Nicholas Haslam
Nicholas Ponsonby Haslam (born September 27, 1939) is an English interior designer, author, socialite, and cabaret performer. Known for his witty, luxurious interiors and cultural presence, Haslam’s legacy spans design, writing, and performance.
Introduction: Who Is Nicholas Haslam?
Nicholas Ponsonby Haslam, widely known as Nicky Haslam, is a celebrated British interior designer, author, critic, and personality.
His work is distinguished by its blend of grandeur with personal touches, historical reference with contemporary sensibility, and a lightness of touch—making his interiors both luxurious and lived-in.
Early Life and Family
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Haslam was born on September 27, 1939, at Great Hundridge Manor, in Buckinghamshire, England.
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He is the third son of diplomat William Heywood Haslam and Diamond Louise Constance “Diana” Ponsonby. His maternal lineage connects him to British aristocracy (his mother was granddaughter of the 7th Earl of Bessborough).
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He was educated at Eton College, where he showed early aptitude and passion for art.
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After school, he undertook artistic and editorial work (for example, in publishing and magazines) before committing fully to interior design.
Education & Early Career
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In his youth, Haslam exhibited interest in art, drawing, and design.
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Early on, he worked in editorial roles in London and New York. For instance, in the early 1960s he moved to New York and worked for Vogue (as assistant to the art director), and later served as art director of Show magazine.
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In the mid-1960s, he bought a ranch near Phoenix, Arizona with his partner and bred Arabian horses, while also doing photography work and designing interiors in the U.S.
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Around 1972, he returned to London, accepting an interior design commission (decorating a townhouse for Lord Hesketh) that launched his career in British design.
Career Highlights & Achievements
Interior Design & NH Design / Nicky Haslam Studio
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Haslam established his design firm in London in the late 1980s (originally NH Design, now Nicky Haslam Studio).
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His studio is known for creating bespoke, glamorous interiors that mix historical reference, wit, elegance, and unexpected flourishes.
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Projects span private homes, hospitality spaces, and decorative commissions across the globe—London, New York, Paris, Morocco, Barbados, Moscow, and beyond.
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His clients have included celebrities, prominent cultural figures, and institutions: Mick Jagger, Bryan Ferry, Rod Stewart, Ringo Starr, Charles Saatchi, Rupert Everett, and more.
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Haslam has also designed interiors for restaurants, nightclubs, salons (for fashion houses), and grand events (e.g. banquets, gala decor) in prestigious settings.
Author, or & Columnist
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He is a prolific writer and critic: Haslam contributes to Vogue, Tatler, The London Evening Standard, The Sunday Telegraph, The Spectator, The World of Interiors, and others.
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He has written several books, including Sheer Opulence, Redeeming Features (memoir), Folly de Grandeur, A Designer’s Life, and The Impatient Pen.
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His writings cover his design philosophy, life stories, reflections on aesthetics, and cultural commentary.
Cabaret & Performance
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Beyond design, Haslam has pursued cabaret and singing: he has performed Lorenz Hart and Cole Porter songs, among others.
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In 2013, he released an album Midnight Matinée, featuring collaborators such as Bryan Ferry and Cilla Black.
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He has staged performances at venues like the Savoy Hotel and participated in charity events, blending his persona as a designer with that of a storyteller and entertainer.
Style, Philosophy & Signature
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Haslam’s aesthetic is often described as elegant, layered, witty, and romantic—neither overly rigid nor purely decorative.
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He emphasizes interiors that are “appropriate and flattering to owner and space”, combining grandeur with liveability.
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His work often references history, classical design, antiques, rich textures, art, and color—yet he seeks to keep interiors fresh and personal.
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Haslam values wit, charm, surprise, and balancing the serious with delightful touches.
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His own watercolour renderings (of interiors) are collected as works of art and held in institutions like the Victoria & Albert Museum and RIBA.
Legacy & Influence
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Haslam is widely considered one of Britain’s foremost interior designers, influencing a generation of decorators and style-conscious clients.
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His blending of design, writing, and performance gives him a multidimensional cultural presence beyond mere interiors.
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His books serve as design references, memoirs, and sources of inspiration for professionals and aficionados.
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His approach, which resists rigid stylistic categorization, encourages flexibility, personal identity, and the continuing evolution of interior aesthetics.
Notable Quotes & Reflections
While Haslam is less quoted in popular collections than some designers, the tone of his writing and commentary provides glimpses into his values. In Nicky Haslam: A Designer’s Life, he writes:
“Flattering to their owners” is a lodestar in his interior approach—a reminder that interiors must honor those who live in them.
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His monograph describes interiors mixing “the deeply serious, grand, and impressive with charm and above all wit” as characteristic of his work.
These statements reflect his belief that interiors should be dignified but not solemn, personal but not fussy, dramatic but welcoming.
Lessons from Nicky Haslam’s Journey
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Cross disciplines
Haslam shows that design can intersect with writing, performance, and cultural commentary—enriching each field through others. -
Know your client, know yourself
His emphasis on flattering the owner and adapting to space signifies the importance of empathy in design. -
Blend the old and new
His interiors often draw from history while remaining alive and current—a kind of visual conversation across time. -
Allow for surprise & charm
Witty, unexpected details can elevate an interior from merely beautiful to memorable. -
Cultivate your voice
His public persona, writings, and performances amplify his design work and build a distinct brand—demonstrating the value of storytelling in creative professions.
Conclusion
Nicholas “Nicky” Haslam is more than a decorator: he is a cultural figure who bridges art, design, literature, and performance. From his aristocratic upbringing and editorial beginnings to his celebrated career in interior design and cabaret, he has crafted a unique persona and portfolio built on elegance, wit, and a deeply human touch.
His studios continue to produce interiors around the world, while his books, columns, and creative voice remain expressions of a worldview where beauty, history, and personality converge. If you like, I can also provide a gallery of his signature projects or analyze specific interiors of his design.