3 min readNate Berkus has built a remarkable career in the world of design, earning recognition both on television and behind the scenes for his refined aesthetic and approachable style. Longtime fans of the HGTV personality probably already know that his love for interiors began early in life—and much of that inspiration can be traced back to his mother, Nancy Golden.
Golden played a major role in shaping Berkus’s creative outlook from the very beginning. A respected interior designer herself, she introduced him to the world of decorating, architecture, and personal expression through design while he was still young. Growing up surrounded by beautiful spaces and creative conversations gave Berkus an early appreciation for how interiors can tell stories and reflect personality.
But her influence didn’t stop at home. Nancy Golden also established her own presence in the design industry and became a familiar face during HGTV’s earlier years. Watching his mother balance creativity with a successful career gave Berkus firsthand insight into the industry he would later dominate himself.
Over the years, Berkus has often spoken about how foundational those experiences were in shaping both his personal style and professional ambitions. From being a childhood inspiration to a major career influence, Nancy Golden’s impact on Nate Berkus’s journey is undeniable. Here’s what to know.
She attended design school following a divorce.
Nate Berkus was born to Nancy Golden and Michael A. Berkus in 1971. They divorced two years later, during a time when there was still a lot of stigma around it, and Nate has publicly applauded her for having the courage to leave the marriage. At the time, Golden had already decorated a friend’s cabin, and others were often seeking advice from her on paint colors and room layouts.
“That’s when it started to get nerve-wracking,” Golden told Lake Minnetonka Magazine in 2011 of her choice to jump into interior design to support her family. “I knew that this was legit now, but I didn’t even know how to read a blueprint, so I went back to night school [to study design.]”
Her love of design was sparked at a young age.
Golden’s interest in design started with fashion and can be traced back to her childhood. At just eight years old, she was already paying attention to materials. Upon acquiring a new purse, she was astonished to find the accessory was made of plastic rather than leather. By high school, she constantly made an effort to embrace clothing trends and loved altering pieces with everything from tie-dye to embellishments. She told Lake Minnetonka Magazine. People went to her for fashion advice, which eventually expanded to home tips.
Clearly, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. As a child, Nate helped his mom redecorate their family living room. He even spent his allowance on decorations for his bedroom. “I think I was the only kid on the block who knew about furniture scale by the time I was eight,” he told Oprah.com in 2008.
She’s appeared on multiple TV shows.
Nate Berkus, Nancy Golden, Jeremiah Brent.
Following design school, Golden started taking on client projects. Soon enough, the interior designer was discovered by Scripps Network and jetted off to Knoxville, Tennessee. While there, she filmed multiple design shows over six years for the DIY and HGTV channels—including Room for Change, Decorating Cents, and Weekend Decorating. Of course, when Nate became the host of his own daytime talk show, The Nate Berkus Show, she also made an appearance.
Now, she’s a jewelry designer.
When Golden was ready to move on from interior design, she knew it in her gut. “I just kind of got that feeling, like, ‘oh, I might be done,’” she told Lake Minnetonka Magazine. “It was kind of out of the blue, but I just knew.”
She’s now a handmade leather jewelry designer. Under her brand Goldenwear, she specializes in necklaces and handbags made of recycled leather from vintage clothing and furniture sources. Her biggest rule? “I don’t make anything that I wouldn’t want to own,” she told the publication.
