ELEVEN SIX WOMEN | NINA TAKESH
Photos by Will Anderson | @willandersonphoto
Meet Nina Takesh...the founder and creative force behind three successful businesses: Petit Tresor, a luxury baby brand store in Beverly Hills (where celebrities such as Madonna regularly shopped), a luxury home flipping business for which she has remodeled and designed countless homes and, a residential and commercial design firm named Nina Takesh where she creates unique interiors for clients across the globe.
Nina was born in Tehran, Iran, then moved to Beverly Hills with her family at age six. As a child she studied at Le Lycee Francais in LA and spent many summers in the south of France. Her father, a renowned architect, and grandfather, a prominent Iranian industrialist, both had a significant influence on Nina’s passion and sense of design from a young age. Before Nina received her MBA from Pepperdine University and ventured into the interior design world, Nina worked for the French fashion-house: Guy Laroche. These cross-cultural life experiences have honed her signature design aesthetic: Californian modern mixed with Parisian flair, which carry through her sense of interior and fashion style. Nina makes her interior styling accessible on her YouTube Channel Red Elevator where you will find step-by-step content to emulate her unique style and design.
We had the pleasure of capturing Nina in her beautiful Beverly Hills home, wearing her favorite Fall Knitwear pieces. Read on to learn more about Nina’s life and career path, how her interior and fashion sensibility are intertwined, and, where she is dreaming of traveling to next...
Nina wears the Ava + Pia Stripe Knit-Set in Black + Cocoa
Can you share your background, training, and journey to becoming the interior designer and empire you are today?
Weaving together diverse cultural influences from my upbringing between Tehran, Paris, and Beverly Hills, my journey into interior design feels almost predestined. With an architect father and artistic grandfather, I was immersed in creative expression from an early age, absorbing both Parisian architectural richness and California's modern aesthetics. Though I initially ventured into fashion in Paris and ran a children's boutique in Los Angeles – where I designed nurseries for celebrity clients – it was the ambitious project of designing and building my own 6,000 square foot home that truly crystallized my calling. That hands-on experience, challenging as it was, sparked the confidence to establish my own interior design firm, marking the real beginning of my design empire.
How would you describe your interior work and style, and, what inspires you creatively? Also, do the same principles apply to your fashion style too?
My design style really comes down to mixing old with new in ways that feel fresh but still timeless. I love pairing vintage pieces with modern elements. This same mindset carries over to how I dress - I'm just as likely to pair a vintage blazer with new designer pieces as I am to mix periods and styles in a room. For me, good design isn't about following strict rules or trends - it's about creating spaces that feel both sophisticated and surprising at the same time.
We love the Red Elevator video content and interior resources? When did you start the Youtube video’s and what is the most popular content?
I jumped into YouTube back in 2020, and honestly, it's been wild to see how it's grown. People really connect with my home flip tours and decor finds - those videos always seem to take off. But what's really amazing is how putting out these videos has actually made me think about design differently. When you're trying to explain something on camera, you have to break it down in a way that makes sense to everyone, whether they're just starting out or they're design pros themselves.
Nina wears the Camila Sweater in Claret styled with her own leather skirt.
What have been some of the highlights in your interior career and what have been some of the challenges.
Creating a collection with Ruggable was definitely a game-changer for me. After running my baby boutique, I already knew a bit about licensing, but this was different - it was a chance to bring my design style to people at different price points, not just the luxury market. It really opened my eyes to how good design doesn't have to be exclusive. But I'll be honest, jumping into a major collaboration like that wasn't without its challenges. You have to learn to balance your creative vision with what works for mass production, and that's a whole different ball game from custom interior design work.
We love that you encompass the fashion and beauty Nina Takesh content? Was this a very natural offering to showcase the whole lifestyle?
