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Friday Five With Nina Magon of Contour Interior Design

02.28.20 | By
Friday Five With Nina Magon of Contour Interior Design

Both an interior designer and TV personality, Nina Magon is a certified dual threat. In her work as Creative Director and Principal at Contour Interior Design, she’s recognized for a refined modern aesthetic that balances high design with luxury. When working with a client, Nina first creates a vision before executing a one-of-a-kind design that’s tailored to their unique taste. Her residential, commercial, and hospitality spaces have won acclaim the world over for their trailblazing style.

Nina received her Bachelor of Science in economics and finance from Southern Methodist University and completed post-graduate studies in architecture and design at The Art Institute. In 2013, she was chosen by Nate Berkus to appear on NBC’s Dream Builders, in which 12 of the most notable, respected, and established designers and builders from around the country competed. Nina was a semi-finalist, praised for her high levels of taste and design abilities. She’s also made it a point to participate in non-profit events, such as Housing Works and Elle Decor Magazine’s benefit, Design On A Dime, both in Miami and NYC.

Today Nina is stopping by Design Milk to share five things she relies on in life for Friday Five!

Photo: Jeffrey Abbott

1. My Phone
In today’s day and age people rely on their phones quite a bit, and I am definitely one of those people. With the new technology available today, I have everything on my phone to help me throughout my day to stay organized, on time, and productive. I have my calendar, which reminds me when I have meetings and appointments, music apps to help me stay focused throughout the day, and organization apps that help me organize the tasks I need to accomplish each day. My phone is definitely an item that I could not go without!

Photo: Optimum Nutrition

2. Energy Drink
Being a wife, mother of two, and business owner is draining some days more than others. I’m not a coffee drinker, so I needed to find something that tasted great and would give me a little pick me up when I’m feeling low on energy. I’ve found an energy drink that doubles as an amino acid-filled supplement, Amino Energy by Optimum Nutrition. It’s great for the morning, providing natural caffeine, 8-10oz of water, plus a plethora of amino acids to set you up for the day! It’s also great for a mid-day lift, and is full of amino acids which are great for body recovery.

Photo: Minotti

3. Italian Furniture
There is something about the way and quality of craftsmanship of Italian furniture that is simply exquisite! I find myself drawn to Italian brands because of the beauty and intricate details that Italians incorporate into every product they create. Italy produces, in my opinion, some of the most inspirational designs, whether it is the sleek trim piece on the bottom of a sofa or the elegant curves of a chair, these details within the design are manufactured to perfection.

Artist Roy Lichtenstein

4. Bold Art
Art can be the greatest accessory to a space if chosen correctly. Art for interiors is like the jewelry you would accessorize an outfit with. A perfectly planned ensemble can be escalated and perfected by the perfect piece of bold jewelry, it gives it that final touch that completes the outfit. Interiors are very similar. A room can feel balanced and finished, but if the walls are blank or lacking color you can place a piece of bold and edgy art to add some chic drama to provide the finishing touch to complete to the overall aesthetic.

Photo: Brigitte Lacombe

5. Zaha Hadid
Zaha Hadid is truly one of my greatest inspirations, in the fact that she constantly went against the grain and stood out by being different and staying true to her craft. She is widely seen as the greatest female architect of contemporary times, who reshaped architecture for the modern epoch – something difficult for women to do in her time. Hadid said, “I’ve always been independent and, because I’m ‘flamboyant’, I’ve always been seen as difficult. As a woman in architecture, you’re always an outsider. It’s OK, I like being on the edge.” Against all odds and a great deal of prejudice, she broke one glass ceiling after another. No small feat when that glass was as hard and thick as concrete! Zaha Hadid will always be someone that I look up to because she was not scared of being different and instead embraced it, which made her work beautiful masterpieces that will go down in history.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.