Bill Gates' daughter Phoebe reveals worst design disasters
Despite becoming an expert in the field, the billionaire's youngest child confessed she has experienced a fair few design disasters.
The 22-year-old entrepreneur has come a long way since she made the decision to paint her childhood bedroom a 'horrific' purple colour — but she concedes that finding her ideal interior aesthetic has been a long journey, one that has seen her making a number of major mistakes.
Now Gates, who was raised at her father's famous Xanadu 2.0 compound in Medina, Washington State, and her former college roommate turned business partner, Sophia Kianni, are lifting the lid on all of their worst interior decor errors in a bid to help others avoid the same mistakes along the way.
The duo, who met while studying at Stanford University, had their first shared design experience inside their dorm room — which, as it turns out, also served as the launch pad for their new company, Phia, a shopping tool that compares prices of new and used items across thousands of websites.
But while the Phia founders shared the same vision for their business, they revealed to Realtor that their decor preferences for the dorm room where they first developed the app were decidedly different — differences that led to a rather over-the-top aesthetic inside the space.
'In college, both of us had really funny taste,' says Gates. 'And so it was like Sophia's side and Phoebe's side, and you could totally tell whose was who. But, very colourful overall.'
One way the pair successfully merged their styles inside their dorm was by displaying items to inspire their start-up journey.
'The nice thing we did is, if we saw something interesting in class, we would tape it to the fridge for each other to see — like a cool article we read, something we were excited about, or a good user interview we'd had for Phia,' Gates shares.
'And so that was the space in the room — the little tiny kitchenette thing, because we had a little fridge and a sink — that was where the design congregated together.'
Using tape to post things on the refrigerator is just the type of non-permanent transformation that's generally allowed in temporary housing, such as dorms and rentals properties.
Still, the Command Brand partners got themselves into a bit of a sticky situation with school authorities.
'We got in trouble for not doing damage-free design when we were first in college, for not using Command and then trying to pull things off afterwards and ruining the wall,' admits Gates.
'We taped up posters or something and then when you take the tape off, it, like, rips off the paint,' explains Kianni, who co-hosts 'The Burnouts' podcast alongside Gates.
It seems both young activists prefer a more muted personal environment these days, perhaps because they each went overboard with colour in their childhood rooms.
'Oh my gosh, my first childhood room was completely purple,' Gates says of her childhood home in Seattle.
'Like, purple everywhere. It was horrific. I mean, there wasn't a space that wasn't purple. If there was a crack in it, it had to be made purple. Or pink, to be honest.'
'It's so funny because I also, when I was younger, I had two different types of rooms,' shares Kianni about her childhood space inside her family's McLean, Virginia, home.
'I had a blue and pink room, and then the other one [was] blue and green because I thought I had grown past pink, but not past coloured walls.
'I also hung a ton of different posters and stuff like that on my walls. I had too many.
'It wasn't even people, it was, like, posters of birds. I had the 'Birds of North America' book. I was just obsessed with birds.
'So, yeah, my childhood bedroom was super chaotic. I had, like, a furry beanbag. I had a cheetah blanket. I had a lot going on.'
Looking back on the evolution of their personal aesthetics is just one of the ways that the close friends are helping younger people to find their own style early on — with the duo now detailing their best damage-free, budget-friendly, and Gen Z-approved dorm design tips in a new podcast collaboration with Command entitled, 'Sticking With Style.'
'I have a lot of friends who do a lot of accessorising with lights,' says Kianni.
'I feel like that's such an easy way to make a space look a lot more elevated, and it's extremely cheap.'
And it's not the basic colour-changing LED strip light trend that exploded thanks to its popularity on TikTok in recent years that Kianni is referring to.
'Like, obviously there's the LED lights and stuff like that, but one of my friends — and I high-key need to copy her because it looks so good — has this lamp in her room where it puts a sunset circle on the wall,' shares Kianni.
'It's like a TikTok trend, too. I've seen people post it. It looks so beautiful.
'I literally think she got it for, like, $20 or something, but her room basically now looks like it has a big, beautiful, orange halo on it.'
For the moment, that subtle orange glow put out by the light Kianni describes is currently 'in,' yet Gates declares that its close colour counterpart — the so-called 'Gen Z yellow' — has had its day in the sun.
