Nicole Cohen is the epitome of a boss. Her designs are just the right amount of edgy, just the right amount of sleek, (take a peek at any of her photos to see what we mean) and she is a (wo)man of many talents. Not only is she the mastermind and eye behind the designs, but she’s behind the lens as the photographer, too. Her path to design hasn’t been a linear one, and there’s so much to learn from her. That’s why we’re the luckiest to have gotten to sit down with her to pick her brain on all-things-creativity and hear more about her most recent project, a rebuilt colonial from the 1930s. Alright now, take a seat, and scroll on down!
a conversation with nicole…
1
Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey and how you got your start as a designer.
I took the long road to interior design! I started as a blogger who was just obsessed with interiors back in 2008. From there, I started shooting a lot for my blog, and it was through some mentorships with some great interior photographers that I began to shoot and style interiors. I occasionally took on very small projects, which I was perfectly happy doing. When a childhood friend approached me and asked me to “consult” on their remodel in 2016, it all kinda just blew up from there and there was no looking back!
2
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get started or make a transition into this world, but is feeling stuck?
I would say go work for another designer. That is something I wish I did, but since I wasn’t actively looking to get into interior design, and was always planning on staying on the periphery of the industry, I didn’t really get the chance. I would also say, training your eye and developing your taste is the most important thing you can do. Consume as much design media as possible (and not just from Instagram) and build your world. Another thing that I’ve seen a lot of designers do to jump start their career is to make your own house really really amazing. It doesn’t have to be an expensive remodel, but using your own home to showcase your ideas is a great way to put your design aesthetic out there.
3
What’s one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career?
4
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Cohesiveness and simplicity are the key in all things.
5
Where do you find your inspo?
Design books, historical rooms and homes, magazines, and of course tons of Instagram consumption. Every Sunday I’ve been sharing my saves of the week. I only post my own work on my own feed, so the Sunday Inspo is a chance for me to share the inspiration that I am consuming.
6
You’re a photographer and an interior designer. How do you do it all and what’s your definition of balance?
7
What are five things you can’t live without right now?
Instacart, chairs, affordable art, sunlight, very, very, very bad reality tv.
8
You recently finished a remodel of a charming colonial built in the 30s and we’re completely obsessed. What is the story behind the house?
9
What are some of your favorite aspects of the house?
10
How did you keep the history of the house alive through the remodel process?
11
What’s next for Nicole Cohen?
I have a lot of projects from the 2019 year that I cant wait to finish and shoot (like 6!!!) and we have a few very exciting projects upcoming. I plan to shoot more in this year, produce more art, and I’ve made a bunch of custom furniture for clients and Im looking into how to make some custom furniture available to non clients.
Comment