Interior design is often seen as a reflection of personal style, but for Nureed Saeed, it’s a tool for fostering equity, sustainability, and community. The owner and creative director of Nu Interiors, Nureed has built her bi-coastal design firm with an ethos rooted in function, inclusivity, and authenticity. In this candid conversation, she shares her journey, insights, and the unique approach that has made her a standout in the design industry.
From Fashion to Function: A Journey of Transformation
Nureed’s path to interior design was anything but conventional. After a successful career in the fashion industry, where she honed skills in project management and trend forecasting, she transitioned to design almost serendipitously. While renovating her own home in New Jersey, Nureed discovered that her ability to juggle multiple moving parts translated seamlessly to managing contractors, budgets, and aesthetics.
“I just trusted myself,” she recalls. “Fashion was changing, and I saw an opportunity to pivot into something that resonated more with my values and vision.”
Design with Purpose
NU Interiors stands out for its client-first approach, blending aesthetic beauty with practical functionality. Nureed ensures every project reflects her client’s personality while maintaining a strong focus on comfort and usability.
“My clients often come to me because they want something beautiful but livable,” she explains. “It’s about creating a space where families feel at home, not on edge about preserving a magazine-perfect look.”
This philosophy extends to her belief in honoring the history of a home. Whether working on a Victorian or a mid-century modern house, Nureed emphasizes merging the old with the new to create spaces that are as timeless as they are personal.
Equity in Design
A strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Nureed integrates these principles into her business and beyond. She works to provide access to high-quality design for clients across different income levels, often tailoring her services to meet their unique financial constraints.
“Equity isn’t about everyone getting the same thing,” she says. “It’s about meeting people where they are and ensuring they have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.”
Her commitment to DEI is reflected in her past role as a Steering Committee Member for the Redress Movement, where she helped develop it into a viable 501(c)(3) organization. Currently, she serves on the Board of Make It Home Bay Area, a 501(c)(3) that supports Bay Area families and individuals transitioning out of crisis by recycling, repurposing, and curating gently-used, donated furnishings to transform empty spaces into homes. This role allows her to combine her design talents with a mission to make good design accessible to those in need.
A Collaborative Ecosystem
For Nureed, success is a team effort. She highlights her decade-long partnership with her contractor, Carlos Guerrero, as a cornerstone of her business. “Having someone you trust to manage the day-to-day operations is invaluable,” she says. “It’s what allows me to run a bi-coastal firm and maintain the quality my clients expect.”
Inspiration and Intuition
When asked about her creative process, Nureed describes it as deeply intuitive. “I don’t take on projects unless they inspire me,” she shares. “Design is personal. If a space doesn’t speak to me, it’s unlikely I’ll do my best work, and that wouldn’t be fair to my clients.”
Her love for mid-century modern architecture, inspired by her father’s engineering background, continues to influence her work. Iconic designs like Eero Saarinen’s Gateway Arch remain touchpoints for her creative vision, blending clean lines, bold colors, and functionality.
Advice for Emerging Designers
For those considering a career in design, Nureed offers a mix of practical and heartfelt advice:
- Embrace Chaos: “Design and construction are chaotic by nature. Learning to navigate that with grace is key.”
- Stay Authentic: “Don’t get caught up in trends or external pressures. Your work should reflect your unique perspective.”
- Find Your North Star: “Whether it’s your family, your passion, or your purpose, let that guide your decisions.”
Nureed Saeed is more than a designer; she’s a change-maker. Through her work, she’s redefining what it means to create, connect, and inspire in the design world. As she puts it, “Design isn’t just about spaces—it’s about the people who live in them and the lives they want to lead.”
