Nancy Fischelson Architectural Designer: Part 1

 Every day I read posts on blogs that allow a glimpse into beautiful homes 

but 

more often than not 

we never really know about the creative process  

and more importantly 

we never really know much about these renovators, architects

and designers

The interiors that stand out amongst the millions of photos we see

 in magazines, books and on the internet,
are those special images

that capture our imaginations
possess  a style that is timeless

Those homes are as captivating today as years ago

and I dare say we long for more pictures and more houses...
that have that certain
"something"
which we can't seem to get out of our head

 I received an email about a month ago regarding one such person 

whom I so greatly admire 

named Nancy Fischelson

Her work is timeless, humble and graceful

Her work doesn't shout...
it is a whisper of enjoyable collections, neutral pure colors
and serene light filled rooms

 I had the opportunity to speak with Nancy for couple of hours 

and I am so happy to share some
of her thoughts and insights with you

Nancy calls herself an Architectural Designer 

  She draws elevations when needed 

and passes those on to a draftsman or structural engineer 

if the project warrants it

Her career saving and remodeling old houses 

started with a wonderful friendship 

with a contractor in Los Angeles 

some 20 years ago

 You remember this house right?

A little bungalow in Venice California

 This house is full of salvaged windows, doors and fixtures 

which make it a simple and inviting and interesting space.  

She always opens up a floor plan as much as possible, 

sometimes loosing bedrooms in the process

to accommodate more visually open and light filled rooms

Another renovation in Mar Vista California

 Wonderful light filled rooms and beautiful old American furniture

 An awesome antique mantle 

with an architectural fragment above

If you look at most of Nancy's living rooms 

you will usually see the most incredible mantels,

 repurposed 

and full of charm character 

She is a collector and Antique dealer as well 

and has a great eye for the 

"simple" form and shape

of objects and furniture

 A lovely old home in Park City Utah built in 1898

 I never told Nancy this but I know this house!

I lived in Park City for about 3 years and some friends of mine rented it...what a small world!

It didn't look quite like this but I loved it even then.

 Nancy was collecting and using French sheets, linens  and grain sacks well over 15 years ago 

when no one knew what to do with them

She credits her mother for her love of white slipcovers 

as her mother always used them in her childhood home 

in the summer time.  

Another LA project

A cluster of 5 small building and garages

Los Angeles again...a home filled with Americana, folk art and signage

Another one of her beautiful mantles

 Nancy's color pallet is always neutral tones of white and grey, 

with an emphasis on texture

 Her interiors are always interesting with so much character

and allow for  space to move

 Nancy's told me she is a bit claustrophobic 

which is why she feels more comfortable 

in open clean spaces

Next up...Nancy moves East 

and more thoughts on her design and renovation process, 

future projects

and how her style has evolved

I'll hurry back 

xo kelley