Vintage appeal: antiques dealer and 'Interior Design Masters' star Cassie Nicholas on shaping unique homes

The designer from Bristol seeks out objects that tell a story

Vintage furniture and antiques lend a space character as well as telling a story, says interior designer and antiques dealer Cassie Nicholas

British antiques dealer and interior decorator Cassie Nicholas, who won the Interior Design Masters TV show last year, talks about living in a home where everything is for sale, and filling your space with objects that tell a story …

How did you get into what you’re doing now?

About 10 years ago, my husband and I were doing up our Georgian house in Bristol and realised we were finding so much great stuff to fill it with, we could probably start a business. So we did. We still run the antiques shop, and I also do photography and interior design now. My career has grown from loving beautiful pieces to loving where they sit in context.

What is the style in your own home like?

We don't live in the Georgian house any more; we've just done up a 1920s home that we also run the shop from. We have a website and ship products all over the world, but people can still come to the house, where pretty much everything you see is for sale. It was strange, but you get used to passing things on.

Cassie Nicholas lives in a home that doubles as a shop, and everything is for sale

How would you describe your style?

My style is based around things that have authentic character. I want to fill my home with things that feel like they’ve had a life; I don’t want things to be new. It’s about imperfect beauty. I like things that are slightly dramatic, romantic, that tell a story.

Who are your design heroes?

Vivienne Westwood – she has such an original and timeless style. I love her clothing, but what I really admire is her confidence, what she’s about, her activism. Her mantra is also “buy less, choose well”, which is something I try to live by, too.

You were a winner on the BBC’s ‘Interior Design Masters’ show. How did you get involved and what was the experience like?

At the time, we were running the antiques business from a shop, and a researcher from the show called to ask if I knew anyone who might be interested [in participating]. As we talked, I thought maybe this is something I could do. I was really nervous beforehand and almost pulled out, but I'm glad I did it. It was harder than the show made it look, but so much fun. The prize was a contract to refurbish a bar at the Dorset Hotel in London, which was amazing.

Cassie Nicholas is an antiques dealer, interior designer and photographer

What do you still want to achieve in your career?

There's so much I want to do, but at the moment I'm set on creating a more sustainable lifestyle for us. I'd like to move out to the country, and to make our home and keep our business as eco-friendly as possible. I'd also love to do more restoration projects with period properties and find amazing stuff for amazing homes.

What are your top tips for creating a beautiful home?

First, be confident and trust your instincts, because, at the end of the day, most things are going to work. Second, have fun. Because otherwise, what's the point? And lastly, if you want to create a unique and timeless home, buy vintage, antique and second-hand.

What trends should we be looking out for in 2020?

I stay away from them because I'd rather create spaces that will stand the test of time. It's more important for someone's home to be authentically "them" than changing every year with the trends. That's not sustainable, anyway.