Interviews

Studio Hour with Nicole Fisher

With a background in fashion, Nicole Fisher takes an editorial approach to interiors. Her New York City-based studio, Nicole Fisher Interiors, carefully curates spaces for each client. Her spaces, full of personality and individuality, have earned her features in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and Homes & Gardens. We spoke to Nicole about creating her luxurious Manhattan studio, her latest lighting obsessions, and her inspirations. 

Can you tell us about your background and how your design style has evolved over time?
My background is in fashion editorial styling - a lot of people are surprised to learn that I’m not a formally trained interior designer!  I transitioned to interiors about fifteen years ago, after working alongside Nicola Formichetti and Brandon Maxwell as part of Lady Gaga’s styling team. My style has evolved in the way that I'm confident in my taste, direction, and inspiration for any individual project. We take into consideration the client, how they like to live, the things that they want in the space, and make it super custom to them.

When did you first know you wanted to become an interior designer, and was there a defining moment or piece of advice that shaped your path?
The career pivot really just happened organically. It was always a personal passion of mine, but truthfully wasn’t something I even knew people got paid to do! Translating something I loved doing into an actual career has been a truly incredible experience. 

Walk us through your studio and desk setup. What's always within arm’s reach when you're deep in a project? 
I like to call my desk beautifully chaotic. It's a mixture of daily syncs with my assistant, to-dos, a notebook for my coaching calls, samples, a measuring tape, my microphone, and usually a black coffee. My studio, on the other hand, is much more calming. It's designed to be a space you want to come to, to lounge in, to spend time in. Lighting helps to set the mood, the furniture placement allows you to pick up and work wherever the mood strikes. 

 

Avon Floor Lamp and Folly Beach Table Lamp by Hudson Valley Lighting
Design: Nicole Fisher, Photo: Rebecca Miller

 

What influences most strongly shape your design approach: travel, architecture, other designers, or something else?
I would say travel is the number one thing that inspires me. Experiencing different cultures, different places, and seeing things really for the first time or finding new things in places that I've frequented before always inspires me and triggers something new for my work.

What’s igniting your creative spark these days? 
A challenge! Something we haven't done before. Something that pushes our team's creativity to the limits.

What are your first steps when approaching a new project, and which part of the design process do you find most rewarding?
First, we always want to understand how the client wants to live in the space. Every part of what we do gets customized to them. We take into consideration the architecture, the history of the building, and the functionality of how it stands right now. The most rewarding part of the design process is the final reveal, when they get to see everything for the first time, and we get to witness their genuine excitement. We've had some really special reveals over the years, and it just makes all the crazy worth it!

 

French Ridge Table Lamp by Hudson Valley Lighting

 

Is there a project that taught you something surprising about how light can shape space or feeling? 
I think dimmers are the thing that changed my life. It's one of my obsessions. Lighting really just changes everything. You can have a stunning light fixture but blinding wattage or color that's too cool that can ruin it. I learned that the hard way with recessed lighting on one of my first jobs. Thank goodness the world of LED has allowed us to more easily change the temperature. 

What’s a small design detail you obsess over that others might overlook? 
I obsess over lightbulbs. I am obsessed with lighting temperature and strength. It can easily be the biggest thing to change the mood. 

What design trends are you personally drawn to right now, and how are you able to incorporate them into this project?
I tend to stay away from trends - in fact, I usually say that I don't do trends at all, because they often don’t allow for things that spark joy. I use a ton of vintage pieces in all of my projects to create a truly unique and timeless feel - and to me, those are the types of elements in any design that become conversation pieces!

 

Yvette Wall Sconce by Mitzi

 

What advice would you give to someone designing a space today, especially those working with limited budgets or just starting out in the industry?
The number one thing to think about is what you love. Don't look to Pinterest and Instagram to copy or borrow ideas. Take inspiration from things and create something that's uniquely yours. You don't need to spend a fortune, but you do need to be intentional about what you choose. It means that it will make all of the difference to you how special it is. 

Looking back, what do you hope people feel when they walk into a space you’ve designed? 
I hope they feel a WOW. I want the eye to travel, to have a true emotional reaction, and just fall in love. Like they never want to leave.

Explore more of Nicole Fisher’s work here!