Imagine the profound satisfaction of reaching into your life’s “Bucket List” and striking off one of its most audacious, seemingly unreachable “pipe dreams.” Just a few weeks ago, an extraordinary opportunity materialized from the vibrant energy of New York City. We received an unexpected call from The Nate Berkus Show, asking if we’d be interested in making a television appearance. The catch? The taping was in just two short days, requiring us to fly out the very next morning. Our immediate, enthusiastic response? An unequivocal “yes, please!”
A Dream Invitation: Meeting Nate Berkus
For years, I’ve harbored an admiration for Nate Berkus that bordered on obsession. It wasn’t just a casual appreciation; we’re talking about a level of fandom where his name alone would send my voice soaring an octave higher. The man possesses an undeniable charm and a design sensibility that resonates deeply with me, as evidenced by my past effusive posts about him here and here. The prospect of actually being on his show, however, felt utterly surreal. What role, we wondered, could we possibly play in the world of daytime television?
The show’s producers unveiled an exciting new segment: “Nate’s Crate Design Challenge.” This innovative feature would pit two everyday individuals against each other in a friendly yet fierce design competition, vying for Nate’s coveted design kudos. Their canvas? Two identical white rooms. Their tools? A mystery crate brimming with seemingly ordinary household items: craft paper, blankets, a feather duster, push pins, burlap, and staple guns. The challenge was to transform these blank spaces into inspired designs within the hour-long episode, using only these unconventional decorating supplies. It was a true test of creativity, resourcefulness, and budget-friendly design ingenuity.
Our role, they explained, would be to serve as judges. Given our extensive background in DIY projects and our passion for repurposing everyday items into creative home decor, they saw us as the perfect candidates – akin to the discerning eyes of Paula and Simon, or the dynamic duo of J-Lo and Steven from popular talent shows. The news left us utterly speechless; it was an honor beyond our wildest expectations. To be recognized for our love of hands-on home makeovers and transforming spaces with a DIY ethos was incredibly validating.
They even provided us with our very own American Idol-esque judging desk, adding to the grandeur of the experience:
And, to our utter delight and slight embarrassment, a subtitle appeared beneath our names that truly made us blush. It felt like absolute insanity, a testament to the unexpected turns life can take.
Adding to the excitement, Nate himself invited us onto the stage to demonstrate a few fun DIY projects using items straight from the mystery crate. It was an incredible opportunity to showcase practical, creative home decor tips live on national television.
A Whirlwind Trip: Our New York City Adventure Begins
The journey from receiving that unbelievable invitation to actually standing on stage with Nate Berkus was a blur. The day after the call, we were already boarding a plane to New York City. The pace was breathtakingly fast. This trip marked our daughter Clara’s very first flight, and thankfully, she slept like a champion. We had strategically timed our departure to coincide with her bedtime, hoping she’d remain calm and settled throughout the journey – and to our immense relief, it worked beautifully. Traveling with a baby can be unpredictable, but Clara proved to be an exceptional little travel companion, making the initial leg of our New York City adventure remarkably smooth.
Upon our arrival at LaGuardia Airport, we were met by a luxurious limo service, a stark contrast to our usual travel arrangements. We couldn’t resist being those slightly dorky tourists who snapped a picture of the sign bearing our names – a moment of pure, unadulterated excitement. It was a tangible sign that this surreal experience was actually happening.
It was nearing 11:30 PM by the time we finally reached our hotel. The show’s production team had generously arranged for our stay at the renowned Flatotel, a place known for housing contestants from iconic reality shows like Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model. The thought of staying in the same glamorous setting as previous reality TV stars felt incredibly exciting, evoking images of Tyra Banks herself! Our little “beanette” looked adorable in the spacious “big girl bed” (though she ultimately slept soundly in the crib thoughtfully provided by the hotel), perfectly content in our luxurious surroundings.
Behind the Scenes: Pre-Show Preparations
Morning arrived abruptly at 5:30 AM. With a studio call time of 7:15 AM, sleep had been a fleeting luxury, overwhelmed by a potent cocktail of nerves, excitement, and sheer “I-get-to-meet-Nate” mania. Before diving into the day’s demanding schedule, we took a precious moment to soak in the breathtaking city views from our fantastic corner room, a stunning panorama of New York City waking up. It was a moment of calm before the controlled chaos of television production.
By 7:30 AM, we were comfortably settled in the green room. My mom, who lives in New York, joined us there, ready to take on the crucial role of babysitter while we prepared for our appearance. This was, remarkably, the first time we’d had an official “babysitter” since Clara’s birth five months prior. Though we’d only be away for a few hours of rehearsing and taping, I fully embraced my role as the quintessential “nutjob mom.” I meticulously rattled off instructions: “If she seems tired, she likes to be held like this; she enjoys a gentle back rub here; she might want to stand, so hold her this way; and she might want to read a book, but only for a few minutes…” Of course, everything went perfectly, and my mom, a seasoned pro, didn’t need my ridiculous Clara crash course at all. Our little one looked absolutely adorable on the almost baby-sized settee in our private green room, which was thoughtfully appointed with fresh eats and beautiful flowers. It made us wonder who they thought we were – we would have been thrilled just to hang out in a cardboard box!
Next up was the transformation into our “TV-ready” selves. Even John received a dusting of powder! The sheer amount of makeup required to appear polished on camera was astonishing. All those products in the foreground? Every single one was utilized. The two talented hair and makeup artists, one even named Sherry (spelled just like mine!), were fantastic. They entertained us with captivating stories from their careers, making people beautiful on soap opera sets and movie lots – truly a peek into the glamour and hard work of television production.
