Podcast Summary: How to Decorate – Ep. 438: Homing Instinct with Nicola Harding

Date: November 4, 2025
Hosts: Caroline (A), Taryn, Liz (B)
Guest: Nicola Harding (C), London-based interior designer and author of Homing Instinct

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, the Ballard Designs team welcomes Nicola Harding, celebrated London interior designer, to discuss her debut book Homing Instinct. The conversation explores Nicola’s unique design philosophy, her eclectic path into interiors, and the spirit of creating homes that feel both deeply personal and lived-in. Listeners are treated to insights on balancing color, pattern, and layout, as well as Nicola’s approach to finding a home’s “spirit.” The episode is filled with practical design reflections, colorful anecdotes, and memorable moments from Nicola’s career and new projects.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Nicola’s Unusual Path Into Interior Design

[02:00]

Nicola describes “falling into” interior design out of an “obsession with home,” rooted in a nomadic childhood as the daughter of a helicopter pilot.
She was inspired by her godfather’s welcoming, eclectic home, filled with collected treasures and people from all walks of life:

“There was just this real sense of warmth, of things and people being loved and looked after and celebrated… That definitely created a sense of belonging.” [02:41] – Nicola
Nicola’s understanding of home is about “celebrating an element of happenchance,” creating layered spaces over time rather than prioritizing perfection.
Her start included scrimping to buy her first flat at university, filled with “friends and scoured antiques.”

“…that feeling of home was born.” [04:45]

Garden Design Influence and Foundational Principles

[05:33]

Transitioned to garden design post-university, valuing that “gardens look their best ten years after you leave them, rather than ten minutes.”
Learned from Arnie Maynard about “imagining big,” combining “classical rules with whimsy,” and balancing masculine structure with feminine blousy elements.
Principles from garden design—strong structure layered with whimsy and comfort—became the underpinning of her interiors.

Achieving Balance and Authenticity Without Maximalism

[08:18]

Nicola’s spaces are “full and lived-in,” never sterile, yet not maximalist.
Her approach is highly instinctive and draws on a wide range of influences (from antiques dealers to curtain makers).
Designers should act as “matchmakers” between space and client:

“A lot of it is listening and unpicking what makes them happy… Then it’s thinking, okay, what are the ingredients that will be distinctly perfect for this individual, this family?” [09:37]

Reimagining Layout: More Than Just Rooms

[10:40]

Nicola often “flips the script” on floor plans, focusing on how people want to live rather than tradition.
Emphasizes asking clients how they want their house to feel, rather than what they want it to look like, mapping lifestyle onto space.

Notable Project Example: Notting Hill Kitchen

[12:47]

Brought the kitchen to the front of the house; included pairs of “comfortable chairs right at the window” as a makeshift cafe.
This created opportunities for togetherness and tactical “welcoming” lighting.

“Those chairs have been the absolutely favorite piece and were the ones that got worn out through love first.” [13:33] – Nicola

The Process: Questions, Light, and Clever Use of Paint

[15:14]

Nicola begins every project with questions about routines and lifestyle (e.g., “Are you a morning person? Do you eat in front of the TV? Do you have dogs or sport kits everywhere?”).
Decision of function and layout comes first, then mapping these details onto daily light patterns and finally onto color.
Paint choice is made much earlier in Nicola's process than typical—she considers paint “a magical toolbox of opportunity.”

“What color it is is no extra cost. So it’s this wonderful free thing that’s kind of at your disposal.” [18:08]

Color & Accent Philosophy

[20:14]

Nicola uses color to shape mood and energy, often incorporating unexpected accent shades (reds, teals, pinks).
Accent colors serve as an energy “dial”—to “dial it up or knock it back,” responding to the room’s current feeling.
Draws parallels to nature, recommending that colors should echo natural surroundings for comfort:

“Colors that feel natural are really easy to live with. They don’t feel overwhelming, they feel nurturing.” [32:47]

Pattern Theory: Stripes as “Non-Pattern Patterns”

[24:03]

Stripes, checks, and graphic repeats function as “almost like a neutral” and work as textures rather than overt patterns.
Avoids synthetic colors in favor of vegetable-dyed or naturally pigmented paints/fabrics, which feel “more restful” and give the patina of age.

Finding the Spirit of a Home

[27:08]

For Nicola, it’s about “listening” to both the clients and the building itself:

“There’s story after story of why that building was built there, who lived there, who designed it... all these layers contribute to the sense of place and rooting that sense of place to the people who are there…” [27:41]

Tackling Difficult Spaces: Churches and Restaurants

[28:29]

Even the most daunting conversions (e.g., church-turned-restaurant) are approached by “creating places rather than spaces”—through cozy corners, built-in seating, and pool lighting.

