Talk Shop: Nan Philip // Simply Elegant
ABOUT NAN
Nan Philip is one of our absolute favorite people in the interiors world: Nan started out as an exec at Blitzer & Co., where she represented iconic home brands like Annie Selke and designers like Paloma Contreras for almost half a decade. Nan then headed to another favorite company – Weezie Towels, to head up their marketing, before striking out on her own as an independent PR and social media consultant in the interiors and lifestyle industry. We are huge fans of Nan’s chic-as-chic new blog, Simply Elegant, and often come to her for advice and recommendations in the home space. We couldn’t think of anyone more perfect to sit down with to chat all things design! Read below for the tastemaker and industry shaker’s 411 on her favorite interior design tips, books, advice and more.
Describe your style in three words or less:
Classic with a twist! (4 words, sorry!)
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My mom, Bunny Williams and Lilse McKenna.
My mom is certainly at the top of the list; she is the reason I love interiors as much as I do as she exposed me to this world from a young age. She would take me to the Boston Design Center when I was a child and let me help pick out fabrics for her projects. I remember being in awe of the countless options! Looking back, I am sure she let me ask for samples that were never going to work in her projects, but it was so wonderful to have exposure to the design industry from such a young age. To this day, we continue to share a love for interiors and are always trading ideas and new discoveries – a package of Schumacher samples just arrived this morning!
I started my career in Public Relations in the Interior Design space which allowed me to cross paths with some of the most amazing and inspiring designers of our time all of whom continually inspire me. Bunny Williams has had the largest influence on me. I long admired her work many years prior to working in public relations. She is just as amazing (or really even more so!) as you could imagine! Her home in Connecticut is what dreams look like when they become real. I hope to one day to have a home that is even an ounce as layered and welcoming as Bunny’s.
Day-in and day-out, my friend and right-hand gal for all my interior decisions is Lilse McKenna. She continually introduces me to new brands and new ideas! For any and all design choices, I turn to Lilse. I trust her taste implicitly.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
Elizabeth Blitzer, of Blitzer & Company, has been my mentor. Elizabeth was my first boss; I started working for Elizabeth when I was in college and the following four years. While I was at Blitzer & Company and in the years since, I thought of Elizabeth as so much more than a boss. She became a friend and like family! I so admire the business she has built for herself and her work ethic. One of the countless things I learned from Elizabeth is the importance of relationships and making sure to really listen to what your client wants.
What does your home say about you:
One of my favorite quotes is: “Home is where the heart is.” I hope that my home is a reflection of my personality and spirit; I want my home to exude happiness and joy. I love pattern and color, so you see that throughout my apartment (I use much more pattern and color in my interiors than I do in my wardrobe.). A great wallpaper or a beautiful pattern – those things bring me happiness, so I simply love to pull together all the things I love into one space.
Additionally, I am a total homebody; I am apt to invite all my friends over to my place instead of taking up an invite to go elsewhere. For that reason, I hope when friends visit my apartment, they instantly feel welcome and comfortable! I don’t want anything to be too precious, but instead allow friends to quickly feel relaxed and as though they can truly sit and stay a while!
Where do you find inspiration:
Like so many of us, I am constantly scrolling through Instagram! I don’t even want to know how many times a day I open the app, probably too many more times than I would like to admit…! But sometimes Instagram can get repetitive and slightly stale – so I do think it is important to find inspiration elsewhere as well.!
I will always love flipping through magazines and design books – so much of our world is switching to digital but I don’t think anything can replace seeing something on a page and tearing out a magazine clipping for inspiration. I have spent the past few months with my family in Maine and living by the beach. To be and so close to nature has also been inspiring.
Who are your style icons:
Ali McGraw, Lauren Santo Domingo, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
A beautiful table – perhaps with linens from India Amory or Heather Taylor Home, some beautiful dinnerware from Penny Morrison, candlelight, and fresh flowers! Great cocktails to start the evening and then a simple bottle of wine. And then of course some great food; however, I am much better at setting a table than cooking, so I typically order takeout for the meal (shhh, don’t tell!)
