The Homewares Designer You Need to Know

 

While researching apartment warming gifts for my last Sweet Lemon feature, I discovered Nicole Porter on Etsy and knew I had to share! I instantly loved her hand-printed graphic textiles and lacquered wood housewares. Nicole’s use of bold color and eye-catching prints make both a fun and fresh statement. Her collection will not only perk up your dining table, but will also definitely be a talking point when you entertain.

Her simple yet strong approach to design with the use of clean lines, vibrant colors and punchy graphic prints has caught the attention of the industry. Her pieces have already been featured in several blogs and magazines, including: New York Magazine, InStyle, Redbook, Martha Stewart Living, Washingtonian, Food & Wine, Everyday with Rachael Ray, Queensland Homes, Apartment Therapy and DailyCandy as well as HGTV’s “Design Star.”

 

A big turning point came for Nicole in December of 2012 when she was featured on One Kings Lane as a flash sale and had great success. Her website reported that Nicole sold out more than 75% of the items offered and she was able to pack and ship over 150 orders from her studio in Astoria, Queens.

A hardworking homeware designer on the rise, I was eager to learn about the mover and shaker behind the yellow glasses.

Tell me a little about how you started Nicole Porter.

I started Nicole Porter in the fall of 2010 after I had been laid off of a copywriting job in New York City. I had literally no savings and I knew that even with unemployment, I wouldn’t be able to afford to feed myself while I looked for another job. A friend offered to let me babysit her two dogs for a week and I used that time to sort out an action plan. I used the money to purchase supplies for samples and my business was born.

Did you attend art or design school? What other experiences have helped you develop your design work?

I didn’t attend design school. I think at that time I would have thought that it was entirely too impractical. Today, I see the value in it, but I’m grateful for my communications degree. My favorite uncle growing up was a fine artist and I spent a lot of time in his studio. He’d let me sketch on a note pad while he painted these huge oil paintings in bright vivid colors. I believe that a lot of my aesthetic sense comes from my experiences with him.

What do you think makes Nicole Porter unique?  

I’m not sure if my “uniqueness” is a brand issue or a personal one. It may be a little of both. The brand skews towards clean lines and solid, bright patches of color. I like to let the form and the shape of the piece do the work, I just highlight it with color.

 

Where do you gain inspiration for your designs?

I draw inspiration from literally everywhere. Growing up I loved watching old Doris Day and Marilyn Monroe movies with my mom and aunt. They grew up in the 60s and today I’m in love with that modern, bubble gum aesthetic. Other times I will literally wake up from a dream and an idea will hit me like lightening. I’ll google to make sure that no one else has done it and then I’ll spend another hour trying to figure out why no one has.

What is your favorite part about designing housewares and textiles?

My favorite part of this space is that the palette to create is so wide. Housewares and textiles is equal parts function and art. I’m not sure if this is true for everyone, but I tend to buy housewares like most people buy clothing. I have a few key pieces I tend to rotate every season.

How was the experience of being featured on One Kings Lane?

I absolutely adore the ladies at One Kings Lane. I had been approached by a few other companies at the same time and I really make it a point to meet the people with whom I’m doing business. I was about three hours into my first event when my pieces started to sell out. I distinctly remember standing in Union Square thinking, “Is this the moment that my whole life changes?” Turns out, yes, it was.

What would we find you doing when you are not working on Nicole Porter?

I actually don’t experience a lot of downtime and I work seven days a week. If I’m not filling orders, I’m taking pictures, stocking more product, or creating something new.

Do you have any favorite design websites, blogs and/or magazines?

I have two or three magazines that I read consistently. The first being Entrepreneur followed by Martha Stewart Living and InStyle. I have a special love for Domino magazine.

What does the future hold for Nicole Porter?

I’m moving into product design right now so that I’ll be ready to show at NY Now in February 2014. I have interest from a few big box retailers since opening my brand and I am focusing on ways that I can smartly expand my business.

Do you have any advice for our Sweet Lemon readers looking to build their own business?  

Anyone planning on starting their own business should expect to put in twice as much work and receive half as much money. The luxury of having a regular job is that you can punch out when you leave the building. Owning your own business means that you work when you’re awake. If you can see yourself happy doing anything else go ahead and do that feeling secure in your choice. But if you go to sleep, wake up, and spend all your time thinking about starting a business, your heart has already made the decision for you and it’s time to listen.

 

You can follow Nicole Porter on  & 

Visit Nicole Porter’s website, Etsy shop & these retailers across the country to shop her collection.

 

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