Nina answers questions from fellow designers

Final Thoughts

Nina's Answers Questions from Fellow Designers

With so many decades of experience under my belt, I'm often called upon to offer advice to fellow designers - those that are established, as well as those that are just starting out. No matter where you are in your design journey, I hope my experiences can offer you some guidance and inspiration.

Quickfire Tips

• Establish your starting point; this could be a rug, a painting or an architectural detail within the room.

• If you are presented with a blank canvas and no clear starting point, ask your clients detailed questions about colours they like to live with, and request that they gather images of interiors they like from magazines.

• Rather than being led by trends, aim for your designs to be durable and timeless.

• Be confident in your own taste, while also being responsive and sensitive to the needs of your clients.

• Study the work of others, and constantly check out interior design projects for inspiration.

• Try to avoid a room looking too overly designed or too intimidating to use; comfort and relaxation should always be prioritised.

• Always be mindful of the culture around you, and the cultures of times gone by. Not only should you research important designers and design moments in history, but also absorb yourself in the wider creative world too - you never know where inspiration may next spring from.