Life of a Stylist: Marie Nichols

Have you ever wondered what life as a professional interior stylist is like? To be honest, I really didn't even know what a stylist was until I started blogging and have since been curious as to what it takes to be a stylist or even what it is they do day to day. So here today we have those questions and more answered for us by Marie Nichols who began her career in the UK and is currently on location in Sydney Australia working freelance. When Marie isn't creating fabulous rooms for photo shoots she also writes about her process at her blog, Whole Lotta Lovely. So without further ado here is a little interview with Marie about her dreamy and stylish life. P.S - she also shares some amazing DIY tips from the trade for you to try at home!

 

1.     As I am sure many of us everyday creatives are dying to know, What is the life of a stylist like?

 Every day is different, which is the reason I love it so much. From days brainstorming & looking for inspiration, gathering ideas; working on schemes & finding locations to time sourcing products. “Calling them in from PR’s or hitting the shops and “propping” And then there are the shoots which are crazy, exhausting, sometime stressful!  But always fun and {hopefully} the culmination of successful prep. Generally you’re working on one project while keeping an eye open for the next. Getting out and about seeing the latest products and keeping on top of the trends is really important so I try and get out and about to stores and designers whenever possible. 

 

2. How did you get started in such a dream job?

Back then I didn’t really realize styling existied, I kinda stumbled across it really. `After graduating from a photography degree, rather un-certain as to what route I should take I arrange some work experience at a magazine I’d always loved interior design and worked at a designers part time during my studies so I contacted all of the London based interiors mags. I think I knew I wanted to set up photo shoots but I assumed this was one of the roles of an art director it hadn’t even occurred to me this dream job existed.  I was so excited when I landed a placement in the Homes team. From there I did some more work experience and met fabulous stylist and my mentor Lucyina Moodie. I assisted Lucyina for a year before landing a roll at Ideal Home. Where I worked for 6 years before flying the nest and following my dreams to work as a freelance stylist in Sydney

 

 

3. What are your favorite aspects of your work? least favorites?

I love the creative process of coming up with room schemes and concepts, sourcing products is such fun as is “propping” and the start of a shoot where your unpacking and can see your scheme transform from a mood board to reality is such a buzz

Working with great people, Inspiring photographers, art directors and assistants, (the assistants are the un-sung heroes)

 Styling isn’t a 9-5 you cant just walk away from it at the end of the day, I’m constantly looking for inspiration, sitting up late working on schemes because I feel inspired, I love what I do and wouldn’t change it for the world, and I’m a little unsure if this is a good or bad …possibly both!

 Sadly styling isn’t just making things look pretty. There is a lot of chasing product, sorting out logistical issues, which are an essential part of the job but not necessarily the most fun!

 There is always a lot of pressure to have a lovely home…it’s the first thing anyone says to you when they know you’re a stylist

 

4. Do you have any secrets of the trade you can share?

 There aren’t really any secrets!

The is no right and wrong its just about playing around and seeing what looks best, be confident in your choices.

These are oldies but goodies

For a chic and smart look use symmetry

For other arrangements use groupings of uneven numbers ie 3 or 5 visually they just work better

Wonder web and double-sided tape always save the day and lighter fluid is great for removing sticky labels!

 

5. What are some DIY tricks your sleeve that we at home might be able to try?

First major tip is when you move into a new home start by painting everything white, neutralizing the space will give it an instant lift and will allow you to see how you live in and use a space before making major decorating decisions. The white is a perfect blank canvas for you to add colour and pattern to.

Always take some snaps before you tackle any decorating task. You’ll be kicking yourself afterwards if you don’t and there is something so rewarding about sitting down with a cuppa after some serious diy and marveling your achievements

You’ll now understand what I mean when I say styling isn’t glamorous – these aren’t pretty but I couldn’t live with out them:

Before filling your roller tray with paint pop the tray in a bin liner. If you don’t use all of the paint in one go you can pull the liner back on it’s self and tie it up so it doesn’t dry out and most importantly saves having to wash out a really mucky tray 

When drilling masking tape an open envelope to the wall just below where you are about to drill so it catches the dust…oh the glamour!

Oh and wallpapering really isn’t as tricky as it may seem. Just remember measure twice, cut once! Yes you might need an extra pair of hands on standby for tricky bits but creating a feature wall is so easy I did all the papering in my home (with a little help from my mum!)

 

Thanks Marie for joining us today and opening up the door to your world. Wishing you the very best on your adventure!

 images: marie nichols and whole lotta lovely

Comments

[uglygirl]

Great interview and post! I love Marie's blog (and her work on Aussie magazines).

[Tali Schiffer]

What a great interview, and the photos are stunning! I want to live in those spaces!!

[Heather]

thanks tali and uglygirl. it was fun to interview such an incredible person!! glad you stopped by today. have a great day!:)

[laura evans]

wow stunning ... off to view her blog! oh to make my house so pretty.

[Brigitte]

I really enjoyed this interview.

[vicki (simply hue)]

Such a wonderful interview, Heather and it was great learning more about Marie! She's definitely a talented lady. :)

[melissa deakin]

wow.
this was fantastic!
i loved reading it.
that trick about the taped open envelope when drilling...fabulous!
thanks so much for sharing this!

[Toronto Elli]

When you want to buy a house you call an expert. When you don’t know how to create your dream home, you can call a stylist. Stylists work is very important for buyers and for owners too. Talented stylist can help you, when you are not able to make over your house. She can turn boring interiors into gorgeous spaces full of life, light and colours. It is great to see posts like this, because they show us many possibilities, how to create our own dream homes. Thank you for those good tips and tricks.

Best regards,
Elli

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