THE TRADE EXCLUSIVE
Kathy Kuo Home Trade Member Spotlight: Nesting Place Interiors
Hi, cuties! I have to tell you that I am just so, so, so excited to share this month’s Kathy Kuo Home Trade Member Spotlight—Nesting Place Interiors—because each and every one of their coastal-chic designs is sure to transport you to the most serene Florida beach oasis…and I think that’s what most of us need once February rolls around!
In seriousness though, let me tell you a bit about my friends at Nesting Place Interiors! They’re a full-service interior design business based in Ponte Vedra Beach, on Florida’s northeast coast; they primarily work with Florida-based clients, though they do work in other states (plus the beautiful Bahamas) as well! Nesting place was founded 12 years ago by principal designer Coleen Norris with the mission to create beautiful and elegant spaces that reflect each of their clients.
“Our experience [with the KKH Trade Program] thus far has been phenomenal and we plan to be long-time partners. By far, the customer service at KKH is exceptional, which is a key differentiator. Our dedicated Trade rep is so helpful and responsive! Additionally, the inventory features styles and brands that we love and the website is extremely user friendly.” -Coleen Norris
We caught up with Coleen Norris about all things design, what’s new with Nesting Place Interiors, and where she finds joy and inspiration. No surprise given how wonderfully she executes coastal beach design, Coleen finds inspiration from the natural beauty of the Florida coast, and when she”s not working, she loves a beach day with good friends and glass of wine, as well as quality family time with her husband and sons!
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Tell our readers about your business—what are your specialties and core offerings?
Nesting Place Interiors is a full-service interior design firm based in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. We offer a wide range of design solutions to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of residential homes in our beachside community.
“Our designers provide end-to-end services, guiding clients through every stage of the design process, from conceptualization to completion.”
I am so proud of our client collaboration, where we ensure that the client’s vision is realized while working hand-in-hand throughout the design process.
Do you have a favorite interior design style to work with on projects?
First and foremost, our design development is driven by the individual client’s needs and desires. As most homes are within our beach community, we tend to lean into a coastal aesthetic that is approachable—never stuffy—as well as comfortable and crisp, with layered organic elements throughout.
How would you describe the style of your own home? What’s your favorite piece of furniture or decor that you own?
We recently completed the new construction and design of my home on the shores of the Atlantic. The exterior architecture of the residence was inspired by the unparalleled beauty of Alys Beach, with meticulous attention to details including dutch colonial parapets, custom copper chimney pot and reclaimed shutters flanking the entryway. Inside, you will find clean, organic and textured elements, multiple sets of reclaimed antique doors and accents inspired by the French countryside.
“I have been collecting and curating pieces for this home over the last several years. One of my favorite finds was a set of arched antique French doors. Our talented builder created a custom door frame just for these doors and they are now the entrance to our wine room where we hope they live for another 100 years!”
I have so many treasured pieces—trying to choose just one is like asking me to pick my favorite child! In addition to the reclaimed doors, I am obsessed with the custom rope bed in a guest room, a white bleached antique dresser and 19 th century antique flax thresher that I found at an antique shop along the way.
Tell us about a notable project from the past few years.
How could I pick just one?! As I was starting out in this business over 12 years ago, my one goal was to design one local oceanfront beach house.
Now, Nesting Place Interiors has executed new construction (as well as complete renovation) to multiple beachfront homes, so we are truly blessed and fortunate to see this business expand as it has. It has truly been a dream come true watching my business grow over the years.
What have been some of the biggest joys and challenges you’ve faced in your career in the design industry?
Without question, I wake up every morning full of gratitude and joy when I reflect on the fact I am surrounded by 11 other incredible, creative, and truly kind women that drive this business forward. Without them, Nesting Place would not be where it is today nor have brought me such immense joy.
In terms of challenges, I think most designers can attest that the work can be all-consuming at times and the quest to find that elusive work-life balance is always a challenge!
“I am so blessed to love my clients dearly, but it is important that I remind myself to connect with my family and friends and enjoy my “me” time as well!”
Are there any design trends you see on the horizon for the year to come? Any trends on their way out?
While it is important to understand and study current design trends, I also believe that classic design is timeless. We see lots of organic, neutral materials with subdued colors mixed in and especially for us along the coast, we see lots of textures, limewashed pecky cypress, and reclaimed antiques woven throughout our designs.
“Most of the design world already knows that shiplap, barn doors, and gray accents are out, but I do see that ultra-modern minimalism is going out and more layered spaces full of color and pattern are coming in.”
What advice would you give someone who wants to work with an interior designer on their home, but they feel intimidated or hesitant?
No need to feel intimidated! Our goal is to make any project easier for you. Over the last decade, I can confidently say that designers will ultimately save the client money because we get it right on the first try!
We have the vast experience of working on countless projects and with multiple contractors and vendors on a daily basis. We see it and touch it all, so a client that maybe hasn’t worked on a home project at all, or at least in a few years, will not have the expertise and connections that we do.
Speaking to fellow design pros: what advice do you have about working a challenging client or overcoming unforeseen obstacles on a design project?
It is imperative for a designer to be boldly honest with all aspects of the design process—budgets, timelines, deadlines, potential issues, etc. At the start of any project, I always lay out expectations, including the very real possibility that things may not run smoothly, and this helps maintain sanity when the inevitable unforeseen obstacle occurs.
I also think it is helpful to establish that there can only be one leader to a project. We will always strive to understand the client’s vision and how they plan to live within their space, but we need to guide them throughout the process.
Where do you draw the most inspiration from as a designer?
As you can probably guess, our beautiful beach is our greatest inspiration. From the gorgeous sunrises and sunset skies to the ever changing tides and waves, the beach always leaves us awestruck.
“Our coastal location provides a natural connection for indoor/outdoor transitional spaces where our clients can capture the best of the beach lifestyle.”
Are there any exciting updates with your business that you’d like our readers to know about?
Yes! In addition to taking on more challenging and complex projects, in Florida and across the US, we are always looking for ways to evolve and grow the business to the next level.
With that, we are focused on expanding our audience, most notably our social media audience, outside of Florida. We want to not only showcase our work, but create tutorials to share our expertise.
The Kathy Kuo Home Trade Program
Feeling inspired by Maggie Griffin Design? If you’re an interior designer or architect you can apply to our Trade Program to enjoy a wide array of professional benefits, as well as access to a thriving community of interior design pros. You can learn all about it HERE, but in brief, KKH Trade members receive: Competitive Trade Pricing, Free Shipping, Low Storage Fees, Dedicated Trade Specialist to Coordinate Orders from Start to Finish.
