The Expertise:

Nicola completed her design training in Interior Architecture with UC Berkeley and the British College of Interior Design. Grateful and inspired by the opportunities to work with some of the premier design and architecture firms in the San Francisco Bay Area, Nicola developed her expertise over 15 years. Her first solo project was defined in 2013 by designing a premier residential model unit in partnership with a major national developer and architecture firm. NEMA SF became the platinum standard for residential urban development with it’s high tech amenities driven, luxury lifestyle community of 700 apartment homes positioned for the millennial tech workforce in San Francisco. Chipps Interiors continues to take commissions throughout the US West Coast and the UK, however the outstanding hospitality, winery and residential properties of the Napa Valley have become a specialty for the team’s developing portfolio of work. Prior to Nicola’s design guidance and practice, she trained as a classical actor in theater, film and voiceover. The rigors and discipline of this creative training, in addition to understanding the fundamentals of set design to create a narrative and engage in a collective experience has informed and refined her process. These are among just some of the tools accessed for inspiration to design spaces that communicate beauty and intention for a life well lived.

A Transatlantic View:

Celebrating Heritage and New Destinations: With a British family background in furniture production, design and the building trades, Nicola takes every new opportunity to elevate her heritage by promoting British and American design collaborations. Nicola has brought together renown leaders from architecture and design in conversation with such organizations as UK Trade & Investment and BritWeek, founded by the British Consulate, to celebrate creativity and innovation through British and American business partnerships. The team is constantly exploring and activating collaborations for creative best practices. We are continuously driven to create these transatlantic opportunities for design thinking and project exploration in top destination locations.

The Wine Country Lifestyle:

Now a resident of the Napa Valley, Nicola embraces the wine country lifestyle for it’s natural beauty, legacy of wine and culinary excellence and the truly generous spirit of the community. A prevailing mission of Chipps Interiors is to support local arts organizations and the rich access this offers to local makers and artisans. Nicola has an active curatorial advisory role with Middletown Art Center of Lake County. A critically needed and significant NEA Grant was awarded in July, 2020 to sustain this vital community resource through the impact of the Covid Crisis. Nicola has also taught virtual workshops for digital art marketing and professional development. With the development of virtual exhibits and conversations, MAC brings equal art and cultural opportunities to under-served rural communities who have proved remarkably resilient through recent devastating wildfire seasons. Read more about recent exhibits here.