*gt interview: so haute

Name: Nicole Gibbons
Url: So Haute!
City: The NY.
Mantra: Good design is in the Details

I first met Nicole at a Country Living decor blogger event and she’s as beautiful in person as she is in her pics. She’s also mega sweet and stylish and loves the finer things in life: a life of beautiful details, good food, and living the good life….So haute…after reading this interview (she goes in…) Nicole and I became lifestyle kindred spirits….

Nicole. What are the three adjectives that describe where you are today?
Creative. Passionate. Ambitious.

Describe the passion behind So Haute….
So Haute is an outlet where I can share my POV on stylish living with the world. Through highlighting my favorite decorating ideas, resources, trends,  and products, to sharing DIY ideas, inspirational photos and even some of my favorite recipes. I hope to inspire others to live well and to live in style.

What are the everyday items you cannot live without?
I’m addicted to my MacBook!  (GT: Who are you telling?). Aside from that I’m addicted to comfort items: luxrious bedding. I also have this boiled wool throw for my sofa from ABC Carpet and Home that I’m obsessed with. It’s so soft and warm and I curl up with it on my sofa almost every night…while on my laptop of course!

I am hugely influenced by…
I’m always influenced and inspired by the work of other interior designers. I’ve been dabbling in some decorating projects and I often look to my favorite contemporary designers like Michael S. Smith, Peter Dunham, Windsor Smith and Miles Redd for inspiration. I also love to study the work and philosophies of design legends such as Billy Baldwin and John Fowler. Martha Stewart is also someone whom I admire greatly. I find her amition and the way she has developed herself into one of the strongest most recognizable brands that exists extremly motivating. One day I hope to be like her.

GT: Loves it.

What’s the best advice ever given to you and what’s the best advice you can offer?
Best Advice: Trust your gut. My mother says this all the time and I’ve found that this simple bit of advice can be applied to almost all situations big and small. And its great advice for decorating. Trust your instincts. There are no rules in design so buy what you love and if you can’t figure out a way to tie it all together, hire a decorator!

My interior style is…
I’m drawn to various design aesthetics so its hard to nail down a single photo that encompasses all that appeals to me! Overall, my design style is infused with traditional design elements but still youthful, modern, fresh and full of global influence. Comfort is key so spaces that feel livable are a must. I’m also a bit of a Bohemian and am drawn to ethnic inspired decorative elements particularly those of Asian and Middle Eastern origin. I’m also a big fan of classic English and Neoclassic furnishings. So I’m a fan of eccletic mixes and visual depth!. My own apartment is constantly changing…

What do you splurge on?
I tend to invest in comfort items. We spend a third of our lives sleeping so I made it a point to invest in the best mattress, pillows, down comforters, and bed linens I could afford. It makes a world of a difference. I also cook a lot and splurge on organic and top quality ingredients.

Skimp on?
I love fresh flowers around my apartment but I save by buying from my local bodega. They have insanely great deals.

And in Get Togetha style if you could have anyone over for dinner who would they be and what would you serve?
I love to entertain so it would be a dinner party of greats: Barack & Michelle, Oprah (whom I idolize), Desiree Rogers (whom I find fascinating). I’d also like to invite Chris Rock. The conversation would be priceless! I’d serve an upscale menu starting with an appetizer of collard greens atop a chutney of sun dried tomatoes and onions. Main course: braised BBQ short ribs with brown sugar and butter whipped sweet potatoes. Drink: Southern Sweet Tea. Dessert: a light strawberry compote with fresh vanilla whipped cream with optional slice of pound cake. I’d pari the dessert with a glass of chilled Moscato d’Asti. I’d purchse new china (Greek Key Pattern) and natural colored hemstich linen napkins and I’d serve the tea in vintage green crystal goblets I inherited from my grandmother. I’d finish with a chic arrangement of white peonies in a low vase and calabra candlesticks for ambience.

Posted by gt on October 20, 2009

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