Husband and wife, interior decorators

Press, 18 December 1986, Page 18

Husband and wife, interior decorators

“Opulence,” the interior decorating shop, has moved from the Triangle Centre to larger and brighter facilities at Hereford Street, near the National Bank.

Owned and run by husband and wife team, Brian and Nerina Higgins, “Opulence” is aimed at the middle to upper market in interior decorating — providing everything from the soft furnishings and floor coverings to the light fittings, and accessories.

Although they run the shop as a team, both Nerina and Brian work independently of each other as interior decorators — both having completed interior decorating courses.

“We each prefer to arrange appointments with our clients and go out to see in home, or office and to talk to them, finding out what their individual are. We then adapt the office or home to suit their needs,” says Nerina. In spite of the name "Opulence,” Nerina says their shop caters for budgets right across the board. “Opulence can be achieved on a budget with our expertise.” It could be something as simple as

putting a more professional finish on curtains or changing the wall paper and accessories in a room. We’ll always work to the client’s budget,” she says.

Nerina and Brian have catered for a wide range of tastes, from the very modern to a mixture of modern and traditional, as is evident in one of the Cranmer Square apartments furnished by them. “It was a challenge because the exterior — a harsh grey stone — is a strong contrast with the modern interior which is painted stark white with a high ceiling.” Sharp modem chintzes of coral contrasted with black and dark grey mitred borders. This gave the apartment sleek, clean lines, says Nerina. “We cater for any tastes and styles, and we want to emphasise that “Opulence” is a one-stop-shop for interior decorating. The main point is we design for the individual and not for the sake oi decorating itself. In many cases there are children to allow for and even animals. Give us any type of lifestyle, and we’ll design a home to suit them,” says Brian.