As if the day couldn’t get any better, we had an unexpected, delightful encounter. We ran into Mrs. Limestone, another esteemed blogger, who was also scheduled to be featured in the same show. It was an absolute joy to finally meet her in person after years of being virtual blog buddies. She was just as beautiful and sweet in real life as she appeared online, and her husband was equally wonderful. They absolutely “killed it” on the show, eliciting well-deserved “oohs and aahs” from the audience as they showcased stunning “before and after” pictures of their jaw-dropping home transformations. (You can read more about her own TV experience here).
Lights, Camera, Action! Our Television Debut
Beyond this point, our personal photography ceased, as taking pictures in the studio was prohibited. However, the memories are vividly etched in our minds. After a quick rehearsal, a speedy makeup touch-up, a last-minute feeding for Clara, and the affixing of our microphones, we stepped out onto the brightly lit set and began taping the show. While full episodes aren’t typically posted online, we’re thrilled to share a clip of us performing our little “ditty” about using unconventional items for quick home makeovers. Yes, that’s me enthusiastically proclaiming “pickle jars!” – a testament to our passion for creative, budget-friendly decorating ideas:
Watch Clip: Simple Crafts on the Cheap (feat. Sherry!)
And here’s another clip, showcasing the dramatic reveal of the design challengers’ final rooms and our role in judging their innovative results:
Watch Clip: Nate’s Crate Design Challenge (Judging the Designs)
On-Screen Reflections: Lessons Learned from the Spotlight
Allow me a brief, perhaps vain, digression. My time on TV also brought a valuable fashion lesson: the “FIB” rule, or “Fitted Is Better.” I’m still not entirely sure why I opted for a bright red, flowy shirt that day. The moment I caught a glimpse of myself on the monitor, I knew I’d made a glaring mistake – a giant, red lollipop-esque mistake. So, to all the self-conscious moms out there who, like me, haven’t quite returned to their pre-baby bodies, here’s my earnest advice: avoid flowy tops. Unless, of course, your desired body shape is perfectly round, and you’re aiming for your aunt to call and inquire if Clara is expecting a new sibling! Now I know for next time. On the brighter side, regarding my on-screen demeanor, I felt I might have sported a slightly creepy, permanent smile and clapped a touch too enthusiastically. However, overall, it wasn’t as dreadful as I’d imagined. Most of the time, I confess, I could be found simply gazing at Nate with adoration…
…or gesturing wildly with my hands. In one particular shot, it appears as though I’m yelling at a contestant, but I assure you, I was nothing but kind and encouraging!
The Nate Berkus Magic: A True Professional
But enough of my self-analysis; back to the heart of the story. The entire experience felt genuinely out-of-body. Words simply cannot capture how genuinely funny, gracious, and utterly amazing Nate Berkus was in person. Not only did he personally compliment our house and our design sensibilities, both on and off camera (at one point, I honestly felt like I was melting into a happy little puddle on the studio floor!), but he also instilled in us a profound, newfound respect for the incredible demands of live television production. It’s far more complex than just mastering the basics of reading a teleprompter, thinking on your feet, and engaging an audience. Nate had to memorize which of at least six cameras, positioned in various locations and angles, to look at during each segment. It often felt less like a talk show and more like a meticulously choreographed dance. Major kudos to Nate Dog for his exceptional professionalism and effortless charm.
And did I mention how chummy we got on stage? Just look at how close our hands were in this shot, as we earnestly discussed the merits and versatility of burlap – a true testament to our shared passion for DIY and creative materials!
A Hasty Exit and a Happy Homecoming
Our final segment had barely concluded when a producer swiftly whisked us off the set, urging us to run to catch our flight. The production team had thoughtfully booked us on the earliest possible flight, ensuring we could make it back to Richmond just in time to host Katie, Jeremy, and Will Bower, who were spending the weekend with us. We left so quickly that we barely had a moment to geekily snatch the paper placard from our green room door – a small, cherished souvenir of our big day. It’s purely a coincidence that we snapped this photo with it in front of NYC’s very own Home Depot, as we sat in traffic on our hurried journey to the airport, reflecting on our whirlwind television experience.
Despite the unexpected traffic, we had ample time to spare at the gate. This proved to be quite entertaining for Clara, who was much more awake and alert for this daytime trip to the airport than she had been the night before. Just look at that TV-ready smile! It’s a shame she didn’t get to be the third judge, though I suspect her adorable squeals and dribbles might not have been quite as universally charming as they are to us.
Since we were traveling during daylight hours this time, Clara not only managed a quick, refreshing nap on the plane but also enjoyed some delightful alert time, gazing out the window and soaking up the aerial views. We are incredibly grateful that Clara’s first two plane trips were so incredibly smooth. We had feared that our “zip-in, zip-out” plan might disrupt her routine and result in a very unhappy baby, but she proved to be a truly wonderful little travel buddy, happily going with the flow and embracing all the new sights and sounds.
Ultimately, our little family of three happily made it home just in time for the arrival of the Bowers. And oh, how thrilled our dog Burger was to see us! We’re eternally grateful to John’s sister Emily, who fed, snuggled, and lovingly took care of him while we were gone, just as she did when Clara was born. Her support truly made this whirlwind adventure possible.
And so concludes the extraordinary tale of flying to New York City on less than a day’s notice and returning home within 22 hours of our departure. In fact, both of us woke up that Saturday morning sharing the same thought: “Was that all a dream? Were we really in NYC just yesterday morning?” We didn’t truly believe it had all happened until we watched the episode unfold on television. It turns out, it really did. Someone slap pinch me, because it still feels like a dream come true – a truly unforgettable chapter in our journey of DIY, design, and unexpected television fame.
All images and video clips of the show, courtesy of thenateshow.com.