Nina Freudenberger is fast becoming an authority in the world of interior design. Born in Germany, Nina received her BFA in architecture and design from the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, and went on to establish her own New York-based interior dectrorating company, Haus Interior. Her blog, www.thecultivatedhome.com, has been rated one of the top interior design blogs by JoshSpear.com and Modern Design Blog. In 2009, she will open her first retail store in New York City.

Rise to Stratosphere:

Alexia Kondylis and Brian Callahan, two amazing designers who I attended RISD with, ran a boutique interior design firm called Kondylis Design. In my final spring semester at RISD, I was asked to join their company in NYC. I was given the incredible opportunity to push and fully immerse myself in the world of interior design, and this has continued to be the foundation of my work.

First Job:

Kondlyis Design, a high-end interior design firm which was affiliated with Costas Kondylis & Partners, the architecture firm based in NYC. It was the perfect transition from being an architecture student at RISD and training to be part of the world of interior design and decoration.

Alternate Path:

Nothing other than what I am doing! I adore the people I work with and the projects/clients which inspire me. However, if that were crossed off the list, it would be to study silk-screening at Cranbrook, to finally bring my love of art and fabric printing together.

Career High:

Starting my own firm! Every step has been an unbelievable amount of work and truly has required the full combination of creativity and business management. Currently, Haus Interior employs 6 senior designers along with one resident landscape designer. We all report for the daily postings on The Cultivated Home, our new interior design online magazine.

Career Low:

Clients losing perspective! I had one client, pregnant, stating that she "was in labor and in the hospital," and would I mind letting her know when the living room chair would be delivered? I realised, although I obsess over design, that it can get totally out of control. Have that beautiful baby, and then we can talk furniture!

Influencers & Inspiration:

Life, travel and every experience I have had in life.

However, I do revere one designer – Jacques Garcia. He is THE ultimate distillation of contemporary French design and his decoration of Laduree in Paris is mind-blowing. Nothing is more elegant having tea in a room designed by him, surrounded by hyper-blue, hyper-teal velvet furniture and wall upholstery, the room decorated with black-and-white photographs of dead trees, old 70s waterfalls and dried flowers. It is truly the ultimate combination of old-world prosperity and deep mystery.

Little Known Fact:

So many! I love eating. And, yes, mostly eating. However, I adore the never-ending search through international flea markets. There are so many incredible pieces to be found at local dealers around the world – it is truly worth spending one full day doing this on any vacation, just as I do. Every "find" tells a story about that particular location and will, at the very least, forever remain the travel icon of your wonderful trip.

Ultimate Goal:

To premier my furniture line, due in late 2009, and to launch our boutique home-furnishing retail store in NYC.

As for client aspirations, it would be to work closely with a boutique hotel group to realise a budget-friendly and innovative design experience.

Most Humbling Moment:

Quite frankly, everything! As a small business owner, it is all about working with any and all challenges presented to you. Every day, I hear about a new vendor or resource that is available in NYC – there is never enough for me to learn! It is with this realisation of the depth of resources in NYC that will never cease to inspire me to learn more about the city I live in.

Guiltiest Pleasure:

Travelling – the most wonderful experience as a business owner is to be able to choose your own schedule. It always seems inconvenient to travel as a professional, but in theory we have the ability to make time for that three-week vacation to the destination we are obsessing over throughout the year. Heaven!

Motto:

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. (Thomas Edison)

Outside Interests:

Silk-screening classes, my French tutor and going to furniture auctions. Oh, and eating.

How ASW Has Helped:

I connect with not only my friends, but with potential clients as well. This truly is the most effective platform in social networking that exists.

Read Nina's ASMALLMAGAZINE blog here.