Exclusive interview with Sandra Nunnerley
With Interiors I wanted to share some of the truly beautiful projects I’ve worked on, the inspirations and stories behind them, and hopefully inspire readers to create their own beautiful spaces.
Can you give us some insight into setting up your design practice from scratch.
We all come to the design world from different paths – my world was architecture and art, and interior design brings it all together. These were my passions, so setting up the design practice was really a sort of progression or unfolding, rather than a bold leap into the unknown. It was a natural extension of all the things I really love.
What is the most prestigious commission you have worked on around the world?
I’ve worked on many beautiful projects, but highlights are a retreat in the Bahamas for a London family, and for one of our Australian clients, we created a pied-a-terre in the Sherry-Netherland Hotel.
You have featured urban apartments, town houses, country homes and states, so what is your favourite interior design project?
There are aspects I love about every project, but each is site-specific and very individual – we wouldn’t create a penthouse in Hong Kong to look like a country cottage, for example. Appropriateness is the key.
Please tell us a bit about making the selections for each of the chapters.
Each chapter documents how a wide variety of inspirations - notably my world travels - have influenced my work, how I think about design and how I see the world around me. Mood is very important in design.
You have travelled the globe so where is your favourite place to be?
I feel comfortable anywhere in the globe, a beach in Kenya, London, Paris, New York, or my native New Zealand. Travelling is one of the most important things in my life.
What has been the most influential place you have travelled to?
Burma holds a special place in my heart as I went there 10 years ago when there were very few tourists. I am fascinated by tribal people and their cultures, particularly in Africa and New Guinea, but I'm concerned that some tribal peoples will disappear, even within a generation. I have travelled all over the world, and all these various places I have travelled through come together as one - my travels are a source I constantly access from within myself. Travel doesn't always have to be to another country - I can stand in front of a painting in the Tate in London and that will allow me to travel in my mind and my subconscious.
Why is it important to look at the world around you to come up with your own design approach?
Inspiration can come from anywhere - it can be as simple as seeing the wonderful colour of an orange on the corner fruit stand, or standing on top of an emerald green mountain in Tibet and looking down on the turquoise lake for a great feeling of serenity which I wanted to create (and did) for my own home. And of course art - Mark Rothko constantly inspires.
You have done this for over 20 years now, so what has been your most memorable moment?
I learn something new every day, I never cease to learn, whether it’s about construction, lighting or art.
What is next for you?
Writing this book was a huge thing for me, which I absolutely loved. Now I’m enjoying giving lectures on the vision and inspiration behind the work in the book, and continuing to work on design projects. I’m also designing an egg for the Big Egg Hunt taking place in New York in April, which is great fun.
Interiors by Sandra Nunnerley is published by powerHouse books