A Rose Pink Table Collection inspired by my Mother Ida-Lilja

A few months after launching my homeware business, I realised that the true source of inspiration and the driving force behind Nina D was none other than my parents, with my mother playing a particularly pivotal role. Her love for setting the table with care for every celebration, and her insistence that we come together as a family for every meal, left an indelible mark on me. Having spent twenty-eight years in England, I found that the simple act of setting the table had become a comforting ritual that connected me to the Swedish family traditions of my childhood. One of my designs, in particular, was born from this deep connection — a collection named after my mother, Ida-Lilja, as a tribute to the joy and togetherness she embodied.

She, too, was a visionary entrepreneur. At just 19 years old, she opened her own shop, selling her handmade dresses and accessories from the 1960s. A woman of fierce determination, she fought a long and courageous battle with cancer, passing away in 2012, just weeks before the birth of my son, Lukas. Designing and creating a rose pink collection of placemats, coasters, and serving trays in her honour feels deeply meaningful — a heartfelt homage to her spirit and the legacy she left behind.

Designing a tableware collection in honor of my mother, Ida-Lilja, was an instinctive and deeply personal decision. I knew immediately that the design would feature a harmonious blend of fuchsia pink tones set against a rich, deep burgundy backdrop. I can vividly imagine my mother setting the table with these placemats and coasters, the vibrant colours and Art Deco scalloped pattern radiating joy — a joy she carried with her like a beacon, even during the most challenging days of her chemotherapy treatments.

Today, as I set my own table, I feel her presence with me. I hold close the invaluable inspiration she imparted to me, the encouragement that shaped my upbringing. She always urged me to reach for the stars, to believe in myself, and to never stop being creative — wisdom I carry with me every day.