AN ENGLISH EYE Q & A with Nicola

Q. Where in the UK are you from? 

Although I was born in Paris, my family is from Buckinghamshire, where our heritage in the area is traceable back to the 16th century. Specifically, our family home is in Burnham Beeches, Beaconsfield, a beautiful countryside area noted for it’s ancient and protected beech trees. The surrounding region is referred to as the Chiltern Hills, which is designated as an British Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Chiltern Hills, Buckinghamshire, UK

The Windsor Chair , c. 17 century

Also of interest is the nearby market town of High Wycombe, which operated many lace and linen mills from the middle ages onwards until the 18th century when the town became most well known for furniture production and is credited with designing the Windsor chair. My paternal great grandfather was a managing director of Gomm’s Furniture factories, the largest production facility of its kind operating in the UK at the time. It’s a heritage town and industry!

Q. What was your first role in design and how did you get your start? 

I was very fortunate when, back in 2001, a high end residential design firm took a chance on me and I was hired as a design assistant. At that time, I had no design education, so effectively, I found my niche and absorbed every bit of knowledge possible. I was mentored and trained by senior staff and also fortunate that this small firm was very committed to good processes and business systems. I quickly came to understand that this is critical to a well completed project. This is not something necessarily taught in design school. When I later undertook design coursework, I found myself many steps ahead. This was due to the valuable field experience I had already gained working for several different design practices, which gave me a practical understanding that complemented the mechanics and theory taught in my studies. Since founding Chipps Interiors in 2013, I have applied that initial intensive learning experience in sound project management for  my own practice.

Q. What are some of the most memorable projects you have worked on? 

My favorite residential projects are homes in the country, whether the vineyards of Napa Valley or the rolling British hills. It’s so much about outdoor living and creating comfortable guest hospitality experiences for entertaining friends. While I have had some wonderful clients and projects of my own - a country manor in the UK, a historic Napa Eastlake Victorian and an iconic wine country Mediterranean style estate - there were also few big highlights that shaped my expertise when working at other firms.  In San Francisco, we saw completion of a $3.5 million dollar remodel on an $15 million dollar residence on the Gold Coast of Pacific Heights. The Golden Gate Bridge views from the fourth floor terrace bar were spectacular. 

Another stand out was an extraordinary beach home completed in Bolinas for an artist. It was meticulously crafted of bespoke furnishings, exotic woods and many imported Southeast Asian artifacts such as Balinese doors that were used throughout. There was no expense spared to evoke a high bohemian style. Truly an inspired artist’s retreat. 

Bolinas Coast

Q. What kind of commercial clients have you worked with and what’s different about these types of projects? 

Whereas residential work is highly personal and a lifestyle study, commercial work is a different challenge for how branding can be activated into the built environment and retain audience appeal.  It’s a far more objective exercise and all about defining the brand to retain a strong impression in the marketplace. I worked with Ross Valley Real Estate in Marin County on their first and, flagship offices. The overall goal was to create a space that evoked luxury real estate but also connection with the community, to invite prospective buyers or sellers to engage and build transactional trust. The offices are located next to a Peet’s coffee, so high visibility was a driving factor. 

Ross Valley Real Estate

For founder Keith Offord, I designed an entire branding package that included a logo, signage and a signature color palette that we further activated in the space through lighting, seating areas,  a bar and beverage station, storage and other fixtures and equipment. 

It's a modern, clean and organic space - much less office and much more collaborative workspace -  including polished concrete floors, rich walnut wall paneling and bold overscaled furnishings. 

The aesthetics are about access to luxury properties but also just feeling welcome to stop in for a chat and a coffee.

My experience also extends to designing tasting rooms and wineries, where the focus is entirely on crafting hospitality-centric environments that embody the winery's brand. In this industry, it’s all about encouraging leisurely, long visits for learning about and investing in great wine collections. And most importantly, a high quality and memorable direct to consumer experience worth repeating.

