Business of Home Podcast Why Nicola Harding started her own brand dedicated to 'quiet hero' pieces
Jun 23, 2025
Nicola Harding, a celebrated London interior designer known for her soulful aesthetic, and her husband Andy Harding, an e-commerce expert, discuss their journey in launching their home goods brand, Nix. They reveal why Nicola's diverse career path led her to design, their motivation behind creating a brand rather than a licensed line, and the challenges of entering the U.S. market. The couple also shares insights on blending quality with affordability and the importance of personal stories in building consumer connections.
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Nicola's Career Start
- Nicola Harding started as a garden designer but shifted focus as her interior projects grew through word of mouth.
- Early home flipping and friends' requests led her design business to evolve naturally into interiors.
Nicola's Early Career Paths
- Nicola studied theology and briefly trained as a pilot before pivoting to design after working with Red Bull on a press space.
- Early diverse experiences shaped her understanding of brand and design purpose.
Designing for the Long Term
- Gardens require long-term vision as their beauty unfolds over years, unlike interiors which peak soon after completion.
- This shifts a designer's role from creator to facilitator, allowing nature and inhabitants to complete the story.
