Interior view of a staircase with a wooden handrail and white balusters, a decorative side table with a gold-colored, organic design, a potted orchid plant, and pastel-colored wallpaper with a feather pattern.

About

We create homes that feel like you, layered with meaning and designed to last—for those who crave character and connection.

OUR APPROACH

Color, texture, old and new―we layer it all with intention and integrity

Rather than focusing on a single style, Forina Design & Co. draws influence and inspiration from a broad variety of sources. Our work is a thoughtful blend of pieces across price points, eras, and design philosophies. From classic to contemporary, flea-market treasure to fine antique, we believe design is a living art—meant to be beautiful without sacrificing comfort. That’s why we collaborate closely with you to create a custom interior that reflects your story—personal, inviting, and full of character.

OUR DESIGN VALUES

  • We live for contrast—new paired with aged, polished beside raw, refined with rustic. That balance is where the magic happens. It’s what keeps a home from feeling flat, giving it warmth, depth, and a heartbeat.

  • A well-designed home isn’t just about how it looks—it’s about how it lives. We create spaces that photograph beautifully while still supporting the way you move through everyday life. Spills, fingerprints, memories—they’re all part of a home that’s truly lived in. Don’t tiptoe. Invite people in, make memories, and let your space tell those stories proudly. Beauty and livability can, and should, coexist.

  • Design isn’t about rules—it’s about resonance. If you love it, that’s reason enough. Our job is to make what you love feel intentional, elevated, and entirely your own.

  • We have a soft spot for the timeworn and well-loved—a bit of tarnish, a softened edge, a story told through patina. Perfection is overrated (and unattainable); character is forever.

  • The soul of a space isn’t just in the furniture—it’s in the atmosphere and accessories. Dim the lights, snuggle under the blanket, light the candle. Those small, sensory details are what transform a house into a home. It’s not just good design, it’s a lifestyle.

Outdoor patio with six green chairs arranged around a fire pit, surrounded by autumn foliage and plants.
Bright sunroom with a wooden ceiling, hanging light fixtures, a woven swing with striped cushions, a round table with flowers and glasses, and various chairs, with large windows showing lush greenery outside.
Home office with white desk, beige office chair, blue textured wallpaper, potted plant, framed wall art, window with Roman shade, connected to a bathroom with white vanity and mirrors.
A dining room with a wooden table, eight chairs with orange cushions, a floral centerpiece, a modern chandelier, and large windows with curtains showing greenery outside.
A smiling woman with long hair sitting on a cream-colored sofa in a bright room with large windows, trees outside, and a vase with flowers on the side table.
Vector illustration of a handwritten message that reads, "Meet the team!"

Nicole Forina

Nicole believes homes should tell a story that says “layered, lived-in, and deeply personal.” Her work blends vintage soul with modern edge, favoring bold color, sculptural lighting, and unexpected details that bring warmth and wit to a space—with soul woven into every corner. She’s drawn to contrast—polished and imperfect, refined and relaxed, elevated yet entirely livable.

With an intuitive eye and a love for pieces that show their age, Nicole creates homes that feel collected over time, not decorated in a day. The result? Clients who entrust their homes to her can expect them returned looking unmistakably theirs—just a little more elevated, a little more layered, and with some extra magic folded in.

PRINCIPAL DESIGNER

  • I was born on a couch.
    Mom didn’t make it to the hospital in time. Not even close. Speaking of, do you have kids or pets? Ask us about our super-durable Crypton fabric options.

    Favorite color combination?
    The Forina Design & Co. brand colors, of course! Rust, blackberry, olive, peach, teal, cream, and dark chocolate. I also enjoy blackberries, peaches, cream, and dark chocolate! I hate olives. I don’t have strong feelings about rust. Seems overall bad, though.

