Melbourne-based interior designer Nikki Hogan established her interior styling studio in 2016. Known for her timeless, achromatic style that fuses graphic and unique pieces with a versatile base design, Hogan believes that good designers and stylists should respond to their clients’ tastes while guiding them on a journey to uncover their true essential style. With a special interest in single residential renovations for resale, beach and farmhouses, Hogan’s spaces exude a sense of calm, ease and welcoming comfort. 

For our ongoing Designer Selects series, Hogan shares her favourite furniture pieces that create a quintessential feeling of home. 

DS-707 Armchair by Philippe Malouin for de Sede

The soft-flowing transitions of Philippe Malouin’s armchair evoke the postmodern era of Swiss furniture design. The powerful silhouette provides visual perfection of form, giving every room a unique highlight. The chunky style at a metre wide screams luxe and ticks all the boxes of scale and proportion in my opinion. Plus, it’s a supremely comfortable emphasis piece.

I’m waiting on the perfect country build to specify this piece. Think polished concrete floors and shou sugi ban feature walls surrounding this beauty. Contrasted with soaring pitched ceilings, the mood would be reminiscent of an atmospheric cigar lounge with an open fireplace.

Wood Candlestick Round Chandelier from St Barts

I really appreciate timber and the life it breathes into an interior. What I love about the Wood Candlestick Round Chandelier is the way the light casts patterns on surrounding surfaces. This, combined with the way the vertical twigs draw your eye up to a soaring ceiling and its Wabi Sabi elements create a beautiful contrast in a space. It’s also hand-crafted from ethically sourced timber.

The ideal placement for this chandelier would be over a circular dining table to create a sense of interest and drama. I have a project in mind for it, but I need to ensure my love of it is shared by my client for their forever home.

Islander by Angela Hawkey 

Truth be told, I love all of Angela Hawkey’s artworks and fine art prints. For me, it’s the texture, the connection to nature and how the outdoors can be reflected inside. Maybe it’s my country and coastal connection growing up, but these works talk to me and I could happily gaze into them for days. 

I have just specified Islander for a formal sitting room in my Viewbank project. I think the picturesque view out of their front room complements this work perfectly. My design style is timeless and achromatic and I find Angela Hawkey’s work breathes colour and life into an interior. 

Bianca natural tan braided wool rug

The intricate herringbone weave and natural colour of the Bianca braided wool rug complements my black and white aesthetic and brings comfort, texture and warmth into a space. I have specified this rug more times than I care to admit. Made from 100 percent pure New Zealand wool, it’s plush underfoot. Plus, it’s handmade by artisans, which makes my heart sing. There’s something about handmade products that gives me all the right feels.

In my recent Carnegie build, the lounge was designed around my clients and my love for this rug. I included a charred timber fireplace to contrast, soft oak engineered timber floors, white linen sofas and a black timber coffee table.

Harlow bed in mushroom brown from Uniqwa Collections

Made from buffalo leather, the Harlow bed is characterised by the distinctive grain and a rich, deep tone. It makes a statement in the room and pairing it with soft neutral linens exudes sophistication and refinement. Exceptionally versatile and durable — buffalo leather is up to three times stronger than cowhide — the piece stands the test of time. Each buffalo hide is uniquely grained, and the makers embrace the imperfections of this natural material, so no two pieces will ever be the same. I’m all for embracing imperfections which leads to minimal waste too.

This bed is perfect for a master bedroom. I’d style it with Porter’s Paints Mineral on the walls to create a cocoon-like feeling, with the bed contrasting in the centre and demanding the attention it is owed.

Ubu black and white wooden console table

The Ubu black and white wooden console table does it all: the pattern, the conversations it will evoke at the entrance of a grand hallway, the imperfections and the striking black and white design. It was love at first sight the second I saw this piece at the Décor and Design Show in 2023. It’s a bold emphasis piece that an entire interior scheme could be built around. 

The only reason I haven’t bought it for myself is I don’t feel like buying a new house to go with it. This piece exudes a coastal vibe and the tribal pattern resonates with the boho lover within me.

Check out Sally Knibbs top picks