We sat down with Nicole Gibbons and received some great interior decorating tips.
We were lucking to get the opportunity to pick the brain of interior designer, taste-maker, blogger and on-air personality Nicole Gibbons. Her interiors embody timeless sophistication with a fresh, modern edge so we really wanted to learn from her.
What was the inspiration for your home design? I’ve been living in my rental for about 7 years and last year I made a huge life transition leaving my old job to focus on design full-time and began working from home. Since I was spending so much more time at home I started growing tired of my surroundings and just wanted a fresh change. I really wanted to brighten up the color palette to make it feel lighter and more cheerful.
I got rid of just about every single piece of furniture and painted the walls a soft blue green color which really helped to brighten up the room. I worked with a mostly monochromatic palette of blues in different tones and added bold pops of color for contrast. The artwork above the sofa by my friend Nicole Cohen brings so much personality into the room. Another favorite element is my Mary McDonald for Robert Abbey Pendant pendant from Lamp’s Plus!
Mary McDonald for Robert Abbey Pendant in the home of designer Nicole Gibbons.
Which current trend(s) did you incorporate? I didn't really subscribe to any particular trends in my home. I just incorporated pieces I loved and styles I’m personally drawn to.
What comes first for you, style or function? Both! Obviously being a designer, style is incredibly important but pieces also have to be comfortable and being that I’m in a small NYC space, every item has to serve a function because I don’t have the space for showpieces.
What were the key issues for the space and how were they resolved? My space is small - around 600ish square feet so finding pieces that are properly scaled for my space while still allowing adequate space for entertaining and flow is always a challenge. I also had to incorporate multifunctional furniture pieces that do double duty such as my tiered end tables that also function storage pieces.
Console vignette designed by Nicole Gibbons.
You choose a very elegant brass pendant for your makeover. What drew you to that piece? I love brass and gold tones and I was very attracted to the shape. It was incredibly unique and dramatic and I wanted it to be a statement piece in the room.
How did you go about addressing the importance of lighting in the space as a whole? I wanted to incorporate a variety of lighting. I love overhead lighting for dining and then having ambient table lighting as primary light sources for the rest of the space.
How did you decide what details to use for you console decor? I just filled it with items I had and pieces I’ve collected over time.
Elegant decorating by Nicole Gibbons.
What is the one item you cannot live without in your home? I’m never too attached to material possessions so the items I couldn't live without are things that are irreplaceable - vintage tabletop pieces and artwork that i inherited from my grandmother are among my favorites.
What do you predict will be the next “hot” trend? I think peacock blues and turquoise tones are going to be huge color trends in the coming year. I’m already ahead of the curve here with my new living room color palette!
What do you think is the biggest design mistake most people make in their homes, and how can they correct it? A lot of people decorate out of a catalog and then their finished spaces are void of personality. The one thing people can do to make the biggest impact is inject a sense of personal style into their homes by incorporating personal items that have meaning whether it be souvenirs from travels, handmade items or inherited pieces from a family member.
To learn more about Nicole Gibbons and find her on social media, you can visit her blog So Haute.
Images courtesy of Nicole Gibbons, Top Image - Carol Dronsfield Photography