Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent on the ‘Tranquility’ of Coastal Living and How It Inspires Their Designs (Exclusive)

Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent are constantly inspired by their coastal homes.

During an interview with PEOPLE about their fall collection, Voyage, with Living Spaces, the married designers opened up about the role that their homes in Montauk, New York, and Portugal played in the creative process. 

Their newest home in Portugal, which they purchased in 2022, was “a big deal” for Brent, he says, as “it was the culmination of a lot of things” and quickly became “a sacred place” for him.

Berkus also recalls his fond first impression of their European abode. “I remember sitting on our farm in Portugal for the first time and walking through the flowers and the trees and hearing the sounds of the birds and knowing that I was somewhere very special," he says.

As for their Montauk place, Brent tells PEOPLE that purchasing the beach house was actually a happy accident. 

"We found [the home] because of a friend and I was so excited about it. It became a sanctuary and it protected us and kept us safe,” he says. “It’s the home that we’ve actually owned and lived in the longest of everything.” 

The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project hosts add that the experiences they’ve gained from coastal living often translate into their designs — especially their latest line with Living Spaces.  

“What we realized from our travels and from living by the coast ourselves was that there was an ease, there was a simplicity, there was a quietness. The tranquility was universal,” Berkus shares. 

From the elevated marble coffee tables to the timeless accent pillows, the 43-piece collection is Berkus and Brent’s sixth line with the furniture and decor store. According to Berkus, the designs are all about evoking that “relaxed, quiet feeling” of coastal living.

“It’s not about what we were able to add,” he continues. “It's about what we were able to take away to create very simple, beautifully-crafted pieces.”

Brent reveals that this is his favorite collection he’s worked on so far because “it really is this simplicity of the design. It kind of reminds us of that perfect sweater you have that you keep for 10 years.” 

He adds, “Yes, this is coastally-inspired but the truth is, it’s all about an easy way to elevate your life.”

In addition to their elegant design, the pieces also reflect a practical approach — such as the upholstered bed that has an added storage space at the footboard. The nightstands are also equipped with USB plugs for easy charging.

“You’re not sacrificing beauty for functionality,” Brent says. “That is really important to us.”

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As for why Living Spaces is the perfect partner for them, Berkus says, “They’re like family at this point. It’s really just the truest collaboration. They want to create things that feel original and thought-provoking and special — and so do we.” 

Echoing a similar sentiment as his husband, Brent emphasizes that their relationship with the furniture company has “always been about transparency,” which ultimately “leads to better quality and larger collections.” 

To see the full Voyage collection designed by Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent, visit livingspaces.com.