[NVG] Hello Léa! Share a bit more about yourself—who you are and what you do for a living.

Of course! My name is Léa Toulemonde. I’m an interior design coach. I’ve set up an online shop selling home décor items and a lifestyle media platform. I’m a content creator (social media presenter).

[NVG] So you’re a decorator, a design coach AND the founder of a homeware shop... How do you juggle all that on a daily basis?

I’d be lying if I said I’d found the right balance! I’m very happy to have built bridges between all my passions, but it’s quite difficult to juggle them. I try to structure my week, but very often, there aren’t enough days!

[NVG] How would you describe the style of your home? Where do you find your inspiration?

People say I have a very seventies vibe, which is very on-trend at the moment, but the truth is, I’m mainly addicted to a very autumnal colour palette and dark woods – elements that were very much part of that era.

[NVG] What was your vision for this house the first time you walked in?

I immediately wanted to focus on the dining room, as it had high ceilings, which allowed me to incorporate untreated wood – something that gives it a great deal of character. I really wanted to bring a Mid-Century style to this house, which, from the outside, has absolutely nothing to do with that era, apart from the year it was built!

And then, naturally, I sought to highlight all the features I could to preserve the original charm whilst combining it with the functionality of the modern world.

[NVG] Is interior design more of a spur-of-the-moment choice or a considered decision for you?

Very much a spur-of-the-moment choice. When it comes to interior design, I take my time – the time to find THAT piece that tells a story and really adds something to the space. What makes an interior thoughtful and personalised, I find, is the time you spend enriching it, as well as the variety of objects you bring together.

[NVG] Which NV GALLERY piece is your favourite in your home? And why?

I’m torn – I have so many favourites, but they all fit into the home as if they’d always been there. I’d say the Chelsea side table in brown smoked glass, which fits the home’s design aesthetic perfectly and is incredibly practical, as well as the Orion bronze coffee table, because it looks as though it’s always been there!

[NVG] Tell us about an object or piece of furniture in your home that has a special story behind it.

I have lots of items that have come down to me from my parents or grandparents, but if I had to pick just one, I’d say the candleholder we designed, called Madonna. It’s a piece that’s close to my heart as it really marked the start of my brand and perfectly represents our identity.