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Official publication of the High Point Market
NEW & NOTEWORTHY DESIGNER PROFILE: NIKKI CHU
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Lightingas Art For Nikki Chu, no room is complete without the right lighting. The interior designer, known for bringing the unexpected into every space she creates, has spent more than 20 years building a brand around that instinct. This fall, she's bringing those instincts to life through her first lighting collection in collaboration with Quorum, where her eye as an artist and her discipline as a designer come together in one remarkable body of work.
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NEW & NOTEWORTHY DESIGNER PROFILE: NIKKI CHU
The Role of Lighting While lighting is an essential design element for any space, deciding when to layer it into a room may vary by designer, but for Chu, the answer is clear. "When it comes to lighting, it typically comes toward the end of my design process," she said. "It's driven by the overall inspiration, color palette, layout and how every element comes together." That approach means a hushed, understated room might get the boldest fixture in the house. Chu said she thinks of lighting less like a utility and more like an installation. Every piece within the ftoor plan should be in conversation with the others. Her lighting non-negotiables: finding the right scale to achieve balance, and a fixture that feels connected to the room around it. "The fixture should hang low enough to feel integrated into the space - almost like it's part of the decor itself," Chu shares. "That's what makes a room feel balanced, intentional and complete." That instinct of equal parts artistry and awareness is what brings the collection to life, striking a balance between form and function.
Artistry at Work Chu's process starts with her initial instincts, and that's where her artistic background comes into play. "My intention is always to lead with artistry and then bring in functionality," she said. Applying that lens to her partnership with Quorum, she said, is what makes the collaboration work. "When I design any product, my goal is to push the boundaries and create something that doesn't already exist," she said. "I always ask myself, what do I want to see or use that I can't find in the marketplace?" The answer shows up in every piece.
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Within this collection, Chu leaned on mixing elements to create a layered and collected look, in addition to drawing inspiration from her real world experiences. Throughout her travels, she takes note of various pieces of art, retail, museums and other spaces that eventually surface within her work. The result is a highly curated, layered and distinctive collection, built through her eye as an interior designer. "When you look at my collection with Quorum, you'll see a curated mix of shapes, silhouettes, lighting styles, heights and scales that reflect how lighting is actually used in a home. I wanted the collection to feel expressive, layered and unexpected, while giving customers the confidence to mix pieces together in a way that still feels cohesive and professionally designed." The result? Balance, beauty, and pushing creative boundaries.
Where Art and Design Converge While she loves to push boundaries, Chu's collection is well balanced, bringing her design aesthetic to the forefront through a mix of showstoppers and approachable pieces. One instance of her risk-taking in action is the Bekasi Pendant, a modern interpretation on the iconic Sputnik silhouette. The pendant consists of hand-blown opal glass globes and a warm antique brass finish. Equal parts inviting, elegant, timeless, and contemporary, it's a product that breaks trend barriers. However, Chu is quick to note that for every showstopper, you need reliable, accessible designs that ground a space. This collection offers both, giving designers pieces suited to a variety of spaces. While the fall debut leans into modern designs and aesthetics, Chu is also looking ahead to what's next in this collection and embracing her global modern influences. Be on the lookout for future releases that incorporate woven textiles, raffia, richer textures and origami-inspired forms.
Find What Connects Going into High Point Market, it's essential to keep your eyes peeled for what's new. Chu's advice: skip what's familiar and look for what's unexpected. Those are the pieces that give a space personality. 'Today, lighting has become more than a functional element," she said. "It's a sculptural statement and a true work of art within a space." It's guidance she's put into practice with this collection, and one designers will see firsthand this fall.
NiKKICHu x quorum
Be sure to visit Nikki Chu's new collection in the Quorum showroom, located in the Suites at Market Square, M-1000A and M- 1000B.
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