Nicole Hollis: Light, Art, and Timeless Interior Design

Discover how Nicole Hollis redefines luxurious interiors with light, texture, and art — and how HOMMÉS Studio complements her bold and elegant approach.

Nicole Hollis is a name that has become synonymous with sophisticated, soulful interior design. Known for her ability to seamlessly blend art, architecture, and interior elements, Nicole creates elevated and deeply livable living spaces. Her firm is celebrated for designing residences that reflect their inhabitants’ personalities while maintaining a consistent standard of beauty and clarity.

Nicole consistently delivers spaces that exude warmth, elegance, and understated drama, from dark city apartments to expansive California estates. At the core of her design philosophy is that light, materiality, and minimalism should harmonize to create a functional and inspiring home. The Presidio Heights project, one of her most renowned residential works, encapsulates her thoughtful approach and impeccable taste.

Nicole’s unwavering commitment to restraint, intentionality, and material integrity sets her apart from her peers. She favors natural stone, wood, and plaster over artificial substitutes. Her color schemes are subdued but rich in nuance. Even when working with large or opulent homes, Nicole maintains a sense of calm and intimacy.

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Presidio Heights: A Showcase of Nicole Hollis’s Genius

The Presidio Heights residence in San Francisco is a striking example of Nicole’s visionary design. Designed for a young couple and their three children, the 13,000-square-foot home must reflect the family’s appreciation for contemporary art while offering a comfortable and enduring space for daily life.

Nicole approached the project with her signature restraint and respect for materials. Upon entering the home, visitors are met with a dramatic, sculptural staircase made of white plaster—a bold architectural gesture setting the entire space’s tone. Near the stairs sits a bronze, mirror-polished pumpkin by the legendary artist Yayoi Kusama, establishing the home’s status as a living gallery.

Light, Art, and Craftsmanship in Harmony

Natural light pours in from oversized windows that frame the lush greenery of Presidio Park, blurring the line between indoors and out. Nicole maximizes this natural feature by using reflective finishes, light-colored walls, and transparent textiles to draw brightness into every corner. The home is luxurious but never ostentatious—every choice is deliberate, every surface inviting.

The formal dining room is a standout space, where artist Ingrid Donat’s hand-cast bronze elements—wall panels, fireplace trim, and a monumental dining table—combine in a symphony of artistry and function. These pieces, shipped from Donat’s Paris studio and installed by local artisans over 18 months, exemplify Nicole Hollis’s commitment to craftsmanship and global collaboration.

Nicole Hollis’s Strategy for Brightening Interiors

Informed by architectural principles and lifestyle needs, Nicole Hollis brings a masterful touch to even the darkest rooms. Her process for transforming dim or underwhelming interiors includes several thoughtful, repeatable techniques: Nicole Hollis never relies on a single light source. Instead, she uses a strategic mix of recessed lighting, sconces, pendant lights, and floor lamps to cast light across different planes. This creates dimension and avoids flat, uninspired lighting conditions. Materials like polished bronze, glass, lacquered wood, and mirrored panels bounce light around the space. Nicole often pairs these reflective elements with matte textures to balance shine and softness.

Creating Airiness Through Color, Light, and Simplicity

Walls, ceilings, and furnishings often feature light tones—think chalky white, pale beige, or soft taupe—to create a bright but soothing environment. Nicole Hollis complements these hues with natural wood tones and soft blacks for contrast. Wherever privacy allows, Nicole opts for sheer linen drapes or no window coverings. This allows daylight to pour in freely, enhancing the connection to the outdoors. Nicole Hollis is known for her carefully curated interiors. She limits the number of furnishings and accessories, creating open space for light to move and for focal points to stand out. This sense of clarity and visual breathing room is essential to her aesthetic. These strategies don’t just improve lighting—they improve livability. With Nicole, design is not just about visual appeal but about improving how people feel in a space.

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The Hallmarks of Nicole Hollis’s Style

Nicole Hollis’s unwavering commitment to restraint, intentionality, and material integrity sets her apart from her peers. She favors natural stone, wood, and plaster over artificial substitutes. Her color schemes are subdued but rich in nuance. Even when working with large or opulent homes, Nicole maintains a sense of calm and intimacy.

Another hallmark of Nicole Hollis’s work is her close collaboration with artists and craftspeople. Many of the furnishings in her interiors are one-of-a-kind pieces created by artisans worldwide. In the Presidio Heights project, she integrated works by both local and international artists, ensuring that the home felt personal, cultural, and current.

Nicole also balances modernity with timelessness. While her spaces may feature modern art and minimalist forms, they are never sterile or overly trendy. She understands how to design for longevity in terms of style and comfort.

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HOMMÉS Studio and Nicole Hollis: A Shared Vision

Nicole Hollis’s philosophy aligns beautifully with that of HOMMÉS Studio, a brand specializing in high-end, sculptural furniture and decor. HOMMÉS Studio pieces are bold, artistic, and impeccably crafted, often becoming focal points in their rooms. Much like Nicole, HOMMÉS Studio values the intersection of art and function.

A Nicole interior, with its soft tonal layers and elegant minimalism, is the perfect setting for a HOMMÉS Studio piece. For example, a statement sideboard from HOMMÉS in polished brass or a marble-topped console table would feel right at home alongside Hollis’s curated lighting and natural textures. Their shared focus on craftsmanship, quality materials, and sculptural form makes them a harmonious match.

Homeowners can achieve serene and dynamic spaces by pairing Nicole’s calm architectural style with HOMMÉS Studio’s artistic flair, which is rich in form and feeling.

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Where Art Meets Interior Mastery

Nicole Hollis is more than an interior designer—she’s a storyteller, an artist, and a curator of experience. Her work invites us to rethink how light, space, and material can work together to create meaningful places to live, rest, and connect. From the Presidio Heights residence to her broader portfolio, Nicole proves that timeless design doesn’t have to shout—it can whisper with authority.

If Nicole Hollis’s approach inspires you and you want to infuse your home with that same spirit of refinement, HOMMÉS Studio offers a collection that perfectly complements her style. Discover our latest pieces today and bring home the harmony of art and design.

Sources: Elle Decor & Yinjispace & Nicole Hollis