Design expert and Emmy-nominated TV host Bobby Berk—you may have seen him on Netflix’s Queer Eye—partnered with homebuilder Tri Pointe Homes to design two of its model homes at Treeland, the new 26-acre planned community in Chandler. Located on the former site of a plant nursery, Treeland is anticipated to deliver a total of 86 homes upon completion. The single-family homes are expected to range from 2,427 to 3,200 square feet, with three to four bedrooms.
The model at 1427 E. Cherrywood Place is Berk’s Southwest Contemporary model and is 2,805 square feet, while the Mid-Century Farmhouse is 2,427 square feet.
Treeland will also have several community spaces, including parks, ramadas, and a playground.
We caught up with Berk to talk about Treeland, design trends, and what’s on the horizon for him.
You’ve worked with Tri Pointe Homes for many years, helping design model homes for many of their communities. Your latest was the Chandler Treeland community. What did you do at Treeland?
It was a great pleasure to design two model homes at Treeland, my third community design collaboration with Tri Pointe Homes Arizona in the southern part of the Valley. In bringing the Bobby Berk aesthetic to the Chandler market, we wanted to create something unique that would still appeal to a broad audience.
Why did you choose each of the designs and merchandise those two models would incorporate?
The design goal for the two model homes at Treeland was to combine universal appeal and fresh, engaging aesthetics through Southwest Contemporary and Mid-Century Farmhouse styles. Southwest Contemporary brings a touch of modernity with a high-contrast scheme offering tailored architectural details and clean lines juxtaposed with curved forms, rustic woods, casual fabrics and linens, and textural rugs and materials. The tailored Mid-Century Farmhouse style offers a surprising twist, combining vibrance with farmhouse elements to honor Chandler’s agrarian past.
Having been involved with the Treeland project, what do you think makes it special?
Connection and balance. You can’t help but feel inspired by the land, the former site of a plant nursery. Even before they experience Treeland’s homes and elevated designs, customers feel so much natural appeal with the community gardens, green spaces, and beautiful towering palm trees.
And there’s a special, multi-layered balance at Tri Pointe Homes’ lifestyle community: homes with broad appeal, the blend of rustic charm with contemporary living, how the architecture invites a strong indoor/outdoor connection, the plant nursery heritage and the desert, and the juxtaposition of a resplendent refuge that is conveniently connected to a thriving and vigorous local market, and all the attractions that the greater Valley has to offer.
When did you first realize you were interested in design?
My interest began at a really young age, actually. I was 5 years old and wanted to redecorate my room. I took my birthday money and bought blue sheets and curtains that I knew would match a blue-toned dinosaur poster I had hanging on the wall. I can remember how excited I was to “design” my own space and the feeling of satisfaction and joy that came with it.
That pivotal moment when you decided to launch BobbyBerk.com—what made you decide to just go for it?
I spent the first six years of my career working for a number of different home decor retailers. And over that time, the retail world gave me incredibly valuable experience and relevant training. I felt like I was ready to branch out on my own, and things just happened to fall into place for me to create my own e-commerce site.
Do you have a favorite item or locale you’ve designed to date?
My favorite would probably have to be the Bobby Berk Headquarters and office, which we just finished earlier this year. It was a total gut renovation of a 1970s Spanish-style home, and it gave my team and me the chance to really create a space we loved, and choose design elements that were a true reflection of our taste and needs. It's also just very rewarding to work every day in a space you created—and put so much blood, sweat, and tears into it.
When was the moment you felt you “made it” in your career?
There are really two moments for me. One would be when I transitioned from retail and launched my own bespoke design firm in 2015. And the other would be when Queer Eye premiered in 2018 and took my career to a new level.
What makes a great design for you?
Great design is about so much more than just what goes into a room or how it looks. For me, it’s about creating a space that is a true reflection of its inhabitants—and is always guided by someone’s unique and specific instincts. When you follow what feels right, and what makes you feel good, you end up with something great.
To jump to one of your other ventures … do you have any favorite Queer Eye episode?
A favorite episode, and one that really affected me the most, was Season 2, “God Bless Gay.” The hero, Mama Tammye, was one of the most loving and warm people I have ever met. Experiencing her outpouring of pure kindness brought me to tears more than once. I was so thankful I got to meet her, help bring her church community center to life, and be inspired by her big heart (and big hugs).
Ok, for design … what is the worst design trends you’ve seen?
I try not to really follow trends, but if I had to pick one, I would say faux finishes. This trend started years ago and has trickled down into every area of home decor. There are definitely ways to do it right (and sparingly), but I say going with the real thing is always the better choice.
The best?
I’m loving all the natural materials that are popping up in everything from furniture to lighting to accessories. Woven fibers like jute, rattan, and cane, as well as bamboo and natural wood, really add that organic touch that I think every space needs. Also, it’s great to see so many sustainable options available in design, including my line of rugs from Karastan that includes designs made from recycled water bottles!
When you’re not working, we’d find you …
When I’m not working, I just want to be at home, relaxing with my husband Dewey, and our dog Bimini!
And lastly, what’s on the horizon for you?
I am very excited about the recently announced multiyear design collaboration with Tri Pointe Homes that continues our more than eight-year relationship nationally, but most importantly will expand our wonderful, winsome combination of premium lifestyle homes and elevated designs, including a new set of design-forward interior collections ranging in style from organic modern to luxe bohemian. And expansive it will be, as the fourth quarter kickoff off for this collaboration with Tri Pointe Homes will range from California to the Carolinas!
All told, customers can look for my designs and merchandising in over 20 Tri Pointe model homes per year, allowing them to experience integrated, whole-home designs in person. From coast to coast, they will be able to choose between move-in ready, turnkey homes with my interiors or the option to personalize a Berk design in the company’s award-winning Design Studios.
Beyond that, I am also very excited about my very first book, Right At Home: How Good Design Is Good For The Mind which will be coming out on Sept. 12! It’s been something that I’ve been working on for over three years and will focus on the intersection of mental wellness and interior design and how by being considerate to the things that you bring into your spaces you can better your life and your mental health in so many ways.
