House Beautiful magazine celebrated these 11 up-and-coming interior designers at its Next Wave Luncheon on Feb. 18: Joshua Smith, Ashley Darryl, Max Sinsteden, Catherine Olasky, Adam Hunter, Olivia Erwin Rosenthal, Paloma Contreras, Elizabeth Pyne and Bennett Leifer, Alexandra Kaehler and Katheryn Ivey—all of whom have been featured in House Beautiful in the past year.

Newell Turner, Elizabeth Pyne, Paloma Contreras, Olivia Rosenthal, Adam Hunter, Bennett Leifer, Sophie Donelson, Max Sinsteden, Catherine Olasky, Ashley Darryl and Joshua Smith.

After lunch, new Editor-in Chief of House Beautiful Sophie Donelson introduced the designers, and then sat down for a lively and humorous chat with Nate Berkus, one of the original Next Wavers, about his career and philosophies.

Nate Berkus, Sophie Donelson, Kate Kelly Smith and Newell Turner.

"It was incredibly fun to chat with Nate and to hear about the early days of his Chicago design firm when he was just a promising young designer to whom the House Beautiful ‘Next Wave’ acknowledgment was truly a game-changing moment!” said Donelson. “As the audience can attest, Nate is humble, candid, hilarious, and handsome.”

Berkus shared his design philosophy as well as his life philosophy, and through his rich and candid storytelling it was easy to see how much the two parts melded together, as well as how grateful he was to the design community and his peers for his success.  He also expressed hope and excitement for the future careers of this year’s class of Next Wave designers.

Nate Berkus and Sophie Donelson. Photos by Annie Watt for House Beautiful.

"Being a designer, I feel so incredibly lucky to get to do what I love each and every day. I've had my design firm for 20 years, and to see the evolution of our work and the interiors we've created over the years ... it's so great,” said Berkus. “I love that I got to sit down and share some of that knowledge with the next generation of New Wave designers. What really came across to me is their passion, and commitment to great design. Seeing that level of talent and creativity, it's so inspiring. I can't wait to see what they go on to do next in their careers.”