Nicola Smith, an interior designer, content creator, and tattoo artist, has created a truly unique and eclectic space in her garden room studio. Her home was featured on Channel 4’s Outrageous Homes, catching the eye of Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen with its bold colors and patterns. Nicola lives with her husband, Garin, an IT director, and their labrador Olive, in a 1920s detached house in Andover, Hampshire.
Before the transformation, Nicola had a large garden with a blank area at the end that was not being utilized. She saw the potential to create a separate studio space for her tattoo work, as well as a versatile area for her family and guests to enjoy. The garden room now serves as a multi-functional space, complete with a compostable toilet, sink, sofa bed, mini office area, and a relaxing outdoor seating area.
When embarking on a similar project, Nicola advises researching online and visiting showrooms to see different garden room options up close. She emphasizes the importance of choosing elements like windows, flooring, and wall finishes carefully to create the desired aesthetic. Nicola incorporated an air-con unit disguised with leopard print vinyl to maintain a comfortable temperature year-round.
In true Nicola style, the garden room is a vibrant mix of color and pattern, reflecting her signature design aesthetic. She opted for William Morris Sanderson Archive prints on the walls and soft furnishings, creating a cohesive and visually striking space. Nicola’s love for mixing old and new is evident in the room, with family pieces like a reupholstered sofa bed and antique Chinese cabinets alongside new furniture and accessories.
Accessories play a key role in adding personality to the space, with Nicola sourcing items from recycling centers, eBay, and small businesses on Instagram. She combines sentimental pieces with affordable finds, creating a curated and eclectic look. The room is adorned with unique decor, including a giant metal Buddha head, Balinese carving, and various trinkets collected over the years.
To recreate Nicola’s style, sources for key elements in the garden room are provided in the sourcebook. From the garden room itself to fabrics, wallpaper, furniture, and accessories, readers can find inspiration to bring a touch of Nicola’s eclectic charm into their own homes. The total cost of the project is detailed, showing that creating a personalized and stylish space doesn’t have to break the bank.
In conclusion, Nicola Smith’s garden room studio is a testament to her fearless approach to design and her ability to create a space that is both functional and visually captivating. By blending old and new, mixing colors and patterns, and incorporating unique accessories, Nicola has transformed a blank canvas into a fantastically weird and wonderful oasis. Follow House Beautiful on TikTok and Instagram for more design inspiration.