What services do you provide?

Bathrooms, Interior Design, Lighting

How would you describe your style?

"My style is underpinned by the vivid colours and natural textures that surrounded me during a childhood spent in Zimbabwe, as welll as a love of international travel that provides a kaleidoscope of inspiration. My background in engineering gives me a keen eye for practical solutions, ergonomically functional design and beautiful craftsmanship. These elements are effortlessly blended into my designs. My manufacturing experience is particularly valuable when it comes to designing kitchens which are, after all, mini production lines!"

Please describe a recently completed project or tell us about the bespoke service that you offer

"In recent years, there has been a significant increase in awareness of how wellbeing is inherently linked to many aspects of the world around us – what we eat, how much we exercise, how we factor relaxation into our daily routines, and how much sleep we get. As Marie Kondo has taught us, clutter has such a negative effect on our state of mind.

With humans increasingly spending up to 90 per cent of our lives indoors, often in highly controlled environments, it is now time to turn our attention to the effect that the design of our spaces is having on wellbeing. Add to this our growing addiction to screens, and we are becoming increasingly disconnected from the natural world that was once part of our everyday lives. Stress, anxiety and depression are very real, modern-day afflictions.

However, there is a growing body of scientific evidence showing that how we design our indoor spaces has a direct impact on us psychologically and physically, and therefore on our overall health and wellbeing. The use of colour psychology and biophilic design has been proven to reduce stress hormone production, improve feelings of happiness and stimulate creativity. They also lower heart rates and blood pressure, boost the immune system and accelerate recovery from illness.

At Nicola Holden Designs, we take a holistic approach to design that encourages creativity, peace and happiness. A large part of designing a home for wellbeing involves thinking about how you want your spaces to feel. What sort of behaviours do you want to see in each room? The colour, or combination of colours, used directly affects how someone feels, thinks and behaves. And by understanding an individual's colour personality, we choose colours that match your tonal family, thereby creating schemes that resonate.

As part of biophilic design, we look at bringing the outdoors into our spaces with plants but also through objects, materials, colours, shapes and patterns found in nature. We look at the spatial configurations of spaces, creating prospect views balanced with intimate refuges, and a sense of mystery that entices people in. We use these elements of colour, texture, shape and movement, infused in ordinary objects, to bring more happiness into your world. If surroundings lack energy, abundance and harmony, then no matter how beautiful a home might be, it will not make you feel truly alive.

In this way we create homes that are designed for the senses and aid good health. Providing clients with healthy places in which to live and work is vital if we want to maximise wellbeing and improve our lifestyle."