Nicola Harding
For her own home in the Cotswolds, the designer chose a playful picture that would happily coexist with the colourful chaos of family life. Letting spaces evolve naturally and embracing the mood are key factors for her
I approach design as a homemaker rather than a very cerebral designer. The lady we bought the house from was in her late 70s and had lived there forever – she left all the crazy curtains. We moved the floor and fireplace from other parts of the house, weaving bits together in a way that didn’t feel too serious. For me, it’s instinctive, channelling your inner granny by working with elements you already have. I like it when spaces feel like they’ve evolved organically rather than being overworked and I guess this artwork feels like that as well – a bit haphazard.
The painting in this room, above the console table, is by a Liverpool artist called Jason Thompson. He uses joyful, slightly clashy colours and a good degree of contrast. The colours played a part in us choosing it, but also the attitude – it doesn’t take itself too seriously; it’s a bit irreverent. There’s a fun energy about it, which was the mood I wanted to have in my family home. I’ve worked with clients who have quite serious pieces and we’ve gone for knocked-back muted colours so the art feels really electric in the space. In this case, it’s more of a riotous candy box, like someone’s had a go at the pick ’n’ mix stall at the cinema.
The walls are painted in ‘Old Rose’ by Pure & Original and the sofas are upholstered in pistachio green corduroy. The rug is the ‘Cordoba’ – one of my own designs for Vanderhurd.
I have a lot of fun with prints; it’s easier to put something like that above the fireplace – you want something of scale and it can be expensive to get a serious piece of art that big. Invest in something beautiful to put in a spot that you’re going to see more often, like the end of a corridor or in the kitchen.
In colourful spaces, going for an artwork with a monochrome palette can work well and avoid sensory overload. If you’re doing a gallery wall, then reducing the colour palette helps it hang together. Don’t be afraid to move things around; you can get tired of seeing the same thing in the same spot, but seeing it against a different wall colour in a different room can radically change the way something feels. nicolaharding.com