Meet Nikka Suleymanova-Winchell | Interior Designer and Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikka Suleymanova-Winchell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikka, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
They say ‘there’s no place like home’ for a reason. Your home is the place that grounds you, a place you can retreat to after a long day, and the place you spend creating memories with your loved ones. It’s where the magic happens, so to speak. I realized long ago that certain design choices directly impact not just my mood, but my overall disposition . A cluttered home made me feel anxious, while a light and bright room gave me energy. The more time I spent thoughtfully decorating, the more I began to realize what a big part this plays in the grand scheme of things. So, after a few years of trial and error in my own home, I began documenting my own design journey through renovations, decorating, and styling my spaces as a way to connect with people following that same journey. Shortly after, starting my own interior design firm was a no-brainer – helping someone create a home that felt like an extension of themselves, a place where the “magic happens,” is the most incredible gift someone can receive, and it’s been an honor guiding people through what it means to make their house feel like a home.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Starting a business, especially a creative one, has one particular challenge: everything you put out into the world is a little glimpse into who you are. And, that’s always scary, especially when you are putting that out for the world to see! When I first started giving others design advice, I was so worried about saying the wrong thing or making a bad design choice that would negatively impact someone I was trying to help. Design is so personal, and oftentimes making a design “mistake” can be expensive and/or time-consuming. Making those mistakes in my own home really helped me take the leap to do it professionally and start helping others. For example, understanding light helps you choose the correct paint colors for your home. Styling is more than just picking pretty things – knowing how things fit together, mixing styles and eras together for a cohesive look, is something that takes trial and error to “get right,” and even then, you’re always changing and evolving.

I am most proud of when I’m able to inspire or guide people to develop their own design styles and start incorporating that into their homes. Whether it’s a color I use or the way I style something together, I love when that ignites an idea in someone to try something different. I take so many factors into account when working with clients, and have over time learned which questions to ask to get a sense of what their home could feel like with the right elements. My goal with Halcyon Haus (which, by the way, means serenity and calmness), is to really get to know a space, and create something that not only feels like an extension of the person who lives there, but also a place where they want to spend all of their time in because it just feels so right.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I grew up half an hour from the beach – but pretty quickly acclimated to the mountain life here in Colorado. So, the best time (in my opinion) would be to head to all the little towns scattered throughout the Rockies to really get a feel for the true mountain experience! We love driving into Evergreen, with a couple beach chairs and just sitting out by the creek that runs through. Breckinridge is always a fun place to visit, with it being a few hours from Denver – there are so many little boutiques and the Main Street is gorgeous in the Fall. If we’re feeling luxurious, we’ll take the extra time to drive into Aspen. We recently stumbled upon a “ghost town” just outside of the city there, and it was the most gorgeous drive in. Since we live in Castle Pines, we’ve started exploring Castle Rock more and more – 105 West Brewing Company is a new find of ours, and the atmosphere there is so fun.

Other than that, Cherry Creek has been a fun place to hang out, and brings out the little piece of California in me that I find myself missing sometimes. Flower Child is an amazing healthy food spot, and we recently fell in love with Kini’s, a new Mediterranean restaurant recently opened. And of course, hard to not include Matsuhisa – as a sushi buff, that and Sushi Den is a must!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My fiancé and soon to be husband, for pushing me and believing in my vision, as well as being my partner both in life and in our business. And of course, my friends and family who have supported me and allowed me the gift of incorporating my design ideas into their own special spaces.

Website: www.halcyonhaus.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/halcyonhaus_/