Anyone who knows me knows I adore Nate Berkus and Jonathan Adler. They’re at the top of my list in the design world, with Sarah Richardson and Candice Olsen close behind. So when I received an email offering a phone interview with Jonathan Adler — J-Ad, as I fondly call him in my head — I honestly lost my composure for a moment.

I considered turning it down because I knew I’d probably get awkward and squealy and come across as a bit overexcited. After talking it over with John, though, he convinced me that a short call with Jonathan Adler might be a standout moment in this blogging journey. He was right: this was something I had to do, despite the potential for clamminess and an overly loud laugh.

I replied to the invitation trying to sound calm and collected, and was given a Friday noon time slot. I barely slept Thursday night, preparing questions and second-guessing myself, and I even asked you all for suggestions on Facebook. Fifteen minutes before our scheduled time, the interview was postponed to Monday. Part of me was relieved to have more time to prepare, but the extra waiting made me even more nervous.

When the day finally arrived, I was a bundle of nerves — and then I heard his voice. Everything felt right in that instant. I was still giggly and spoke quickly, and I’m sure I wasn’t the most polished interviewee, but Jonathan Adler was incredibly kind and easy to talk to. By the end of the call I was smitten all over again; I couldn’t stop sharing the experience with John. It truly felt like highlight-reel material for this whole blogging adventure.

I’m not great at taking notes while I’m talking, so I recorded the conversation on my phone after asking J-Ad’s permission. I wanted to capture the real moment — the laughter, the interruptions, the spontaneous remarks — so I could share it with you. Update: Click here to be taken directly to the sound clip if it’s not showing up on the page.

Hearing him in conversation was so inspiring. He told me that my design choices made his CHAKRAS TINGLE — yes, he actually said that — and I floated on air for a while. We even exchanged “I love you”s, which left me wondering if this was all a surreal dream. One of the smartest pieces of advice he shared was to begin with the overall vibe you want in your home rather than obsessing over walls, curtains, or individual elements. Define three words that describe how you want your space to feel, and let those words guide your decisions. That approach made so much sense and felt refreshingly simple.

My only regret is not having John take a photo of me during the call. I imagined what I probably looked like — a mix of giddiness and concentration — and wish I had that visual memory. Still, the story and the recording capture the essence of the conversation well enough.

I hope you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes peek at my chat with one of my favorite designers. Meeting or speaking with someone you admire can be nerve-wracking, but it can also be unexpectedly rewarding. Even if you’re worried you’ll put your foot in your mouth or babble incoherently, it’s often worth taking the leap. In my case, the experience was thrilling, humbling, and unforgettable.

P.S. For anyone who can’t listen to the recording right now or prefers to read a recap, I’ve written up a general summary below. The actual recording includes more banter and overlapping dialogue that’s hard to transcribe verbatim, but the key points and takeaways are captured here for convenience.