Category: Press

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nikki Levy Interiors Receives 2023 Best of Boca Raton Award
Boca Raton Award Program Honors the Achievement
BOCA RATON September 5, 2023 — Nikki Levy Interiors has been selected for the 2023Best of Boca Raton Award in the Interior designer category by the Boca Raton AwardProgram.
Each year, the Boca Raton Award Program identifies companies that we believe haveachieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category.These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through serviceto their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the BocaRaton area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in eachcategory. The 2023 Boca Raton Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners aredetermined based on the information gathered both internally by the Boca Raton AwardProgram and data provided by third parties.
About Boca Raton Award Program
The Boca Raton Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements andaccomplishments of local businesses throughout the Boca Raton area. Recognition is given tothose companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implementedprograms to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The Boca Raton Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses inour community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, tradegroups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Ourmission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.
SOURCE: Boca Raton Award Program
CONTACT:
Boca Raton Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@citieshonorcompany.com
URL: http://www.citieshonorcompany.com

On the Wall: Nikki Levy

Nikki Levy understands storytelling. As someone whose own story has seen her move from South Africa to South Florida, Nikki Levy’s design style is marked by an international standard of excellence and a strong sense of narrative, which is drawn from each client’s persona. Her philosophy — of listening, observing, and creating homes that her clients love to inhabit — has earned the trust and
respect of homeowners and industry leaders
across the globe.

At Vahallan, we’re honored to serve as a resource for Nikki — and managed to catch her during her busy day.

Vahallan: Hello, Nikki! It’s so nice to sit down and chat after so many wonderful projects we’ve shared together. How do you decide when a space is right for wallpaper? Do you have a method to determine that?

Nikki: I believe EVERY surface in a home is appropriate for wallpaper! Wallpaper elevates a space; it’s uber-chic and sophisticated. Depending on the selection, it can be subtle and quiet or vibrant and loud. At Studio NLI (Nikki Levy Interiors), we custom design our homes using wallpaper on walls, ceilings, furniture, and the interior of cabinets. Design requires layers, and it is ill-advised to forgo utilizing wallpaper’s versatility. The design industry has come a long way, and the wallpaper of today is NOT your grandmother’s wallpaper.

Vahallan: What’s been your favorite space that you’ve used a Vahallan paper in?

Nikki: It’s so difficult to decide which of our installations is our favorite. The incredible quality and luxury of Vahallan wall coverings always exceeds our expectations. We are big on texture in our designs, and the installations that we have completed all look incredible. The stairwell is a total knockout and the wall covering grounds the entire design. We used the Crystalline Embellished covering in a powder room and it completely stole the show. Our next installation is a wine room, and we are are so eager to see the transformation!

Vahallan: What design styles are you excited to use/experiment with in 2023?

Nikki: 2023 is going to be an incredible design year for Studio NLI. We are excited that our bold designs are embraced by our clients, and this year, we will continue to design with abandon! Our designs will further explore color, texture, and pattern, and we are thrilled that we have so many resources to develop our style.

Thanks for meeting with us, Nikki! We look forward to covering the world with you again soon.

MEET THE DESIGNER
Q&A with Nikki Levy from Nikki Levy Interiors

“Interior designer Nikki Levy, is known for her “creative connections;” the process of combining complementing or contradicting ideas into fluid, unique and original interior design concepts.”

South African born interior designer Nikki Levy, the owner of Nikki Levy Interiors is a creative soul who passionately expresses that through her designs. Nikki brings her talents to South Florida, gracing the interiors of luxury homes all across the gold coast.

Our team got the chance to speak with Nikki about her design projects. Take a peek into a few of her projects, and score some insightful design tips from the expert herself.

Q: On your website you write about being creative and moving from a career in marketing into design. What is your favorite part about your interior design career thus far and how does it fuel your creative passions?

A: Seeing projects from a blank page to completion is so rewarding. As a creative, my inspiration is fueled by having endless options and selections, and each time our designs begin to take shape, my soul soars a little bit higher. Seeing a fully installed home and clients who are beyond thrilled could not be more inspiring for the next project.

Q: How do you begin the design process?

A: I have no borders, no boundaries, and no limitations. I dive right in, with no preconceived notions, and wade through inspiration and motivation until a design begins to reveal itself. Often something small will catch my attention, and all of a sudden, a design is born.

Q: All of your designs are so exceptionally gorgeous, what makes the homes you design stand out from the ordinary home?

A: Nikki Levy Interiors is known for creative design. It’s important that we give each home a unique aesthetic with enough hero elements to fully developed the design. We have a strong point of view, and really relish a client who is brave and willing to go on a design adventure with us. We are obsessed with texture and layering elements until they bloom.

Q: What is your favorite room to decorate and why?

