Meet Nadine founder of Interior Motifs, we asked Award winner Nadine about her journey into interior design, styles and inspirations...
'It’s been a long road but thinking back to my childhood I was always into interior design. I would change my room around all the time from when I was little. In my teens, I would buy a pot of paint to sponge paint my bedroom wall (as that was a thing then). I remember designing a cabinet that would fit an awkward space and draw it all out to detail. I had no clue that I could even do something like this as a profession when I was young.
My drawing teacher told me to go visit a Graphic design school and that was where I applied and graduated.
I was eager to learn and study, so I continued and went on to the Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE is one of the world’s leading design schools, recognised internationally for its forward-thinking and renowned professors and alumni). I graduated there with a project- black and white wallpaper you could colour in yourself. Again, related to interior.
I started my own design studio in Amsterdam and did all-sorts. Packaging, display, product design, which transferred into more interior related designing like shop design, office design and wallpaper design etc.
I then started Raw Eco design, wall units made out of recycled cardboard, a cradle-to-cradle product.
When I moved to England I had to start over, I couldn’t keep running the business from the UK, it just didn’t work as well anymore, I also had 2 tiny girls to look after in a new country. So, I decided to train up as an interior designer and here I am.
I like to design spaces that are functional and suitable for the people living in it. Everyone has different needs, so every home should look and feel different in my opinion. Alongside the practical solutions I bring, I do like to bring that little extra, that perhaps the client doesn't think of.
Design has so many facets to it. I look at the building, the style of a room. I wouldn’t put a hyper-modern LED strip lighted room in a period property, to me that just doesn’t feel right.
Over time I got better at putting a room together overall. I guess, it is a matter of experience. I love mixing old and new or different styles together.
I always start with 2 things pretty much simultaneously: Layout and mood board. The layout needs to be right, especially for a living or open plan space this is key. If the layout isn’t right, the whole room looks off, no matter how good the rest of your design is. I create various options for clients in 3D, where they can then pick and choose, or we combine layouts. At the same time, I will present a few mood boards, which will include colour and style. The client can pick their favourite.
Once choices are made, I will then go away and combine the two into a 3D visualisation, so the client can see what their room will look like once it is done. I am attracted to certain colour combinations and styles, so that always will reflect into my designs. But that doesn’t mean every room looks the same, I can create a country style dining room one week and a modern mid-century living room in a new build the next. This is exactly what I love about my job though, to create something completely new every single time. I like to be challenged.
In general people struggle with visualising the ideas they have for their room, so 3D visuals are a must in my presentations to the client. It really helps getting them on board with a plan for their room layout-wise. The functionality is represented in the layout. At the same time, they need to LOVE the colour palette and style I am presenting them, just a like is not good enough. We talk through the clients wishes in detail before I propose anything.
As I am Dutch, there is always an European element to my designs. Whether it is on how I hang the curtains or how I hang art. It will always be slightly different than the English do it. I live in the Countryside so the style here is very different from the London high-design culture.
People are a bit more traditional here and still go for the standard shaker kitchen cabinets, that they are actually fed up with, but don’t know yet. I am trying to modernise a kitchen but still treasure the great period dresser and mix it all up. I love some Scandi and French elements, combined with a Victorian or Edwardian style.
I think there is a lot of my style in the use of colours as well. I am very much attracted to earthy colours or colours that are slightly muted and then combine them with a pop of colour like an ochre or coral for example. Incorporating wallpapers is also a thing I do a lot. Clients that told me at the start they hate wallpaper have been converted after I am done and love it. I love to use it in a modern way if that makes sense, perhaps in an unexpected spot.
I don’t think I am ever short of ideas, more the other way around. I get a lot out of Dutch designs and travelling. Every country has different ways of doing things, mainly in the detailing. I love going to nice restaurants or look at beautiful architecture. The other day I went to a concert in the Cathedral in Coventry and it was so beautifully rebuilt, I loved the modern way they designed the altar and seating behind it. Last summer I was in Carcassonne in France and all the lovely shops there, the layout, the old and new, amazing! Things like that can really make me happy.
