NINA SEIRAFI
Photos by Kevin Sinclair
Truthfully, the present pandemic has brought us to the moment when we are forced to consider how we live a lot more than we’ve ever had to before. If you must sequester yourself, at the very least, do so in a sanctuary of resplendence, or perhaps in the current time, a bit of neutrality might improve the quality of life in the metropolis. Let us go then, in our imaginations (if you are willing), to a New Year’s Eve White party for eight. The gala is being hosted by New York trained and based interior and furniture designer Nina Seirafi. She is entertaining at one of the impressive New York residences she has transformed with her dynamic creativity and statement home furnishings, which are now available through Ralph Pucci. You and seven others received unique invitations, and a white car retrieves and transports you to a residence in Chelsea. You are elegantly garbed in white luxury as you enter the building and soon arrive in front of a white door where muffled sounds of a Grace Jones 1980s hit is pulsating from within. The door swings open as soon as you press the bell and Nina Seirafi greets and welcomes you As you enter, Nina becomes preoccupied with two celebrities seated on a spacious white L-shaped sofa sitting on a massive white wool rug. The sofa flanks the corner and windows of the room in the distance. You notice how its backrest height is perfectly parallel to the windowsills and how the seat is only a few inches above a square hollow acrylic cocktail table. Sexy knees of guests point to a contrast of a rotund sculpture and the rectilinear shape of books and other objects holding court on its surface. Oddly, as you silently investigate from your standing pose upon the blond wooden floor—you realize that the translucent table is filled with a white powdery substance. A waiter emerges from the sleek all-white kitchen behind you, offering a bubbly libation. Memories flow to a scene from the film Pulp Fiction when Uma Thurman sniffs something in the restaurant’s powder room. You quicken and then notice that the other seating in the living room, in contrast to the sofa and table, is biomorphic in form. There are smaller round seats that Nina designed in a cloud/dove gray palette knife printed wool with a trifold of retro mahogany pegged legs. You glance again and smile because placed next to each other; from behind, the round chairs resemble a padded brassiere.
Interview by Stacy Stewart Smith
Within moments, all the guests have arrived. To the left of the curtainless living room space is an open dining area with a simple oblong chrome table and stone inlay. The dining armchairs are asymmetrically fashioned with rests that zigzag into legs and optic patterned wool upholstery. The waiter rings a crystal bell, and Nina calls everyone to the table for a delicious meal. Your place setting is on the designer’s right, which allows you to ask, “Nina, are you available to take on another project?”
Lale Stool, Bronze Bronze, Blackened (Waxed) + Polished, 26”W x 18”D x 18”H. Suit NILI LOTAN, boots CÉLINE.
Nina Seirafi is not only a perfect choice for anyone looking to change the look of their interiors and to add estate worthy furnishing, but she is a towering inspiration to others. Seirafi’s work, which begins with architecture and gut renovations, is sought after by many. She runs a multidisciplinary New York design office, and her projects include everything from the facade and landscaping to furniture design and placement. She recently ventured into sculpture and completed a sculpture garden. Our Editor-In-Chief and photographer, Kevin Sinclair, captured the perfect-browed beauty in the photos of this spread, and I have the pleasure of asking the questions that everyone wants her to answer.
Stacy Stewart Smith __ Hi Nina, welcome to Vestal Magazine!
Nina Seirafi __ Hi Stacy, lovely to meet you.
SSS __ Aside from your talent, you are definitely a New York babe! When I first saw the images that Kevin Sinclair shot of you, I thought that you were a fashion model, but moreover, just simply beautiful. You are an inspiration to many women that you meet. What do you do to keep yourself in shape and looking the part of your role as the head of an essential interior design firm? Can you share any beauty secrets with Vestal readers?
NS __ You are very kind. I never think of myself in that light. I tend to lead a relatively healthy lifestyle. I don’t smoke, and I drink seldomly. I try to eat healthy meals, but I must confess, I am a chocoholic. I get bored at the gym and mainly do pilates, and when I get a chance to go for a horse ride—I do.
SSS __You are a Parsons School of Design graduate. Many of our Vestal readers are either attending a design school or making decisions about higher education. What was it like attending college at this prestigious institution? What is one of your fondest memories, and who is your favorite instructor?
NS __ I am truly grateful for my education at Parsons, and I consider it one of the best decisions of my life. It was a lot of work, and we were all sleep-deprived but also high on the idea of presenting before the best possible jury a school could offer. One of my fondest and most formative experiences at Parsons was when the late Andre Putman visited us. She designed the interiors of the Concorde. You can only imagine how an 18-year-old design enthusiast like myself felt, presenting my project to her. She and I had the best conversation after the presentation, for which to date, I am thankful. She fired up the need to think of design holistically, hence a multidisciplinary approach to my practice today.
