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Little Nicki: “There’s no such thing as an average day.”

By Olivia Shead •

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“There is no such thing as an average day in styling,” says Nicole Valentine Don, better known as Little Nicki. “Just yesterday, we were feeding cockatoos apples to get them to sit on a lounge for a shot! I’m always sitting back, looking at the situation and giggling to myself about how ridiculous some moments can be.”

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Styling by Jason Grant & Nicole Valentine Don. Photo: Lauren Bamford

Having been assisting in interior and lifestyle styling for the last four years, and doing solo work for the past two, Nicki is well versed in the crazy and unpredictable nature of styling. Undertaking a wide range of work from advertising to editorial to online videos and everything in-between, 2014 in particular has been a year of milestones; having her first home styling project featured in Inside Out, becoming a contributor for US lifestyle blog JB EST 1979 and winning Inside Out and The Home’s Search for a Stylist competition. This involved styling a mock Inside Out cover. Her efforts won her a senior stylist role at the online homewares retailer.

“Winning The Home’s competition means meeting new people and sharpening my skills as a stylist,” explains Nicki. “The brief was so open; it was simply to style a vignette with products from The Home. To narrow it down for myself, I decided to make it entirely my style and embrace my strengths, so I knew I had to introduce something handmade. Once I decided that ultimately I was the only person who had to love it, it became more focused and fun!”

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Inside Out and The Home’s Search for a Stylist. Photo: Guy Bailey

A clear lover of all things handmade, Nicki is not only a stylist but also a maker, running her own Etsy shop where she sells feather arrow sticks inspired by her time in Mexico. “I started my Etsy shop because I had just come back from a trip to Mexico City where I visited the Museum of Anthropology and loved these feather sticks the Huichol Indians made. I really wanted to find one to buy and take home, but of course, couldn’t find them anywhere. I came home and made my own interpretation, mixed with native traditions from Canada. A lot of what I make is inspired by travel.”

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Photo: Fiona Galbraith

While it seems like a natural fit now, Nicki wasn’t always destined to become a creative, having spent a lot of her time as a competitive gymnastics coach in her home country of Canada. But after a stylist friend saw her knack for decorating her own home, she started referring her assisting jobs, and the first job? Assisting the legendary Sibella Court with her book, Nomad.

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Photo: Fiona Galbraith

Assisting turned out to be a very valuable experience and not only led to her first solo job, fitting out the HQ for documentary feature film Storm Surfers 3D, but also gave her the skills that can only come through practice. “Assisting is essential; you might have style and a creative flare, but you need to learn the subtle nuances of making a picture perfect and do a bit of time on the less glamorous side.”

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Nicki’s home. Photo: Fiona Galbraith

But it’s not just assisting that Little Nicki recommends if you want to get into the industry. More than anything, she believes it’s about putting together a body of work. “My biggest tip for any budding stylists is to absolutely be producing your own work, all the time. Make friends with photographers (often assistants) on jobs that you’re on and make time to get together and shoot. Soon enough you’ll have a body of work and will undeniably be a stylist. You’ll hopefully get a whole lot better as you go and develop your own style as well.”

Find out more about Little Nicki here.

Read all our other styling stories.

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October 8, 2014

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Nestled among the rolling vineyards of the Shoalha Nestled among the rolling vineyards of the Shoalhaven area on the NSW South Coast, former Block contestants @rachelandryan Carr have transformed a tired rural property into a luxurious holiday retreat that feels like a slice of Italy. Surrounded by the natural beauty of gum trees and rural views, the property is designed to transport guests to the heart of Tuscany, blending the charm of the Australian landscape with the elegance and luxury of Italian design. 

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Australia's first 3D printed house is complete! An Australia's first 3D printed house is complete! And this pair of duplexes look pretty stylish too! Ground floor is printed concrete and the top floor is made from lightweight modular panels.

Want to read all about it and see more pix? Comment '3d" and we'll send the article link straight to your DMs! Or find it on the homepage via link in bio.

