The end result is pieces that are tactile, sculptural and functional. Nicolette comes from the Netherlands, drawing inspiration from the countries she has lived in and visited, including Singapore and the
UK, where she is currently based. Her previous furniture and accessories include her well-received Dangerous Animals cushions, Gingko and Leaf rugs, as well as bookshelves, and daybeds. She is c
onstantly invigorated by the colours,materials, sights and sounds of places she visits around the world – particularly Asia –
and loves to try out different materials and techniques in her work. Her pieces are functional and tactile, responding flexibly to the needs of modern dwelling spaces.
“My aim is to create designs and products that are as hardwearing as they are beautiful to look at,” she says. “Above all, I want them
to stand the test of time.”
Nicolette tries to balance the form of her furniture with its function, “playing” with the shapes she works with, but keeping the overall design as pure and simple as possible. For her modular work she fashions very simple, interlocking forms, sometime inspired by the shapes found in nature, aiming to create flexible designs where the elements can be combined in an infinite number of ways. Sustainability and sourcing
Design by Nico products are handmade by craftsmen in the UK, and combine traditional techniques and materials with new technologies and methods, responding to our modern age and housing needs. Nicolette’s materials range from high-quality Kvadrat wool (for her Leaf Seats and Dangerous Animals cushions, for example) to solid and durable elements such as metal, oak and Corian (which feature together in her Corian/Oak Writing Desk). She is committed to using sustainable materials in her work and is involved in every stage of the production process, ensuring that the end result always meets her exact standards. She sources production and craftsmen in the UK for processes including traditional metal casting, joinery and sheet metal work. Work
2016
London Designweek 2016 at Go Modern King's Road
Paris Designweek 2016 at Gallery Joseph
2015
Designjunction London at The College
Designjunction in Milan: The Green Room
Designersblock at Tortona Milan
2014
Tent London Design Festival
Golden Bridge Award: Shortlisted (2nd Place) by NBCC (Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce) in the category "Best New Small and Midlle Companies 2014"
WINawards 2014 Longlisted in category FURNITURE
Ventura Hive exhibition in Milan
EDIT by Designjunction exhibition in Milan
2013
Tent London Design Festival
OYO@newdesigners exhibition London
2011
Founding of Design by Nico in London
2009
Design Doctors in Singapore
1996
Founding of De Stijlfabriek Amsterdam
