Picture me theatrically pulling out an imaginary bucket list and crossing off an item that felt like a distant dream. As we briefly mentioned here, three Wednesdays ago The Nate Berkus Show reached out to ask if we would appear on the show — they were taping just two days later in New York City and offered to fly us out the next day.
Short answer: absolutely yes.
I’ve admired Nate for years. Not just casually — I get genuinely excited whenever his work comes up. So when they explained the segment, I was even more thrilled. The show was launching a new feature called Nate’s Crate Design Challenge: two real people would compete in a timed design duel, using a mystery crate of everyday household items — craft paper, blankets, a feather duster, push pins, burlap, staple guns — to transform identical white rooms. The contestants would work for the hour-long episode, improvising creative solutions and hoping to impress Nate and the judges. Below were the contestants with their completed rooms behind them.
They wanted us to serve as the judges, a bit like the judges on popular talent shows, because of our DIY background and love of using ordinary items in creative ways. We were, to put it mildly, speechless.
The show set us up with a little American Idol-style judge’s desk and even added a flattering subtitle under our names. Nate also invited us onstage to demonstrate a few quick DIY projects using items from the crate.
The whole thing moved incredibly fast. The morning after we got the invitation, we were on a plane to NYC. It was Clara’s first flight, and thankfully we scheduled the flight after her bedtime so she slept through most of it.
We landed at LaGuardia and were picked up by a limo service. Yes, we stopped to photograph the driver’s sign with our names — guilty as charged. We arrived at the hotel around 11:30 p.m. The show put us up at the Flatotel, a spot known for hosting contestants from shows like Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model. Clara looked adorable sprawled in the big bed in photos, though she actually slept in the crib they provided.
The next morning we were up around 5:30 a.m. and had to be at the studio by 7:15. We were nervous and excited — and slightly giddy at the prospect of meeting Nate. Our hotel room had an amazing corner view that we took a minute to enjoy before heading to the taping.
By about 7:30 we were in the green room, with my mom — who lives in New York — there to babysit Clara while we prepared. It was the first time we’d left Clara with a babysitter since she was born five months earlier, so I went into full briefing mode on her naps, feeding preferences, and routines. My mom handled everything like a pro. The green room was cozy and even included fresh food and flowers.
Then it was hair and makeup time. We both had makeup artists who primped and powdered us into TV-ready shape. The makeup crew were pros and shared amusing stories from their work on soap operas and movies.
While we were getting ready we ran into Mrs. Limestone, another blogger who was scheduled for the same episode. We’d known each other online for years, so it was wonderful to meet in person. She and her husband were warm and talented, and they did a fantastic job on the show, drawing audible gasps from the audience during their before-and-after reveal.
We weren’t allowed to take photos in the studio, so we don’t have backstage snapshots beyond a few quick moments. After rehearsal, a final touch-up, a last-minute feeding for Clara and miking up, we taped our segments. The show doesn’t post full episodes online, but they did share clips of the DIY segment and the design challenge reveal.
I discovered a minor on-air fashion lesson: fitted clothing reads better on camera. I wore a loose red blouse and, seeing myself in a monitor, realized flowy shapes can sometimes add unwanted volume on TV. A fitted silhouette is usually more flattering for that setting. Still, I managed to be my enthusiastic, slightly over-the-top self — clapping a little too much and smiling perhaps a bit too widely — and mostly I spent the time staring in awe at Nate as he worked the room.
Nate was every bit as gracious, funny, and talented as I’d hoped. He complimented our home and design sense both on and off camera, and watching how he navigated multiple cameras and different segments gave us a new appreciation for how demanding TV can be. Delivering lines, hitting camera marks, and keeping the audience engaged felt choreographed at times, and Nate made it look effortless.
We finished our last segment and a producer hustled us off set, telling us we had to rush to catch our flight home. The show kindly booked us on the earliest flight so we could make it back in time for weekend guests. In the dash to the airport we even snuck the paper placard from our green room door as a souvenir.
Clara was more awake on the return trip and enjoyed some alert time on the plane, looking out the window and taking in the new scenery. We are grateful her first two flights went smoothly — she’s a wonderful little travel companion who adapts easily to change.
We arrived home in time to greet our guests, and Burger the dog was thrilled to see us — thanks to John’s sister Emily for taking care of him while we were away. Looking back the whole trip felt surreal, and we kept asking each other, “Did that really happen?” Watching the episode afterward confirmed it: it was real, and it was unforgettable.
All images and video clips of the show are courtesy of thenateshow.com.