In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.
Francis Nicdao carries a deep appreciation for traditional craftsmanship. Born in Pampanga, Philippines—a province just northwest of Manila—the New York–based principal designer and chief creative officer at Pembrooke & Ives was raised in an artisanal community known for its dexterously produced goods. “Having been exposed to handmade work from a young age, I seek out unique pieces that are luxurious and expertly crafted,” Nicdao tells Business of Home.
He took a similar approach when fashioning his mood board. Hand-finished plaster sets a textural tone for the design, while ultratactile weaves, ranging from abaca mats to embroidered linen and chenille jacquard, supply added depth and dimension. “The scheme showcases some of the refined, one-of-a-kind pieces I love incorporating across our projects,” says Nicdao. “As a sensitive and creative person, I also value a sense of balance in colors, textures and scale, and making sure that all senses are engaged.”
Raw materials reign supreme in the final flat lay, which features everything from mica to walnut and alpaca wool. “I wanted to celebrate materials and the artists who transform them,” he says. “There’s something extraordinary about the ability to elevate simple elements into works of art.”
Here, Nicdao breaks down the details, from a eucalyptus branch to his favorite cologne.
1. EUCALYPTUS BRANCH
“I love eucalyptus. Its scent is so clean, and [the plant itself] looks great, whether fresh or dried.”
2. CUSTOM DRINKING GLASS BY JOHN POMP
“There’s something special about handblown glass, especially used in lighting. The imperfections make it beautiful. John Pomp is a true expert, and this iridescent drinking glass was a gift from him.”
3. ICED MICA SILVER PEARL FINISH SAMPLE BY BARN IN THE CITY
“Mica has so much depth and luminosity. Barn in the City beautifully translates it into wall and furniture pieces.”
4. CUSTOM WALNUT SAMPLE WITH BRASS INLAY BY SILVERLINING
“For truly bespoke furniture, Silverlining is a great resource. They’ve created intricate pieces for us that blend wood marquetry with refined metalwork.”
5. CUSTOM PLASTER FINISH BY FRESCO DECORATIVE ARTS
“As much as we love using beautiful wallpaper, [we also gravitate toward] a unique plaster finish where you see the hand of the artist.”
6. DAYO EYEGLASS FRAME BY MYKITA
“I’m seriously blind, so glasses are a must. I love this Japanese brand—they have fun, quirky shapes, and they’re very lightweight.”
7. CUSTOM EMBROIDERED LINEN BY LESAGE INTÉRIEURS
“Being part of the Chanel brand, Lesage knows how to design and embroider pieces that are fit for couture. Their embroidery and beadwork look stunning on leading edges for drapery and decorative pillows.”
8. WOVEN MAT & SHADE BY FJ HAKIMIAN
“As a Filipino, I feel a deep sense of pride in using materials from my home country. Abaca is natural and textural; it’s very artisanal and a great staple for our Hamptons and Palm Beach projects.”
9. MOUNTAIN MEN’S FRAGRANCE BY THOMAS CLIPPER
“I’m not a fragrance snob, so I don’t believe in spending a fortune on cologne. What I love about Thomas Clipper is that it’s organic and they have a range of products that I cycle through each season. I particularly love the Mountain, Country and Coast scents.”
10. PRIMA ALPACA SURI FABRIC IN TAUPE BY SANDRA JORDAN
“My friend Sandra is an expert in everything alpaca. The textiles she makes are super yummy.”
11. CUSTOM CAST BRONZE FINISHES BY HERVÉ VAN DER STRAETEN AND ACHILLE SALVAGNI
“Textural bronze detailing is a Pembrooke & Ives favorite. We often work with artists like Achille Salvagni and Hervé Van Der Straeten, who masterfully use the material in their designs.”
12. PHINDA RÉ FABRIC BY TOYINE
“I tend to lean toward more texture than pattern when it comes to textiles, which is why I like working with artisanal brands like Toyine. This fabric pairs well with other textiles because of the array of colors.”
13. TIZIANO FABRIC IN LAPIS BY LAUREN HWANG NEW YORK
“Tiziano is a jacquard weave with Italian chenille. It’s soft to the touch and has a beautiful finish with subtle gold threads. It plays nicely with the textures from Toyine.”
14. ANATOLIAN GREY MARBLE AND DARK BRONZE FINISHES BY CHESNEYS
“This stone is handsome and warm, with a character and versatility that works in different interior styles. We love seeing the Pembrooke & Ives mantel collection for Chesneys fabricated in this stone, often paired with dark bronze detailing.”
15. CUSTOM EMBROIDERED LINEN BY ATELIER MODERNE
“Few things feel more luxurious than creating custom fabrics, from selecting the yarn and fiber to refining the weave and texture. Atelier Moderne crafts truly one-of-a-kind textiles for us.”
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