“…creating pools of light where you want people to be drawn to, rather than flooding the whole space.” [29:55]

Deep Dive: The Italian Project

[30:41]

Notable for mixing layered neutrals with earthy, Tuscan reds and corals—demonstrating color doesn’t have to be bold to be powerful.
Nicola selects nuanced, natural reds reminiscent of “terracottas, rose, and dusty pinks.”
She reflects on her iterative color selection process, often starting with a vision and adjusting with samples on-site:

“When the painter receives the paint schedule, there is a few deep breaths as we explain how many colors there’ll be.” [35:13]

Designing Furniture & Homewares

[37:37]

The furniture line emerged from the practical needs of her hotel projects, where “batch production” and high durability were required.
Nicola insists on local production (“everything is made in workshops that we can get to in a day”), blending traditional craftsmanship and modern demands.
Each piece addresses specific needs, such as tables designed for squeezing in more guests, or bedside tables with real storage.

Reflections on the Book

[42:33]

The process of creating Homing Instinct allowed Nicola to revisit her favorite projects and the network of makers, saying, “It was a real privilege.” [42:46]
Recent projects differ in color palettes, ranging from deeply colored rooms to upcoming work with layered whites and subtle “custard” and “mocha” tones.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On discovering home:

“I always hankered after a sense of belonging... I really wanted to feel held by a place.” [02:10] – Nicola
On mixing styles:

“Those unexpected combinations of things are what makes a space interesting and makes a space feel, you know, authentically connected to the people.” [09:20] – Nicola
On client collaboration:

“It’s my job to think, okay, what are the magic ingredients of creating a lived environment? That’s like a magic spell that can give you that feeling.” [11:37] – Nicola
On color in nature:

“If you took that [Greek] white and put it in a London flat, you’d be sobbing into your cozy armchair quicker than you can say, whoops.” [22:36] – Nicola
On stripes and patterns:

“Stripes and checks... work as these sort of non-pattern patterns to create more of a texture than a pattern.” [24:17] – Nicola
On project evolution:

“Each project I want to be very different from the one before.” [43:49] – Nicola

Timestamps for Notable Segments

[02:00] Nicola’s childhood, godfather’s house, and the roots of her “homing instinct”
[05:33] Garden design years and the principle of layering structure and whimsy
[09:04] Finding the right balance; instinct as a guide in mixing styles
[10:59] Rethinking floor plans for real life, not tradition
[13:08] Notting Hill kitchen anecdote—defending the comfy chairs in the kitchen
[15:42] The client interview process and mapping lifestyle onto layout
[18:22] Early use of color; why Nicola picks paint “back to front”
[20:58] How she chooses accent colors and inspiration from gardens/nature
[24:17] Using stripes and pattern as texture, not chaos
[27:24] Listening for the “spirit” of a home or building
[29:40] Approaching daunting conversions (e.g., church to restaurant)
[31:56] Italian project deep dive and the subtlety of using red
[37:51] The genesis and philosophy behind her furniture line
[42:33] Writing the book and reconnecting with past projects
[45:13] Nicola’s evolving projects: from flamboyant color to layered whites

Where to Find Nicola & Her Work

Instagram: @nicolahardingandco
Furniture Line: @nyx_by_nicola_harding
Homing Instinct available on Amazon and U.S. bookstores
Nicola will be visiting Dallas Design Week, Round Top (March), and LA by Design

Tone & Takeaways

The episode exudes warmth and curiosity—much like Nicola’s work. Listeners are encouraged to pursue homes built around feeling, individual story, and evolving layers, not rigid formulas. Nicola’s celebrated “British coziness” comes not from perfection, but a willingness to listen, experiment, and let spaces feel truly lived in.

Summary prepared for listeners who want the inspiration and insight without skipping to the best moments or missing key design wisdom from Nicola Harding’s perspective on the magic of home.

