Natasha Rocca Devine and The Interior NRD are definitely names that Irish readers will recognise.
Irish Interior Designer and Staging to Sell specialist Natasha has a track record of not only staging beautiful homes that sell quick and above asking price, she has also graced our screens on RTE One TV Series ‘Find Me A Home’.
Ammm have I mentioned that the apartment Natasha staged for ‘Find Me A Home’ sold within one month, and for 11% higher than the original sales price...
Just say’n this Lady ain’t just an Interior Designer she’s a Boss Seller too...
So let's see what Natasha has to share with us. From where she started her career to where she draws her design inspiration from. xxx
1: So Natasha :) Can you tell me a little more about you and what you feel best describes your interior style?
Prior to setting up ‘The Interiors NRD’ Studio, I worked in Los Angeles as a real estate agent and staged and designed projects on the side. Although I have a ‘go to style’, I adopted the Los Angeles approach to focus on the client, the space, local area and budget as priority.
Evidently, Los Angeles designers each have a signature style, yet, clients never wanted to see their designers’ exact replica in another persons’ home as it would detract from why they hired a designer to start. So, I learnt there that individuality is key. Hence, each of my projects I adopt this carte blanche Los Angeles approach and take each project as a new canvas to work on.
While my ‘go to’ style would be contemporary classic, which would gravitate towards either classic or contemporary pending on the client, location and overall aim of the project. Also, I like to ensure there are elements of sustainable design, vintage products, energy efficient lighting and recycling involved in each project to ensure the environment is protected amongst the process, as much as possible.
2: Ohhhh that is sooo amazing! I'm actually very jealous if your career! How excisting would it be to work in LA!!! Love it! Any who...What has been your favourite interior project you worked on and why? :)
I have just completed my favourite project for two main reasons;
1. The Development & Team – I just completed designing and styling a luxury apartment Showhome for Robswall by Hollybrook in Malahide by the Award-winning developers Hollybrook Homes. The selling agents for these new homes are the leading agents Knight Frank Ireland.
This is my third time working for Hollybrook Homes and my second showhome design I have completed for Hollybrook. My previous showhome sold within a few weeks and has won two Awards, which is all part of the agents and team involved.
So, it is a pleasure to be working with Hollybrook on different stages of their development and on various and diverse projects.
These particular apartments are final stages of the Robswall by Hollybrook development. It is an exciting time for the Hollybrook team who on completion of this are preparing to move onto their next Dublin development next year.
2. The Theme - On a personal level, I loved working on this project as it was inspired by The Great Gatsby | Art Deco interiors, along with a Hollywood iconic resonance. I have always adored the romance of classic and iconic literature, movies, architecture and design. With our lives centred around technology I feel there is advancements yet, an innate lack of tradition and connection.
For Robswall, I used iconic Cole & Son wallpapers to enhance this theme, combined with suitable furniture, lighting, photography, art and accessories, to create a space of passion and entertainment where people can connect and celebrate life. Each as seen in these iconic eras and ideally in this showhome alike. While ensuring it is suitable for potential buyers as it is a showhome which must be applicable to buy, first and foremost.
3: And Natasha the Hollybrook Homes. project is STUNNING! What was the inspiration behind this interior or where do you usually draw your inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from life. As I specialise in ‘Staging to Sell’ and Showhome Design, it is my job to create emotion in a space which will add a connection to all that etc. So, I always survey the site I then allow my intuition to guide me towards a theme which leads to the colours, styles and looks that I see throughout. If I can’t feel it the chances are no one else will either.
I saw this apartment as a place to live in but also a place to entertain. I wanted there to be a feeling of stepping back to a that vibrant era of The Great Gatsby, Hollywood movie star while at the same time allowing for contemporary living.
4: Love it! What are your go-to interior shops and why?
As I run a staging and design studio, I am constantly sourcing furniture, art and accessories from various style and countries, I then tailor these to each project. Some projects I may add wallpaper or focus more so on lighting, which I specialise in. Others would be more furniture focused or on art and so forth.
I feel it is my job to source globally, sustainably and also support local stores and markets and show a variety of brands and stores throughout.
So, my go-to stores are pending on the projects, budgets and style. Also, some clients have specific brand requests which can influence these choices.
For instance, my studies of Interior Design in ‘KLC School of Design’, Chelsea Design Harbour London, I created wonderful connections with brands, stores and markets in London, where I visit frequently as my sisters live there.
While living in Italy, Los Angles and Boston I made connections there whom I reach out or source online from.
In Ireland, I source items from both local high-street brands and luxury brands to ensure a sense of luxury and affordable luxury. Combined with vintage pieces and always trying out new stores, which will ensure to add a spark of uniqueness in each space.
5: What in your view makes a great designed interior?
Elegance, timelessness, authenticity, sustainability, detail in design, uniqueness and universality (from the design choices of the designer) are the key components.
These combined with planning, budgeting, sourcing, project management, a great team, an element of risk taking and hard work are the core elements will ensure great designed interiors is achieved.
6: Finally Natasha, What interior designer has inspired you the most in your design career and why?
My family are all very influential in my interior design career as they have supported me immensely. Particularly my mom’s side as my great grandfather and grandfather was a tiler and mosaic speciality post-civil war from Italy and most of my family are in tiling, interiors, property development and streams of the industry.
While my friend and mentor Los Angeles designer Mary Ta has been my most inspirational interiors designer as I know her on a personal and experience her professional work, both of which I admire greatly.
Mary is the Founder of MASS Beverly and Minotti Los Angeles luxury stores. Combined with her portfolio to include; designing homes that sold to Calvin Klein, Beyoncé and Jay Z, along with her restaurants and commercial projects in Los Angeles and globally.
While I was in Los Angeles in February Mary gave me a private tour of her Swarovski collection with included fashion pieces from the late Alexander McQueen and a part of the stage used for Oscars 2018. Amongst her busy schedule Mary supports her team. local community, charities and always makes time for her family and friends, including myself, which reminds me no matter how busy things get always make time for others.
At the end of the day making time for clients, teams along with family, friends and community are all required for a truly successful design life both short and long term.
Thanks so much, Natasha for such an informative interview. As an Interior Architect I personally got so much from this interview so I know both readers who are in the trade and those who just love design will love this interview too.
For you readers who agree and would like to keep up to date with Natasha check out her Instagram page at @natasha.rocca.devine and her website here!
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