Do you collect anything:
Matchboxes and needlepoint!
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
Too many to count!
For all things interiors and entertaining: @filipa_de_abreu, @maxsinsteden, @collinsinteriors and @devonliedtke.
For general style and their taste: @islasimpson, @alexyeske, @liz_Damrich.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Rule to follow: “mix old and new.” I think there should always be something with some history in every space, great if it’s a beautiful antique but a simple thrift store find also works! These pieces will add dimension and layers to your home in a way new furniture can’t.
Rule to break: “you can’t have too many patterns in one space.” If you can’t already tell, I have a hard time thinking there is such a thing as too many patterns, if you do it right!
What are you working on right now:
I just moved into a new apartment in Boston, so I am getting settled into my new home! It is always an interesting challenge to see how your furniture will fit in a new space. I am excited to see it all come to life and make this little apartment into a home. This is my third move in two years, so let’s hope it lasts for a little while!
Wardrobe staples:
Great jeans, t-shirts from The Great, sweaters from La Ligne or Jenni Kayne, ballet flats from Margaux, Celine purse, statement earrings from Lizzie Fortunato, and tortoise sunglasses.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Invest in one quality item for your home each year, and in twenty years you will have a home full of wonderful pieces that should last a lifetime.
Best career advice you ever received:
The world is small, be kind to everyone you meet because this will not be the last time you see them. It might not be this job or this year, but one day you will run into them again and when you do they won’t just be an assistant anymore, they might be the Editor in Chief or Creative Director. Smile and say hello to everyone!
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
I think it is worth investing in upholstery – a great sofas, chairs and headboards. If they are made well, they should last you from apartment to house. They can be re-upholstered as needed but the bones should last!
In terms of saving – Lilse McKenna let me in on a little secret when we were working on my New York apartment and I was on a strict budget - Ikea can be your best friend. You can find some great simple pieces from Ikea and then easily elevate them by changing out the hardware or covering with a custom table skirt. *The one caveat here is that because you are buying budget items, don’t expect these items to travel with you as you move. I have found (due to trial and error) that Ikea items don’t do very well if you try to take them apart and put them back together again. They are really a one and done kind of purchase but still useful nonetheless!
One other tip (that could fall into the save or splurge category depending if you go the DIY route or with a professional) is that I think paint can make a world of difference! I am in my mid-twenties and along with all my friends, we are all still in the stage of renting apartments and bouncing around every few years. Going that extra step to paint your living room or bedroom can feel a bit extravagant in a rental; but I really think that paint is one of the quickest ways to transform a space and make it feel like your home, instead of just another rental.
Your greatest extravagance:
Shopping for handbags…!
Favorite places to shop for home:
In New York: John Rosselli (on 61st Street), KRB, and John Derian (both the West Village and East Village locations.
In Palm Beach: Leta Austin Foster, Hive and Casa Gusto.
Online: Moda Operandi, Sarah Bartholomew and The Avenue.
Most prized possession and why:
A gold necklace my parents gave me when I turned eighteen.
Your interiors motto:
More is more!
Your life motto:
Kindness counts!
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Follow magazine and design bloggers on Instagram and then save any images that stand out you into a saved collection on Instagram. (You could also do this on Pinterest but the ‘save’ feature on Instagram is now replacing Pinterest for me.) After a month or two, go back and look through all your saved photos and see if you can spot any similarities or trends between the images you saved. Are the images full of bold color or more neutrals? Are the interiors modern or more traditional? This should help you start to define and narrow down your preferred aesthetic!
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Anything at Buvette!
Drink: a margarita (one of the best discovers during quarantine was this recipe from The Defined Dish)
Film: Love Story
Hotel: Le Sirenuse in Positano or Relais Christine in Paris
City: New York
Bedding: Matouk. And I have to mention Weezie for towels—they’re a fave!
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Iced latte with almond milk
Playlist: anything! I’m not much of a music gal, whatever is playing in the background works for me!
Weekend Activity: A walk on the beach, needlepoint, time with family & friends and hopefully a good cocktail!
Design Book: An Affair with a House by Bunny Williams
