DON'T MISS A THING

Canadian-based designer Nora Voon, founder of Noda Designs, is instilling the design world with her cheeky, bold interior designs and products. With a sneaky sense of humor manifested in the beautiful materials she chooses and in the designs she crafts, Nora’s style is truly distinct. A style rooted in her years designing in London and her wealth of knowledge from different industries which she uses to imagine and then create one-of-a-kind functional forms of art.

Meet Nora Voon

Nora Voon, Founder of Noda Designs

After many years in finance, then culinary arts, Nora decided to go back to school for design, receiving her postgraduate degree at Inchbald School of Design in London. “I always wanted to be an artist of some sort, however, life got in the way, and I didn’t get into designing until much later in my life. I’ve always loved to draw and I’m obsessed with rearranging furniture in my home. So, early indications showed me that if I saw myself down that rabbit hole I would never look back.”

Since founding Noda Designs in 2015, Nora and her collective of incredible talent have completed beautiful residential and commercial projects around the globe. But the ever-creative dreamer has not stopped there.

A cinema design by Noda

Noda Designs One-of-a-kind Online Design Hub

Motivated by the pandemic, and a desire “to provide customers both locally and globally with greater access to my products to elevate and brighten their living spaces.” Nora expanded her design business and created an exclusive, one-of-a-kind online design hub to virtually share everything Noda Designs has to offer.

The new Noda eCommerce shop specializes in unique and quirky pieces that have a dual function as both practical objects and pieces of art. Offerings include Nora’s own designs alongside forward-thinking and exclusive designer products such as those from L.A.-based Blacksaw, and Blamo, for which Nora is the exclusive Canadian retailer. “I’ve always been inspired by my travels and discovering different cultures around the world, which customers will see reflected in the products we’ve designed and curated for the shop,” Nora explains.

Whimsical ceramic hearts, made in Italy, available from Noda Designs

Take a Pill

The designer’s new candle collection Take a Pill is a perfect example of her fun and unique style. The collection, according to Nora, is “inspired by the idea that in a world where everyone is on some form of prescription drugs, why not make a collection that reflects our overactive imagination with happy vibes, scents, tongue and cheek sensibility and poke fun while we are at it.”

Take a Pill and See You in La La Land, Candle Design by Noda

The Noda Designs Studio in Toronto

In addition to the new Noda Designs e-Shop, Nora has also just launched her first-ever design studio located in Toronto’s Financial District. The studio brings major flare and excitement to the East King Street area with Nora’s bold color choices and an eclectic take on the design world.

At Noda, play is one of our favourite four-letter words. Play makes the mundane better. Play makes the ordinary, interesting. Really, shouldn’t all of life’s most treasured goodies be more about ironic fun? At Noda, play is our pleasure. Design is our passion. The world is our inspiration. We create and curate interiors, objects and art that are uninhibited, mischievous and beautiful.

A Peek Inside the Fabulous and Inspiring Mind of Nora Voon with the Lh Design Questionnaire

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

NO more COVID – that would make a lot of people happy!

What do you consider yourgreatest achievement?

I think my greatest achievement is not being afraid of pushing the envelope when it comes to my designs and always thinking outside the box. I think that’s what sets me apart from my peers. My fearless attitude actually gets me some great results, but it can sometimes get me in trouble (but good trouble) 🙂

‘Normal Gets You Nowhere’ by Noda

What profession does your alter ego have?

A fashion stylist. I think my interiors reflect a lot about my own aesthetics and style in fashion which allow me to have a textural and edgy sensibility to my interiors.

The project you will never forget.

Building my house in Israel.

‘Anything But Ordinary’, Nora Voon’s home in Isreal by Noda Designs

Your favorite business tool or resource.

Pinterest – it gives me so much information and inspiration.

The most timeless design.

It’s hard to give a definitive answer on what the MOST timeless design is. To me, timelessness comes from looking at something and not feeling bored of it after a long period of time or feeling it is dated. I find the Mid-century Modern period is quite timeless. And if paired with just the right amount, it can add so much personality to a space. I also find antiques timeless, so my design ethos has always been mixing the old with the new which gives the space a new personality (if it was a movie, we would call it a “remake” ;-)).

‘In Pursuit of Leisure and Style’ by Noda Designs

The biggest design faux pas.

Mixing too many design styles in one place.

Your design motto.

You buy shit, you pay twice or trice!

If you were to design a room around one KOKET piece, which would it be, and why?

I would choose the Euphoria screen in the Emerald green. I’ve always said that screens are underrated and since the pandemic started we need screens more than ever. The Euphoria screen in the emerald green is so rich visually. It also gives you that sense of nostalgia which I’m very much into currently.

Love happens when…

 You least expect it.

Explore more beautiful work by Noda Designs and shop the Shop!

By Anna Beck Bimba