Podcast Summary: How to Decorate – Ep. 438: Homing Instinct with Nicola Harding

Date: November 4, 2025
Hosts: Caroline (A), Taryn, Liz (B)
Guest: Nicola Harding (C), London-based interior designer and author of Homing Instinct

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Nicola’s Unusual Path Into Interior Design

[02:00]

Nicola describes “falling into” interior design out of an “obsession with home,” rooted in a nomadic childhood as the daughter of a helicopter pilot.
She was inspired by her godfather’s welcoming, eclectic home, filled with collected treasures and people from all walks of life:

“There was just this real sense of warmth, of things and people being loved and looked after and celebrated… That definitely created a sense of belonging.” [02:41] – Nicola
Nicola’s understanding of home is about “celebrating an element of happenchance,” creating layered spaces over time rather than prioritizing perfection.
Her start included scrimping to buy her first flat at university, filled with “friends and scoured antiques.”

“…that feeling of home was born.” [04:45]

Garden Design Influence and Foundational Principles

[05:33]

Transitioned to garden design post-university, valuing that “gardens look their best ten years after you leave them, rather than ten minutes.”
Learned from Arnie Maynard about “imagining big,” combining “classical rules with whimsy,” and balancing masculine structure with feminine blousy elements.
Principles from garden design—strong structure layered with whimsy and comfort—became the underpinning of her interiors.

Achieving Balance and Authenticity Without Maximalism

[08:18]

Nicola’s spaces are “full and lived-in,” never sterile, yet not maximalist.
Her approach is highly instinctive and draws on a wide range of influences (from antiques dealers to curtain makers).
Designers should act as “matchmakers” between space and client:

“A lot of it is listening and unpicking what makes them happy… Then it’s thinking, okay, what are the ingredients that will be distinctly perfect for this individual, this family?” [09:37]

Reimagining Layout: More Than Just Rooms

[10:40]

Nicola often “flips the script” on floor plans, focusing on how people want to live rather than tradition.
Emphasizes asking clients how they want their house to feel, rather than what they want it to look like, mapping lifestyle onto space.

Notable Project Example: Notting Hill Kitchen

[12:47]

Brought the kitchen to the front of the house; included pairs of “comfortable chairs right at the window” as a makeshift cafe.
This created opportunities for togetherness and tactical “welcoming” lighting.

“Those chairs have been the absolutely favorite piece and were the ones that got worn out through love first.” [13:33] – Nicola

The Process: Questions, Light, and Clever Use of Paint

[15:14]

Nicola begins every project with questions about routines and lifestyle (e.g., “Are you a morning person? Do you eat in front of the TV? Do you have dogs or sport kits everywhere?”).
Decision of function and layout comes first, then mapping these details onto daily light patterns and finally onto color.
Paint choice is made much earlier in Nicola's process than typical—she considers paint “a magical toolbox of opportunity.”

“What color it is is no extra cost. So it’s this wonderful free thing that’s kind of at your disposal.” [18:08]

Color & Accent Philosophy

[20:14]

Nicola uses color to shape mood and energy, often incorporating unexpected accent shades (reds, teals, pinks).
Accent colors serve as an energy “dial”—to “dial it up or knock it back,” responding to the room’s current feeling.
Draws parallels to nature, recommending that colors should echo natural surroundings for comfort:

“Colors that feel natural are really easy to live with. They don’t feel overwhelming, they feel nurturing.” [32:47]

Pattern Theory: Stripes as “Non-Pattern Patterns”

[24:03]

Stripes, checks, and graphic repeats function as “almost like a neutral” and work as textures rather than overt patterns.
Avoids synthetic colors in favor of vegetable-dyed or naturally pigmented paints/fabrics, which feel “more restful” and give the patina of age.

Finding the Spirit of a Home

[27:08]

For Nicola, it’s about “listening” to both the clients and the building itself:

“There’s story after story of why that building was built there, who lived there, who designed it... all these layers contribute to the sense of place and rooting that sense of place to the people who are there…” [27:41]

Tackling Difficult Spaces: Churches and Restaurants

[28:29]

Even the most daunting conversions (e.g., church-turned-restaurant) are approached by “creating places rather than spaces”—through cozy corners, built-in seating, and pool lighting.

“…creating pools of light where you want people to be drawn to, rather than flooding the whole space.” [29:55]

Deep Dive: The Italian Project

[30:41]

Notable for mixing layered neutrals with earthy, Tuscan reds and corals—demonstrating color doesn’t have to be bold to be powerful.
Nicola selects nuanced, natural reds reminiscent of “terracottas, rose, and dusty pinks.”
She reflects on her iterative color selection process, often starting with a vision and adjusting with samples on-site:

“When the painter receives the paint schedule, there is a few deep breaths as we explain how many colors there’ll be.” [35:13]

Designing Furniture & Homewares

[37:37]

The furniture line emerged from the practical needs of her hotel projects, where “batch production” and high durability were required.
Nicola insists on local production (“everything is made in workshops that we can get to in a day”), blending traditional craftsmanship and modern demands.
Each piece addresses specific needs, such as tables designed for squeezing in more guests, or bedside tables with real storage.

