Bendigo Commercial Photographer

– Meet The Maker –

Belinda Nihill from Nest Design Studio

Bendigo Commercial Photographer

Well this one has been sitting on my ‘To Do’ list for WAY too long, but it’s worth the wait. Promise.

My new years resolution is to blog more.

I have so many ideas… so many cool clients to talk about… and I don’t allocate enough time to share them with you – So, if you don’t see me blog in a while, feel free to shout at me (using CAPS LOCK of course, cos we all know that’s how you shout)

So volume 3 of my Meet the Maker series is about this rad chick, Bel.  She is the owner/operator, chief designer and wrangler of 3 (yes, 3!) boys behind Nest Design Studio. Her interior design business is based right here in Bendigo, but covers the globe with the seriously enviable clients she has worked with. Including royalty. Yes, ROYALTY! Bel’s designs can be found in homes in Australia, France, Ireland, Dubai and Canada to name just a few. Umm… Wow.

Bel decided to start her business when she fell pregnant with her first born when she designed Hugh’s nursery, blogged about it and it was featured in a magazine. While little people’s spaces is where this all started, she is now being employed to design all sorts of spaces and her work has been featured in over 20 magazines such as Minty Magazine, Little One, House & Garden and Bambini. Did I mention she has like, 17,000 followers on Instagram? Far out. Brussel Sprout.

This is not where I met Bel though… A little known fact is that I took Bel’s job at a local builder when she went on maternity leave with her first. She came back to work after a while, we job shared and we both got pregnant. We were both admin workers in construction prior to taking the plunge on our creative side!

So there you have it – I knew her before she was famous!

Bendigo Commercial Photographer

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Bendigo Commercial Photographer

So here it is folks… 10 questions with Belinda Nihill. The Designer. The legend.

 

1. Why did you start your business? I started for the most cliche of cliches reason. I had just finished my eldest sons nursery which was featured in a magazine and started blogging about kids rooms because I loved doing it. Being a qualified Interior Designer, I hoped that things would progress from the blog to a business but didn’t put too much planning behind it! And lucky for me it did! I’ve now worked with clients around the globe, been featured in over 20 international mags, worked with VIP and royalty….not bad for no business plan!

2. What is your biggest struggle as a Mum working from home? I think like every Mum, it’s time management. Leo has only just started going to day care 1 day a week so up until now I’ve been juggling work around his nap and after the boys go to bed. Working until midnight is not fun!

3. What is your biggest achievement to date? Last year, I had a room included in the House & Garden Top 50 rooms of 2015. Such a big deal!!

4. Tell us something that your customers might not know about you. I’m terrible at the accounts side of it! I’m lucky to have a husband who’s passionate about numbers so I’ve always just hand balled to him!

5. What is your favourite room to design? It’s hard to have a favourite but I do relish the chance to do girls rooms (given I have 3 boys!)! I also love designing grown up spaces and trying to get back to doing more of that.

6. What are you excited for? 2017! The last few years have been all about pregnancy, baby Leo and trying to get some sleep. Next year I can see I will have more flexibility as Leo get’s older and really looking forward to dedicating more time to the business.

7. Who are you business idols?  Beautiful Kristy from Incy Interiors. She started Incy not long before I started Nest and I have told her she is my girl/business crush!

8. If you could change one thing about your business what would it be? I’d love to get the business name out there more. I’ve been really blessed the last 6 years in having lots of media exposure but I’m wanting to get in front of more mums & dads eyes now!

9. Where do you see your business in 5 years time? My husband asked me this just recently and I honestly don’t know. I’ve been doing kids rooms for nearly 7 years and I’m certainly not sick of doing them yet! I do want to be doing more general interior design, and as I have the qualification in it….I assume I’ll be still working in the field!

10. Tell us 5 fun facts about yourself (personal or business)

1. My toenails are always painted (hate toes and feet)
2. I’ve never had a Bendigo client (for a childs space)
3. My favoruite colour is blue
4. Nest started as a ‘hope’. There was no business plan, no aggressive advertising…..just a hope and a dream that I might be able to do this for a living!
5. My hair is naturally curly and red (although it is emphasised a little now with a helping hand!). I was the curly haired, pale skin, freckly, braces kid at school (and also went on to have glasses!) – what a combo!

Oh, P.s. Did I mention she’s WRITTEN A FREAKIN’ BOOK??

You can purchase it from Of The World Books website, it’s SUCH a great gift idea!

So there you have it folks, a little insight into this social media mega-star, designer to the stars… Bel.

I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know her, as I do!

Big Love, LLP

~ xoxo ~