Collectors Gene Radio: Nina Takish - Designer & China Collector

Episode Release Date: May 7, 2025
Host: Cameron Ross Steiner

Introduction to Nina Takish

In this captivating episode of Collectors Gene Radio, host Cameron Ross Steiner welcomes Nina Takish, a multifaceted designer and avid china collector. Nina's diverse career encompasses luxury baby boutiques, house flipping, bespoke interiors, digital media, and her recently launched furniture collection. With a rich global upbringing rooted in Iranian heritage and Parisian sophistication, Nina offers listeners an insightful exploration into her passions, particularly her love for collecting exquisite china.

Behind Her Collecting Passion: Early Influences

Nina attributes her deep-seated appreciation for design and collecting to her upbringing. Influenced by a family rich in artistic talent—her father was an architect, her grandmother a pianist, and her great-aunt a renowned painter in Iran—Nina was immersed in creativity from a young age.

[03:57] Nina Takish: "I had a lot of influence growing up when it came to design and architecture... being able to appreciate it even more as time passed."

Her time spent living in Europe, from the serene town of Montreux in Switzerland to the architecturally rich Port La Galère in France, further honed her aesthetic sensibilities.

The Allure of China Collecting

Nina’s journey into china collecting began with memories of her mother's elaborate dinner parties. It wasn't the china itself but the artful table settings that captivated her.

[04:13] Nina Takish: "It was the way that the table was styled... the art of eating and the art of entertaining that spoke to me."

Her early exposure led her to hunt for her own exquisite china set for her wedding registry at the age of 25, marking the inception of her passion for china collecting.

Challenges and Experiences in Collecting Limoges China

Nina shares a memorable experience of discovering Limoges china in a declasse shop in Limoges, France. Despite risks, she seized the opportunity to purchase an abundance of her favorite patterns, facing a 20% breakage rate during shipping but finding immense value in her acquisitions.

[08:08] Nina Takish: "I couldn't believe it. I walked into this china store and there was the entire stack... I grabbed it all."

Her dedication extends beyond mere acquisition; Nina is committed to sourcing unique pieces that tell a story, even if it means dealing with imperfections.

[08:17] Nina Takish: "There's something about imperfection that I also love."

The Intersection of Collecting and Design

Nina eloquently discusses how her passion for collecting china intertwines with her professional design work. Her collections influence her design choices, dictating scale, proportion, and detailing in her spaces.

[20:57] Nina Takish: "They are heirloom pieces. They're made to be handed down from generation to generation."

This symbiotic relationship allows her to create cohesive and meaningful interiors that reflect both her personal style and her collecting ethos.

Nina's New Furniture Collection

Transitioning from a collector to a creator, Nina delves into her newly launched furniture line. The collection is a culmination of years of meticulous research, design, and craftsmanship, embodying her refined aesthetic.

[24:38] Nina Takish: "It's about learning and then unlearning and then learning again... This is years in the making and many, many, many hours of studying."

Each piece, from the Croise Chair to the Melange Credenza, reflects her commitment to timeless design and quality craftsmanship, aiming to create heirloom-worthy furniture that resonates with future generations.

[35:54] Nina Takish: "This is my favorite piece of the entire collection... it's manufactured at its absolute finest."

Legacy and Future of Collecting

Nina contemplates the legacy of her collection and its potential future as treasured collectibles. She underscores the importance of creating pieces that endure both in quality and sentimental value.

[37:07] Nina Takish: "These are really heirloom pieces. They're made to be handed down from generation to generation."

Looking ahead, Nina plans to continue expanding her collection, recently hunting for a Parisian apartment to further enrich her assemblage of valuable china and design pieces.

[43:38] Nina Takish: "I am literally hunting as we speak for a Paris apartment... it's going to take time because since it's a pied-à-terre, it needs to be perfect."

Collector's Gene Rundown

To wrap up the episode, Nina participates in the classic Collector's Gene rundown, revealing personal anecdotes and future aspirations:

• One That Got Away: Nina reminisces about missing an opportunity to work with a high-profile client before a scandal broke out, expressing mixed feelings about the outcome.

  [42:49] Nina Takish: "I think now it's a bad thing."

• On Deck Circle: Currently, Nina is in pursuit of a Parisian pied-à-terre to house her most valued collection.

• The Unobtainable: She wistfully mentions a coveted piece by Andy Warhol that she won in a school competition—a testament to her long-standing connection with art and design.

• Page One Rewrite: If money were no object, Nina would collect art, aiming to enhance her living spaces with exceptional pieces.

  [47:54] Nina Takish: "If money wasn't an object, it would definitely be art."

• Goat (Greatest of All Time): Nina admires the Broads' extensive collection, filled with Warhol, Vito Flannery, and more, seeing it as an ideal legacy if it were her family's heritage.

• The Hunt vs. Ownership: Preferring the thrill of the hunt over ownership, Nina thrives on the pursuit of unique and meaningful pieces.

  [48:51] Nina Takish: "Definitely the hunt."

• Collector's Gene: Without a doubt, Nina believes she was born with the Collector's Gene.

  [49:06] Nina Takish: "That's definitely. Yes."

Conclusion

Nina Takish's story is a rich tapestry of design excellence and passionate collecting. Her journey underscores the profound connection between the objects we collect and the spaces we create, revealing how personal history and aesthetic appreciation shape our environments. For those who haven't listened, this episode offers a deep dive into the heart of collecting, creativity, and the enduring allure of timeless design.

[49:21] Nina Takish: "It's been an absolute pleasure and I've had great fun chatting."

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Collectors Gene Radio. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review to support the show. Until next time, happy collecting!