I’m a sponge, soaking up the ideas and inspiration of all the talented interior designers I come across. Many of those are our customers at Nell Hill’s, who share about their homes and how they have made them into havens. My design staff, who constantly blow me away with their good eye and instincts. And, the designers who have achieved national prominence, their genius captured in books and magazines. I have started a regular feature on the Nell Hill’s Facebook page where I share some of my favorite designers. Today, I want to blog about four of those I love the most:
India Hicks
First, some BIG news. India is coming to Nell Hill’s for a book signing Oct. 16, 1:00-3:30. She will sign her New York Times bestseller Island Style and feature a drop-in shop of her products (all proceeds will benefit the Global Orphan Project). The event is free, but please RSVP to [email protected] so we’ll know how much Prosecco to buy!
If you have never seen India’s work, you are in for a treat. It’s magical, just like her story… India, the daughter of famed designer David Hicks, comes from British royalty. She is the goddaughter of the Prince of Wales and was a flower girl in his storybook wedding to Princess Diana.
But there is nothing formal and stuffy about India’s style. She and her family live on a small island in the Bahamas, where she has designed several homes. In addition to her work in interior design, she is an author, model, entrepreneur and TV personality.
When you live in the Midwest, like I do, tropical isn’t necessarily your style. But it’s easy to translate India’s relaxed, effortless look to fit your home and your life. What do I love about India Hicks? What’s not to love?
I can’t wait to meet India when she comes to Nell Hill’s in October. I hope I’ll see you here!
Charles Faudree
Here’s what I remember most about Charles Faudree: his piercing blue eyes. When he came to Nell Hill’s to sign his design books a few years ago, I was over the moon. Sadly, cancer took Charles too soon. But we are blessed to have his books to serve as constant inspiration. And for me, they are.
Charles was an Oklahoma based designer who had a deep affection for all things French. His love of French country style came out in most of his designs, and his work was featured in all the big magazines.
From Charles I learned the art of layering. His interior designs told the story of a room, one piece of furniture, fabric and accent at a time.
At Nell Hill’s, we really enjoy working with customers to solve their design challenges and make the spaces in their homes work for them. One of the tricks I learned from Charles has become one of our go-to design solutions: Place a desk perpendicular to a wall, instead of facing the wall. It’s a great way to fit a desk into a tight room and make a big statement all at once.
I’m also a fan of Charles’s generous use of blue and white in his designs. In the photos above, for instance, he turned dishware into artwork. I like to do the same thing in my own home.
William McClure
I stumbled upon William’s work on Pinterest and became an instant fan. I’m captivated by how he gives old-school traditional design a more modern vibe.
One quality that grabs me over and again is his use of scale, particularly when it comes to artwork. As an artist himself, he has an eye for what pieces will make a room transcendent and exactly where to hang art for maximum impact.
You can see William’s southern roots come out in his casual yet sophisticated designs. I particularly like how he mixes textures and pattern, the elegant and the everyday.
I adore the painted floors in William’s home and how he effortlessly tosses together the refined and the natural. Your eyes just linger over each spot in the rooms he designs, being captivated by the little surprises he has added throughout to delight the observant guest.
William’s work is beginning to be featured in design publications, and he’s gaining popularity. I’m looking forward to seeing more work from this talented young designer in the future.
Miles Redd
Color. That’s the word that pops into my mind when I think about the designs of Miles Redd. I love how he saturates a room in color, covering the molding, ceiling, walls – everything – to make a statement that blows your doors off. He is the king of the lacquered wall.
Fearless is another word that describes Miles’s work. He’s not afraid to plunge in, using large patterns, unapologetic hues and playful elements of surprise to create rooms that are both glamorous and inviting.
I’m intrigued by how he boldly mixes colors, textures and styles in a space. The formal living room in the photo above has so many different themes playing at the same time, yet it all works perfectly together instead of being overwhelming or distracting.
Based out of New York City, Miles continues to make Elle Décor’s A-List of interior designers for his fresh, unique style. And his work can be found in all the top decorating magazines, from Architectural Digest to House Beautiful. Can’t wait to see what this design star comes up with next.
Next Week … Come be inspired by dinner in the courtyard.