Designer Nate Berkus: Oriental rugs are timeless
Nate Berkus, an interior designer from Chicago, offers advice on decorating.
Q. Is it still possible to decorate using Oriental rugs? I have several that I dearly love. Every decorating magazine shows plain or modern patterns. I don’t want to chuck my rugs!
A. I think you have answered your own question. You love your rugs, so absolutely, yes, you should be living with them. I personally find Oriental rugs timeless. Design is really about finding a style that represents who you are and not following the trends in magazines. To update the look, consider pairing your rugs with simpler upholstery.
Q. I’ve lived in my house for four years, and I still can’t decorate the fireplace mantel. Any ideas?
A. For the mantel, I typically go with one of two choices: a large statement piece like a mirror, painting or photograph hung above it, or several smaller framed pieces leaning against the wall. If you choose the first option, keep the accessories on the mantel itself simple: A beautiful pottery bowl, a pair of candlesticks or a series of handmade pottery in complementary colors would be beautiful.
Q. I can’t find a tile backsplash that I love enough to live with for years to come. So I’m thinking of painting the walls a high-gloss black or silver. My cabinets are white with white quartz counters, and the appliances are stainless steel. What would you do?
A. I would go with a classic subway tile, either Carrara marble, which is readily available at home improvement stores, or a white or pale gray ceramic tile. The tile lasts longer than paint and is much more hardworking in the kitchen.
Q. I am in a love/hate relationship with the open concept, which is all the rage. While I love having an open feeling on the first floor where I can see from my dining room to the kitchen to the family room, it perplexes me on how to design a cohesive space.
A. Use complementary paint colors throughout the space. Pick a palette for the home and stick to it, and make sure everything in the space is at varying heights. The problem that I see most often with the open concept is that nothing in the room is higher than the back of the sofa, but you should place a tall bookcase or armoire against one wall to draw the eyes upward to appreciate the full space.
This story was originally published June 26, 2015 at 1:23 PM with the headline "Designer Nate Berkus: Oriental rugs are timeless."