Ten minutes with Nicola Harding

We chat to the interior designer about creating a tangible sense of home and the importance of timeless, sustainable details.

It’s clear that place and provenance are particularly important to Nicola’s work.

‘The colours, textures and materials I use are always led by the place itself: the building, the context in which it sits, the people who’ll be using it.

‘I work to establish the impression that the interior has evolved naturally over time. I’m interested in the vernacular details; the ingredients that are going to conjure a mood or atmosphere and create that authentic sense of place.'

Be it hard or soft, plain or patterned, when it comes to materials, it’s key they all share one thing in common: sustainability. ‘That’s both in terms of a material’s origins,’ she says, ‘but also how well it’ll endure.

‘In part, it means choosing materials that are appropriate for the place. That way, they’ll have a continued relevance and won’t date. But it’s also down to the integrity of the materials – if they’re good quality, they’ll last.'

We’re keen to hear what Nicola believes architectural details can bring to an interior. ‘When done well, they give weight to a scheme – and longevity.

‘If they start to fail, a space can quickly start to look tired. Getting those details right gives you a sure footing to create the rest of the scheme.

’Having a consistent handwriting running through a property is key to making it feel joined up too. And I think that’s something that Corston does very well.'

First discovering our products through an architect, Nicola has since used Corston for numerous projects – including her London design studio.

‘We’ve learned that we can really trust both the products – they’re reliable and timeless – and the service.

‘There’s a user-friendly appeal. The ranges are ample and easy to navigate, and the customer service is professional and responsive. We work in a service industry, and time is precious. The more accessible a supplier is, the more efficient we can be.

’Watch our moodboard how-to videos with associate designer Kath Eustace from Nicola Harding & Co here.