'I think Gen Z yellow used to be such a big thing that, like, every brand was doing that Gen Z yellow colour,' she says.
'I feel like that's kind of fallen out of the fold now.'
Kianni adds that 'the neons' and 'really bright colours' recently adored by her generation also need to be sunsetted.
Gates and Kianni's previously colourful interior design scheme has evolved with each move: from their childhood homes to their college dorm and, now, to their own individual New York apartments.
'I feel like I'm a lot more minimalist now,' says Gates.
'I really like a really nice black-and-white photo over the bed. If I can get fun marble nightstands, I love that.
'A really cozy white bed — I'm a lot more minimalist than I used to be before.'
'Honestly, completely the same,' agrees Kianni.
'I used to be complete colour-vomiting, like, colour, colour everywhere, and now I definitely gravitate more towards neutrals and basics. Most of the things in my apartment are white or brown or black.'
Yet the former roommates haven't completely turned their backs on their original room aesthetics.
Unlike the wall-damaging posters from their dorm days, there are a few design details in their homes and at their headquarters that they're happy to keep around.
'I still love a pop of colour,' says Kianni. 'But now it's like I have an accent of red; it's not on the walls — it's on the pillows.'
'I must have one, like, really cozy blanket,' adds Gates.
'I'm not talking about an expensive comforter, but just a slough of really comfy blankets so I can create something, sit on my bed, get some work done, answer some emails at the end of the day — so I think that stuck, but hopefully not the massacre of the colour purple all around.
Although, Command could help me to hang some really nice purple frames. We might need to bring that into the office.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Australian
an hour ago
- The Australian
NVA gets critical show of support for Estelle
The Nova Board of Directors has met with Alaskan lawmakers, tribal representatives and advocacy groups, who all offered strong support for the company's Estelle gold and critical minerals project. Estelle's potential aligns with Executive Order 14153 which directs immediate measures to increase American mineral production. Nova has placed itself on a trajectory mirroring that of MP Materials and Perpetua Resources, both of which have secured major US Department of Defense grants to fast-track the production of critical minerals. Special Report: Nova Minerals has strengthened ties with key Alaskan lawmakers and stakeholders in the past week during a board of directors visit to its Estelle gold and critical minerals project. The company has been drilling around the clock during the Alaskan summer to push Estelle's mineral resource estimate past 9.9Moz and define a resource of critical mineral antimony. Also during the almost 24 hour sunlight the Nova (ASX:NVA) board has been warmly received by federal representatives, state and local leaders, tribal organisations and advocacy groups who expressed unified support for advancing Estelle. VIP visits During their visit board members met representatives of Alaska's Congressional Delegation, including the offices of US Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and US representative for Alaska Nick Begich, who expressed ongoing backing for Nova's efforts to fast-track Estelle's development. Nova additionally received a strong show of local support during an event at Port MacKenzie attended by more than 25 Alaskan leaders including Borough Mayor Edna DeVries, leaders from the Knik Tribe, state legislators and representatives from the Alaska Miners Association and Friends of West Susitna. The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority also provided project updates on the West Susitna Access Road during the board visit. This new road will provide critical infrastructure that will support Estelle and regional development. Nova is increasingly aligned with US Executive Order 14153, 'Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential', which outlines actions to bolster American mineral production. This positions Nova to follow the path of MP Materials (market cap ~A$16 billion) and Perpetua Resources (market cap ~A$2.4 billion), which have both secured significant US Department of Defense (DoD) grants for critical mineral supply chain initiatives. Following a positive technical site assessment by the DoD's critical materials team, Nova is continuing engagement with the DoD as Estelle moves toward becoming a near-term producer of gold and antimony. Nova CEO Chris Gerteisen said: 'We're starting to see the kind of momentum that propelled companies like MP Materials and Perpetua Resources to secure major federal support. 'With our recent positive assessment from the (US) Department of Defense - and with gold and antimony prices near record highs - we're optimistic that Nova is well-positioned to be a key part of building a secure, domestic supply chain. 