The fashion content actually grew really organically - my followers kept asking about what I was wearing in my design videos, and it just made sense to share that side of things too. I've always seen a real connection between interior design and fashion - you notice the same trends and influences flowing through both. Like right now, you might see a certain texture or color palette showing up in both home decor and on the runway. It's all connected, you know? Whether I'm putting together a room or an outfit, it's about having that eye for combining pieces in interesting ways. Plus, I genuinely love both worlds, so sharing my fashion picks and style tips alongside my design content just feels natural - it's all part of the same creative expression.
Nina wears the Ada Tank + Ava Sweater in Oatmeal Melange drapped over her shoulders styled with her own jean.
Do you have anything exciting in the Nina Takesh pipeline you can share?
I've been dropping some sneak peeks of my latest flip project here and there, and I'm honestly so excited to reveal the whole thing once it's done. You know how it is with renovations - everything takes longer than you want it to, but when it all comes together, it's worth the wait. I can't share all the details just yet, but I think this one's going to be pretty special. I've been documenting the whole journey, so when it's finally ready, you'll get to see the complete transformation from start to finish.
How do you like to unwind and switch off when you are not working?
The only way I can start to unwind from a busy day is by immediately changing out of my work clothes and slipping into 100% cotton loungewear. This small ritual signals to my mind that it's time to relax, even though I often continue working well into the evening. Truly switching off is a challenge because my work is my passion, so I'm rarely able to disconnect completely. Lately, I've been turning to meditation to help find balance. In a quiet room, I sit in the lotus position, focusing on a candle flame and letting my mind go blank. It’s the only way I've found to truly clear my thoughts and disconnect.
Nina wears the Kayln Cardi in Cocoa styled with her own jean.
Where are you dreaming of traveling to next?
Next, I’m dreaming of taking the Eastern & Oriental Express through Southeast Asia. I’d love to start in Singapore, then just sit back and watch as the city fades into lush jungles and scenic villages on the way to Bangkok. There’s something about the idea of winding through rainforests, exploring places like Penang, and seeing the charm of Southeast Asia from the comfort of a historic train that feels perfect. Plus, ending each day with a great meal and a cozy cabin sounds like the ideal way to soak it all in.
What is a series/movie/book you just read or watched that you loved?
One book I recently enjoyed is The Algebra of Happiness by Scott Galloway. I’m naturally drawn to books on financial and personal success because of my MBA and deep interest in business and finance. What I really appreciated about Galloway’s book is how it goes beyond the traditional focus on wealth. He blends his sharp business insights with profound reflections on life’s true measures of success. The book challenges the conventional idea that happiness comes from wealth or career achievement, and instead emphasizes the importance of relationships, self-awareness, and balance. For me, the takeaway was clear: real fulfillment comes not from chasing more, but from embracing what truly matters—connecting with others, finding purpose, and understanding that happiness isn’t a formula, but a choice.
Do you have a daily mantra?
My daily mantra is a moment of gratitude and acknowledgment for the grace and good fortune that has been given to me. I take a quiet pause to recognize the blessings in my life and to appreciate the journey, knowing that each day is an opportunity for growth and gratitude.
Nina wears the Charly Cardi styled with her own leather skirt.
Nina wears the Isa Tank styled with her own leather skirt.
What does the ELEVEN SIX brand mean to you, and, which are your favorite Fall pieces to integrate with your own style and wardrobe?
I organically found Eleven Six while I was out shopping one afternoon and fell in love with how their pieces just made sense for my life. As someone who's constantly on the move between work and travel, I really appreciate how their knitwear can be both cozy and polished at the same time. For fall, I'm particularly drawn to three pieces that perfectly complement my wardrobe: the Camila sweater in claret, whose rich burgundy shade and textured bobble details feel quintessentially autumn; the Ada tank in oatmeal melange, which is perfect for transitional weather and layering; and the cozy Kayln cardigan in cocoa, ideal for both lounging and putting together elevated casual looks. What I love most about these pieces is how naturally they integrate into my existing wardrobe while maintaining that perfect balance of comfort and sophistication that Eleven Six does so well.