A: I am a sucker for a good living room; the multitude of selections that can escalate into a design is thrilling. The combination of soft and hard selections in Bathrooms get me every time. How could I not love a space that is the most personal of a home? So many options and so many variations that are a cacophony of design at its best.

Q: What areas of the design project are most valuable to splurge on?

A: The obvious areas are the kitchen, bathrooms, lighting, and floor. Withstanding that, I always think about where you spend most of your time and what is most important to you. If you love snuggling in your bedroom all weekend, then splurge away in your bedroom. Create a cocoon with layers of comfort and luxury. If you love the outdoors, the pool patio is an essential area. Create pockets of space to sit outside in comfort, eat a meal, and make incredible family memories. Value and lifestyle are personal and you need to honor who you are in your space

Q: What is your favorite collection from Modern Mirrors and why? (Astral, Aura, Carina, ect… )

A: “The Cassini Collection”

I am currently building a home, and my secondary bathrooms have limited space. I love the fact that I can use the Cassini Collection for functionality, and not compromise on aesthetics at all. They are just gorgeous.

A Coastal Spa Aesthetic

Nikki Levy Interiors was commissioned to decorate their clients’ new home located on the Intracoastal in Boca Raton. The new home replaced the old structure that was demolished.

By Anita McLean

Each room of this home was wonderfully curated and refined, with the sophisticated coastal spa aesthetic always front of mind. The weaving together of texture, tone, and hues is at the heart of the design of the space. The limewashed walls, linen drapes, grasscloth wallpaper, and woolen rugs mix magnificently well with the hard surfaces of wood, rope, metal, and stone. Each space has an element that nods to the rest of the home but is uniquely singular.

Nikki Levy shares, “Our job is to harness the essence of the client and mold it into a living space that represents them and how they live. From the moment met our client, we connected. Our deep understanding of who they were and how they wanted to live was immediately apparent. Each selection was always met with the same questions: is this consistent with our objective?”

The main interior living space is integrated with the patio and Intracoastal. The wall moldings installed begins the TV unit and extending to the exterior deck marry the exterior to the interior. By embracing the exterior (including the patio furniture, dining space, and swimming pool) into the interior, the living space was increased threefold with a seamless transition.

The kitchen is truly the heart of the home. Here, it is positioned in the center of the home, encouraging family gatherings and easy entertainment. The auxiliary spaces (primary bedroom wing, guest bedroom wing, and office) branch off from it. The oversized island, which has a mix of light taupe quartzite and white quartz, is a perfect centerpiece of the home.

A particular clients’ favorite is the powder bathroom, which is layer upon layer of natural elements, not the least being an oversized white stone trough sink with a wooden shelf resting across the top. Flanking that sink is a burlap rope screen shielding the toilet space from the vanity.

Unique and intentional details were integrated into the home with a custom-designed corduroy wall in the guest wing, which runs across the hallway. Hidden in the grooves of the wall panels are two hidden doors, hiding the pantry and the laundry room. Though these rooms are striking in and of themselves, they did not want to break up this space with doors. The payoff was a zen space, in line with the clients’ vision.

The primary suite is next level, with each piece lovingly selected to create a bedroom that is embracing like a cozy alpaca blanket. At the entry to the suite, a beautifully appointed green wall sets the tone of what’s to come. Upon stepping inside, the rounded molding of the bed, custom-designed using the most exquisitely soft fabric, imbues serenity into the surroundings. In the corner of the room is an original Womb Chair, which had been in the family for many decades, and across from the bed are two beautifully carved dressers.

Beyond the main bedroom are two large boutique-styled closets and an ethereal bathroom, designed for rest and rejuvenation. The clean, organic, textured environment evokes a feeling of calm and serenity.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikki Levy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikki, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My business just began organically. From a little girl I quite literally thought about the business I would own every day. I would build it up in my mind and it was wonderful. As I got older, my imagination still was taking me on that journey and one day, somehow those dreams became a reality. It was all baby steps, evolving into my business I have today. It’s as important to me that I have a business as it is for me to have a family. The combination of those two things make me feel fulfilled and happy and I have a wonderful sense of purpose.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was not cut out for school. I was that kid who was sitting in the back row and drawing pictures, or reading a book on my lap, hiding it from my teachers. I lived in my head. I would daydream incessantly about fashion, homes, businesses and what my life would be. My days were spent rearranging my bedroom and my moms house. I would close my eyes and construct walls and doors and decorate these spaces.

As I grew up, my design dream became a reality. I found my aesthetic was different and unique and people responded to it. I would continually be asked by friends to help with this or that. Eventually the friends turned to clients and the “this process that” turned to full homes.

