Imagine me theatrically taking the old bucket list down and crossing off one of its biggest pipe dreams. As I mentioned briefly before, three Wednesdays ago The Nate Berkus Show called and asked if we wanted to appear on the show — which was taping in NYC just two days later. If we agreed, they would fly us out the next morning.
My response was an emphatic yes.
I’ve been a Nate fan for years. Not a casual fan — full-on, gush-a-lot, get-a-bit-squeaky-about-it fan. So when they explained the new segment, Nate’s Crate Design Challenge, my excitement skyrocketed. Two contestants would be given identical white rooms and a mystery crate full of ordinary household items (think craft paper, blankets, a feather duster, push pins, burlap, staple guns) and would have the hour-long episode to transform the space. Nate would referee their design duel and declare a winner.
Where did we fit in? They invited us to be the judges — kind of like the DIY version of a talent show judging panel — because of our love for working with everyday materials and quick creative fixes. We were completely stunned.
Nate even asked us to demonstrate a few quick DIY projects on stage using items from the crate.
The day after we got that unbelievable invitation, we were on a plane to New York. It was also Clara’s first flight, and we deliberately chose a late departure so she would sleep — thankfully, she slept like a champ.
We arrived at LaGuardia and were picked up in a limo. Guilty: we snapped a photo of the driver’s sign with our names.
They put us up at the Flatotel — a hotel known for housing reality show contestants — and provided a crib for Clara even though she looked adorable in the big bed.
The next morning we were up around 5:30 and headed to the studio by 7:15, full of nerves and excitement. We took a moment to appreciate the corner-room city views before departing.
At the studio, we settled into the green room, where my mom — who lives in New York — graciously babysat for a few hours while we rehearsed. It was our first official babysitter since Clara’s birth, so I went through my entire “how she likes to be held and soothed” routine. My mom handled it like a pro, of course. Clara even had her own small settee in our private green room, complete with snacks and flowers.
Then it was time for makeup and hair — yes, even John got powder — and our makeup artists were fantastic. They shared entertaining stories from soap and film sets while getting us camera-ready.
We also got to meet Mrs. Limestone, another blogger featured on the show. It was great to meet her and her husband in person after years of online friendship, and they absolutely nailed their segment — their before-and-after pictures got plenty of deserved oohs and aahs.
We weren’t allowed to take photos during the actual taping, but after rehearsal, makeup touch-ups, a last-minute feeding, and microphone checks, we walked onstage and taped our spots. The show doesn’t post full episodes online, but clips of our segment and the design reveals were available through the program’s media channels.
I also learned a small TV wardrobe lesson: Fitted is better. I wore a bright, flowy red top and quickly realized on the monitors that a more tailored silhouette would have been more flattering on camera. So, consider that quick tip for anyone prepping for TV.
Working with Nate was an out-of-body experience. He was warm, funny, and incredibly professional. Watching him juggle teleprompters, multiple cameras, audience engagement, and spontaneous moments gave us a whole new appreciation for the work that goes into producing a daily show. It often felt more like a carefully choreographed dance than a casual conversation — Nate handled it all with ease.
We even had a few onstage moments with him that made us grin — like this candid shot of us discussing the virtues of burlap.
After our last segment, a producer hurried us off set and we rushed to catch a flight back to Richmond. They booked us on the earliest flight so we’d be home in time for friends visiting that weekend. We dashed out so fast we barely grabbed the placard from our green room door — and snapped a quick photo with it while sitting in traffic.
We had time to wait at the gate, and Clara — more alert than on the previous flight — entertained nearby travelers with her big, camera-ready smile. She even managed a short nap on the plane and enjoyed looking out the window during wakeful moments. We were relieved and grateful that her first flights went so smoothly.
We arrived home just in time for the Bowers’ visit, and Burger — our dog — was thrilled to see us. Huge thanks to John’s sister Emily, who fed and walked him while we were away, just like she did when we were at the hospital.
So that’s the story of agreeing to a TV appearance on a Wednesday and spending less than 24 hours in New York. At times it felt surreal — like a dream — but seeing the episode confirmed it really happened. It was an incredible, whirlwind experience we won’t forget.
All images and video clips of the show courtesy of thenateshow.com.