You might want to grab a cup of coffee and settle in — I have a lot of delightful details to share today. I recently made a new friend, Jessica, who reached out with the sweetest email and quickly won me over. In the blogging world you meet people all the time, but some connections stand out. Jessica stood out not only because she was charming but because she, like me, had unfinished, half-painted walls for months — instant kindred spirits.
While I had wonderful girlfriends help me finish painting, Jessica had a surprising bit of help from designer Nate Berkus. How that came about and what it produced is an amazing story — more on that in a moment.
Jessica and I exchanged a lot of emails and I discovered she and her husband Cody are hardworking and creative. They’ve been building their lives together, juggling work and school, and initially were living with their college apartment furniture when they moved into their first home. Once I got to know Jessica I felt confident she wasn’t a scary stranger, so I wanted to introduce her to you — that’s what blogging is for: sharing friends.
Her story is even more remarkable because her wedding was coordinated by Martha Stewart and aired on The Today Show. That kind of good fortune has a way of leading to other good things — like the Nate Berkus bedroom makeover.
Please welcome my new friend, Jess!!
Guest Post By Jessica Helgeson of Reclaimed Marketplace
We’ve always tried to keep our home tidy and ready for guests. But nothing could have prepared us for what happened after we applied to The Today Show for a room makeover.
We waited anxiously for weeks with no word, wondering if we’d been chosen. Then one afternoon we got the call — we had been selected. The next day Lowe’s came to measure the room, and although no one would reveal details, boxes began arriving on our doorstep filled with surprises chosen for us.
Eventually we were asked to stay in the spare bedroom while work was underway. Between work and school we listened to the sound of jackhammers and saws and realized this was much larger than a new comforter and towels. The room was taped off and locked so we couldn’t peek.
Near the end of the process we were told to be home at a particular time. When we opened the door, Nate Berkus was there. He greeted us warmly and was genuinely kind and humble. He complimented our reclaimed barn wood picture frame and noticed my collection of orange Le Creuset pans — small, personal touches that made the experience feel intimate and thoughtful.
The reveal took place in the early morning to accommodate live broadcast times. Our house was lit up and buzzing with cameras, hair and makeup, and producers. We did a few live shots before being blindfolded and led into our new bedroom. When we took off the blindfolds we were stunned: the carpet had been removed and beautiful hardwood floors had been installed, with two coordinating rugs defining the sleeping and office areas. Nate used the floors and rugs to visually connect the spaces.
He chose to keep our antique brass bed, a family heirloom with deep sentimental value. By pushing two twin frames together and placing a king mattress on top, Nate refreshed the bed with crisp white linens and textured bedding. He added a large canopy made from ticking stripe fabric to enhance the vintage feel and left the bed skirt off to showcase the brass casters on the floor.
To the right of the bed was a stunning office area. Warm mustard-colored grasscloth covers the walls. There are his-and-hers desks topped with Carrera marble, a nod to vintage elegance with clean, modern lines. Custom cabinetry arrived quickly from the East Coast, reportedly built in five days and flown in to meet the schedule — a testament to what a coordinated team can achieve.
A table floating in the center of the space with a pendant over it creates visual interest, and behind it Nate layered one of his signature mirrors over a Wisteria twin headboard, blending reclaimed wood with metallic accents. The result feels curated and layered, warm yet refined.
One of my favorite touches is Nate’s use of battery-operated candles on timers. They quietly come on every evening and give the room a soft glow without the worry of open flames. Small luxuries like these make each night feel special.
Nate and his team also integrated personal items into the room — family photos, wedding invitations, and books on architecture and design — making the space feel uniquely ours. There’s a small, amusing story about a book Nate deliberately left upside down on a shelf. After the reveal, family members kept straightening it, but Nate insisted it remain as he placed it — a reminder that not everything should be perfectly arranged.
After the reveal we spent time talking with Nate. He shared stories and was warm and approachable. When he and his team left, it felt bittersweet; they’d become part of our lives for a while and then gone. My mom overheard Nate mention coming back to do a nursery someday, which left us all smiling and dreaming.
Nate’s bedroom renovation was an intro to his new show on NBC. The makeover transformed our master into a space that reflects our history while feeling fresh and elevated. Small details — the canopy, the marble counters, the layered mirror and headboard, and the candle timers — all combine to create a room that is both inviting and sophisticated.
After the makeover, we had time to take photos and savor the new space. Nate and his team were gracious and fun, and the whole experience felt like a whirlwind gift. It’s rare to have such talented people come into your home with such generosity and vision.
Beyond sharing our makeover story, I want to highlight that Cody and I have launched Reclaimed Marketplace, an online community for eco-friendly makers, collectors, and fabricators. The marketplace helps artisans grow their businesses with customizable storefronts that don’t carry the site’s branding, allowing sellers to build their own identities. It’s free for the first 10 days, and it’s been exciting to see creative businesses join so far.
Finally, Jess has kindly offered a giveaway on her blog — a lovely letterpress prize — so please check her site to welcome her to the blogging community and enter if you’re interested.
— Melissa
Jess, thank you for sharing your beautiful bedroom and behind-the-scenes moments with Nate Berkus. Your story is inspiring and a wonderful example of how thoughtful design can honor personal history while creating something new.