We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicla Diceglie. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicla below.

Hi Nicla, thanks for joining us today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

When I first started Nicla D. Interiors a few years ago, I had an interior design coach helping me through my business journey. I was told that I needed to niche-down my business to attract my specific ideal clients – what was my area of expertise?

I felt a bit lost and confused. I never thought about that before! I knew I wanted to design interiors but was struggling to figure out what could be my area of expertise.

Being Italian, I first thought I’d specialise in Italian design. After a market research though, I realised this was already a saturated niche and I felt like it wasn’t really what I wanted to offer to my customers.

Something else I knew was that I loved colours so I specialised in colour psychology and took on projects where colours were the main focus. I worked on a few big projects, renovating 4 to 5 bedroom houses for my clients who wanted to inject colours in their home and create a happier atmosphere.

I was happy with these projects’ end results however, I still felt like I hadn’t found my real purpose in design yet. What was I really passionate about when crafting a space for my clients? What was my main goal?

It wasn’t until I attended a seminar in London that the answer presented itself during a seminar – What’s Biophilic Design?

Half an hour into the seminar I had an Aha! moment and said to myself: this is it, Nicla! This is your niche!

So, once back at home I started googling Biophilic Design and found plenty of essays and books on it. I documented myself and the more I read about it, the more I thought Biophilic Design’s principles were really familiar to me. Being born and raised in Puglia, in the South of Italy, all the principles of Biophilic Design really resonated with me and the way I was brought up. My mum had been applying them in our home instinctively based probably on what she had been taught by her own mother.

I had found not only my own niche, but also my purpose in design!

Why am I sharing this with you?

Because, no matter what stage of your career you are at, whether you are an emerging interior designer or have 20 years of experience under your belt, it is never too late to find your purpose in design and offer additional value to your clients, bridging the gap between beautiful and functional spaces with your client’s wellbeing in a built environment (be it a restaurant, a school, a home, a shop and so on)

After studying Biophilic Design and getting my certification, I have grown my business achieving a competitive advantage over other interior designers and boosting my ROI offering consultancy to other professionals – all this just doing what I am passionate for!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Being born and raised in the sunny South of Italy, in a region called Puglia, it’s not surprising that I love nature and that the love for design and architecture has always run in my veins!

After several managerial roles in the corporate world, I decided to follow my passion and re-trained as interior designer at the internationally renowned KLC School of Design in London. In 2021, I proudly earned my Biophilic Design certification. Eager to share my knowledge, I began hosting online talks to share the transformative potential of this research-based design approach.

For me, Biophilic Design is more than just a profession; it’s a calling—a commitment to crafting spaces that nurture wellbeing and happiness. As the world grappled with the mental health challenges of lockdown, I found purpose in offering to my clients solutions who enhances their quality of life through design.

I specialise in crafting bespoke interior designs that seamlessly integrate natural elements into the built environment. From lush living walls to organic materials and abundant natural light, each design is meticulously tailored to reflect the unique needs and preferences of my clients.

The services I offer include:

Biophilic Design Consultations – this is a collaborative sessions to explore the incorporation of biophilic principles into my client’s space.
Custom Interior Design – from concept to execution, I bring my clients’ vision to life with an emphasis on sustainability and wellness.
Workshops and Education – to empower individuals and businesses to embrace biophilic design through informative workshops and seminars.

Nicla D. Interiors takes a holistic approach to design, considering not only aesthetics but also the well-being of occupants and the environmental impact of each project and this is what set me apart from others!

With an unwavering passion for the natural world, I’m dedicated to bringing the beauty and vitality of nature into every space, fostering a deeper connection between people and the environment.

I am most proud of the transformative impact that biophilic design can have on individuals and communities, enriching lives and fostering a greater appreciation for the natural world. As Biophilic Designer I aim to inspire and empower others to embrace biophilic principles in their own lives, creating spaces that not only look stunning but also nurture the soul and support a healthier, more sustainable future.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Setting up an interior design business at the end of 2019, just before the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns certainly wasn’t the easiest thing ever and required a blend of resilience, adaptability, and determination.

As the world changed with the impact of the pandemic, the traditional landscape of interior design underwent a major shift. With in-person consultations and site visits no longer viable options, I faced the daunting task of reimagining my approach to launching and growing a business in this new reality.

As many interior designers, I embraced the opportunity to pivot my strategy in a socially distanced world. Leveraging technology and digital platforms, I embraced virtual consultations, online design presentations, and remote collaboration tools to connect with clients and bring their visions to life.

Despite the uncertainty swirling around me, I remained steadfast in my commitment to biophilic design principles, recognising their inherent value in promoting well-being and connection, especially during times of upheaval. I tapped into my passion for nature-inspired design to create virtual mood boards, curated design inspiration galleries, and immersive 3D renderings that transported clients to tranquil, nature-inspired spaces from the comfort of their own homes.

As lockdown restrictions began to ease and the world cautiously emerged from quarantine, I seized the opportunity to expand my reach and forge meaningful connections within the design community. Through virtual networking events, webinars, and social media engagement, I cultivated a vibrant online presence and established myself as a trusted authority in biophilic interior design.

Despite the myriad challenges and uncertainties that accompanied launching a business during a global pandemic, I remained resilient in the face of adversity, drawing strength from my passion for design and unwavering belief in the transformative power of nature. Today, as Nicla D. Interiors continues to thrive and evolve, I look back on those early days with a sense of gratitude for the lessons learned and the resilience gained along the way.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

At the heart of Nicla D. Interiors’ creative journey lies the mission to foster a greater connection between people and the natural world through the transformative power of biophilic design.

My goal is to create spaces that not only look visually stunning but also nurture the well-being of occupants, promote environmental sustainability, and inspire a deeper appreciation for the beauty and vitality of nature.

Through each design project, workshop, and educational endeavour, I strive to:

Promote Well-being -by integrating natural elements such as daylight, greenery, and organic materials into interior spaces, I aim to enhance the physical and mental well-being of individuals, fostering environments that support health, happiness, and productivity.

Connect with Nature – in an increasingly urbanised world, it’s essential to maintain a connection to the natural world. Through biophilic design, I seek to bring the outdoors indoors, creating spaces that evoke a sense of tranquility, rejuvenation, and connection to the rhythms of nature.

Empower Others: I believe that everyone deserves access to the benefits of biophilic design. Through workshops, educational resources, and community outreach initiatives, I aim to empower individuals, businesses, and communities to embrace biophilic principles in their own spaces, fostering a culture of sustainability and wellness.

Ultimately, my creative journey is driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the world, one design at a time. By creating spaces that prioritise people, planet, and beauty, I hope to leave a lasting legacy that celebrates the harmony between human habitation and the natural world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nicladinteriors.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicladinteriors
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicladinteriors/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicla-diceglie/