themselves while paying homage to Steve’s grandfather, who built their house in 1951. Steve’s mother grew up there, and they don’t want to erase that priceless heritage.
With a budget of $125,000 to make over the kitchen, living room, dining room, formal entry, and family room, Berkus and Brent will need to spend each dollar wisely. And they do, coming up with some extremely clever ideas you might want to try, too. Check out what we learned from the show this week.
New style: ‘Farmhouse with a passport’
Kitchen with European accentsHGTV
While interviewing Jenn and Steve, they find out that Steve has a Southern European heritage, and Jenn likes the farmhouse style. But both are wonderfully open to suggestions.
Berkus and Brent come up with a style Berkus dubs “farmhouse with a passport,” drawing from the inspiration of Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian farmhouses.
“We’d like to raise the farmhouse vibe and pull references that are maybe a little bit more European,” says Berkus.
“The idea is bringing in different farmhouse references,” says Brent. “From places not just in America, and the heritage and the rich textures and the things that are really beautiful there, and incorporating those in a way that feels meaningful.”
Some of the features they’ll use are Mediterranean arches, stone flooring, classic and timeless terra-cotta tile, herringbone-patterned floors, and rustic, reclaimed wood shelves.
Mix heirlooms with personal items
Lovely pressed wedding bouquetHGTV
The couple have many wonderful antiques, which were passed down to them by previous generations of Steve’s family, and they also have some keepsakes of their own they want to include in the decor.
“He has inherited not only the house from his grandfather, but all of the stuff that comes with it,” Brent says of Steve. “With all that stuff comes a huge responsibility, where he doesn’t want to disrespect his family, his mother, his grandfather, but also leave room for him and Jenn to start a whole new life together.”
They end up wanting to display an interesting mix of family items, like Steve’s grandfather’s toolbox and a stained-glass window that he made, plus their own treasures, like Jenn’s pressed wedding bouquet and a wedding memento carved from the lawn’s 100-year-old oak tree.
The ‘secret weapon in any design’
Rich-looking draperiesHGTV
Brent firmly believes in the importance of window coverings, saying they are “the secret weapon in any design.”
“With all the natural light in Jenn and Steve’s home, it’s really important that we get this right,” he says, as he sorts through numerous fabric swatches. “Remember, we’re trying to balance it so I really want it to feel country, but I really want to make it more global.”
They pick a neutral, loose-weave linen with a pleat for the windows in the dining area. They look fabulous against the dark gray plaster paint on the walls.
An entertainer’s home needs a built-in bar
A bar is essential for entertainingHGTV
“This house is going to become a destination,” says Berkus. “For all holidays, to welcome all their friends, both of their huge families, we set them up to entertain in a really beautiful way.”
That includes a stylish bar tucked in the corner of the family room. Sure enough, it is the place that draws everyone when they first tour the house. It’s also an excellent place to display their mementos.
Don’t be afraid to bargain
Mantel acquired by price negotiationHGTV
Brent and Berkus head upstate to a vintage store where they believe they can find just the right antique fireplace mantel and surround.
Once they’ve located what they’re looking for, they don’t just check the price tag and pull out their wallets. They are savvy buyers who know that smart shoppers seldom pay retail, and many prices can be reduced.
In the end, this home’s makeover only enthralls not only Jenn and Steve, but Steve’s mom as well.
“I want to thank Nate and Jeremiah and their hardworking team for making all of this happen,” she writes in a letter to the designers two weeks after they’d completed the project. “I know that my parents would be thrilled with the renovation just like I am. It is now truly Steve and Jenn’s own house. What I am most looking forward to is making memories with my own future grandchildren in the new home.”
The post Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent Mint a New Style Bound To Catch On Far and Wide: ‘Farmhouse With a Passport’ appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
