Interior designer Susan Nilsson is a Western North Carolina talent whose work has been featured in Southern Living and Colonial Homes magazines. She’s built an impressive portfolio and a wide client base in WNC and beyond. Carolina Home + Garden talked with Susan about what influences her design and why she loves what she does. And what key design trends did we glean from her? In just two words: authenticity and wallpaper.
What is your specialty?
My real specialty is color—color palettes and selection. I am a master of color. My specialty is design concept and finishes. If someone comes in and they’re doing an office or a dive joint—or if they don’t have a concept and they need a concept, that’s a specialty.
How did you get into design?
I studied home economics the first time I went to college (at WCU). I flunked out and had a job in construction in my twenties, working for a home manufacturer doing production. I couldn’t take it anywhere because I didn’t have a degree, so then I decided to get a degree in interior design at WCU because it was part of my skill set. I was able to use my background in both construction and home economics to tie it together.
You been to Bangkok, Egypt and many other places. You have a house in Panama. How much of your design is influenced by your travels?
A lot of my experience and education is from travel. It influences me all of the time because I’m always copying something from what I’ve seen. The influence of travel on interior design from my viewpoint is a huge thing.
What’s the most innovative project you have done?
The American House. It’s based on American design, which is old but new. A great room based on the Blue Ridge Grill in Atlanta, a library based on the Rose Tarlow work in California, a dining room based on Drayton Hall in Charleston —all-American favorite places. Other innovative ideas revolve around doing design work in the new economy. If the client wants to be on a budget, recycle, recreate themselves, you want to face that front and center. We can no longer afford to think in the old way of consumption.
Do you incorporate many recycled or ‘found’ objects into your design?
I’m into recycling old things—I’ve always done that. Like if I see a cupboard on the side of the road that might work. There’s a lot of fun in creating things on a budget.
What are hottest design trends right now?
We’re moving through a grey palette right now. Also, authenticity is big—people like to know that somebody made that barstool, so they love to know who made the metal and who screwed it together instead of just getting it from a furniture store. There’s also a huge return of wallpaper. You get that pattern and design; not everyone can draw on their plaster. You can buy a roll of wallpaper and recreate a room.
What are good tips for working with a designer?
It’s a good thing to find out what their credentials are. There’s a lot of difference between an interior designer that knows about electrical and one that knows more about furniture. Then make sure to provide specific assignments so you know what to expect. Have an agenda. Have a schedule and stay on it. Set it up so it’s not just fly-by-night.
What do you think is the biggest design mistake that people make?
Picking the wrong paint color. Spending too much money on things that they buy on impulse and regret. Also, furniture that won’t fit through the door. In general, not thinking.
How would you redo a space on a budget?
We’re going to clean it. We’re going to remove negatives. Then paint, then get a new light fixture and rearrange all the furniture. More than likely, if furniture needs to be purchased, we’ll find it on consignment. Then we will iron all linens. That’s it.
Any parting words of wisdom?
People should know that they can hire a designer for a half an hour if they want to. Most designers would be honored to give them help. Have them over, ask them what to do and take their advice because most experienced designers can help you with a problem really fast. Don’t be afraid to ask for that, but make sure that you schedule it and make a list. Most designers love what they do, so they’d almost do it for free. In the new economy, we’d rather do it than not do it, at least.