The Sky’s the Limit with Nora Chou
people • designers
Nora Chou focuses on Residential and Hospitality Design. Creating layered moments through design.
WEBSITE: norachou.com INSTAGRAM: @nora_chou_
Words: designeers
September 2023
designeers
How did you get started in design?
nora chou
To be honest, it has been a long while since I last thought about how it all started. I always enjoy the process of creating something from scratch. I used to paint a lot in acrylics. Every canvas I worked on was in essence the "space" I was creating in or "painting within" - where layered flow, colour, tone, proportion, perspective, materiality, subject and mood were often aspects I considered when completing a composition. In time, it became a natural progression from considering these elements on canvas to showing an interest in how these elements effects the creation of places around us. From there - I committed to years of studying interior design before starting my career path of working at other studios in both London and New York. Now - continuing to create under my own brand.
designeers
Describe your style:
nora chou
I'm not one that favours a specific style, as I view 'style' as being an aesthetic or movement that is persistently evolving, changing, growing and developing; through time and cultures. In general, I gravitate towards creations with personality, character and most importantly - authenticity.
designeers
One design principle or mantra you always adhere to:
nora chou
I find it's important to create spaces that doesn't necessarily follow 'trends', as 'trends' can sometimes date your space. I also find It's important to understand the historical and cultural connotations of both the space and the end-user. One approach or aesthetic, does not always fit all. I tend to appreciate the tailored and bespoke approach to design.
designeers
What is your favourite material to work with and why?
nora chou
Quite a difficult question to answer, as there are often multiple layers and facets of creating a design scheme. It would be quite difficult to pinpoint one material. I favour materials that add texture and a sense of warmth to a space. Whether these are warm timbers, woolly textures or natural stones where each slab holds its own uniqueness.
“I view 'style' as being an aesthetic or movement that is persistently evolving, changing, growing and developing”
nora chou
designeers
A city or place that consistently fuels your creativity and why it resonates with you:
nora Chou
Hong Kong - there is no place like home! I've lived in many cities and travelled to many more. There is a drive in Hong Kong that is quite unexplainable but if you ever visit, you'll know what I mean. It's a city that appreciates and experiments with new concepts. It's also a city where the storied and the new are intertwined in a beautiful way. I suppose I also relay the fabric of this concept into the designs I create. Design aside, Hong Kong has a strong and creative restaurant scene! You can say - I'm always fuelled by the many flavours of Hong Kong!
designeers
On your coffee table right now?
nora chou
Samples - and lots of it! I often design spaces for client's where their coffee tables are curated with coffee table books, accessories, candles etc. The irony is: Lately - I've used my coffee table as a melting pot of samples to switch out and build on interior schemes I'm working on. - It's naturally become my working hub with lots of layered inspiration!
designeers
Can you tell us about your new rug collection 'Sky and Earth' in collaboration with Silk Avenue?
nora chou
I've always been inspired by nature. The idea of incorporating colours and textures inspired by the Great Outdoors is a concept that I was keen to experiment with! There are 6 designs in total with 3 handpicked colour palettes: 'Sunrise', 'Dusk' and 'Terra'. In terms of design direction, I was particularly inspired to create a collection that was versatile, in the sense that it could be positioned in many different scenarios and spaces. The designs itself are available in bespoke sizes. Constructed from gorgeous hand-tufted New Zealand wool and some of them also have luscious Bamboo Silk accents. The combination of materiality, creates an interesting layered juxtaposition of matte and sheen finishes.
designeers
How did this collaboration with Silk Avenue come about?
nora chou
I've known Jeff, the founder of Silk Avenue for many years now and specified his products for projects I worked on. I always found his products to be of great quality and the bespoke aspect of creating rugs to be very much in-line with the types of projects that I work on. Over a coffee in Notting Hill, Jeff suggested creating a collaboration where I'd design a collection exclusively for Silk Avenue - and I suppose that was it. I was excited to explore different themes before landing on a nature inspired collection. In essence, that was the start of how 'Sky & Earth' came to fruition.
