Keys to decorate a bathroom by Nice Home Bcn

We spoke with Dara Díaz, head of Nice home, a studio formed by interior designers and architects who are passionate about design and decoration. Their work focuses on creating spaces with essence, full of charm. Something that makes them unique and special.

Before we begin, we'd like you to introduce yourself. In your own words, who is Dara Díaz? Where did your calling for this profession come from? How did you make the leap from marketing and international trade to interior design?

Hello, I'm Dara Díaz, from the Canary Islands, a designer and founder of Nice Home Barcelona. I created Nice Home Barcelona 10 years ago, and my passion for it goes back many, many years. Since I was 10 or 12 years old, I was already buying all the magazines, spending hours and hours reading them, analyzing them. Due to life circumstances, I dedicated myself to another sector, but one day I had an opportunity, an opportunity with a friend who presented me with a project and gave me carte blanche to do it and choose everything I thought would look best. The result was very good, and from there I made the decision to make the change and turn what had been my passion into my profession.

How would you define the work you do in your studio? What and whom do you draw inspiration from?

In our study, we carry out very comprehensive work. Nice Home Barcelona aims to accompany the client from beginning to end. This means we can handle complete, integral projects, such as a full renovation with a complete interior design project, down to the last detail: the candle, the fresh flower, the plant... whatever is needed, we provide it. We also undertake smaller projects, such as partial renovations of rooms or areas comprising two or three rooms. We can incorporate an antique piece with something modern, but always lending that warm touch that is characteristic of all our projects.

What inspires us? In the end, Nice Home has its own style. We really like the Mediterranean style and we play a lot with mixing things.

Right now, your projects are very focused on housing, on the home... Tell us a bit more. What are the most in-demand projects? What is the current trend in home decor?

Currently, and even more so after the pandemic, we're getting a lot of comprehensive projects. People have realized they want homes that exude harmony, with light, and are fresh, meaning interconnected spaces. This is a departure from the old idea of having many separate rooms, where the kitchen was independent of the living room... not anymore. Now, what we're being asked for most are open, interconnected spaces, with kitchens always in an open concept, so that in the end, everything fits together and there's closer interaction among the people living there, when guests come over, friends, family... This is what we're being asked for most right now. Above all, comprehensive projects because it's not just about redecorating or changing furniture, but also about fixing the fundamentals: changing the flooring, finishes, materials, so that in the end, everything fits and results in a perfect outcome.

What aspects of a home interest you the most?

I'm interested in all aspects of a home because, ultimately, it has to be a place where I feel at home—which is why I'm interested in every single one of them. It’s true that there are rooms where we spend more time and that perhaps take center stage—for example, the kitchen, which ultimately becomes the heart of the home, where we cook, where friends and family gather, and where we share different moments. On the other hand, bathrooms are much more personal spaces; they need to be places where we feel comfortable and at ease.

When we talk about interior design creating spaces with personality, should those spaces reflect the interior designer’s personality? Or the homeowner’s? Or should they be open-ended?

For us and based on our experience, in the end, it's a bit of a mix of both. The client comes to us because they connect with our style, they already know that we will carry out a project where the Nice Home style will be evident.

Each project is different; we talk a lot with the client, we have a very close relationship, and there's always something of the client in it. In other words, it's a combination of both. When the client sees the result, they tell us: this is what I imagined and what I expected.

Regarding the bathroom: How important is it to you within the home? What are the current trends?

As we mentioned earlier, I think this is a very important area, since it’s where we spend most of our time. It’s a very personal space where we need to feel completely at ease. These spaces are usually warm and inviting, as well as very practical, and they allow us to experience that sense of well-being that comes from a relaxing bath and so on.

Regarding bathrooms, what's the current trend?

The trend, above all, is in neutral colors, very neutral, natural materials: stone with some roughness, wood, wood is very much on-trend. And above all, that, bathrooms that transmit a lot of warmth.

Read more: How to install wooden countertops in the bathroom.

For you, what are the keys to maximum bathroom customization, and what detail should we focus on?

For me, everything is important, but it's true that when you enter a bathroom, the first thing you see is the vanity. We need to find a cool vanity with personality, a sink that goes well with the vanity. The faucet has to be pretty and also match the rest of the items, the shower screen, the type of lighting. In other words, for me, the entire ensemble is important in a bathroom.

Many of your projects involve the Bathco brand. How would you define it and why do you choose their products for your projects?

First off, I absolutely love Bathco products. They fit perfectly into all our designs. For me, it's a brand that conveys a unique personality; their designs are very special, and they're also of great quality. The truth is, we love them and always have many alternatives to choose from, which is also appreciated.