There is no difference between my childhood design aesthetic and current. Of course it’s refined, but hopefully my joy is still evident in the homes I do. I still design with abandon and with intent. This is not a paradox, but rather a wonderful juxtaposition of how I land on the designs I do.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am in love with all South Florida. Between Coral Gables restaurants, The Miami Design District and Wynwood Walls, all the way up to the most elegant Bal Hobour and Palm Beach. There is so much to do, see, eat, play, and enjoy. Strolling through the streets of each one of these areas is both interesting and fun. The Miami Science Museum is just marvelous, while the design district is packed full of gorgeous clothing and furniture stores.
It’s incredibly fun to visit the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, with the largest swimming pool I have ever seen, and the old world elegance at every turn.
People watching at the Bal Harbor Mall is like being at the front row of fashion week, where men and women show up in their finest.
Morikami Gardens in Boca Raton is so beautiful for a stroll and meditation.
The Comedy Club in Palm Beach is always so fun and has wonderful comedians from around the country doing their very best Standup.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family is so supportive and wonderful. They are my sounding board, advise givers, caretakers, and cheerleaders. Without them there would be no me.

My friends are always there, right behind everything I do and I appreciate that they put very little pressure on me, but are always there when I call.

Image Credits
Dronehome

Back by popular demand, Phillips Collection’s design partners share their passion by selecting their top three favorite products to highlight what is trending this season.

Nikki Levy – Nikki Levy Interiors – @nikkilevyinteriors

Aragonite Canoe Bowl Brown – “Every home we do needs a statement accessory. One item that tells you all exactly what this house is about. This onyx bowl tells me it’s in a cool, contemporary home. Organic chic and completely sophisticated. And that ain’t bad!”

Bolder Stone Coffee Table – “You know when you walk into a space and are completely blown away by the vibe. Those spaces start with one really really cool piece. And this, my friends, is that piece.”

Glossy Black Sheep – “Design with abandon. Design with joy. Design with a glossy black sheep. Because why the hell not!?”

Balance & Beauty
A Colorful Home Filled with Peace

By Channing Spano
Photography by Joey Duhon

A simple but special home was the desire of this New Orleans family when they moved to Florida’s East Coast. Relocating for their daughter’s education, the family wanted to put down roots in a place that was reflective of their personalities and lifestyle. They sought out help from Nikki Levy, Creative Director at Nikki Levy Interiors, to help them realize their dream home filled with life, while also appealing to their taste for more organic materials and colors. “Overall, I would say the house is a great example of contemporary eclectic design,” says Levy. “The challenge was creating balance between making each space clean and precise while maintaining their personality and ensuring the items we chose were interesting enough to stand on their own. Each piece had to be really special in order for me to incorporate them. So that the spaces didn’t feel overcrowded or under-designed.”

A family affair, Levy was able to help everyone infuse their own tastes into the home. “The family was wonderful to work with, even their girls got involved with their own bedroom designs. Most of the selections were made during the height of the pandemic shutdowns and the owners were so understanding about timing issues and delays,” Levy explains. “They were also trusting of my eye and suggestions, and I’m so happy I was able to guide them through the process during this unique situation.”

The expertise and knowledge Levy offered comes from a lifetime of experience and a lineage of builders, furniture makers, and craftsmen. Originally from South Africa, Levy and her family moved to the States with three young children in 2010, “After everyone had settled in, I felt like it was time to get back to work doing what I love,” she says. “It started small, I worked out of my bedroom, then the dining room, and then found a small office. Now I am fortunate to have a team of 10 people and a roster of clients again.” Operating under the philosophy that each client is unique, she has created a reputation for listening to her clients as she makes their functional home a stylish place that matches their tastes and lifestyle. “I love what I do and have been finding the joy in it again as my team and I work through the challenges supply chain issues and lockdowns have created for our industry,” Levy explains. “We are discovering new ways to work and source items and it’s helping us create an even better experience for our clients as we’ve pulled together to create really beautiful interiors.”

ELEVATE
The home’s exterior features and contemporary lines and soft colors that make a big impact upon arrival. Pavers lead to two separate garage spaces covered by coffee colored doors with linear window details. Stone accents are subtle and enhance the look of the modern landscaping.

BEGIN
Off the home’s entry, what was supposed to be the new formal dining room is now a comfortable reading room, perfect for getting a peaceful start to the day. “They are very introspective people and wanted a cozier space to ‘just be’,” says Levy. Transforming the space into a reading and reflection area started with two chairs from Bernhardt that Levy personally approved after making sure they were comfortable in person. She then added two reading lamps behind for visual appeal and functionality. On the opposite wall, Levy designed a veneered wood built-in that was thin enough to accommodate a table and chairs, should the owners decide to convert the space back into a dining room and backed it with a fantastic wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries that mimics the look of terrazzo. Outside a small atrium has been painted in a warm tone and vines have been added to give the space life and an organic element.

