Custom Home Design by Nina Lichtenstein

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Thornwood, NY
Custom Home Design by Nina Lichtenstein

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Boutique Interior Design Firm specializing in custom, luxury renovations, new builds, and furnishings. Inspired by Nature. Rooted in Family.

11/05/2026

Let’s open the door to a little design science! 🌿

Here at Unique Kitchens and Baths, you can see how biophilic and neuroaesthetic principles come together.

The earthy green cabinetry evokes nature, while the natural wood grain, tactile finishes, and thoughtful craftsmanship engage our senses.

The combination of organic materials, color, and intricate detailing creates a space that’s both visually engaging and inviting.

The warmth and familiarity of these natural elements can help foster a sense of calm and connection.

It’s a wonderful example of how cabinetry can contribute not only to the beauty and functionality of a space, but also to how we feel within it.

Beyond these visual and sensory qualities, cabinetry is also one of the most frequently used elements in a home, making its design especially meaningful.

Unique Kitchens and Baths takes a highly personalized approach, customizing cabinetry to suit each client’s individual needs, preferences, and lifestyle.

From thoughtfully designed storage solutions to the ease of everyday interactions, this level of customization can make daily routines more intuitive, comfortable, and enjoyable, reinforcing the connection between thoughtful design and human well-being.

Beautiful on the outside, brilliant on the inside!

Unique Kitchens & Baths Custom Cabinetry
Tanya Smith-Shiflett
High Point Market
Mike Peterson

DesignWithImpact NatureInspiredDesign ScienceInDesign SIDHP

11/03/2026

If Brad Leavitt is speaking at High Point Market, you can pretty much guarantee I’ll be in the audience!

I make it a point to attend every panel of his that I possibly can, and after having the pleasure and incredible luck of meeting him at my very first High Point Market April 2025, I was SO happy to see him back for October 2026 Market!

In fact, his panel wasn’t even on my original handwritten Market schedule! It popped up AFTER I’d already carefully mapped out my days, trying to squeeze as many events, showrooms, and panels into every possible minute.

But you better believe I found a way to fit it in!

I squeezed it right into my already overflowing schedule and CIRCLED it to make absolutely certain I wouldn’t miss it! 😂

And yes, I actually RAN there from my previous event, which was quite a distance away, determined to make it on time!

Some things are simply worth running for!

For those of you who don’t know Brad (although, seriously, is there anyone who DOESN’T know Brad?! 😂), he is the founder and president of A Finer Touch Construction, a luxury custom home building and remodeling company based in Scottsdale, Arizona. His extraordinary work, business acumen, and leadership have earned him tremendous respect in the design and construction industries.

The fact that Brad is just an all-around AWESOME human being is one thing.

The fact that he lets me pick his brain for extended periods of time, generously sharing his knowledge, experience, and incredibly valuable feedback that I can learn and grow from?

That is NEXT LEVEL!!!

Let me tell you why this means so much to me.

At my very first High Point Market, I was SO nervous to raise my hand and ask two questions during one of his panels.

To make matters even more nerve-racking, Brad Robinson, founder and president of Bradford Custom Homes & Remodeling, was on the panel too! Another extraordinarily accomplished luxury home builder whose work and experience I greatly admired.

DOUBLE THE BRADS, DOUBLE THE NERVOUSNESS!!! 😂(CONTINUED IN COMMENTS 1/3 ⬇️)

11/03/2026

A closer look reveals something special… besides the fact that I’m standing next to Thom Filicia! 😆

Here at Feizy, this Thom Filicia rug caught my attention with its beautiful abstract interpretation of tree trunks rising through a forest.

Notice how the irregular vertical forms resemble the natural variations we see in trees, where no two trunks are exactly alike.

The earthy brown tones and contrasting textures reinforce that connection to nature, while the raised detailing adds a tactile quality that invites touch.

From a biophilic and neuroaesthetic perspective, there’s something particularly appealing about this balance of repetition and variation.

Our brains are naturally responsive to patterns found in the natural world, and the organic forms offer visual complexity without feeling overwhelming.

The combination of nature-inspired imagery, texture, and warm neutral tones can contribute to a sense of comfort and grounding, bringing a subtle reminder of the outdoors into the spaces we inhabit, with a touch of moody indulgence.

Thom Filicia
Feizy Rugs
Michael J Riley
Cameron Feizy
Michael Bauer
High Point Market
Mike Peterson

DesignWithImpact NatureInspiredDesign ScienceInDesign SIDHP

11/03/2026

Nature, seen in a whole new light…

The Coral Collection from Hubbardton Forge is an extraordinary example of how nature can inspire both the form of a light fixture and the process used to create it.

Inspired by the intricate branching structures of ocean coral, these sculptural fixtures capture the organic beauty, irregularity, and complexity of marine life, bringing a connection to the underwater world into our interiors.

