From fashion to interiors and now soft furnishings, meet Nicholas Gilbert, the designer bringing a fresh perspective to the spaces we live in.
A Creative Mind, Meet Studio Nicholas
There’s something refreshing about a designer who isn’t afraid to do things a little differently. For Nicholas Gilbert, the creative mind behind Noosa-based Studio Nicholas, it’s less about following a particular aesthetic and more about creating spaces that feel entirely their own.
Originally from Ballarat, Nicholas’s creative journey began in fashion, taking him to London College of Fashion before an unexpected return to Australia led him towards interior architecture. After completing his studies and gaining experience alongside a local designer, he launched Studio Nicholas in 2025.
Now, at just 26, he’s building a portfolio that moves between residential homes, hospitality spaces and commercial interiors, with a growing collection of furniture and soft furnishings adding another dimension to his practice.
His background in fashion is never far away. Colour, texture, layering and an appreciation for beautiful materials all play a part in his work. But what makes Nicholas interesting is his belief that a space should reflect the people who inhabit it, rather than the trends surrounding them.
We caught up with Nicholas to talk about the projects shaping Studio Nicholas, his approach to design and why he’s bringing a little more personality into our homes and businesses.
Beyond The Coastal Formula
Living and working in Noosa, Nicholas knows the familiar coastal interior well. White walls, rattan, pale stone and a palette that rarely ventures too far from beige.
But he’s not entirely convinced.
“Coastal design at the moment is a lot of white walls, rattan and light stone, which has created homes that look very similar. To me, they don’t always feel personal or lived in.”
It’s an interesting perspective from a designer working in one of Australia’s most recognisable coastal destinations. Rather than dismissing the aesthetic altogether, Nicholas believes there’s room to explore it differently.
“The most important thing is building a space around what you love, not what everyone else is doing.“
For Nicholas, that might mean introducing unexpected colours, more expressive materials or furniture that becomes a talking point. Sometimes coastal living is reflected simply through practical choices, materials that can withstand sandy feet and salt air, without necessarily looking like a traditional beach home.
It’s a philosophy that becomes increasingly apparent when looking through his work.
Glass Wholefoods | A Different Kind of Wellness Space
In Maroochydore, Glass Wholefoods brings together two things the Sunshine Coast knows particularly well: surf culture and wellness.
But rather than leaning into the expected coastal café aesthetic, Nicholas approached the interiors with a more sculptural eye.
Curved forms guide visitors through the space, while warm earthy tones, natural microcement and carefully placed colour create an environment that feels both grounded and playful.
“Glass is all about wellness living, so the space needed to feel as good as what they serve.”
It’s a simple idea, but one that informed everything from the layout to the material palette.
“We softened the corners with curves that guide people naturally through the space, then used bold accents to draw the eye to key areas, creating presence and a sense of belonging.”
The result is a café that feels welcoming without losing its character. A reminder that hospitality design is about more than the way a space photographs. It’s also about how people move through it, settle into it and experience it.
LYONS | Two Homes, Two Personalities
Back in Nicholas’s hometown of Ballarat, Lyons tells a different story.
The project centres around two neighbouring penthouses, designed for two members of the same family. While the homes share an architectural setting, their interiors were developed to reflect two distinct personalities.
The process began with an intensive design workshop, followed by presentations and showroom visits in Melbourne, where the clients could experience furniture and materials firsthand.
“One home is calm, in deep blue and soft green. The other is built around a grand piano and has a more dynamic rhythm.”
There’s an appreciation for craftsmanship throughout, with sculptural furniture, layered textiles and pieces selected as much for their longevity as their appearance.
Among Nicholas’s favourites are several designs by Paris-based Pierre Yovanovitch, including a custom Roze dining table, chairs and an occasional chair.
“Beautifully crafted and completely timeless, they’re the kind of pieces that become heirlooms, passed down through generations.”
It’s this appreciation for the stories behind objects that gives Lyons its character. Rather than filling two homes with beautiful things for the sake of it, the project explores how furniture, art and materials can become part of a family’s story.
A little observation from the Editor
What stands out to me about Nicholas’s work is his ability to be expressive without being overwhelming. There’s a confidence in his use of colour, texture and form, yet nothing feels as though it’s competing for attention.
Instead, everything seems to find its place. There’s a sense of calm within the creativity, allowing your eye to wander and discover the smaller details in its own time.
It’s a reminder that doing something a little differently doesn’t have to mean making the loudest statement in the room. Sometimes, the most interesting spaces are the ones that reveal themselves slowly.
And I think Nicholas has mastered that balance beautifully.
SALTSPELL | A Softer Side of Coastal Living
Overlooking the water at Runaway Bay, Saltspell brings Nicholas’s approach to a more relaxed residential setting.
Here, the interiors take their cues from the surrounding landscape, with soft sandy tones, ocean blues, natural timber and tactile fabrics creating a home that feels made for long summer afternoons.
Sunlight filters through sheer curtains, sculptural furniture introduces gentle curves and moments of colour bring personality to an otherwise understated palette.
There’s a certain softness to Saltspell, but it doesn’t come at the expense of practicality.
Furniture and finishes were selected to accommodate everyday family life, creating a home where comfort and refinement can comfortably coexist.
It’s a beautiful example of the coastal design Nicholas speaks about. Connected to its surroundings without relying entirely on the familiar formula.
The Finishing Touch | Introducing Soft Service
Enter Soft Service, Nicholas’s own collection of cushions, born from a frustration he kept encountering while working on interior projects.
“I created Soft Service because, project after project, I struggled to find cushions that matched the standard of the furniture they sat on.”
Rather than treating cushions as an afterthought, Nicholas wanted to create pieces that could hold their own alongside beautifully crafted furniture.
“I wanted a collection that was fun and full of personality, yet elevated and timeless, and there’s very little like that out there.”
The result is a collection that embraces colour, texture and a little playfulness. Pieces designed to bring character into a room, rather than simply blend into the background.
“They’re talking points that get noticed, not overlooked like most cushions.”
And while cushions might be among the last pieces to arrive in a room, Nicholas believes they deserve the same attention as everything that comes before them.
It’s an interesting next chapter for Studio Nicholas, bringing his creative world into homes beyond his interior design projects.
What’s Next for Nicholas Gilbert?
With Studio Nicholas still in its early years, there’s plenty more taking shape.
In Ballarat, Nicholas is currently working on Bronze Wing, a residence overlooking Lake Wendouree, where a timeless foundation will meet bolder, more expressive design features.
Closer to Brisbane, a New Farm residence is exploring the feeling of a boutique hotel, translating the small details of hospitality into the comfort of everyday living.
And Soft Service is only getting started, with new colours and designs planned for 2027, alongside furniture pieces as the collection expands.
For Nicholas, the future seems less about choosing one creative direction and more about seeing where each new idea might lead.
From fashion to interiors, from residential spaces to the smallest details on a sofa, Studio Nicholas is becoming a world of its own.
And we’re rather excited to see what comes next.
