I've loved decorating for as long as I can remember, so getting the chance to sit down with my dear friend Nathan Turner to talk about his third book, I Love Decorating, felt like a real treat.
Nathan and I first met in 1998, shortly after I moved to California. I walked into the antique store where he was working — while pushing my kids in a double stroller — and immediately fell in love with the shop and his eye for design. Before long, we became friends, I introduced him to Katie, and we've all been part of each other's lives ever since.
Over the years, I've watched Nathan grow from a talented young shop owner into one of the country's most sought-after interior designers. His work has taken him around the world, but what I've always admired most is his ability to create homes that are not only beautiful but deeply personal and genuinely comfortable.
In I Love Decorating — which Katie agreed is a “cool book!” — Nathan shares the philosophy behind his work, along with practical ideas that anyone can use to create a home they truly love. We talked about how his latest book came together, the lessons he's learned over the years, and the decorating advice he finds himself giving again and again.
So Nathan, this is your third book: How did your first two books lead to I Love Decorating?
My first book — Nathan Turner's American Style — came out in 2018 and was was an introduction to who I am: shop in, decorator, home cook, and entertainer. It’s hard to put me in one box, so I was very happy when my editor at Abrams was willing to let me show a little bit of everything I do. My second book, I Love California, was very personal because I've always loved to cook and had dreamt of writing a cookbook since I was a kid. In I Love California, in addition to 68 recipes, I also shared entertaining tips, personal anecdotes, and family stories.
It was a big undertaking, since I photographed each chapter in a different part of California — all places that are personal to me. Some of them are quite rural so the logistics weren’t the easiest, but I have so many fun memories of shooting that book. In that sense, it prepared me well for I Love Decorating, because it, too, was shot in different cities — this time all over the world. Early in my career, I was lucky enough to work at Domino magazine, where I had a regular entertaining column. There were so many talented editors there, and it's where I really learned to produce my own photoshoots. That experience definitely helped me have such autonomy with my books.
Your designs combine comfort and beauty in a unique way — and you make it look so easy. Can you share your secret with us?
Gosh, I'm not sure there’s a secret to reveal, but I've always approached projects with the idea of both style and comfort at the forefront. I mean, what good is a pretty room if it's uncomfortable and you end up not using it? Creating a beautiful home isn't only about buying pretty things: The most memorable homes feel collected, comfortable, and personal. I always start a project by asking clients how they want to live in a space, then layer in beauty with color, texture, antiques, fabrics, and pieces that help tell their story. Comfort isn't the opposite of beauty — in fact, I think it's what makes the beauty of a home last.
How does the client fit in during the process of designing a space? I assume some are really involved and some just let you do your thing.
This is an incredibly personal job: I'm creating spaces where people live their lives, and I take that seriously. There are so many factors that come into play when decorating someone’s home, and I want to consider them all. I'm constantly thinking about how people will move around their spaces: Where will they entertain? Where will they hang their towels? Where will they gather in the summer? In the winter? Are there animals in the house? The questions never stop.
So initially, there's a lot of communication and getting to know them. Then it depends on the client — some people like to be involved more than others. I don't have an issue with that, but I do keep them out of the day-to-day operations. That’s my job and what they're paying me to do, so they don't need to know about the fabric that came in damaged or the shipping delays. I don’t mind having clients' input, but I do need them to trust me, since creating a functional, beautiful home for them is always my top priority. And when clients are a bit more hands-off, the project does tend to get done quicker!
Has your style evolved or changed over the years?
Definitely. As a creative person, I think being curious is so important, so I always keep my eyes open to new sources of inspiration, because it's everywhere. How can someone not evolve if they're being exposed to new and exciting things? I also think working with so many different people in different locales has had a big role in my own growth and evolution.
Your projects span everything from modern penthouses to traditional mountain homes. How do you adapt your style from one project to the next?
That's one of my favorite things about what I do — it’s forever changing. I could be working on a modern penthouse in Singapore at the same time as a traditional mountain house in Aspen. That exercises my brain and pushes me to be agile creatively. It’s never boring.
When you were putting this book together, did you aim for people to learn how to design a space themselves?
I definitely hope that people will take something away from my books. With I Love Decorating, I didn’t want to only show photos of my projects but to also share my process: why I did certain things, or if something went wrong and how I fixed it. Hopefully there are some takeaways for people working on their own homes.
Can you spill some good decorating hacks for anyone who doesn't have Nathan Turner on speed dial? What advice would you give us to tackle a room and make it as beautiful as you make your spaces?
On a technical level, I’d recommend paying attention to the scale of your furniture. There’s a lot of jumbo-sized upholstered pieces out there that might not be right for your room. So to get a sense of the available space, get some blue tape and lay it out on the floor in the approximate size and shape of the pieces you're considering. It's very helpful to see that in the room.
When it comes to lighting, I try to avoid a ton of overhead lighting — lamps are your best friend. Also, I put dimmers on everything. Another piece of advice that's broader is to lean into what you love, and stay away from trends. Buy the best you can when it comes to important pieces, i.e. sofas, beds, and other things you'll have for a long time. The same is true with antiques: If you buy good pieces, they’ll be with you forever!
I'm blessed to have several pieces in my home that you found for me, and they all have stories. When you're shopping for clients, are you already picturing where each piece will go?
Yes, I like to carry a mini set of plans around with me — so if I stumble across something fantastic, I can immediately check and see if it’ll fit. That said, I often find an incredible piece and don’t have a particular spot in mind for it, but I just know it would be amazing in the home. This takes a huge amount of trust on my clients' part, but I always find the perfect place for it.
I know you're a huge fan of the Marché aux Puces, a flea market in Paris. Can you share why it's so special, and can you suggest any other places that would be fun shopping destinations to explore?
I love a flea market! The Marché aux Puces is of course one of the best in the world: It’s sprawling, and worthy of a couple of dedicated days to get through it all. Another one of my faves is a twice-a-year fair in Parma, Italy called Mercanteinfiera. It’s incredible, and dealers from all over come there to sell pieces. Plus you’re in Parma, so there's plenty of prosciutto, cheese, and pasta to try.
Your store in Los Angeles carries your line of fabrics and wallpaper. How did that come about?
I started in this industry with an antique store, and closed it in 2016. After almost 10 years, I re-opened it, and the impetus was me launching my fabric and furniture collection. I love textiles and have always wanted to design my own. Once we were up and running and getting represented in showrooms around the country — and world — I decided to reopen and have my own showroom for the fabrics. Of course, we carry antiques and art and all sorts of other pretty home items, but having a place to showcase all my patterns and colors is so much fun!
You're a regular on the TODAY Show, and have clients all over the world. For those out there who aspire to be a successful designer, what advice would you give them?
I knew I had a skill, but in the beginning, I was unsure how to utilize it. I’m so thankful to friends like you and others who believed in me and encouraged me to keep pushing. My advice is to not worry about what other people are doing, and focus on you and your abilities.
Also, it can be disappointing to lose out on a project to another designer, but I believe that if something is meant for you, it'll be yours. What we do is so personal, and there are many factors at play. You'll find your people and thrive if you focus on yourself and stay away from comparison.
Should we expect a 4th book? If so, can you give us a hint as to what it might be about?
In my next book, I'll be going back to food and entertaining, with a focus on holidays. I love sharing what I do with people, and as long as people are interested in my books, I’ll keep writing them!
Wendy Walker is a longtime TV producer, author of the memoir Producer: Lessons Shared from 30 Years in Television, and Katie's BFF.
Nathan Turner's book I Love Decorating is available now
