San Francisco-based interior designer Nicole Hollis founded a design firm in 2002 with her name, NICOLEHOLLIS. Known for her bold and sophisticated style, Nicole has tremendous respect for architecture and landscape. In her edited and edgy spaces, this top interior designer masterfully plays with neutral color – palettes of black, white, and grey. All of this has made her a favorite designer with clients in the tech and financial industries.

HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME

With her heart in San Francisco, Nicole always had Hawaii in her mind and now, she has a home on the Big Island.

If you look carefully, Hollis‘ approach is shown all over the house. Her interiors are beyond opulent and luxurious, they are tranquil and invigorating, minimalist and timeless. It is already known that her purpose in everything she does is to elevate the human spirit.

Nicole Hollis cares about creating spaces that complement the architecture and never the opposite. Architect Greg Warner, of the San Francisco-based firm Walker Warner, designed a central pavilion that invites the landscape in.

“I’m not afraid to use black—to me it’s just as important as white.” – Nicole Hollis at Galerie Magazine

Dressed up with glass doors that remain open, the house structure almost disappears were it not for the materials that offer heaviness, such as cedar for walls and ceilings, basalt for floors, and marble for kitchens and baths.

Marveling San Francisco Bay

Let’s go back to when we said that Nicole is one of the most popular designers with clients in the tech and finance industries. Well, one of them recently returned to Sausalito after living for years on East Coast. This very client wanted a home overlooking San Francisco bay where he could entertain friends and spend time with his grown daughters.

Keeping it simple but always eye-catching – Nicole Hollis way – at the entrance hall we can look at the yellow sculpture that is an exclamation point by Richard Artschwager, offering a playful burst of exuberance.

The owner’s interests in art, the outdoors, and social entrepreneurship all consciously and unconsciously influenced the design process. Nicole Hollis followed her client’s ideas and passions and worked as a team with John Lum Architecture to create a home that is as bold as it is understated.

Some walls were removed on the first floor so the interiors could be more roomy, free-flowing living and dining area, where Nicole Hollis laid a limestone floor and added warm white plaster to the walls.

Holly Baxter & Associates advised on the art purchases, including the Pae White “Smoke” tapestry that overlooks the dining area. Hollis designed the smoked oak table, having in mind her client’s desire that it be used for both poker games and meals.

Now, in a more spacious room and free of obstructions, the kitchen is a step away from the living room and has oak floors and low cabinets so as not to interfere with the view. Murano glass and silver-plated brass sconces by De Cotiis break up the strict orthogonality of the space, while walnut stools with angular backs by Nicole Hollis sit beneath the island counter.

According to Hollis, the main focus was to combine a sense of tranquillity with the superb view. For sure, it was a success, right? Nicole Hollis‘s diverse portfolio includes everything from Bay Area-inspired hotel interiors to modern rustic wineries to private nightclub-style penthouses. Working very closely with architects, her team is acting from the beginning to influence everything from interior design to lighting design.

What do you think about Nicole Hollis‘ interiors? Let us know!

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