#3dprinting #3dprinted #3dprintedhouse #3dprintedhome #3dprintedhomes #houseofthefuture #australianhomes #australianhousing
New @kmartaus home coming later this month and her New @kmartaus home coming later this month and here's a few of the standouts, with pricing and more info on the blog now, via link in bio.

Anything catch your eye?

#kmartaustralia #kmarthome #kmartaus #kmartstyling #affordablehomedecor
A custom look on a budget: we love how this rangeh A custom look on a budget: we love how this rangehood cover was fashioned from a piece of American oak benchtop!

This fresh coastal kitchen showcases some of @kaboodlekitchen's latest products to achieve a truly individual space, without paying a small fortune. V groove doors, premium wireware inserts and a concrete look benchtop make for a great combination that's at the same time on trend and timeless. 

See more on the blog now via link in bio and stories.

#flatpackkitchen #budgetkitchen #uniquekitchen #bluekitchencabinets #vgroove #kaboodle #kaboodlekitchen
Swipe for before An interior designer shares the Swipe for before 

An interior designer shares the clever ways they took this homestead from tired 80s to a welcoming country retreat for holidaymakers without spending a fortune or starting from scratch.

This fireplace became a beautiful focal point after a lick of paint, for example.

See more before and afters from @wandarra_homestead on the blog now via link in stories/bio.
How heavenly is AFL star @rhysstanley_'s home he s How heavenly is AFL star @rhysstanley_'s home he shares with wife @kirstenstanley_ and their young kids?!

When they first set eyes on an expansive acreage on Victoria's Surf Coast, they knew it was the perfect place to build their forever home and embrace working farm life. @studiohallihan helped them bring it all together perfectly!

Take the tour on the blog now, via link in bio and stories.

#modernfarmhousehomes #australianfarmhouse #workingfarm #surfcoastlife #foreverhomes #farmhousestylehome #geelongfootballclub #geelongcats
Brand new furniture in an 1877 house and IT WORKS! Brand new furniture in an 1877 house and IT WORKS!

@castleryau have named the talented stylist @stevecordony as their first Australian brand ambassador and he's curated a capsule of their furniture which he styled to perfection at his stunning country house @rosedale_farm 

I was lucky enough to see the pieces in situ last week and I honestly couldn't believe how well it all worked! They were going for accessible luxury and well, he delivered, and then some!

Head to the blog via link in bio to read more about the partnership.

#castlery #castleryau #stevecordony #rosedalefarm #affordablefurniture #australianstylist
If you pick your restaurants for the interior as m If you pick your restaurants for the interior as much as the food, you might want to add @pinosalmare  by @nicgrahamandassociates to your date night list! 😍

@smartstoneaustralia's stunning Calacatta Viola sintered stone surface features throughout, making a bold statement while being durable enough to be used in the busiest areas.

Inspired by Puglia, Pino's (named after the owner's father) in Cronulla has a real seaside vibe. The Smartstone was also chosen for the outdoor tables due to its UV stability.

#calacattaviola #smartstone #restaurantinteriors #restaurantinteriordesign #italianrestaurantsydney #engineeredstone #sinteredstone
SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jas SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jasminemcclellanddesign delivered. And then some!

"With a keen eye for design, they wanted their main bathroom to feel calm, spa-like and elevated with more storage, better layout, and soft, layered textures in a neutral palette. Lighting was another big focus, with the goal of creating a space that felt luxurious enough to unwind in, preferably with a glass of champagne in the bath.”

Is it a yay or a nay for you?

Head to the blog via link in bio/stories for all the suppliers as well as a look at the powder room with its bold wallpaper 😍

#spabathroom #zenbathroom #spavibes #bathroomremodels 

📸 @jonathantabensky
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About Olivia Shead

When she's not writing for Interiors Addict, Olivia is now a TV and radio news producer. She's a journalism graduate of UTS Sydney.

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