Designer insights with Nicola Hoolihan

Nicola Hoolihan is an interior designer at DeskCentre, a position she started in January of this year. Nicola has over 3 years experience working within interior design and CAD design, and now uses these skills for DeskCentre customers. She has worked as a kitchen designer, as well as for a conservatory design team planning and creating 3D models. She has a passion for design, so enhances customers environments by implementing her amazing designs. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Nicola Hoolihan.

Designer Insights - Nicola Hoolihan

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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?

I believe in design with meaning and prefer a simplistic design approach that pays particular attention to detail, function and colour.

2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process? 

Although the idea of design is to create something new, it also allows us to reconnect with the old by giving things a new lease of life. I like to get to know the existing space and the client as a starting point.

3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?

Most recently I have admired the passion and intelligence involved in creating innovative materials with sustainability in mind. One example of this is an industry first fabric made from recycled jute from coffee sacks blended with wool. Today’s coffee culture means that millions of coffee sacks are used by retail chains every year, with many ending up either in landfill or downcycled into low value materials. I love the idea of upcycling the cloth sacks into a designer upholstery fabric with a unique eco-story and have a lot of respect for the team behind this.

4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?

I find you generally don’t find something when you are looking for it and so prefer not to over think. I like to capture images on pinterest and create a mood board to get ideas flowing.

5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?

Interior design has always been a career I wanted to pursue as I find it inspiring and stimulating and I would love to bring these elements into other people’s lives. I believe good design can enhance any environment, whether it is for work, rest or play. My advice would be to follow your beliefs and be happy in your chosen career path- it will shine through in your work.