Sweet Home Alabama

It's love at first sight for Colette when she walks in the door of her "new" house. "It's absolutely gorgeous," she says. "And you did everything I wanted." In the entrance hall, Nate placed a faux-bamboo chest from Ralph Lauren Home, which he painted a high-gloss turquoise. He also created texture and intimacy in the foyer with grass cloth wallpaper.

"I couldn't give you a kitchen without giving people somewhere to sit," Nate explains. "We talk a lot about adding personality to rooms, but, really, it's the people living in the house who bring that."