Interview: Nate Berkus' Tips For A Great Outdoor Space

Creating an outdoor living space that is functional and stylish can be challenging, particularly when there are children in the mix. Few understand this challenge better than noted interior designer, and father of two, Nate Berkus.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Ninety seven point one WASHM with Tobyand Chilly in the morning until in the
morning ninety seven point one Wash FM, the Great Nate Burkas is here.
Good morning, Nate. Thank youfor letting us talk to you. Before
we jump into our full conversation,I just wanted to say the story about
how your kids inspired you to workwith Great Wolflage in the Poconos is awesome.

(00:20):
Talk about keeping it in the family. How'd that whole thing come about?
Well, they're very excited for thenew resort in the Pocono Mountains to
launch this fall. They're kids.They want to get on the water side
right now. This couldn't come ina better time with your I guess tips
for everybody on how to create somestylish outdoor living spaces because a lot of
people, I think eventually figure outhow to design or kind of decorate the

(00:43):
inside of their homes, but it'sthe deck or the patio that they're scratching
their heads about. The mistake thatI've found that most people make in thirty
years of doing this, they dotwo things. The outdoor space is an
afterthought and it has nothing to dowith the way that they design the interior
of the home. They all ofa sudden they go crazy. They're like,
we don't have anything orange in ourhouse, but the whole outdoor.
Let's just do this orange Boulstree andit makes no sense. So keep it

(01:06):
consistent. Number one and two.You know, and I'm guilty of this.
I'm a father of two. Lifeis busy, and I understand that
for everybody. But get it together, guys. June is not the time
to start shopping for outdoor furniture.Let's put a little bit of thought and
planning into this. On a snowyday in the middle of November, why
don't you thumb through some catalogs orlook online at some things that you might
want to get a jump on,so by the time the season rolls around

(01:27):
you're ready. Give me two quickhot tips for somebody who has like a
tiny patio space in a nine squarefoot apartment. What can I do that's
simple, yet effective, whimsical andfun. Don't do apartment size furniture.
Everybody thinks if you have a smalloutdoor space, you need to do,
you know, two tiny chairs anda tiny little you know, side table.

(01:49):
I would rather have a comfortable loveseat and a coffee table you can
throw your feet on. When Iwas designing the outdoor spaces for the woodland
villas at Great Wolf Lodge, youknow we had we all so design the
pool cabanas, which are huge squarefootage was but the goal was that everybody
would have a place, everybody wouldhave a good spot to sit, properly
scaled furniture where everybody has a hasa nice spot. Real grass with some

(02:13):
stone or turning your small backyard intoall stones, which do you prefer?
You need some soft space, especiallyif you have kids. So whether it's
real grass or scode or simulated grasswhich is really easy to maintain and helpful
for the environment, I would gowith that as opposed to all stone.
What about a fire pit? Isthat a must have sort of a thing?

(02:36):
Or do you like the tiki torchsting or no? Where are you
leaning? When it comes to liketheves or the tarra flames of the world,
I'm no stranger to a s'more.If a fire pit is going to
get you to use your outdoor spacemore and have an opportunity to create memories,
I did throw them into the woodlandvilla outdoor spaces at Great bullflug because

(02:57):
you know, it's a really greatthing on vacation, but why not have
that vacation feeling at home every day. Well, we really do look forward
to seeing all your work when wego up to Great Wolflygetober. I can't
wait. Thank you so much forthat, and I'm so glad that you
confirmed that fake grass is okay.There's nothing wrong with that. Let your
husband know, Chill. We appreciateyour time. Nate and Nate, thanks

(03:19):
very much. You guys wanted tosay thank you. I'm thanks to you.
I'm going to take my patio furniture, trash it and go get something
like a love seat, get ridof that tiny chair, Toby, and
I'll tag you on install with theaftermath, I promise. I appreciate that.
I'm looking forward to the aftermath.Nineteen seventy point one Watch at Them
with Toby and Chilly in the morning.