How to Design Your Dream Kitchen, According to Jeremiah Brent
If there's one interior designer who has mastered the art of creating a timeless kitchen, it's Jeremiah Brent. Much like his husband, fellow design star Nate Berkus, Brent loves nothing more than collaborating with clients to craft a space that truly tells their story—and the kitchen is no exception. Inviting hues, personality-packed accessories, and, of course, high-tech appliances are just a few of Brent's go-to's. "It's not a formulaic design approach," he says.
That liberating creative freedom, informed by each client's lifestyle, is what drives Brent's success as a designer. Along with balancing his busy work schedule, Brent just crossed a major transition off his to-do list: He moved from California to New York City with Berkus and their two kids, Poppy and Oskar (and yes, a kitchen renovation is in the works). And as if that's not enough, the couple just wrapped season three of their hit TLC show, "Nate & Jeremiah By Design."
Considering Brent's partnership with Delta Faucet on a new voice-activated design, we couldn't help but to inquire about his best tips for creating a dream kitchen.
ELLE Decor: Tell me about your partnership with Delta Faucet and the brand's new Voice IQ Technology?
Jeremiah Brent: I am part of the Delta Design Trust, which is a group of designers who come together to discuss creativity, things that inspire us, and how technology and design intersect. Their faucet has Voice IQ Technology that allows you to talk to it. For instance, you can say 'Delta, give me one cup of water.' You can customize it, get exact measurements, fill a dog bowl, or even a vase, which, for me, is a blast. There's even an app to set the custom commands and monitor your water usage. I love the faucet because it adds a decorative element to your space and it's smart. It makes life easier, especially with my two kids, and having my hands always full with something.
ED: What's your idea of a well-designed kitchen?
JB: There are two spaces you really need to invest in—the master bedroom and the kitchen. The kitchen is really the heart of the home and needs a couple of things. First, you need beautiful appliances. Countertops should have timeless finishes—I'm always a marble person, but for other clients, I've used quartzite or porcelain. You also need contrast, and this can be done with color or choosing different types of countertops.
I also like to integrate one piece of furniture into a kitchen. In our previous home, we had a big piece of vintage furniture that we retrofit as an island. It was really special and had a lot of personality. Before that, I put an arm chair in the kitchen with a lamp for a client, who wanted a moment to have her coffee in the morning. I also think lighting is a big deal. You can make a huge impact by switching out lighting. And it doesn't have to be all white. But if you are doing white, go with something warmer, with depth to it. You can also try a beautiful smoky taupe. With kitchens, I am always about keeping it classic.
ED: Are there any kitchen design trends that you're currently obsessed with?
Brent: I am a huge fan of porcelain in kitchens. It's an easy, interesting material. You can get porcelain slabs that look really beautiful for a fraction of the cost and use them for an island or a backsplash. I also think dark kitchens are going to come back again, and nothing is a bigger trend than having a smart kitchen with details that are tailored to your lifestyle.
ED: What design trends have lasting power in your opinion?
Brent: I don’t think unlacquered brass is going anywhere. And I hope the trend of mixing metals continues to live on. The trick to mixing metals is balance. If there's a sofa on one side of the room, you have to bring over some of the weight to the other side with two more pieces.
ED: What's your take on arranging accessories in a kitchen?
Brent: I approach the kitchen like I would a bookcase. In our home, we display beautiful things on the kitchen counters, partially because the kids can't reach them there. There are pictures of the kids, vases that we've collected and use to hold wooden spoons, and little jars that we've picked up from our travels and use for things like salt. There's an old kilim runner that we've previously used in our bathroom and hallway. We also have this funny alabaster triangle lamp from the 70s on our countertop, which I’m obsessed with. Everything doesn't have to be utilitarian. It can actually be really beautiful and functional, which is what I love.
ED: Is there a kitchen design mistake that frustrates you?
Brent: My biggest pet peeve is rushing. For the last 15 years, especially on television, design has been about creating a space like a weekend warrior. You finish a space, flip it, and move on. There's a shift now. People want to create a space that feels like them—one that's deeply rooted in their personality. That's important. Your space is an opportunity to tell your story and showcase your experiences. That's why I think every material—down to your faucet—needs to serve a function and feel personal.
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