'We remain deeply grateful for the support we've received at every level and are committed to advancing this project responsibly and swiftly. Our team is humbled by the opportunity and focused on delivering long-term value for Alaska, the United States and our allies.' Critical hub During the Port MacKenzie event, Nova presented its long-term vision for a potential processing hub in Alaska and highlighted the significance of recent discoveries. Congressional representative Nick Begich expressed strong support, which was echoed by other leaders who met the board: 'Partnerships like these are crucial for responsible resource development in Alaska and advancing plans for a Nova Minerals processing hub at Port MacKenzie will deliver important economic benefits for Alaska and support our long-term workforce development for Alaska's hardworking families,' Begich said. On road to growth Out in the field at Estelle exploration is continuing at the Stibium antimony-gold prospect, the high-grade RPM North deposit. Drilling in the Korbel starter pit area has already been completed, with samples to be sent to the laboratory for analysis shortly. Also underway are other exploration mapping and sampling, environmental baseline studies, access road projects and various technical studies, all of which will go towards completing the pre-feasibility study. Nova's board has since departed Alaska for further stakeholder engagement in New York City and Florida. This article was developed in collaboration with Nova Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Europe hopes for 'no surprises' as US weighs force withdrawals
After keeping Donald Trump happy with a pledge to up defence spending at NATO's summit, Europe is now bracing for a key decision from the US president on the future of American forces on the continent. Washington is currently conducting a review of its military deployments worldwide -- set to be unveiled in coming months -- and the expectation is it will lead to drawdowns in Europe. That prospect is fraying the nerves of US allies, especially as fears swirl that Russia could look to attack a NATO country within the next few years if the war in Ukraine dies down. However, the alliance is basking in Trump's newfound goodwill following its June summit in The Hague, and his officials are making encouraging noises that Europe will not be left in the lurch. "We've agreed to no surprises and no gaps in the strategic framework of Europe," said Matthew Whitaker, US ambassador to NATO, adding he expected the review to come out in "late summer, early fall". "I have daily conversations with our allies about the process," he said. While successive US governments have mulled scaling back in Europe to focus more on China, Trump has insisted more forcefully than his predecessors that the continent should handle its own defence. "There's every reason to expect a withdrawal from Europe," said Marta Mucznik from the International Crisis Group. "The question is not whether it's going to happen, but how fast." When Trump returned to office in January many felt he was about to blow a hole in the seven-decade-old alliance. But the vibe in NATO circles is now far more upbeat than those desperate days. "There's a sanguine mood, a lot of guesswork, but the early signals are quite positive," one senior European diplomat told AFP, talking as others on condition of anonymity. "Certainly no panic or doom and gloom." - 'Inevitable' - The Pentagon says there are nearly 85,000 US military personnel in Europe -- a number that has fluctuated between 75,000 and 105,000 since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. "I think it is inevitable that they pull out some of their forces," a second European diplomat told AFP. "But I don't expect this to be like a dramatic overhaul. I think it's going to be gradual. I think it's going to be based on consultations." Trump's first target is likely to be the troops left over from a surge ordered by his predecessor Joe Biden after Moscow's tanks rolled into Ukraine. Officials say relocating the rump of that 20,000-strong deployment would not hurt NATO's deterrence too much -- but alarm bells would ring if Trump looked to cut too deep into personnel numbers or close key bases. The issue is not just troop numbers -- the US has capabilities such as air defences, long-range missiles and satellite surveillance that allies would struggle to replace in the short-term. "The kinds of defence investments by Europe that are being made coming out of The Hague summit may only be felt in real capability terms over many years," said Ian Lesser from the German Marshall Fund think tank. "So the question of timing really does matter." - 'Inopportune moment' - Washington's desire to pull back from Europe may be tempered by Trump now taking a tougher line with Russia -- and Moscow's reluctance to bow to his demands to end the Ukraine war. "It seems an inopportune moment to send signals of weakness and reductions in the American security presence in Europe," Lesser said. He also pointed to Trump's struggles during his first term to pull troops out of Germany -- the potential bill for relocating them along with political resistance in Washington scuppering the plan. While European diplomats are feeling more confident than before about the troop review, they admit nothing can be certain with the mercurial US president. Other issues such as Washington's trade negotiations with the EU could rock transatlantic ties in the meantime and upend the good vibes. "It seems positive for now," said a third European diplomat. "But what if we are all wrong and a force decrease will start in 2026. To be honest, there isn't much to go on at this stage." del/ec/jxb/tc

