Nina’s philosophy over the years – Part 1

Nina's Philosophy Over the Years - Part 1

It is my belief that your home is the background to your life, so it should be comfortable and congruent with everyday living. It should also set the scene for special moments and the creation of cherished memories.

Learn How Someone Plans/Wants to Live in Their Home

I like to think about the journey through a home, and plan for the decoration to support this.

For example, if you start at the front door, you want to create a warm welcome with an uplifting choice of colour. If you have the space, you could also create a bar area so that you're able to greet your guests by offering them a drink.

Moving into the living room, I tend to gravitate towards a calmer colour scheme to contrast with the feeling of the entrance and set the tone for relaxation. You can then punctuate the space with moments of excitement through artwork, cushions and ceramics.

If you are decorating for a client, it's incredibly important to get to understand their lifestyle, and how they will use each room. Ask detailed questions about their habits, and allow the answers to directly inform your decorating choices.

Every Room Should Have Its Own Feeling

In any home, certain zones should feel more relaxed than others. Consider not only how a room will be used, but also how the room should feel when you're in it.

You would want a library, for example, to feel cocooning and comfortable enough to curl up with a good book, whereas a dining room should offer a sense of occasion while at the same time encouraging fun and conversation.

Practicality, Proportion and Suitability

Born in 1865, Elsie de Wolfe is regarded as one of the first professional interior designers. She was famously quoted as saying good decoration and design is all about 'practicality, proportion and suitability'.

Proportion

• Play with scale to create interest, combining large and small proportions together.
• The balance of a colour or print - or the amount of an expensive fabric or statement print used - in a room may need to be proportionally quite small, but can still make a big impact.
• The interaction between architectural details, room size and furniture isn't an exact science; you have to rely on your eye.

Practicality

• Elements of a room that don't work or feel right will cause irritation and frustration.
• Furniture should be positioned for ease and relaxation.
• Everyone should be able to find comfort in the room and enjoy it, which may mean a mix of different types of seating.

Suitability

• Fabric should be appropriate for the way you use it. For example, upholstery fabric must be hard-wearing and durable.
• Each item in a room must serve a function, and do so correctly.

The Similarity Between Fashion and Interiors

I like to think of cushions and lampshades as the shoes and handbags of the interior design world. Just as you might accessorise a plain dress with colourful shoes and a statement handbag, you can add interest to a plain sofa with patterned cushions and bold lighting designs.

Switching in different cushions and lampshades into a room can have a totally transformative effect, and will instantly make the whole scheme feel fresh and new.

Giving an Old Friend a New Dress

Treasured pieces of furniture can become like old friends, as they often come to be an integral part of a home's interior. Rather than replacing items when they become tired or broken, it's much nicer to recover and reupholster them to give them a new lease of life.

Your Assignment

Write a list of all the rooms in your house below in the first column. Next to each room, in the second column, describe how you use the space and how you want to feel when you use it. In the third column, note down any initial thoughts on how you might decorate the room accordingly. Think about how proportion, practicality and suitability will feed into your ideas.

| Room name | Usage & feeling | Ideas on how to implement |

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