Inside Nate Berkus's Home: The One Detail That Makes His Table Effortless

Nate Berkus recently posted an Instagram video that made me immediately question every single decorating decision I’ve ever made (a regular occurrence when following interior designers, to be honest.)

In said video, he's casually showing off a vintage bottle he uses for wine when hosting friends for dinner parties, because of course, Nate Berkus doesn't just open a bottle and leave it on the counter like the rest of us. While this was all well and good, it was a small silver vase with white flowers that actually caught my eye. It was simple. Understated. Completely perfect.

This is the Nate Berkus magic: convincing you that you, too, could throw together vintage finds and fresh flowers to achieve that same curated aesthetic. And, here’s the secret you might not believe at first: you actually can. It’s not about having the “right” vintage pieces or spending a fortune. It’s understanding how to mix old and new, choosing flowers that complement rather than compete, and styling without looking like you actually tried, as if it were effortless.

Get the Look

Start with One Special Vintage Piece

The foundation of this look is all about one single vintage element that will anchor your table, or wherever else you put it. In Nate Berkus’ case, that single vintage piece was the wine bottle; it had history, patina (natural aging), and a story. Your main piece could be anything, from a silver vase to a tarnished brass candlestick, from a vintage glass decanter to an old ceramic pitcher.

This vintage decanter from Amazon has a major vintage feel.

The real trick is choosing something that is genuinely old and not “made to look old.” Hit up estate sales, thrift stores, flea markets, or your parents' attic. You need pieces with a little wear, like tarnished silver chips in ceramic, or slight discoloration on glass. These imperfections aren’t flaws, but proof of a life lived, and that’s exactly what gives this look its soul.

Of course, don’t overthink the function either. A vintage creamer can hold flowers. An old bottle can show off a single stem. A tarnished trophy cup (yes, really) makes an unexpectedly chic vase. Nate's entire design philosophy is about using things in ways they weren't necessarily intended, and that creative flexibility is what keeps an area from feeling stiff or overly formal.

If shopping for vintage items is reeeallly not your thing, this Glazed Ceramic vase from Target has a vintage-y feel, and it’s budget-friendly.

Keep Florals Simple and Neutral

While I was paying attention to what Nate was doing, it occurred to me that it’s also important to notice what he didn’t do: fill that silver vase with an explosion of flowers screaming for attention. Rather, he chose simple white flowers; clean, classy, and in service to the moment rather than acting as the star of it.

Stick to one color palette: all white, all cream, soft blush, or even a monochromatic green arrangement using unique foliage. White roses, cosmos, tulips, or even simple daisies work wonderfully. Try these artificial cosmos from the Magnolia collection at Target

The arrangement itself should be small to medium; nothing too elaborate or massive. We're going for "I casually snipped these from the garden" energy, not "I hired a florist for Tuesday dinner." Five to seven stems in a vintage vessel is often more than enough.

Let them sit naturally, or trim them to different heights for more visual interest, and call it a day. If you're agonizing over stem placement for more than three minutes, you've gone too far.

Layer in Practical Elements

Here's where Nate's approach really shines: his vintage bottle wasn't just decorative, it was functional. He actually uses it to serve wine. Using a vintage piece takes it from simply something beautiful to something of utility, which is exactly what gives your space a lived-in look rather than over-styled for a photo shoot.

So, of course, include your vintage vase with flowers, but don’t forget to layer in things you actually use, like an antique cutting board for cheese, old glass tumblers for water, tarnished silver salt and pepper shakers, or maybe swap the cereal box for a vintage bowl (baby steps). When beautiful objects become useful, your table stops being decor and starts becoming your life. Which is kind of the entire point.

The Art of Restraint

Perhaps the most important lesson from Nate's video is what he didn't do. He didn't cover every surface. He didn't use twelve different types of flowers. He didn't add decorative objects just because he had them.

When recreating this look, do the same, and resist the urge to cover every inch of your table. Choose 2 or 3 vintage elements max for a small table, and perhaps 4 or 5 for a larger dining table. Add one floral arrangement, and you’re done.

It may surprise you that empty space, or negative areas, are just as important. It gives the eye somewhere to rest and makes the pieces you have chosen feel more significant. Coco Chanel is famous for the quote, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” This is the same for design.

Make It Personal

The final piece of this puzzle is making sure your vintage finds actually mean something to you, or at least feel like they could. Nate mentioned that his bottle is something he uses when hosting friends. It's tied to memory and ritual, not just the style.

He even wrote in the caption, “A favorite vintage find from Athens discovered while treasure hunting with @lutoffperlo. Pieces like this make hosting feel elevated and layered.”

So when you're hunting for vintage pieces, choose things that resonate. Maybe it's a vase that reminds you of your grandmother's house. Maybe it's a bottle from a region you visited. Maybe it's just a tarnished silver cup that makes you inexplicably happy. The pieces don't need elaborate backstories, but they should feel like yours, like things you'd want to keep and use and eventually pass down.