I can never stick to just an exact style. Japandi I love, but I would never want a just Japandi room for myself, I would take elements from it. It is like cooking for me, I can never follow a recipe to the teeth, I will always add or take away something (to my husband’s frustration).
I think Mediterranean style is going to be hot next, but with a modern twist, maybe some black elements. And teen girls are really into their nostalgia, so I am determined to design a teen room next.
For aspiring designers here is my advice. Practice, Practice, Practise. Transform any room you can get your hands on at home, family and friends. And take photos of the areas that really work. In the beginning you won’t have perfect results, but some corners will look great.
I think it is very important to listen to the client and be able to interpret what their needs are. Often they don’t tell you what they want, you need to figure that out, play a little detective. You are not designing for yourself. You need to be able to present what is in your head and visualise and explain it to the client so they know what they get and know they will be happy with the end result'
Top Tips
• What are your top three interior design tips for homeowners looking to refresh their spaces?
- A new rug. Most homes I see have a rug that is too small. Make sure in your living room the front feet of the sofas and chairs are on the rug. This will change the look of the space instantly.
- Art and pictures. Most pictures are hung too high, hang the middle of the pictures at about 130 cm from the floor. And if you love family photo’s, collect them in a gallery wall, instead of dotting them around everywhere. Add a large piece of art (or print) as a statement piece.
- Dare to use some colour, most people stick to grey. Get the things you really love, colours, textures, you might surprise yourself and what matters is you like it.
• What services do you offer at Interior Motifs and how do you tailor them to meet clients’ needs?
Mostly I do room makeovers (which I love). When people have just moved or bought a house and we start from scratch. In a lot of homes I go room by room over a period of 1 or 2 years.
It is fine to keep a bed or sofa if you just bought it, but starting a room from the beginning creates the best result in the end, as you are not trying to correct previous mistakes. I can then really bring all the potential out of that room.
3D layout plans when people want to extend. I visualise what the room can look like when you have an extension build. Not everyone thinks about what the actual combined spaces will look like once build and they end up with a stuck-on room. In an ideal world people come to me before they build and let me draw out some options for them.
And home consultations, where I give instant advice for 2 hours. This helps with homes that are mostly decorated, but don’t look quite right yet or have some problem points. I give them tips and pointers what they could add or change with simple tools.
• What do you envision for the future of Interior Motifs?
I would love to do something in coaching, tutoring and training young designers and really focus on concept and presenting. I get a lot of requests from students to work experience or want to talk to me about interior design. There really isn’t anything for students in this area, whilst there are plenty creative people.
• Are there any exciting upcoming projects or plans?
At the moment I am working on a library (inside a home) which is going to be very bold in art deco style with a modern twist. It should be finished in a month or so, so can’t wait to take some pictures and see the end result.
I’d love to do an AirBnb or small hotel where you can really go all out and make something special for when you are on holiday but don’t necessarily want in your own home. I feel most holiday lets are just really boring in their interior, here is where you can shine and be different.
• When you browse Mash and Mint’s collection, which products catch your eye and why?
I love that there is so much variety in products and styles at Mash and Mint. It’s Important to me as a designer to use quality furniture, which is represented at Mash + Mint. I don’t like using the same brand throughout a room, so for me it is super handy to have a website where multiple good brands are represented and not have to shop around a lot, which in the end saves me time.
• How do you stay connected with the design community, and where do you find ongoing inspiration?
I stay in touch with a lot of my old friends in NL, as they are all designers I automatically get updates on that, although I wish I was a lot more involved. Going back to Amsterdam always inspires me, every time I go, I take the kids (9+13) to a different exhibition, museum or cool restaurant.
To find out more about Interior Motifs visit https://interiormotifs.co.uk/
You can also follow Nadine on Instagram @interiormotifs_mh