News.com.au
18 hours ago
- News.com.au
Trump, EU chief seek deal in transatlantic tariffs standoff
US President Donald Trump and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen prepared to meet Sunday in Scotland in a push to resolve a months-long transatlantic trade standoff that is going down to the wire. Trump has said he sees a 50-50 chance of reaching a deal with the European Union, having vowed to hit dozens of countries with punitive tariffs unless they hammer out a pact with Washington by August 1. The EU is currently facing the threat of an across-the-board levy of 30 percent from that date. Von der Leyen's European Commission, negotiating on behalf of the EU's member countries, has been pushing hard for a deal to salvage a trading relationship worth an annual $1.9 trillion in goods and services. Any deal with the United States will need approval by all 27 member states. EU ambassadors, on a visit to Greenland, were to meet Sunday morning to discuss the latest negotiations -- and again after any accord. Sunday's sit-down between Trump and the EU chief was to take place at 4:30 pm (1530 GMT) in Turnberry, on Scotland's southwestern coast, where Trump owns a luxury golf resort. The 79-year-old American leader said Friday he hoped to strike "the biggest deal of them all" with the EU. "I think we have a good 50-50 chance" of a deal, the president said, citing sticking points on "maybe 20 different things". He praised von der Leyen as "a highly respected woman" -- a far cry from his erstwhile hostility in accusing the EU of existing to "screw" the United States. But late-night EU talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Saturday to hammer out the final details were "combative at times," The Financial Times reported. As of Saturday evening, there were "still quite a few open questions" -- notably on pharmaceutical sector tariffs, said one EU diplomat. Tariff levels on the auto sector were also crucial for the Europeans -- notably France and Germany -- and the EU has been pushing for a compromise on steel that could allow a certain quota into the United States before tariffs would apply. - Baseline 15 percent - According to European diplomats, the deal on the table involves a baseline levy of around 15 percent on EU exports to the United States -- the level secured by Japan -- with carve-outs for critical sectors including aircraft, lumber and spirits excluding wine. The EU would commit to ramp up purchases of US liquefied natural gas, along with a series of investment pledges. Hit by multiple waves of tariffs since Trump reclaimed the White House, the EU is currently subject to a 25-percent levy on cars, 50 percent on steel and aluminium, and an across-the-board tariff of 10 percent, which Washington threatens to hike to 30 percent in a no-deal scenario. The EU has focused on getting a deal with Washington to avoid sweeping tariffs that would further harm its sluggish economy, with retaliation as a last resort. While 15 percent would be much higher than pre-existing US tariffs on European goods -- at 4.8 percent -- it would mirror the status quo, with companies already facing an additional flat rate of 10 percent. Should talks fail, EU states have greenlit counter tariffs on $109 billion (93 billion euros) of US goods including aircraft and cars to take effect in stages from August 7. Brussels is also drawing up a list of US services to potentially target. Beyond that, countries like France say Brussels should not be afraid to deploy a so-called trade "bazooka" -- EU legislation designed to counter coercion through trade measures which involves restricting access to its market and public contracts. But such a step would mark a major escalation with Washington. - Ratings dropping - Trump has embarked since returning to power on a campaign to reshape US trade with the world. But polls suggest the American public is unconvinced, with a recent Gallup survey showing his approval rating at 37 percent -- down 10 points from January. Having promised "90 deals in 90 days," Trump's administration has so far unveiled five, including with Britain, Japan and the Philippines. Early Sunday, ahead of his meeting with Von der Leyen, Trump was out again on the golf course, having spent most of Saturday playing at Turnberry amid tight security. The trip to Scotland has put physical distance between Trump and the scandal around Jeffrey Epstein, the wealthy financier accused of sex trafficking who died in prison in 2019 before facing trial. In his heyday, Epstein was friends with Trump and others in the New York jet-set, but the president is facing backlash from his own MAGA supporters demanding access to the Epstein case files. With the uproar refusing to die down, a headline agreement with the EU -- in addition to bolstering Trump's dealmaker credentials -- could bring a welcome distraction.