Nice Haus: Nina Freudenberger
2
By Emily Kropp
in Influencer Series
on July 30, 2010
Joining us for our Influencer Series, the beauty and brains behind Haus Interior dishes on when to splurge, when to save, and what she's obsessed with now.
Last week you fell in love with Haus Interior, and this week the enterprising young woman behind our new décor obsession, Nina Freudenberger joins us for our Influencer Series, to tell us how to brighten up a rental, avoid impulse shopping, and when to leave it to the pros. Read on to learn what this stylish influencer is obsessed with now, and prepare to get inspired.
StyledOn: We adore Haus Interior and your philosophy of affordable interior design. What is your advice for people who are shopping for decor pieces for the first time?
Nina Freudenberger: That is so great to hear, thank you! I think that over the last few years, the demand for affordable interior design has grown through the flood of information on décor blogs. Interior design used to be limited to the wealthy, but with all of these incredible design blogs, interior design has moved from being purely aspirational to being much more accessible. If you are shopping for décor pieces for the first time, avoid impulse shopping by creating a priority list and sticking to one or two accent colors to follow. Start with larger items and then move to smaller pieces, such as finding the perfect lacquer tray for your coffee table which can then stack the smaller nesting boxes in. Do a little research, there are usually similar, affordable options to that beautiful piece that is priced out of your budget.
SO: Are there any decor pieces or services that you would recommend splurging on rather than saving?
NF: Absolutely, there is always a time to save and a time to spend a little! I think that great window treatments can make a room, strip away those wood blinds that came with your rental apartment and switch to fabric to warm up the room and bring in your accent color. I love simple roman shades in a natural cotton twill with a contrasting solid trim. And while painting a wall is simple enough, I definitely suggest leaving wallpaper hanging to the professionals, it’s not very forgiving!
SO: What is one special item that everyone should have in their home?
NF: A family heirloom, whether it be the small chair from your grandmothers home or a picture from your childhood home. Although they might not fit in perfectly, it’s these quirky moments that really create your own sense of style within your decorated home.
SO: If you could swap homes with anyone in the world, who would it be?
NF: I dream of living in the Philip Johnson glass house, I think it is absolutely perfect.
SO: What are three things you're obsessed with right now?
NF: Rebecca Ward – her tape installations are so beautiful (pictured above, right).
Terrariums – the perfect containment of house plants!
Lonny Mag – Michelle Adams has created the perfect replacement to Domino magazine, thank goodness!
SO: Can you tell us something about yourself that we might not expect?
NF: I collect old science textbooks – I love the drawings and find the outdated information to be so interesting, our perspective on the world is constantly changing.
Now it's your turn: what's one décor piece you're willing to splurge on?