ART & DESIGN

Eccentric, bold & eclectic - home of Nicola Smith aka @thesmithinterior

Posted on: Nov 20

Welcome to back to the ART IN THE WORLD OF INTERIORS:

a cycle of short features where we will be visiting fabulous homes around the world and their owners who are passionate about art. Each home which we will visit is unique, with it’s own style & character.

For those of you who have been following me for a while, you will know that I’ve am passionate about interiors… that is besides being an artist and founder of Lush Eclectic Fine Art.

Past year have kept me busy with work on various art projects, events and exhibitions and a lot of painting. Now I’m shifting back my attention towards to how art is intertwined with design and interiors.

And oh boy! What inspiring homes I’ve got lined up for you this season!

Previously we’ve visited French Chateau, we travelled all across Britain from south coast to Scotland visiting period homes, cottages, terrace houses, flats and semis. From cities, towns, villages and country sides, we’ve crossed the Irish Sea and even stopped on an island surrounded by a rugged coastline...We even went as far as to India. Ok, ok, I’m getting carried away here – you get the picture. My art has bigger reach across the globe that I could have ever wished for and I would like to share with you some of my art collectors' homes,

This season I would like to invite you to join me in this inspirational journey where we will explore different ideas in interior design, and we will explore various ways of styling art in your home.

Eccentric, bold & eclectic - home of Nicola Smith aka @thesmithinterior

Today we are starting our journey in Hampshire, UK, in home of Nicola Smith who lives here with her love Garin and their Labrador Olive.

It still seems like it was not that long ago that I’ve seen Nicola’s picture on Instagram, smiling while holding the keys to her new home. The tour of the house followed and despite having a great potential, the décor needed some desired update. I’ve been following the house transformation even since. Here is what Nicola has achieved so far...

-How would you describe the type of your home and your style of décor?

I’m an eccentric loving, eclectic maximalist. I adore wallpaper, bold colour choices and layers of texture. The house itself was built in 1919 and I’ve tried to keep some connection to that era with the use of some William Morris designs.

- What inspires you when decorating your home and what has drawn you to your style?

Over the years I’ve found inspiration in many places, tiles on the floors of museums, motifs in fabrics, designs in architecture, patterns in nature.

-Would you like to share few tips on how you choose art for your home?

Style and colour are important, as is loving the piece. You want art that makes you feel happy and joyful, or perhaps curious and intrigued. Art should make you feel something.

- Do you choose art to go with your home décor or other way round?

My home decor is in my mind when choosing art but if I love something I’ll make it work.

- How do you arrange your wall galleries?

I like a range of sizes but with some kind of common theme-that could be the colour of the frames or the style of the work or sometimes both. The arrangement is generally by eye, I’ll just work out the positioning as I go along.

- How do you choose a frame for the art and where you get your frames?

Most of the frames in our home now are gold, gold is the “red thread” that runs through the house, connecting each area. I love the richness and opulence of gold and the warmth it gives. Perfect for maximalist interiors! Many of them have come from The Frame Company, some other older frames didn’t used to be gold so I painted them.

- Any other tips when it comes to styling art in interiors?

Don’t be a slave to trends and fashions. This is your home where you rest body and mind. You want to be surrounded by things and colours that you love, that make your eyes happy and your heart content.

Follow Nicola on Instagram here.