Q. What inspires you at the beginning of a project? How do you get into the process? 

It’s first and foremost about building a relationship and engaging in a thorough design dialogue. We seek to define a design direction of purpose and meaning, but most importantly heritage. This is about building the narrative of a home and its inhabitants, or brand with its service or products.  From this, emerges themes that define the key elements of style and functionality. Its also a studied exploration of the architecture converging with desired experience within the space. But yes, sometimes, it can just come down to a great design feature, or object that inspires a whole project. Like a great front door, antique light fixture or the historic landmark status of a building that becomes thematic to the design development as a whole. 

Q. Favorite Sources? 

There are so many favorite sources!  After years of developing relationships with many talented purveyors worldwide, I always source at least a few references to English design in any project. 

I  return to English textiles, bespoke furniture makers, heritage craft and of course, art and antique resources again and again.  It is, after all, my English eye for seeking the best of British excellence and fostering lasting collaborations, all through a truly transatlantic perspective.  

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Quick Fire Round!

Q. Design Diva or Scatterbrain? 

Neither, our studio is a drama free zone where inspiration, organization and great team collaborations are our creative currency!

Q. Next Project on the Boards? 

We are excited to be working on the branding and re-design of a popular St. Helena cocktail and wine tasting lounge in a historic 1890 building. October 2025 Launch event is in the planning!

It has a bit of a scandalous speakeasy past! But foremost, it is a storied part of this wonderful wine country town. Watch this space for more behind the scenes!

Q. Modern or Classic?

 Well, it’s whatever the client prefers but for my own home, it’s classic through and through. 

Q. Black or white?

White, specifically Benjamin Moore's High Reflective White, my go - to  for crisp ceilings and trim.

   De Gournay

Q. Is wallpaper still popular?

Absolutely, it’s better than ever and never went out of style.

PE Guerin

Q. Brass or Chrome:

Brass, thank you!

P.E. Guerin Hardware is a great example and the oldest American manufacturer based in Manhattan's Greenwich Village dating back 160 years. It’s foundry and workrooms are an archival resource for classical design and heritage projects.

Q. Favorite London Hotel Bar: 

The Dukes, Mayfair for their legendary Martini. Potent, with a strict limit of 2 per person!

Q. Favorite Napa Valley Outdoor Bar:

Auberge du Soleil Terrace Bar for small bites and a glass of wonderful Napa Valley wine while enjoying inspiring views across the valley. I always bring my out of town guests here for a truly memorable wine country moment. The Auberge Resort Group never disappoints with it's impeccable service and many wonderful destinations worldwide.

Q. Best British Countryside Stay:

Cliveden House is a very stately property, built in the Palladian style and dating back to 1850.  Located in Taplow, it’s just 35 minutes from Central London and very close to my Buckinghamshire town of Burnham. It truly defines the heritage English countryside with it’s breathtaking 375 acres of surrounding parkland grounds and Thames riverfront access. Historically significant, the house is renown for it's illustrious and aristocratic owners and their notable guests, including every monarch since George I. Perhaps most well known in the 20th century was Viscount Astor who is attributed to hosting many diplomatic and political gatherings, known as the 'Cliveden Set. ' But most notoriously, it was the location of the  Profumo Affair in 1961, a scandal that rocked the British parliament with espionage and femme fatale double agent spies! The resulting intrigues were actually blamed for the resignation of a prime minister. It’s now far much more accessible as a top Relais & Chateau hotel, restaurant and spa. The Michelin Guide has recently awarded Cliveden House with a prestigious two-key rating. A visit there is not to be missed.

Cliveden House Hotel

Q. Favorite Iconic London Shopping Destination: 

After Pimlico Road’s many design shops, head straight to Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly. Established in 1707, it’s a great British institution, legendary for the perfectly proper Diamond Jubilee Tearoom. Tea is served loose leaf and the scones are perfection. Devon cream first, then the jam!

The Diamond Jubilee Tea Room

With four floors, Fortnum's is a Royal Warrant holding purveyor of the most delectable specialty foods, teas, coffees, freshly prepared delicacies, luxurious picnic hampers and fine wines. Don’t miss the cellar level champagne and caviar bar when parched from all the shopping! Cheers, indeed!

Q. Best time to go:

Christmas, for the over the top Holiday decor. Truly next level with wonderful gifts for every taste.

Fortnum’s Picadilly & The Royal Warrant