I am so behind in posting that I might never get you caught up, but this fun you have to see. I recently returned from The Design Bloggers Conference in Atlanta. Nathan Turner was one of the hilarious key note speakers. You might know him from Bravo’s Million Dollar Decorators from a few years back.
One of the greatest and most refreshing surprises of the entire week was the down to earth, “we could be friends” personalities of the speakers. More on that later as I have a real treat for you in the next post.
Nathan started out his presentation with a walk back in time to his very first store in NYC which he was soooo proud of. He just found this image recently as was appalled by what he saw. As he roared with laughter he screamed, “Where is the stuff? I mean seriously one 8 x 10 hanging on the wall, one bust, one table with 3 things on it and LOOK AT THAT WINDOW DISPLAY!”
He was adorable and I could so relate. It looks exactly like my first store. Unlike him, I would only make 1 other attempt at retail. I hate it. He lives for it.
But he was smart. He is a professional entertainer and he knows how to create a buzz. He added a long dining table to the center of that little shop and whenever the mood struck him he would host a dinner party and invite “the right guests”. Word began to spread. 
He found himself on the front page of The LA Times and suddenly celebs were calling wanting to make a reservation for the hottest ticket in town. Only problem was… it didn’t work like that. Each time Nathan would respond, “NO! You can’t make a reservation. I never know when the mood is going to strike and when it does I just call a table full of people that I think would be interesting and I start cooking.” They were sure they could call someone who knew someone who could get them on the list. LOL
As guests enjoyed dinner they would often glance around and inquire about the price of this or that. His response was always the same. “Tonight is just about enjoying each other. Call me in the morning and I will look up the price for you.”
Next thing you know he is chumming it up with Kathie Lee and Rhoda talking all things dinner party and the rest is history.
The parties became more elaborate and the book deals starting coming.
Then professional athletes and celebrities started to ask if he could help with their homes.
He had a ball working on this full house man cave for man and his dogs.
Nathan spoke with great fondness of his grandfather and the times that he spent with him growing up. I still have a hard time wrapping by brain around Nathan dirty and on a big game hunt somewhere on another continent dragging home the bloody trophy but he assured me that he did it on numerous occasions.
Granddaddy had a huge trophy room in his home that Nathan used to delight in taking friends into just to scare the bajeebies out of them as they turned directly into the face of some larger than life critter. I can just hear his contagious laugh. The room below was created for a client and was inspired by that room. The “trophies” here are in the form of beautiful photography.
This is his shop today in Malibu. It has plenty of stuff.
You will see lots of Americana. Nathan loves our country and sources from her as often as possible.
This print is the reflection of the American flag in a swimming pool.
I especially enjoyed seeing pictures of his al fresco events: So fresh, so colorful, so inviting.
This was recently staged for a photo shoot. Don’t you love his grill?
He said you can tell this was for a shoot… unless your friends always wear matching outfits when they come over. haha
How pretty is this??? Down side (as you can see if you read his tweet) is that after this particular party Nathan, who cannot stand to waste food, worked all day long on Saturday juicing tons of citrus and freezing the juice or making relishes. I doubt he will use that much fruit next time.
If you ever get a chance to hear him, go! He is a cutie.
Thank you to Nathan Turner for all photographs.
MD Kawsar
Great work.