Nina Freudenberger: Homes Should Feel Lived In

"If you just go with what you believe in and make your home the way you want it to, it will ​always​ be beautiful," says Nina Freudenberger. "Even if it's not my specific style or someone else's — it will be yours. That's so fascinating to me, right? I love that. Anyone that makes their own world is very interesting to me."

Nina Freudenberger is an interior designer, author, and founder of Freudenberger Design Studio.

But here's the thing: she is not a fixed interior designer. Nina loves ​all​ aspects of creativity and business. She somewhat "fell" into interior design after graduating from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA and a Bachelor's of Architecture. And it's a career that she feels she well suited for. It was her move from New York to California that shifted her design style, and also led to her writing her first design book ​Surf Shack: Laid-Back Living by the Water​. Her second book, ​Bibliostyle: How We Live at Home with Books​, is a study on how we live with books — and she's currently in production on her third. In addition to designing for residential spaces, Nina recently designed two California hotels (San Luis Creek Lodge and White Water Cambria), designed rugs in collaboration with Lulu & Georgia, and produces her own furniture, as well as fabric and wallpaper. (And, let us not forget that she is a mother to two young boys, too!)

• How she was always a maker and found happiness
  in art.
• How she "fell" into interior design after initially
  being on a path to be an architect.
• Why she feels like she's well suited to being an
  interior designer.
• Her curiosity in how people create their own
  worlds ... and how that led to her writing books.
• Advice she was given to being a successful interior
  designer.
• Her German family and background.
• The culture shock she felt moving from New York
  to California, and how she adjusted to a new style of West Coast living.
• How her design style shifted after moving to
  California – which led to her writing her first book.
• Her method for writing her books – and the work
  that goes into producing them. (And she shares info about her third coffee
  table book, which is currently in production.)
• How she likes to figure things out as she goes
  and loves a challenge.
• The importance of seeing a maker's hand in
  something and an authenticity in materials in her home.
• How she would describe the "Nina Freudenberger"
  vibe and style.
• Her rules around lighting (her nonnegotiable at
  home).
• Her experience in designing two hotels in
  California, right down curating everything from the shampoo to the scents.
• What "being home" means to her.

If you want to learn more, read more, discover more about Nina Freudenberger, visit any of these places:

• Website: Freudenberger Design Studio
• Instagram: @ninafreudenberger
• Pinterest: @nfreudenberger
• Books: Buy Here
• Rugs: Buy Here

​Being Home With Hunker​ ​is a new podcast where we explore the idea of "home"​ — ​not just as a place where you live, but as an expression of your identity. Each week we talk with designers, creatives, and artists about who they are, how they create meaningful spaces, and what "being home" means to them.​

​If you like what you hear, please rate and review the podcast, hit subscribe/follow, and share with a friend. When it comes to podcasts word of mouth is how most people will find the show. It really does help. Visit​ ​Hunker.com/podcast​ ​where you can find, follow, and listen to our show.​