In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.
For Nicole Cole, design is a vessel. Figuratively speaking, she practices her craft by carrying all kinds of intriguing influences into a space, from a contemporary citrus wallpaper print rendered in an unexpected palette of bisque, sage and teal, to a warm wool-velvet textile adorned with hieroglyphic waves and dots, to handfuls of antique hardware that add old-timey charm to cabinet faces. Then there’s the more literal interpretation of the theme: her choice of a classic terra cotta amphora with a raw, tactile finish; a grasscloth wallcovering displaying primitive, collage-like depictions of earthenware urns; and a small sculptural ceramic vase speckled with a salt-and-pepper glaze. Whether as a metaphor or made manifest, the vessel is an apt symbol for the bounty of forms, materials and tones that the Philadelphia-based founder and principal of Vestige Home brings to her projects. “All the things that spark joy for me—color, texture, collecting, artisanal quality and storytelling—came together to inspire my flat lay,” says the designer.
No stranger to historic homes—a 1925 bungalow in Jacksonville, Florida’s Riverside-Avondale district and a 1910 farmhouse in Norfolk, Nebraska, are among her personal properties—Cole imbues renovations and new builds alike with elements that gently suggest bygone seasons and introduce a hint of soul. A “quietly colorful” assortment of her preferred blues, greens, aubergines and pinks serves as a saturated backdrop for a scattering of pebbles, seashells and seedpods. They’re placed alongside original pieces such as catchalls by a ceramicist in Missouri, illustrated tiles by a painter in Michigan, and a “witches cabinet” fashioned from walnut, maple and ash woods in New York’s Hudson Valley. “Many of the items in my mood board are by independent artists or design houses and feature materials or processes that focus on a handmade quality [with] a sense of time and patina to it,” she says. “Story, layers and imperfection tie the elements together.”
With winter settling in across much of the country, Cole’s selections offer a cozy retreat from the cold. “I picture a mix of these fabrics on upholstered furniture, surrounded by patterns on the walls,” she says. “The stone or tile would make a great fireplace surround, with the large amphora grounding a leggy houseplant.” All that’s left to add to the idyllic scene is a handheld vessel—be it a funky mug or vintage cup and saucer—filled to the brim with steaming hot chocolate or herbal tea. Below, the designer discusses the items that define her vision.
1. WITCHES CABINET BY SAWKILL
“A great example of furniture as art. This piece is interesting and unexpected; it feels simultaneously a little folksy and modern. The scenes are custom-painted, and I love the idea of creating something personal wherever this piece finds a home.”
2. ARIA AMPHORA JAR PLANTER BY TERRAIN
“I have a love affair with the amphora shape: in ceramics, in patterns, even in jewelry. This planter is such a great scale for plopping in a big ole wild branch or houseplant. The perfectly imperfect, raw, earthy finish from the firing of the vessel adds so much character.”
3. HONED ROSA LEVANTO MARBLE
“There’s nothing like natural stone. The depth of color and the softness of the honed finish of Rosa Levanto pairs so beautifully with many hues of cabinetry and wood tones, and offers an interesting visual element beyond your typical white marble.”
4. MALINDI FABRIC IN OLIVE BY PIERRE FREY
“This reversible jacquard is so fun! The green-and-blue colorway is one of my favorite combos, and its long-haired side is a little weird and so wonderful! I’m a big fan of bringing gridded patterns into our projects, particularly when mixed with florals or dots.”
5. CINTAMANI FABRIC IN 02 BY ZAK+FOX
“This luscious wool-velvet has been on my mind for a while now, waiting to be incorporated into the perfect project. Each Zak+Fox fabric and wallpaper has a story that adds to the depth of the design.”
6. FOAM FABRIC IN CINNABAR/WHITE BY ROSEMARY HALLGARTEN
“Another great fabric and pattern for mixing. Rosemary Hallgarten uses the most decadent textiles in such unique ways. This alpaca boucle would be wonderful on a chair in a primary bedroom—the perfect (and softest) spot to end the day with a good book.”
7. SLOANE STRIPE-VL FABRIC IN DEEP SEA BY THE VALE LONDON AT FABRICUT
“A dainty stripe in the most wonderful blue and green shades makes my heart sing. I love the idea of using this on café curtains or a long lumbar cushion in a sunroom.”
