AN EYE FOR DESIGN
Reality television star Bobby Berk shares home makeover ideas and decorating tips
Designer Bobby Berk brings all aspects of his design experience to his role in Queer Eye, the Netflix remake of the popular reality makeover show. As a member of the Fab Five (which also includes Karamo Brown, Tan France, Jonathan Van Ness and Antoni Porowski), Berk is in charge of improving the esthetics in the life of the makeover subjects.
He brings with him a savvy resumé with experience in retail stores such as Restoration Hardware and Bed Bath & Beyond, plus background in manufacturing and licensing as well as interior design. He has his own Bobby Berk Home brand and design business.
He chatted about design and took time to answer some people’s home-makeover questions.
Q Do you have any recommendations for relatively inexpensive art?
A I got all of our art from Art.com. They have a massive selection that won’t break the bank.
Q What’s your favourite white paint colour? A Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore.
Q What are your thoughts and feelings about painting walls, closet doors and mouldings the same colour, with the goal of making short walls look taller and low ceilings look higher? Does that look work or is it just boring ?
A I love a good monochromatic moment with doors and walls. I think it looks great!
Q Do you have any ideas for styling the perfect coffee table?
A I’m a big fan of stacking large books coupled with things with some good height.
Q Why is it almost cheaper to buy a new sofa than recover an old one?
A The biggest cost in making a sofa is the labour and time, thus recovering one costs almost just as much as a new one.
Q I’d love to put up some board and batten in my dining room. Online tutorials make it look
as if it’s something my husband and I can handle. Are we being delusional?
A Those online tutorials always make it look so easy! Hard for me to say whether you can do it without knowing your skill sets. However, if you decide to do it, make sure to take your time and don’t rush! Rushing is when you make mistakes.
Q Where do you live and can you tell us about your own place?
A I live in a 115-year-old historic building in downtown Los Angeles. It’s a very open and bright space with massive 115-yearold windows (gorgeous, but no sound barrier at all).
I’ve mixed a bit of modern and mid-century modern into the space. It’s pretty minimal, though, which is why my husband and I like it.
Q How do you even start to look for somebody to help with interior design?
A I always advise using someone who has been referred to you by someone you know. If that isn’t an option, then make sure it’s someone who has great reviews online and a portfolio showing their past work. Once you’ve found someone, ask them if they can give you the names of past clients as references. Most of the time when clients are superhappy with their designer, they will be more than happy to share their experience with you.
Q What apartment upgrades are you a fan of ?
A I’ve switched out lots of things over the years in apartments. Lighting is a good way to change the look of a place without spending much. A little paint can go a long way in changing the look of a space as well. Or you can slap up some removable wallpaper from Tempaper.
Q Often I see books covered in matching paper when books are displayed. I don’t like the idea of covering the books. What are your thoughts? Should I learn to like it so they match?
A I’ve done this in the past as well. The moments I’ve usually done this are in modern spaces that I’m wanting to be monochromatic. Other than that, I like to keep my books uncovered.
Q I live in a small one-bedroom with my wonderful boyfriend and I’ve done an OK job of decorating so far, but I hate clutter. What are your favourite ways to declutter and minimize in a small space?
A I try to use furniture that has multiple uses — for example, using multiple storage cubes as coffee tables that can be used as storage for stuff, as well as extra seating if needed.
Q What is your favourite part of a renovation? What is the biggest challenge?
A My favourite part is when it’s all done and the homeowner gets to see it for the first time. Time is always my biggest challenge.
Q I know most basements are painted in lighter colours, but I really want to paint mine a dark blue or navy colour. Everyone says it will be too dark, but I’d like it to be cosy. Thoughts?
A I am all for a dark and moody room, especially when it’s going to be used as a TV room. I say go with what you love and forget what other people think. They aren’t the ones living there — you are.
Q How do you suggest a couple with opposite tastes decorate to incorporate both styles? I love mid-century modern, while my boyfriend loves shabby chic/ cottage. Should we stick to one style per room or is there a way to combine “city and country” decor that works? A My personal opinion is that you should win this battle.
Q My wife and I have original oak flooring (recently refinished) in our mid-century style home, but they squeak a bunch and there are cracks/gaps we have to deal with. Restoring them seems more costly and time-consuming than getting new flooring altogether, but then our flooring would no longer be original. What would you do?
A I’m all for keeping original flooring when you can, but if it’s too damaged and is going to be insane to restore, then there is nothing wrong with replacing it.
Q I live in a small 1950s rancher. The hardwood floors are original and lovely, but we need an area rug in the living room. Should we have one in the dining room also? I like floor coverings for warmth and sound proofing, but is two too many for such a small space?
A I like to make sure that the rugs co-ordinate in some way if I’m doing two in a smaller home that will be in the same view.
Q Do you like subway tile? Or is it so popular that it’s going to look dated soon? A I think subway tile is timeless. It’s a good and inexpensive way
to update both bathrooms and kitchens.
Q We have a beach condo with a smallish six-by-12-foot master bath with no windows that we’re redoing. We’re thinking greyish, wood-look ceramic tile and a bleached or distressed wood vanity, with a new white bathtub. What colours should we consider for the walls and wall tile?
A Figuring out what to do with your condo on the beach can be hard (insert jealous sarcasm here). I think doing the floor tile up one wall and then subway tile on the rest could be nice. It will add some texture without overwhelming the space.
Q I’d like to have wood kitchen counters but worry about them looking bad. Any advice? A I’m in love with wood counters right now!
Q What holds up well for the wall area above tile? I’m mulling paint or wallpaper.
A If you’re talking bathrooms, where there will be steam from a shower, then I’d do paint. Wallpaper can be tricky in a bathroom as the steam will make it peel.