Reflections on the Book

[42:33]

The process of creating Homing Instinct allowed Nicola to revisit her favorite projects and the network of makers, saying, “It was a real privilege.” [42:46]
Recent projects differ in color palettes, ranging from deeply colored rooms to upcoming work with layered whites and subtle “custard” and “mocha” tones.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On discovering home:

“I always hankered after a sense of belonging... I really wanted to feel held by a place.” [02:10] – Nicola
On mixing styles:

“Those unexpected combinations of things are what makes a space interesting and makes a space feel, you know, authentically connected to the people.” [09:20] – Nicola
On client collaboration:

“It’s my job to think, okay, what are the magic ingredients of creating a lived environment? That’s like a magic spell that can give you that feeling.” [11:37] – Nicola
On color in nature:

“If you took that [Greek] white and put it in a London flat, you’d be sobbing into your cozy armchair quicker than you can say, whoops.” [22:36] – Nicola
On stripes and patterns:

“Stripes and checks... work as these sort of non-pattern patterns to create more of a texture than a pattern.” [24:17] – Nicola
On project evolution:

“Each project I want to be very different from the one before.” [43:49] – Nicola

Timestamps for Notable Segments

[02:00] Nicola’s childhood, godfather’s house, and the roots of her “homing instinct”
[05:33] Garden design years and the principle of layering structure and whimsy
[09:04] Finding the right balance; instinct as a guide in mixing styles
[10:59] Rethinking floor plans for real life, not tradition
[13:08] Notting Hill kitchen anecdote—defending the comfy chairs in the kitchen
[15:42] The client interview process and mapping lifestyle onto layout
[18:22] Early use of color; why Nicola picks paint “back to front”
[20:58] How she chooses accent colors and inspiration from gardens/nature
[24:17] Using stripes and pattern as texture, not chaos
[27:24] Listening for the “spirit” of a home or building
[29:40] Approaching daunting conversions (e.g., church to restaurant)
[31:56] Italian project deep dive and the subtlety of using red
[37:51] The genesis and philosophy behind her furniture line
[42:33] Writing the book and reconnecting with past projects
[45:13] Nicola’s evolving projects: from flamboyant color to layered whites

Where to Find Nicola & Her Work

Instagram: @nicolahardingandco
Furniture Line: @nyx_by_nicola_harding
Homing Instinct available on Amazon and U.S. bookstores
Nicola will be visiting Dallas Design Week, Round Top (March), and LA by Design

Tone & Takeaways

Summary prepared for listeners who want the inspiration and insight without skipping to the best moments or missing key design wisdom from Nicola Harding’s perspective on the magic of home.

Ep. 438: Homing Instinct with Nicola Harding

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Summary

Podcast Summary: How to Decorate – Ep. 438: Homing Instinct with Nicola Harding

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Nicola’s Unusual Path Into Interior Design

Garden Design Influence and Foundational Principles

Achieving Balance and Authenticity Without Maximalism

Reimagining Layout: More Than Just Rooms

Notable Project Example: Notting Hill Kitchen

The Process: Questions, Light, and Clever Use of Paint

Color & Accent Philosophy

Pattern Theory: Stripes as “Non-Pattern Patterns”

Finding the Spirit of a Home

Tackling Difficult Spaces: Churches and Restaurants

Deep Dive: The Italian Project

Designing Furniture & Homewares

Reflections on the Book

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Notable Segments

Where to Find Nicola & Her Work

Tone & Takeaways

Summary

Podcast Summary: How to Decorate – Ep. 438: Homing Instinct with Nicola Harding

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Nicola’s Unusual Path Into Interior Design

Garden Design Influence and Foundational Principles

Achieving Balance and Authenticity Without Maximalism

Reimagining Layout: More Than Just Rooms

Notable Project Example: Notting Hill Kitchen

The Process: Questions, Light, and Clever Use of Paint

Color & Accent Philosophy

Pattern Theory: Stripes as “Non-Pattern Patterns”

Finding the Spirit of a Home

Tackling Difficult Spaces: Churches and Restaurants

Deep Dive: The Italian Project

Designing Furniture & Homewares

Reflections on the Book

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Notable Segments

Where to Find Nicola & Her Work

Tone & Takeaways