"Upon entering, a house should immediately captivate you, and designer Nina Takesh achieves this by skillfully composing interiors that are both alluring and luxurious, while still allowing for a standout item from IKEA."
In the world of interior design, Nina Takesh stands out for her unique approach to creating a sense of journeying and mystery in every space she designs. Her philosophy is all about design as a dialogue and layering spaces to make them rich and intriguing from the moment you step inside.
Takesh believes that a home should intrigue you immediately and offer a layered experience that invites exploration and discovery. This approach often involves thoughtfully layering textures, patterns, and objects to build depth, using design elements that evoke curiosity and surprise, and adopting a narrative style that guides the inhabitant through a sequence of sensory experiences.
Based in Los Angeles, Takesh is the founder of Nina Takesh Design. Known for her ability to create a sense of mystery, she often uses unique door openings and sightlines to guide people from one space to the next. Texture is a key factor for Takesh, with a minimum of six different textures preferred in each room. She tends to use textured materials like raffia and sisal, and has a preference for a specific blade and proportion at the carpenters for molding, a European approach not common in California.
Takesh's work has been featured in leading publications and her designs are known for blending contemporary elegance with a worldly sensibility. Recently, she launched a furniture collection inspired by her travels and various objects she has encountered.
People today, according to Takesh, are pushing the boundaries with their interiors. A well-executed room, she says, requires good paint, well-done caulking, and a level of craftsmanship. Takesh tends to shy away from cool colors and coolness in her designs, preferring warm colors that evoke a sense of warmth and love. She often uses the color rust, particularly in materials like mohairs and silk.
Takesh shares behind-the-scenes insights and styling advice on her popular YouTube design channel. She appreciates the difference between polished finishes and matte textures in a room and often works with bold silhouettes and sculptural shapes, drawing inspiration from her travels and treasures found in flea markets.
Takesh's designs are visually striking and deeply livable, mixing modern lines with vintage pieces and layering textures for depth. She notices when art is placed too high in a room, particularly in living spaces where the primary act is to sit on the sofa. Her spaces are designed to be explored, each element conversing with the next, encouraging exploration and personal engagement with the space.
In conclusion, Nina Takesh's approach to interior design offers a unique and captivating journey for those who enter her spaces. Her designs are a testament to her philosophy of creating intriguing and layered environments that invite exploration and discovery, contributing to a feeling of journey within the space.