Home Rules: Transform the Place You Live into a Place You'll Love

by Nate Berkus, John Bessler (Photographer), Fernando Bengoechea (Photographer)

Nate Berkus, regular contributor on The Oprah Winfrey Show, contributing editor of O, The Oprah Magazine, and nationally renowned decorator, has created a book inspired by his belief that everyone should love the way they live. This step-by-step guide to achieving your own beautiful rooms is based on Nates signature style and innovative approach to design. As a small boy, Nate could often be found rearranging his room (as well as helping his mother and the other neighborhood mothers rearrange theirs). Throughout the years his passion continued to grow, and soon Nate was heading his own award-winning firm with an elite roster of clients. But it was Oprah Winfrey who gave Nate the chance of a lifetimethe opportunity to go into millions of homes around the world and join her mission to help people live their best lives. It has been a dream come true that has absolutely changed my life, explains Berkus. Not only has working with Oprah helped me redefine my own vision and purposebut she continues to challenge me to use my own life to help others live better. And there is nothing that makes me happier or more grateful than to be a part of that. As Oprah always says, your home should be a reflection of who you truly are. Nate says, no matter how much money you have, he believes that is so very true. I am honored to share my love of design to help everyone make that dream real for themselves with this book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Design, Interior Design, Reference, Art, How To, Home Improvement

176 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first place I saw Nate was on Oprah. I loved his simple, minimalist style and thought I would check out this book.

This book stands out for me because it takes many things about you into account; space, budget, taste, comfort and lifestyle. What do you really love? How do you use your space?

His off the grid approach of visiting auctions, flea markets, or garage sales, can help you to find items or provide ideas that magazines or online shopping lack.

Creative, fun, warm and through provoking, this is an awesome and practical guide to putting together your home.

Must read!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good grieft, what's not to like about Nate? Good looks, charm, and impeccable taste. I knew I had a weakness for Nate's design when he mentioned that "white subway tile is my forever favorite." Mine too Nate! I've installed it in two of my kitchens now! His modern/contemporary style is amazing but never over powers the true taste of his homeowners. Now if I could just get him to come to my house and re-do my office....

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read The Things That Matter Nate Berkus book before this one and this book is much simpler and less cluttered. I guess you would say his designs are classic. This book is 14 years old but the rooms can still be considered chic now - can't say that for many decorating books from 2005! There isn't anything groundbreaking here, just commonsense. Fun to see inside Oprah's closet and Kirstie Alley's kitchen, and other people who could afford Nate or got a makeover somehow. Quick read.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the book and the ideas and materials Nate talks about. Most of the design styles were not my style but we all have our own tastes. I still refer back to the book with the ideas and designs that I did love.

[Caffers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely coffee table type book, but not a lot that's helpful to me.
If I needed to know good ways to store 200+ pairs of shoes in my walk-in closet, or get my home ready for a magazine photoshoot, this book would be more useful to me.
It does have a lot of pretty pictures though!

[Sue Gregg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Although I watch a lot of home shows this had some very nice ideas in it. Quick read - lots of pictures.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a design book where I loved nearly all the photos. So clean-lined and gorgeous.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Attractive photos, but so much was focused on painting the woodwork, which is a hard no from me.

[C.J. Edmunds · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word. Oprah.

Either you love her or you don't. Either you listen to her or you tune out. But at the very least & with regards to her guests on the show, you should listen to them.

Chicago's own, Nate Berkus is one such person.

Unlike my other fave, design doctor, Thom Filicia from Queer Eye & his own show, Dress My Nest, which finally we have here, Nate's sense of design & style is self taught. He was thrust into the spotlight in 2002 when he guested on Oprah & since then has been giving home styling tips. He currently has his own show on Oprah's O.W.N network.

But this book which I got & also gave as a bday gift for a friend will most certainly give you tips on how to make you home a better one. This coffeetable book has lotsa great pictures which I know you will love & wouldn't mind incorporating into your own houses. From tackling each room what you need it for to little addendums to personalize your space, Nate's own rules for making your space should be heeded. And with my own house project coming up in the month, I know I am guided with these 2 Masters, Nate & Thom to keep me inspired & happy. ;)

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm cleaning up my book collection and trying to get rid of books that I've been hanging onto (unread) for years. I read 4 decorating books in a short span. I immediately put two in the donate bin. This one I put aside to potentially keep. The difference is Nate's style from 2005 still works today. The other books were filled with trendy decorating styles that went out shortly after the books were published.

In addition to the timeless style in most of his designs I also love the simplicity. That combined with really good advice on how to "build" a design from a realistic approach. He talks about everything from budget to what you can do in a day, weekend, or longer projects.

I know Nate is self taught and some people do not respect that in the design community. However, I think it makes him easily relatable to the average person reading a design how to book.

[Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not exactly ground breaking for home decoration (sighting basic advice like paint is the cheapest way to dramatically change a room). However, this book is still a good starting place for inspiration. The rooms featured were diverse and attractive. I wish there had been more pictures, but that tends to be how I feel about most decoration books. I was hoping for a bit more detail in the sections, but still found most of the suggestions to be solid budget-conscious ideas. I've been a big fan of Nate Berkus since I first watched him on Oprah and then after when he had his own tv show.

[Schnaucl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't watch Oprah but I'm buying his sheet sets for my bed so I figured I'd read his decorating book. It was a fun read. There was nothing earth shattering. It had the same problem that most decorating books do-- everything is cleaned as though for company. I need to know how things will work when people have actually lived with it. Yeah, some people can keep a place clean all the time or can afford staff to do it (the interior shots were often of well known actors and actresses' homes) but most of us aren't going to have everything neatly put away all the time.

[Liisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you love Nate's work? (Or do you simply just love Nate?!) Can't afford to hire him and don't know Oprah? "Home Rules" is a great coffee table book filled with decorating ideas and "design rules" to get the Nate look for your own home.

For me, it is what you would expect from a design book. Great pictures, easy to follow "rules" and a Design Bible that you can refer back to from time to time.

[Jeni · Rating 4 out of 5]

i enjoyed it a lot. there were a lot of great ideas for painting, organizing, and choosing decorative items to make a room look "professionally done" without spending a profession budget :)

there were a few common sense areas that to me were kind of obvious, but that's me. there were lots of helpful hints for methat might be obvious to other people! overall, i like his approach and tone and would recommend it, especially if you just bought a house!!

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was one my daughter Jennifer of The Underestimated Mom found at the Library sale ( blogged about it on July 9th ) we attended. It is worth the read. Nate gives a lot of good ideas that can be done on a budget, in an hour, a day or a weekend. He takes each room in the house and gives examples that are fun to look at. I learned a lot. He asks good questions to make you think about your style, not imposing his style on anyone. I am impressed.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first saw Nate on Oprah and loved him. He is self taught and his mom is an interior designer also. The photography is gorgeous. Nate's book is simple and easy to understand. He covers many spaces and also shows how you can make a change in your home in an hour, a day, a weekend or a month. Many of his ideas are very inexpensive. He encourages repurposing, Thrift shops, flea markets and antique shops. Did a few of his suggestions over the weekend FEB 25th) What a great book!

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

As many of you know, I'm buying a house and rebuilding my furniture and decor from scratch. This book did a great job of helping me put some structure to the ideas of decor. I know what I like when I see it and I know what I don't like, but this helped me understand why.

Plus it has pretty pictures.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly helpful book with gorgeous photographs. Love that it includes before and after photos of case studies Berkus uses to explain design principles. Tips and definitions sprinkled throughout the book range from the obvious for those needing the most basic of design help to questions designed to make the DIYer really find their personal style.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, this is a decorating book...not a novel. I really enjoyed it and love Nate Berkus. The book starts with inspiration...how to determine your style, your colors...then goes room by room...I loved it. He stresses function and design for not necessarily a lot of money. It is the kind of book that I would re-read when the "inspiration" hits me again and again...

[Adinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Een aardig boek met veel foto's en wat nuttige basisregels voor je interieur, maar sommige tips liggen wel erg voor de hand. Ook zien de meeste make-overs er weliswaar veel beter uit, maar vond ik sommige kleurenpaletten en combi's echt ronduit vreselijk. Vooral leuk om eens door te bladeren dus, maar eigenlijk ook niet meer dan dat: 'Thuis in je huis' is wat dat betreft net een tijdschrift.

[Cory · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Nate Berkus because of my Oprah and Friends satellite radio, so I was really interested in reading this book. It gave me some good ideas about color and made me feel like it's in my power to make my home presentable.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had some fun easy ideas for redecorating, however, most of them cost a small fortune. If I wanted to spend that much money I would just pay someone to do it for me. Plus I'm not the stitching lace and buttons on your curtains kind of girl. Just buy some new freaking curtains.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a while ago and forgot to add it until now. I love Nate Berkus and I enjoyed every detail of this book. It's always fun to read a design book and use a few ideas now, but also dream about having a house and decorating a lot more some day!

[Tisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick, fun read that gave me a lot of ideas about how to decorate my home. I loved the pages of questions he has in the book that can help one figure out what their own personal style is. If I had tons of money to blow I would actually implement some of his ideas.

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I hadn't learnt so much from him already from his appearances on Oprah, I would've learnt a lot and given this book a higher rating. I really didn't need to read this. This would be a good read for someone who is starting out in home decorating.

[Jody]

I love the way this guy decorates so bought the book for tips. I have used it a ton especially when picking out paint color for walls.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Doesn't love Nate?

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good tips in establishing the basic design elements that you can use as a starting point.

[brendan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some clever approaches to home decoration.

Some of his advice is suitable only upon the basis that consumption is beautiful.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some useful information and beautiful photos. It's easy to read, and makes you want to get up and get decorating right away.