Ep. 100: Designer & Queer Eye Star Bobby Berk
Clever is celebrating 100 episodes! 🎉 Thank you to everyone who has listened, subscribed, followed, rated and reviewed!
Interior designer and star of Netflix’s Queer Eye, Bobby Berk grew up in the rural south, feeling like an outsider. Before coming out as gay, he struggled with anger, depression and tension with his religious family. After running away from home and coming out, he made a break for Denver, and then NYC. Always designing opportunities for himself, he found his way to e-tailing, then retailing and the Bobby Berk Home brand was born. Oh! He used to be the singer of a Christian rock band called His Voice.
Follow Bobby Berk on Instagram and Facebook, and check out his website at bobbyberk.com.
What is your earliest memory?
My mom will kill me for sharing this one, but the only reason I tell it is because she was someone that worked so hard, raised us, and always had a smile on her face. She taught me how to work hard, to love and to get a little creative every once in a while. But one of my earliest memories is when we used to live on a farm when I was little. My dad often traveled for work because he drove a truck and my mom being the busy, but totally self-sufficient woman she was, had chores to do while both of the kids were home and my dad was away so she would strap us into the high-chairs and then pop in to check on us while she had to get other stuff done. I remember just sitting in there at times and giggling. She always knew how to make it work.
How do you feel about democratizing design?
I am of the mindset that design should be for everyone, no matter where they live, what kind of home they have or what their budget it. Good design doesn't have to cost a lot and that is something that I want people to know. The smallest (and often totally free) things can make the biggest difference in design.
Bobby Berk for for A.R.T. Furniture
Bobby Berk for for A.R.T. Furniture
What’s the best advice that you’ve ever gotten?
To not react to business matters emotionally.
How do you record your ideas?
Photos. It sounds cliche but I am constantly finding inspiration everywhere and snapping a photo is the best way to keep it all collated. Whether that is something outside, a building I walk by, or screenshotting something that I find online.
What’s your current favorite tool or material to work with?
I am all about sustainable practices, especially in design and I’ve loved worked with Vegan Leather this last year while designing my new furniture line for A.R.T. Furniture. It’s such a durable material and gives you the look of leather while supporting something that is more sustainable.
What book is on your nightstand?
Beautiful on the Outside: A Memoir by Adam Rippon
Why is authenticity in design important?
With everything that we are flooded with online and through social media having a unique point of view and an authentic voice and aesthetic can set you apart as a designer.
Favorite restaurant in your city?
Eating at home with my husband Dewey.
What might we find on your desk right now?
I just got this leather notebook that I love. It is refillable and is from a maker in Portland.
Who do you look up to and why?
This isn't necessarily someone that I look up to but more someone that completely inspired my path to becoming a designer and who I respect so much. Michael Graves was the very first collaboration that Target ever did and I will always remember walking into the store with my mother and seeing the tea kettle that he designed up on the shelf and realizing that something could be both functional and beautiful.
Photo by Jake Holt Photography
What’s your favorite project that you’ve done and why?
The first two showhomes that I ever designed are still very special to me and some of my favorite projects. The homes which were built for Builder magazine and TRI point group were designed to be geared towards "millenials" who represent one of the largest homebuying demographics in the US. It was a project that I got to really be creative on and I had so much fun with it. Before those homes, I had long worked in retail and had my own stores but the success and exposure of those two homes launched my design career and was what really allowed me to pivot from retail to design.
What are the last five songs you listened to?
I haven't taken my spotify off Lizzo in 4 months and I still enjoy it. So pick any five of her songs and I’ll be a happy man.
Clever is created, hosted and produced by Amy Devers and Jaime Derringer. Thanks to Rich Stroffolino for editing this episode.
Music in this episode courtesy of El Ten Eleven—hear more on Bandcamp.
Shoutout to Jenny Rask for designing the Clever logo.
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