Los Angeles–based Jessica Nicastro, founder and head designer of eponymous design studio once worked as an event planner at a movie studio. “I never looked at interior design as a career choice but looking back, it was obvious that I always had an interest in it,” admits Nicastro. “I was the kid who painted her furniture every year to match the sponge-painted walls in her bedroom [I’m an 80’s baby] and would always rearrange my room.”
But, it wasn’t until after she had her first child that she considered a career in interior design seriously. “I really tuned in to the fact that interior design was my passion,” adds Nicastro. “I have never been formally trained but worked at a design firm for a few years before going off on my own and building the firm that we have today.”
Now, Nicastro, whose current projects include a ground-up build in Beverlywood, a guest house in Brentwood, and a full remodel in Cheviot Hills, takes pride in seeing a project through from start to finish. “I love seeing an idea from conception to completion and creating dream spaces for our clients,” she says. “I love that no two projects look the same and each client has different needs and wants. I also love getting to know clients and creating spaces that will help enrich their lives and grow with them.”
“The scale of the lighting in the room with the simplicity of the table and curves of the chairs makes a new construction look personalized and gives it personality,” says Nicastro of a dining room she designed in Studio City. “The oval light fixture in the dining room was chosen to break up the horizontal shiplap on the far wall and layering vertical sconces.”
The busy designer, who hopes to someday design a boutique hotel in Montecito, believes a key element in design is determining personal style. “Hone in on your design aesthetic,” explains Nicastro. “Just because you like it on Instagram does not always mean it is right for you.”
In lieu of a formal living room, Nicastro transformed the space into a game room with a custom ping pong table by Cooper Reynolds Gross and a vintage Pac-Man machine.
Nicastro’s 3 Go-to Sources
Lawson-Fenning
“I love that they are a local L.A. company, and they have such interesting curated items that into to all design aesthetics.
Apparatus Studio
“I look at lighting as art, and Apparatus a jewel box of fabulous lighting.”
CB2
“They always have interesting and unique items at an attainable price point.”