What makes these pieces especially interesting is how they’re made!

Recycled aluminum is melted and poured into containers filled with water-absorbing beads, similar to those used by florists.

As the molten metal moves around the beads, it forms intricate, irregular structures reminiscent of coral.

The resulting pieces are removed, cut, welded together using approximately 50 welds throughout the fixture, and carefully polished.

It’s a fascinating combination of natural inspiration, material experimentation, and skilled craftsmanship.

From a biophilic and neuroaesthetic perspective, the branching forms offer the kind of complexity, repetition, and variation we frequently encounter in nature, encouraging curiosity and visual exploration.

The interplay of light with the sculptural metalwork adds another dimension to the experience.

Made to order in Vermont, the collection is offered in 12 standard finishes as well as custom finishes, demonstrating how recycled materials can be transformed into functional works of art that celebrate the beauty of nature.

Hubbardton Forge
David Kitts
Amy McGuire
Andrew Knapp
David Martin
High Point Market
Mike Peterson

DesignWithImpact NatureInspiredDesign ScienceInDesign SIDHP

11/03/2026

“The most vulnerable thing you can do is to have a dream. When the chances of failure are so high and the margins of success are so low, to chase something that is deeply meaningful to you, that is so core to who you are, and knowing that you might not succeed? That takes courage.”

These powerful words come from Jimmy Chin, Academy Award-winning filmmaker, photographer, and professional mountaineer, in an article by Ellen Gamerman titled “Expert Advice for Living Your Life Bravely,” published about a month ago in The Wall Street Journal.

The article explores Chin’s new book, Rules to Live By: How Extraordinary Lives Define What Really Matters, which shares lessons about courage, risk, resilience, and what it means to live a meaningful life.

My father shared this article with me, just as he has shared helpful, thought-provoking, and inspirational articles with me throughout my entire life. It’s something I’ve always loved and appreciated about him.

I read it this morning, and this particular passage stopped me in my tracks.

I immediately thought of all my fellow business owners, entrepreneurs, designers, and creatives who have dared to pursue something they believe in.

Having a dream is one thing. Having the courage to pursue it, knowing full well that you might fail, is something else entirely.

When you build a business around something that is so central to who you are, you’re putting far more than your time, money, and energy on the line.

You’re putting your ideas, your creativity, your beliefs, and a part of yourself out into the world for others to see, evaluate, embrace, or reject.

You’re asking the world to believe in something that, at least in the beginning, may exist only in your imagination.

You’re taking a chance on a future that you can envision but cannot guarantee.

You may spend years working toward something without knowing whether it will ever become what you hope. You may hear no far more often than yes. You may face rejection, financial uncertainty, unexpected obstacles, and moments when you question whether you’re making the right decisions.
(CONTINUED IN COMMENTS 1/4 ⬇️)

11/02/2026

We’re cute and all, but can we talk about these CHAIRS?! 😂❤️

And just LOOK at Kathy Kuo’s nature-inspired showroom!!! It’s OFF THE HOOK!

To a nature-loving designer like me, this is like dangling an enchanted forest in front of someone who can’t resist wandering off the beaten path!

It’s like telling a biophilic designer she can bring the ENTIRE forest indoors and nobody will question her sanity!

It’s like giving a nature-obsessed designer the keys to a botanical garden, telling her to GO WILD, and promising not to call security when she starts CLIMBING THE TREES! 😂

OK, OK, you get the point!!! 🌿❤️

Seriously though, I adore Kathy! She is someone I look up to so much in the world of product design. Her creativity, vision, and brilliant design mind are such an inspiration to me, especially as I continue developing my own product collections.

Speaking of that brilliant design mind, let me show you one of her creations that completely captured my attention!

The Milovan Swivel Chair from Kathy Kuo Home feels like something straight out of a Jane Austen movie, with its graceful curves, elegant silhouette, and wonderful sense of old-world charm.

But beyond its beautiful appearance, this chair is SO comfortable! The rounded back gently wraps around you, creating an inviting, cozy place to settle in, while the swivel function adds a practical, contemporary touch.

The playful tiger-patterned upholstery brings an expressive connection to the natural world, with stylized animal figures and swirling stripes that create rhythm, repetition, and movement.

From a biophilic and neuroaesthetic perspective, these patterns engage our visual curiosity, while the chair’s enveloping form offers a sense of comfort and refuge.

What makes this piece even more versatile is that it can be customized in any Kathy Kuo fabric or COM (Customer’s Own Material), allowing it to reflect the personality and preferences of the person who will enjoy it.

A beautiful combination of traditional elegance, nature-inspired design, and modern comfort!

11/01/2026

Let me show you something special.

Here at Splashworks, I’m highlighting this extraordinary swivel chair that brings together fine art and furniture design!

