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Friday Five with Nicole Hollis of NICOLEHOLLIS

Photo: Laure Joliet

Design and creative director Nicole Hollis’ mission is to conceive timeless interiors that elevate the human spirit. As founder of NICOLEHOLLIS, she leads an award-winning collective of interior designers, interior architects, and furniture designers that help her holistic approach to the art of living through residential, hospitality, and product design. Recently, Nicole has expanded her firm’s portfolio by venturing into the product creation with her NICOLEHOLLIS for McGuire Collection. The 27-piece fashion forward collaboration with McGuire Furniture captures California living through bold, detailed pieces. Today Nicole is sharing some of her favorites in Friday Five.

1. Light
The interplay of light and shadow serves as a large inspiration behind my work. On a recent trip to London, I visited the Olafur Eliasson exhibition at Tate Modern. One of his most awe-inspiring works, Beauty, explores the natural phenomena when light breaks through a veil of fine mist to create a rainbow. Eliasson’s attention to and manipulation of light captivates his audience and explores the common ground between art and science.

2. Sculpture
I have always admired Claude LaLanne’s appreciation and admiration of nature. Her unique works, inspired by flora and fauna, are the embodiment of imagination and craft. Each piece is as timeless as it is beautiful.

3. Nature
I often draw inspiration from nature, creating interiors that are in harmony with their surroundings. Azuma Makoto’s 2015 exhibition, Iced Flowers, captured not only the beauty of nature but its moment as well. Temporarily frozen in time, the flowers displayed their unique expressions not visible in everyday life.

4. Photography
I recently discovered Zanele Muholi at La Biannale di Venezia. Muholi is a South African artist and visual activist working in photography, video, and installation. The importance of self-representation and defiance runs through Muholi’s series of unapologetic self-portraits.

5. Space
Images of space inspire me to push boundaries in design. A black hole shows the absence of light, yet it represents endless possibility and beauty. I follow @NASA and NASA Astronaut @Astro_ricky on Instagram for daily inspiration.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.