Nina’s philosophy over the years – Part 2

Nina's Philosophy Over the Years - Part 2

Luxury doesn't necessarily mean glitz and splendour. My idea of luxury is all about creating a home that stands the test of time, and consists of carefully considered details alongside elements that feel refined and are made to last.

Lampshades Are a Chapter in Themselves

You don't want to look into a room and see a sea of lampshades, so this aspect of the design must be considered carefully.

• For a reading lamp, it may be best to go for a design without a shade.
• Simple card or parchment shades with a small band of colour around the top and the base are good for balancing busier patterns and designs elsewhere in the room.
• Think about the colour of light that a lampshade provides. It should be flattering to the room and its inhabitants, and set the right mood.

A Lesson on Detail from Tailoring

Detailing is incredibly important, and will elevate a room to make it feel more luxurious. When designing, consider adding piping, braiding or binding to your upholstery, curtains and cushions.

Some Key Lessons

Listen to the Client

You should always stay true to the needs, demands and desires of the homeowner, but you can also try to gently make suggestions that are out of their comfort zone but you believe will work well in a room.

Aim to Create a Room That Looks Effortless

Of a project I once worked on, the client said to me, 'Nothing matches, but everything goes together', and I took this as a great compliment. There is great skill in putting together a room that feels effortlessly cohesive - and often a lot of work behind the scenes to achieve it.

Take time to consider every aspect of the design, and try lots of different ideas to find the right balance. Put in the effort to search out the 'perfect' elements that sit beautifully together, even if they don't necessarily match.

Throw in Something That Provides Wit

To provide a room with character, personality and warmth, try to include something unexpected that offers an element of surprise and wit. This is what turns a house into a home.

Remember the Bigger Picture

A house should feel harmonious as you journey through it. You may not be able to redecorate an entire home in one go, but try to keep in mind how the new will sit with the old. Think ahead to future plans and allow these to inform aspects of your current design, or adapt your new ideas to feel in keeping and cohesive with what already exists.

Keeping entrances, hallways and passageways neutral and calm is a good way to make the journey through a home feel more comfortable and pleasing to the eye.

Older Pieces Bring a Story

Buying everything new can be an easier way to decorate, but you run the risk of your room looking bland and lacking in character. Although a little harder to find, antique or vintage pieces add a unique charm to any home, and combining the old with the new will always make a space feel more relaxed and welcoming.

Don't Finish a Room All at Once

A room will often tell you what it needs, and it's important to slow down and listen rather than speed ahead with a renovation.

Try to visit a room in the final stages before it's finished, and assess what might be missing or what the room is telling you it needs.

Learning About the Client

Meeting with the client at the beginning and asking those all-important questions is an essential part of the design process. How they spend their time, the pets they have, and the ages of their family members are all factors that should directly influence any design decisions.

Forming a comfortable relationship with your clients, where you feel at ease with each other, is crucial, as this is how you will come to understand them and create the best design possible.

The Same Is True When Designing for Yourself

This ethos can also be applied when designing your own home. Ask yourself the difficult questions, and work out what you really want and need.

'Shop the cupboard' and do a stocktake of what you already have, and then consider how these items could be incorporated into a new scheme.

Your Assignment

As we begin to delve deeper into my design philosophy, use the table below to take your thinking on each room a few steps further. You needn't fill in every column for each room, but it's well worth taking the time to think through each prompt before beginning the design process.

| Room name | What you want to keep | What you want to change | Where to add detailing | Where to include antique pieces |

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