8. RS DRESSER BY BICYCLETTE
“I have been a fan of Brian Christopher’s designs for years. His minimalist furniture with unexpected twists—slightly bulbous legs, exposed joinery, contrasting wood hardware and mixed materials—make his pieces not only functional but also works of art.”
9. TERRACOTTA SISAL GRASSCLOTH IN PEARL BY NIKI WADLINGTON FINE WALLCOVERINGS
“I recently discovered this wallpaper line, and I love the unique patterns and muted colors. This one pairs two of my favorite motifs—ceramic vessels and florals—and I relish the nubby texture the grasscloth gives. It could be cool in a pantry or vestibule as an accent to cabinetry or millwork.”
10. VALE STRIPE-VL FABRIC IN CHESTNUT BY THE VALE LONDON at fabricut
“Playful and structured. I adore this fabric’s color palette of burgundy and deep taupe. I could see it working as accent pillows or an entire headboard in a bedroom.”
11. SERAI FABRIC IN ENVY BY KELLY WEARSTLER FOR LEE JOFA MODERN
“This slubby, textural fabric has a soft hand feel and distinct color palette that pairs well with warm and cool tones. I picture it upholstering a bench.”
12. CERAMIC ART BY ALYSSA ANN SMITH
“I cherish a good story, particularly when there are elements of mindfulness and gratitude to it. Bringing together cross sections of ceramics, printmaking and drawing, artist Alyssa Ann Smith recently created 100 pieces that celebrate all the ways to appreciate life and the beauty around us, even amidst difficult circumstances. These pieces continually remind me to slow down and acknowledge what is important.”
13. NATURE FINDS
“I am an avid collector of rocks, twigs, seedpods—all the things you might find while strolling down the sidewalk or on a hike in the woods. My design practice draws heavily on inspiration from nature, and surrounding myself with these items offers me the chance to study them and contemplate how their characteristics may apply to our designs.”
14. GAMBIT ZELLIGE TILE IN PLUM + PURPLE IRIS + PORTUGUESE BLUE BY ZIA TILE
“I love zellige tile for its handmade nature. The slightly uneven surface and variability in glaze make it a popular choice in our projects. I was drawn to this particular one due to the daintiness of the gridded pattern, and the colors, which are rich and playful.”
15. ANTIQUE HARDWARE
“In addition to natural objects, I also love collecting vintage hardware. It’s another opportunity to study forms. Oftentimes these pieces make it into our interiors, or they serve as inspiration for custom pieces.”
16. CERAMIC CATCHALLS BY THE OBJECT ENTHUSIAST
“I picked up these dishes on a recent trip to Kansas City from one of my longtime artist friends. Fun fact: When I was a woodworker years ago, [The Object Enthusiast founder] Emily [Reinhardt] and I met at her studio in Omaha and spent a day making spoons together in each of our respective mediums. These little dishes are perfect for holding rings or other small jewelry, or as a spoon rest in the kitchen. The speckly glaze with hints of green and pink has an ethereal quality to it.”
17. KYARA ROSE NO. 6 INCENSE BY JACK’S DAUGHTERS
“I love a home that looks good and smells good! All the scents from Jack’s Daughters’ line of incense are so good, but this rose might be my favorite—and it reminds me of my grandmother.”
18. MARSH WALLPAPER IN LAGOON BY KELLY VENTURA
“Simple yet moody, this paper combines a modern vibe with a traditional motif in an unexpected color palette. It would be great in a bedroom or dining space.”
19. BATLLÓ HOUSE KNOB IN BRASS BY GAUDÍ & BARCELONA SHOP
“While in Barcelona last fall, I visited many of the homes Gaudí designed, and it was a life-changing experience. Gaudí’s use of form and his playful approach to design were fascinating to experience, and I ended up bringing back some of his hardware pieces as a souvenir to install in my own home. This pull will find a place on one of the funny little corner closets in our hallway.”
20. CERAMIC VASE BY OATMEAL
“Elise [Birnbaum]’s slightly wonky forms and earthen glazes have been a longtime love of mine. Just as pretty on their own or with a few sprigs from the garden, her pieces offer opportunities for a perfect sculptural moment almost anywhere.”
21. CITRUS WALLPAPER IN SWEET DUSK BY PAPIER
“This pattern reminds me of dancing citrus. There’s such a great energy and whimsy to it—and the colors are gorgeous!”
