Interior designers Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent discuss their new PetSmart collection that is allowing pets and pet parents to live more beautifully, stylishly, and comfortably — together.
Jeremiah Brent
Interior designer and TV personality
What inspired you to start the collection, and what challenges did you see that pet owners were having in their homes?
We know pet parents want to incorporate their pets into every part of their lives, and their living spaces are no exception. As pet parents ourselves, we found that there weren’t many offerings in the pet space that were stylish, functional, and affordable. This is especially true in the small pet space. This collection is the first of its kind to create beautifully designed furniture, accessories, and décor for small pets, reptiles, and fish. That insight is what sparked our collection with PetSmart over a year ago, initially focused on items for small pets. Earlier this year, we expanded the collection to include furniture, beds, bowls, and accessories for cats and dogs.
Do you have any advice for someone who’s about to become a pet parent on how to keep their houses looking and feeling their best?
It’s important to take time to think about how your pet will need to use the space and how you will use the space together. You’ll want to be sure to create intentional and dedicated spaces for eating, sleeping, and playing with toys. The great thing about this collection is that it offers pet parents the freedom to truly integrate their pets into the home, so their things just blend seamlessly into the space. This helps to ensure pet items don’t stick out and aren’t the first thing your eyes go to when you enter a room.
Tell us ways you prioritize your pet’s safety at home, and how can other pet parents do the same?
The best way to make your pets feel comfortable and safe is by understanding what they need from a space and creating dedicated areas for them to enjoy. This may be ensuring your bearded dragon has a secure place to hide, giving your cat a den where they can rest uninterrupted, or ensuring your dog bed has anti-skid feet to stay put as they jump on. These are just some of the details that we worked with PetSmart on to ensure that the pets who use our products are safe and comfortable.
How can homeowners maintain their creative and comfortable space while also providing a loving, safe, and nurturing environment for their pets?
You want to create a space that inspires you, is comfortable, and allows you to connect with your pet and make lasting memories together. It’s these connections and emotions that make a home.
Nate Berkus
Interior designer and TV personality
What inspired you to start the collection, and what challenges did you see that pet owners were having in their homes?
We wanted pet parents to be able to easily integrate their pets into the home and not compromise on their personal style. With the Nate + Jeremiah for PetSmart collection, we hope that pets and pet parents can live more beautifully, stylishly, and comfortably, together.
What specific design elements and functionality did you have to consider to ensure you were making products that were not only beautiful but also safe and of quality for pets?
We love working with the PetSmart team. They are leaders in pet care and safety, and their expertise informed so many things — fabrics that were safe and also easy to clean, what types of environments certain species prefer, and what’s important to pet parents. We then brought the design element to create spaces and atmospheres that not only feel rich with personality and texture but can also be layered into a wide variety of design styles. We wanted the collection to look really handsome but also be really functional. For example, our ceramic food and water bowls are all dishwasher-safe, the feeding placemats have a nonslip backing, the bedding is easy to wipe or can be machine washed, and the materials in our small pet items are all safe if chewed. They’re small details but really important.
How can homeowners maintain a creative and comfortable space while also providing a loving, safe, and nurturing environment for their pets?
I’ve always believed that our homes tell our story, and the way they do that is through the things we choose to live with. Our pets are such important members of the family, and we want to make sure the space functions well for them — and you. Neutral color palettes, classic patterns, and thoughtful finishes all make a room feel layered and more interesting. There’s no reason your pet environments can’t complement what you already live with.