SSS __A unique feature of your design ability manifests itself in sculptural and artistic furniture design. I am fascinated by so many of the shapes you have created, but can you tell our readers what inspires you to create these highly coveted objects?
Dress and Hosiery ALTUZARRA, boots ISABEL MARANT
NS __ I am an art lover and initially wanted to be an artist. So the fine arts have always been a strong source of inspiration in my work. I have to say, though, that I find inspiration in almost everything. It can be some twisted wire on a sidewalk; with them, I may envision a sculpture and then fine-tune it in my head. Sometimes I squint my eyes, look into the clouds, and find a shape that turns into a lounge chair… it’s as abstract as that.
SSS __How did you come about your current relationship with Ralph Pucci? Which pieces are most popular in your collection?
NS __ Andre Putman advised me to look at her collection at Pucci while I was in school, so she planted the idea in my head to one day have my own collection. Most pieces have done well, but the most popular is always changing. Right now, it’s the G Chair. I am now looking forward to our next show and unveiling of new pieces!
SSS __There is a stool that you have designed that looks Egyptian in inspiration. Is this stool available at Ralph Pucci, and can you tell us more about it as an object d’art?
NS __ The Lalee stool is available at Pucci. It was inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s work. It took a lot of adjusting and alterations to get to where we landed. Making intricate metal pieces in the US is not easily accomplished as it is perhaps in some European countries, where the art of metalwork is more mature.
SSS __Certainly, there are many challenges for running a business with multiple artisans involved. Tell us about what it’s like to develop your furniture.
NS __ As a designer, I often face my least favorite words: “NO, WE CAN NOT MAKE THIS”. A lot of begging, bargaining, and bribing go into the process of bringing a piece to life. This was certainly the case for the Lalee stool. Challenging to create but well worth it. This piece ended up winning the 2019 Best of Design award from Interior Design Magazine.
Dimensions: 17" L x 17" W x 35" H, Seat Height: 27"
Stacy Stewart Smith __ What is your process for offering suggestions concerning fine art acquisition? Do you maintain a relationship with various artists or galleries?
Nina Seirafi __ I try to keep myself updated with art shows and maintain relationships with galleries and artists. This helps my work in many ways and assists with art placement in my projects.
Stacy Stewart Smith __ Certainly, you are at a point in your career where your clients come to you because you project a style that draws them. Have you worked on any projects where the client was not as familiar with your work? How do you go about the process of conveying design inspirations and plans? Do you draft or create any types of mood boards? Are the steps to creating and selling your ideas to a client fixed or unique to each project? If so—how?
Nina Seirafi __ I have never advertised my work, so most of the projects that come my way are either through word of mouth or publication. I am usually approached by people who are somewhat familiar with my style of work. That’s just the start; I still have to listen to my clients and create what is best for both the space and them within the frame of my design language. These days we create 3D renderings for almost all rooms. This allows for precise communication with the clients and no room for surprises. I have never been a fan of mood boards as I find them limiting. I prefer to close my eyes and imagine what is best, conceptually. From there, if I am looking for a specific material or pattern, or would like to have a particular feel, then I will pull images together to help bring my ideas to life.
Stacy Stewart Smith __ Of the projects that I have seen, many have a gentle and feminine touch. How would you approach a client who control?
Nina Seirafi __ I believe in creating high-quality pieces while supporting smaller businesses and my community. Regardless of the profit margin, I design most of my pieces locally. This process allows my team and me to check on every step of production.
Stacy Stewart Smith __ I read that your mother is a huge source of your motivation. I believe that this admiration speaks volumes about you. What has your family given you that catapulted you to your current success?
NS __ Besides being a major motivator and disciplinarian, my mother was born with an impeccable sense of style. She taught me about aesthetics from an early age. She used to pay particular attention to how I was dressed daily for kindergarten. She would explain to me why one shade of navy blue was more elegant than another or why a certain color and texture of leather was best suited for a particular outfit. Later, my mother’s love for art was transmitted to me, and to this day, I ask for her opinion on almost everything. She is about ninety-nine percent correct at all times.
SSS __Can you advise our readers aspiring to become interior designers on how they might become part of the industry?
NS __ When I first graduated, I made a list of all my favorite architects and designers that I admired and managed to work for some of them. This not only taught me more about my profession but also helped me recognize my design language. There is so much to learn, and there is no end to the process, so keep working hard, be fearless, dare to dream, and stay grounded.
SSS __Well, that is excellent advice for someone just starting. Thank you, Nina, for taking the time to share your work with Vestal.
NS __ It has been my pleasure, and many thanks to the Vestal team.