Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business Podcast · Rebecca Ward, CID | Interior Design Mentor and Coach

166 | Scaling & Rebranding Your Design Business + Job-Site Confidence With Nicole Roe

·31 min·3 clips

Nicole Rowe reveals how her 15 years in construction and design fuel her boutique firm's bold, functional luxury approach.

This episode features host Rebecca Ward interviewing Nicole Rowe, founder of the boutique design firm R. Nixon Interiors. Rowe brings over 15 years of experience and a degree in building construction from Georgia Tech to her practice. The conversation focuses on the practical aspects of scaling and rebranding a design business. Rowe discusses the strategic decision to rebrand her firm from its original name to R. Nixon Interiors. She explains the process of scaling her business while intentionally maintaining its boutique, high-service nature. The episode details how her background in construction provides a significant technical advantage in client projects and renovations. Rowe shares that her typical clients are busy professionals who prioritize both exceptional aesthetics and functional living. She emphasizes the importance of aligning a space's design with the client's personal brand and daily life. Her firm specializes in blending bold, elevated aesthetics with what she terms "real-life functionality." A key insight is Rowe's belief that design has the power to elevate everyday experiences. She describes her own personal duality, being both grounded and adventurous, as an asset she brings to her creative process. The rebranding effort was part of a larger strategy to more clearly define the firm's unique offering of "functional luxury." Rowe's approach involves a deep love for incorporating vintage finds into contemporary spaces. Her technical knowledge allows her to navigate all phases of construction and renovation seamlessly. The episode presents scaling not just as growth in size, but as an evolution in brand clarity and service refinement. The tone is conversational and educational, framed as a mentor-led discussion between two design professionals. The style is practical and advice-oriented, drawing directly from Rowe's personal business experiences. This episode is ideal for interior designers or design firm owners considering a rebrand or strategic growth phase. Listeners seeking purely artistic or theoretical discussions on design may find the business-focused content less aligned with their interests.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business Podcast