Name: TINA NICOLE
Company: NATHAN ANTHONY FURNITURE
Position within company: PRINCIPAL DESIGNER
Website: www.NATHANANTHONYFURNITURE.COM
Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
Education: An Associate of Arts Degree from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, a Bachelor’s Degree from UCLA and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School.
Experience: Always a lover of textiles, forms and fashion, I worked in sales and then as a window dresser for iconic retail brands Colors de Benetton and Polo Ralph Lauren. This gave me a feel for marrying fabric to frame and learning the art of merchandising. When I came on board with Nathan Anthony Furniture, I was given free rein on selecting textiles and creating furniture pieces to introduce at trade shows. The combination of education and hands-on experience has brought me to this point.
How would you describe your personal interior design style?
Soft modern, with playful yet sophisticated elegance.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
A personal restlessness for newness and travel. Travelling abroad four times a year, I
indulge in all that is around me – architecture, urban art, window shop, museums, art
openings, cafes, theatre and concerts. Because design is art and artists push societal
norms, this broadens my view of what design is and how it’s evolving…It’s best to
see all kinds of expressions of art in so many different genres.
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
Handmade artisanal products that focus on comfortable luxury, relaxed & minimalist forms.
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2015 and beyond.
(1) Comfortable Luxury
(2) Organic shapes
(3) Romance
(4) Functionality
(5) Multi textured neutrals
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to product design, what would it be?
My advice, make sure to get a diverse education, study abroad and study art and artists
because they are society’s challengers.
How important are The International Product Design Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
Extremely. Being recognized by your peers for excellence for something you designed is
the ultimate compliment and greatest encouragement for more greatness.
What projects are you currently working on?
A new furniture collection for the international furniture trade show in North Carolina in April and October.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
To create more awareness and get people talking about the beautiful hand made products we make at Nathan Anthony Furniture.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself
Your most treasured possession?
Lladro, A boy with bird on foot.
Your favourite holiday destination?
Amalfi, Italy.
Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar?
Monastero Santa Rosa, Boutique Hotel & Spa Amalfi, Italy.
Your favourite book / film / song?
Book: A Confederacy of Dunces / Film: A Room With a View / Song: Time After Time
by Cindy Lauper
Your favourite food and drink?
Homemade chocolate chip cookies and ice cold milk.
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? (in no more than 25 words)
Recumbent.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
Choice 1 – A Writer, preferably a comedic writer for the sitcom Modern Family.
Choice 2 – A Signer/Musician.
Anything else interesting?
I secretly yearn to star in a period piece movie