Rather than relying on traditional repeating patterns or solid-colored upholstery, this piece incorporates nature-inspired artwork directly into the fabric, transforming the chair into a functional work of art.

Using a process called dispersion printing, the artwork is transferred onto the fabric, creating a customized design that can also be reproduced in production.

What’s particularly interesting is the precision involved.

The furniture must essentially be undressed, with the artwork carefully adapted to the upholstery patterns, curves, and contours so the imagery flows naturally across its sculptural form.

From a biophilic perspective, the landscape imagery brings nature indoors, while the soft tonal variations and organic patterns offer visual complexity that engages our attention and encourages a connection to the natural world.

The high back and enveloping silhouette also introduce the biophilic principle of refuge, offering a sense of enclosure and protection, while the swivel function allows us to change our orientation and engage with our surroundings.

I love how this piece demonstrates that furniture can become an immersive artistic experience that engages our senses, celebrates nature, and influences how we feel within a space.

Of course, with a chair like this, you’ll want to see it from every angle. Luckily, chair spins are included! 😂

Bonus: Talk about perfect timing! A second chair featuring the same printing technique happened to arrive while I was there, so naturally, I had to show you!

Just look at that spectacular city skyline wrapping around the back, with the warm glow of the setting sun peeking between the skyscrapers against a brilliant blue sky. How cool is that?!

SPLASHWORKS
Tom Van Dessel
Hal
High Point Market
HPxD
Mike Peterson

DesignWithImpact NatureInspiredDesign ScienceInDesign SIDHP

11/01/2026

Sometimes the stars align at High Point Market in ways we could NEVER have planned! ❤️

You should SEE my handwritten High Point Market schedule. 😂

Circles. Stars. Arrows. Question marks. Overlapping events. Addresses. Showrooms. Panels. People I’m hoping to meet.

Every single event carefully written down as I agonize over how to fit EVERYTHING into my days at Market!

Can I run fast enough to make it? How late can I arrive? If I leave one event five minutes early, can I squeeze in another? Is there a showroom along the way that I can pop into?

It’s basically a logistical puzzle that I’m determined to solve, even when the laws of time and space suggest otherwise. 😂

Yet there’s a certain magic about High Point Market that no amount of planning can account for.

Sometimes the people we’re hoping to meet find their way into our lives even when our carefully orchestrated schedules fall apart.

THIS is one of those stories.

Meet Johnathan H. Miller. ❤️

Johnathan is an award-winning interior designer, author, artist, business strategist, and television contributor whose impressive career spans design, media, and entrepreneurship.

In 2011, he co-founded Jsquared Interior Staging & Design in Richmond, Virginia, with his husband, Jon Miller. Together, they’ve built a nationally recognized, multi-award-winning firm, and both have earned recognition among the Most Influential People in Real Estate Staging. Johnathan is also a contributor to NBC and CBS and has appeared on HGTV.

Impressive, right?!

Yet what I find especially admirable is how he uses his experience and influence to advocate for other designers, helping them recognize their worth and build stronger, more successful businesses.

I had been hoping to meet Johnathan because I had read his book, Why Underpricing Kills Design: How to Command What You Are Worth, and thought his message was absolutely SPOT ON.

If you’re an interior designer, you should read this book. Johnathan addresses something that affects not only the success of individual design businesses but the health and future of our entire industry.
(CONTINUED IN COMMENTS 1/3 ⬇️)

10/31/2026

There’s more here than meets the eye…

Here at Cohab Space, I’m highlighting this extraordinary piece by Blaxsand, which actually began its life as an animal feeding trough!

Made from reclaimed teak, it’s been repurposed into a beautiful sculptural bench, preserving the natural grain, organic irregularities, and character of the original wood.

Each bench is one of a kind and available in various sizes.

From a biophilic perspective, the natural material and tactile qualities connect us to the living world, while its history adds another element to our emotional experience of the piece.

The substantial proportions and gently rounded edges also give it a wonderful sense of solidity, while the visible grain patterns remind us of the tree from which it originated.

I love how something once entirely utilitarian can find new life as functional furniture while retaining the story of its past!

It’s also a beautiful example of how sustainability and thoughtful design can come together without sacrificing individuality or artistic expression.

A big shoutout to my travel bestie Zoe Grant Zoe & Maddy| Interior Design and Home for jumping in and becoming part of my impromptu video production crew while filming my Science Scout reels at Cohab Space! 😂❤️

COHAB•SPACE
John Muldoon
Michael G. Manes
Hanna Manes
Sam
High Point Market
HPxD
Mike Peterson
Zoe & Maddy| Interior Design and Home

DesignWithImpact NatureInspiredDesign ScienceInDesign SIDHP

Address

Thornwood, NY

Telephone

+14437991817

Website

http://ninashomedesign.com/

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