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Nate's Tips For Clueless Decorators

Nate Berkus
Designer Nate Berkus says even if you're clueless when embarking on a decorating project, you do have specific likes and dislikes—even if you're not aware of them. If you're having trouble identifying your style, look through magazines to see if anything catches your eye. Then answer these questions to tap into your personal style:


  • What colors do you tend to dress in?
  • In general, do you like things that make you think of the future or do you like things that remind you of the past?
  • What was your favorite vacation or getaway?
  • Are there any hotels or places you've visited that you walked in and thought, 'Wow, this is like a really cool place?'
Decorating Clues from Jerry O'Connell
Actor Jerry O'Connell identifies gray, black and tan as the colors he favors, and says he likes to look toward the future. "I like to look ahead," Jerry says. "I like to keep on moving." Jerry also likes the beach atmosphere of Hawaii and the simple, clean lines at Los Angeles's Mondrian Hotel.

"A lot of people who have never even thought about decorating, they've traveled," says Nate. "Jerry's traveled all over the world. Are there places you walked into and you felt good in? Because maybe I can take that feeling and try to translate that into his house. So, you know, that's sort of where I was headed with that question. But I didn't want to freak [Jerry] out. He wasn't being tested."

With just these simple clues, will Nate transform Jerry's apartment from animal house to bachelor pad chic? Find out!