Inside Designer Nicole Green’s Enchanting Orange County Home

Rip & Tan: This project boasts such a unique point of view—you can so easily imagine the lives lived here. Can you walk us through the process of tailoring the space and its mood to your lifestyle?

Nicole Green: The irony is that I originally designed our home when it was for the three of us—myself and my two children. It was designed to be a respite from work and the busyness of life as a single mom—a designated art room for me and my two creative children, a guest room, a home office, and plenty of storage for all our belongings. Two years ago we added five people to that once purposeful design and it has been quite the challenge! I have moved people and furniture around, added more furniture and created systems that fail and some that have worked. Now we have tailored it for our large family of eight, the constant stream of friends, big family meals, repurposing rooms, and so on. I guess that’s all to say—be flexible!

I love integrating treasured artifacts, family heirlooms, old photographs of grandparents, artwork of our extended family and meaningful souvenirs from travels in hopes my children will build the same appreciation I have for our heritage, ancestry and honoring pieces with history. 

I wanted the kids’ rooms to feel personal and unique to their identity. We added a lot of deeply saturated color, layered patterned textiles and playful art, allowing the kids’ rooms to reflect them and their unique personalities. Our bedroom is wrapped in Roman clay walls, sophisticated materials, beautiful textures, a fireplace and plush carpets afoot to create a soothing palette that feels luxurious. Creating moments like this make the space feel more tailored and personal. 

Rip & Tan: You’ve described your interiors as enchanting (to which we’d absolutely agree). In your own words, what constitutes such a space? What are some of the ways we can achieve this feeling in our own homes? 

Nicole Green: Construct a space that allows for moments to escape the everyday and get lost in the design, art, and mood of the room. Envelope yourself in a room by painting the walls, ceiling, and trim in a moody color. Design a corner of your home that is just for you. Always put your lighting fixtures on dimmers and play into the natural light that pours into your home. If there is a breezeway, place comfortable furniture nearby to be able to pause and watch the subtle movements of nature—any of this will become enchanting.

Take note of where the sun sets or rises and use nature’s light and beauty to enhance your own design. Then take a moment each day to slow down and appreciate the beauty around you.

Rip & Tan: If you had to pick a favorite corner of the home, which would it be and why?

Nicole Green: I’d have to say either the corner of the sectional in our family room by the windows where I am often found snuggled up with kids chatting or watching a movie. This is a spot symbolic of downtime, family and laughter. Or I would pick my side of the bed. I love my time here in the early mornings or at the end of the day.  My nightstand is set up for my nightly skincare routine for some self-care, cards, and letters from loved ones, a journal for thoughts, and my latest read. This is a place of rest, self-reflection, cherished talks with the kids, and time with my husband.

Rip & Tan: We can’t get enough of the art. Were these pieces you already owned? What was the process like of incorporating them into the space? 

Nicole Green: I already owned some of the art prior to designing this home, but we’ve collected quite a few pieces since moving in. I love to invest in art while traveling. This works as a perfect way to remember our travels and allows for more interest and diversity when it comes to the art we collect over time. Often there is an artist I’m enamored by, and I’ll invest in one or two of their pieces. My husband surprised me with a piece of art I fell in love with on our trip to Italy on our first anniversary. With the gift, he suggested we get a new piece of art on each anniversary. My kind of romance!

Rip & Tan: In the creation of a space that feels inherently warm and welcoming, this interior included, what would you consider some of the essential elements?

Nicole Green: I wanted our home to feel comfortable and inviting, beautiful and inspiring but also not take itself or myself too seriously. It is more important to me to have a home that is welcoming and warm than it is to be flawless.

Try to incorporate ambient lighting—I never turn on recessed cans and would prefer to not have them. Provide a comfortable place to sit with fabrics that don’t feel too precious. Open windows allow sounds of nature and natural light to come in. And finally, incorporate natural elements into your design— materials derived from the earth are grounding. 

Rip & Tan: As someone who puts equal value on a home’s exterior, what’s your general ethos on designing outdoor spaces? How did you create a cohesiveness between indoors and out in this project? 

Nicole Green: The exterior of the home always has a relationship with the interior and it is integral to make these two compatible. I renovated the exterior of our home to have similarities to the new interior and used materials that honor the home and its surroundings.

A few design elements that made the biggest impact were applying a lime slurry to all the brick, smoothing out the stucco, and creating contrast with creamy white walls and black windows. I wanted the front door to unite the two spaces and had it made with white oak to honor the considerable use of white oak throughout the interior of our home. I always remind clients of the importance of good landscape design in elevating not just the exterior, but the entirety of the home.

Rip & Tan: So much of the home—from the light fixtures in each room to a seemingly one-of-a-kind staircase railing—feels so bespoke. Any tips for sourcing pieces with a serious sense of character?

Nicole Green: Oh, thank you! My advice for sourcing would be to practice patience in finding the right pieces. Use pieces that speak to you and reflect your passions and personality. Compliment your newer pieces with old relics. This juxtaposition will deepen the soul of your home.

Be deliberate with lighting. Sourcing light fixtures is one of my favorite parts of the design process. Use lighting as art, let certain fixtures be a moment of surprise and have fun with it! Lean into the problem areas of a renovation. Rather than panic, be innovative and find solutions that enable you to get creative and embrace the original characteristics of the home.

Rip & Tan: In the context of your home or your portfolio in general, how do you perceive timelessness? Is it a concept you keep at the forefront or something that comes with authenticity?

Nicole Green: I believe both are true. I always want there to be a timeless quality to our designs. As you become an observer of spaces, you become better at discerning what can and will stand the test of time. As you travel, pay attention to the architecture, history, art, charm, and materials that have maintained beauty and relevance for centuries. This will build your ability to be discerning and authentic in creating timeless design.