Our designers, Tina Nicole and Khai Mai, are hungry. They are constantly searching themselves to come up with the next beautiful thing. Nathan Anthony’s furniture is created for people who want to feel special, beautiful… to be inspired. Their design approach begins with something as simple as a line, a sentence, a touch. Each piece reflects the admiration and adaptation of pieces before.  Design begins with throwing everyday approaches out the window, and beginning with a clear and blank canvas. Once you begin, the possibilities are endless.

Tina Nicole shares her design philosophy brilliantly:

tina-khai-about“You have to constantly observe and study everything around you. In the fields of furniture, home décor, fashion, architecture, fine art, graphic art, music, movies, theater and technology – ideas are everywhere. Designing works best when not heeding convention or rules. Look at things upside down, sideways and out of order. Focus on the parts that make up the whole. Look at the shadows a light casts. When you look at things outside of context, you get a glimpse of something new. Being inspired to create is when you feel truly alive. Just start drawing a line or write a sentence or slap paint on a canvas and let it compose.”

Every designer, artist or art enthusiast starts out with admiration of another artist’s work.  Tina & Khai are inspired by the greatest artists, designers, photographers, poets and writers both current and of times past. They include:

Patricia Urquiola, Coco Chanel, Martin Durazo, Mario Bellini, Gucci, Sally Coates, Iris Apfel, Jimmy Choo, Fendi, John Keats and even Shakespeare.

 

Patricia Urquiola – Courtesy of: Jonas Forth

  

Chanel – Courtesy of: espensorvik

  

Martin Durazo

  

Mario Bellini –  Courtesy of: Forgemind ArchiMedia
 

Gucci – Courtesy of: Kevin Cortopassi

  


Sally Coates

  

Jimmy Choo –
Courtesy of: Clotee Allochuku

  

Shakespeare –
Courtesy of: Brian

Some aspect of each of these brilliant creators are etched into every piece Tina Nicole and Khai Mai design together. It is this collaboration and richness that makes Nathan Anthony Furniture pieces so special.

Inspiration also comes from within. Life is an ever-changing canvas, with many aspects of life – travel, art, design, architecture, fashion, music, literature, photography, fine art and history.

Simply put, “Design should inspire.” – Khai Mai

 

For daily posts and behind the scenes shots of NA’s design and building process, follow our Instagram.