GATHER
The living room is a study in color. “They wanted the home to have color but not overwhelmed by the tones and how it was used,” says Levy. The teal velvet sofa makes a statement, but doesn’t feel gaudy thanks to the organic elements and colors Levy used to finish the space. For example, the unique wallpaper by Kelly Wearstler that accents the custom wall unit is softened thanks to the grasscloth used at the back of the unit. Levy explains, “The juxtaposition between matte and velvet finishes keep the bolder pieces from feeling too loud in the space.”

GRAZE
In the kitchen, Levy helped the owners make selections based on their desire for a functional space that matched the elevated design of the rest of the home. “They loved the idea of a bright and contemporary space with clean lines that embraced the breakfast nook since it would be their main dining area,” says Levy. “I love negative space, so I enjoyed playing with that concept here as we picked a cabinet color that almost perfectly matches the porcelain tiles.” The light watched wood laminate cabinets pair well with the Caesarstone quartz countertops.

The breakfast room adds a pop of color to the kitchen through the unique fabric used on the chairs. Pulling from other rooms in the house, like the library upstairs and the adjacent living room, Levy selected a fabric with burnt orange and smoky blues for the breakfast nook. The tone of the bleached, white oak table from Worlds Away matches the cabinets while adding in a more organic element. Above, a chrome chandelier offers some sparkle to the space and continues the unique and contemporary lighting theme throughout the house.

REST
The cohesive flow of the home can be seen in the master bedroom as earthy tones meet touches of metals all enhanced by contemporary shapes and patterns. Next to the upholstered, bolster headboard with wood frame, the shagreen nightstand is topped with a lamp with leather-like finish. Phillip Jeffries wallpaper with a geometric woven pattern elevates this chic yet simple room.

Optimism and a vibrant, joyful spirit run through each room of this year’s spectacular project.

Vivid citrus shades, monkey mania, bold ceiling details, and exciting voyages deep in the jungle and into the depths of the sea: these are just some of the adventurous ideas playing out at this year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach, where 24 top designers from around the country have come together to reimagine a 1920s Mediterranean Revival estate. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the home is quintessential Palm Beach—and its transformation is as refreshingly current as it is connected to the past.

Throughout are modern tributes to the local vernacular, from historic nods to local pioneers like Henry Flagler to artistic, exciting interpretations of the city’s trademark tropical flora and fauna, and cozy places of respite that reflect the city’s polished sense of ease and sophistication. But perhaps most resonant is a triumphant sense of optimism appearing in vibrant, happy hues ranging from bold yellows to tangerine, strapping blues to greens in every shade. A sense of jubilance rises anew, just in time for spring.

Plan your visit to experience the Kips Bay Decorator Show House this year from Saturday, March 5 until Sunday, April 3. Tickets start at $40 with proceeds benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. The Show House is open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Nikki Levy Interiors’s “Petal to the Metal”
At first, Florida-based designer Nikki Levy was simply tasked with transforming the small bath on the second floor of the home. However, upon learning that the primary bathroom had gone unclaimed, she asked if she could take on that space as well—and the results were transformational. What was once a cavernous bath became a spa-like retreat filled with verdant color and exquisite finishes.

Levy cleverly covered the walls in an emerald vinyl abaca mural by Phillip Jeffries and continued the Asian-inspired floral onto the vanities, allowing the workhorse built-ins to become “pieces of art,” she notes. Likewise, a second natural wallcovering (also Phillip Jeffries)—this one a geometric pattern using authentic paulownia wood—trims upper cabinetry in a groovy veneer, like stunning historic marquetry. Meanwhile, radiant green tiles from Artistic Tile encase the room and showcase the invigorating power of the shade. “I see green as a neutral,” says Levy. “When you go outside and look at the trees, you’re not looking at green as green. You’re looking at the organic nature of it and allowing it to absorb into your psyche.”

Bathing the room in light is a series of magnolia blossom sconces by Currey and Company (that relate well to the gold finishes on Kohler fixtures and handsome countertops from Primestones) and a pair of windows dressed in soft linen Roman shades by The Shade Store.

Nikki Levy Interiors’s “Happy You’re A-Round”
For the small second-floor bathroom, Nikki Levy focused on balancing heavy materials with soft curves and scalloped details. The fluted vanity topped with Silestone Cala Blue quartz from Cosentino perfectly embodies this harmony between masculine and feminine. Levy notes the circle and half-moon motifs seen in the tiles (Artistic Tile) and the painterly

Phillip Jeffries wallcovering represents the “twirling of a child and their infectious joy.” The gold Kohler fixtures and pearl-like pendant light from Currey and Company serve as dazzling jewelry, dressing this bath in subdued, sophisticated elegance.