“If it’s the right chair, it doesn’t take too long to get comfortable in it.” Robert DeNiro
No, this isn’t an article on Mr. DeNiro, but instead about a self-taught upholsterer from the Twin Cities named Nicole Crowder (who loves chairs) and is the owner of Nicole Crowder Upholstery. Crowder’s work has been prominantly recognized in many high-profile magazines, including Architectural Digest, Martha Stewart Living, Elle Décor, Business of Home, Better Homes and Gardens, Domino magazine, Design Milk, and The Washington Post, as well as being featured on television. Crowder’s passion is upholstery, but her creative energy flows into every part of her life. In addition to successful business, she is an editor-at-large for Mpls St Paul magazine’s Home & Design section, designer, photographer, creative and a newly-engaged fiancée!
I sat down with Nicole Crowder at her apartment and was in awe of her interior design skills. Her home is full of vibrant and bold colors, plants, furniture, and décor. She knows how to set a mood and I enjoyed being welcomed into her environment. I was most impressed with her Denise chaise, a lounge chair Crowder and World Market collaborated on in early 2022. This piece is currently sold out and I’m bummed! Crowder and I talked about her Twin Cities roots, business, inspirations, and exciting things coming up in 2023.
Born and raised in the Twin Cities, Nicole Crowder has a passion to find unique fabrics and chairs. It’s incredible how she can change the entire personality of the piece with her fabric finds. While she has always had a passion for creativity and innovation, Crowder officially started her upholstry business journey in 2017. Her drive was to create art for the person who is rediscovering new iterations of themselves, similar to the chairs she refurbishes. She creates new work to challenge her imagination and to give inspiration to others to feel comfortable knowing they can change too.
One of the people who was inspired by Nicole’s work was Ava DuVernay, a Black American filmmaker and producer behind massive films such as A Wrinkle in Time, 13th, and Selma. DuVernay reached out personally to Crowder to help find the perfect piece for her. Nicole studied photos of Ava DuVernay’s home for inspiration and selected her World Market eye-popping chaise lounge in gray geometrical prints as the perfect piece.
Looking to things coming up in 2023, Crowder has a new collection launching in March and I’m excited about its release! I was curious to know how long it takes Nicole to finish a collection and she said sourcing the right fabrics takes the most time. It typically takes four months in total to find the unique colors and designs she looks for in fabrics and pieces. Once those have been chosen and she has all of the materials, it’s a quick turn around: 2 days!
Another big plan for 2023 is The Upholstery-Workshop Retreat that Crowder is facilitating in June. This is the second retreat she has led and is anxious to get back to guiding members through a unique 3-day, 2-night workshop-retreat experience to fuel their upholstery passion and creative mind. This retreat is an all-inclusive DIY weekend class in upholstery, drawing from Crowder’s extensive creative and professional experience. Don’t wait to register if you’re interested–spots are limited!
Whether you are an interior design connoisseur or a beginner, book a client call or meeting with Nicole. Although upholstery is her passion, Crowder is well-versed in many facets of design, and is always interested in the stories and people behind the spaces. She uses her writing and photography talents to tell stories about spaces and lifestyles while using Nicole Crowder Upholstery as an entry place to start.
To shop Crowder furniture, visit her website which has her latest pieces that include: meditation pillows, napkin rings, and limited-edition chairs. You can be sure that you are getting a truly unique piece: no two pieces are the same. You do not want to miss out!
In addition, Nicole would like her audience to know that they can book an upholstery appointment at the studio. You can also rent her Northeast Minneapolis studio space for photoshoots, podcasts, event hosting, and more.
If you are looking for a creative who designs custom and modern heirloom furniture and home décor products, that are rooted in imagination and storytelling, Nicole Crowder is the one to talk to!