    If I could do any other job, what would it be?
    A wedding florist! I love growing my cut-flower garden and creating arrangements. Have you ever had a hobby that you absolutely adore but that’s also a ton of work—and sometimes you’d rather just sit on the couch and watch Netflix instead? Same. Oh, and I’m not sure why this just popped into my head, but I also have a daughter named Charlie.

    Worst design trend currently?
    The amoeba rug trend. If you’ve ever wanted your stair runner to spill into your foyer like a hazardous chemical leak, congratulations—because boy, do I have some good news for you!

    Something you would find in my handbag?
    A pair of trampoline-park socks for Charlie for impromptu trips to the “trampolinium.” No one wants to pay for another pair. No one needs another pair. We could carpet a small hallway with the ones we already have … and it would still look better than an amoeba rug.

A man with short dark hair and a beard, wearing a light blue button-up shirt with sleeves rolled up, beige pants, and a brown belt, standing with arms crossed in a room with a couch, lamp, chair, and colorful abstract art on the wall.

Mike Forina

MANAGing director

Mike is the yin to Nicole’s yang. He’s the steady presence behind the scenes at Nicole Forina Home—equal parts project manager, accountant, and problem solver. Mike keeps our projects (and drawings and spreadsheets and Nicole) running smoothly. With a background in mechanical engineering, education, and construction, he brings calm, clarity, and a reassuring sense of know-how to every job.

While designers focus on aesthetics and cohesion, and contractors on installation and durability, Mike serves as the bridge connecting the two worlds. He makes sure Nicole’s creative vision is not only protected, but also practical, documented, and ready to build—so clients can feel confident that what they see on paper will come beautifully to life.

  • I carry a man bag everywhere I go, a tool bag in my car, and EDC gear (everyday carry) in my pockets.
    I’m usually prepared for the unexpected. After watching me pull an unreasonable number of items out of my bag one day, a client lovingly dubbed me “Mikey Poppins.”

    Favorite bands?
    My first love was Pearl Jam. My current love is Taylor Swift. Everything in between? According to Nicole, “a bunch of hipster nonsense.” The list is long, but off the top of my head—J. Roddy Walston, Guided by Voices, Pink Floyd, The Mars Volta, Neutral Milk Hotel, System of a Down, and many, many more that I’m forgetting (while pretending this list wasn’t carefully curated).

    I’m a nerd, unapologetically.
    Exhibit A: my love of superheroes and comic books. I have giant portraits of Superman and Captain America hanging in my office. Convincing Nicole to let this happen was … a journey. We got there. 

    I eat healthy and drink a gallon of water every day.
    There was a time when, in the name of efficiency, I combined the two. I made what I called “Get-It-Done Shakes”—blending egg whites, spinach, oatmeal, olive oil … chicken breast. The first time I watched chicken particles slowly swirl in the blender, I felt like a modern-day Victor Frankenstein—equal parts awe and horror at what I had created. I did this for three years.

    Hobbies I’ve abandoned along the way?
    Surfing and golf—for years and years, somehow at the same time.
    The former: lived at the beach, never wore shoes or a shirt.
    The latter: polos tucked neatly into khakis.
    I thought that was who I was. Turns out who I was … was a young man with a clear head. Now I carry a purse—er, manbag—full of preparation.

A woman with long dark hair, smiling and leaning against a wall in a cozy living room with colorful wall art and a side table with a lamp.

Denise Bacillio

JUNIOR DESIGNER

Denise is our ever-eager, never-complaining junior designer who jumps at every opportunity to lend a hand. With a degree in interior design and a strong background in residential furniture sales, she brings both style and know-how to every project. From design development to client presentations, procurement to installation, her can-do attitude, attention to detail, and deep product knowledge make her an invaluable part of our team and a joy to work with.

  • The biggest lesson I’ve learned in this industry?
    Stay calm. Design projects are full of moving parts—shifting timelines, last-minute requests, and the occasional “Well … that wasn’t supposed to happen.” Keeping a steady mindset is how you lead a project instead of letting it quietly unravel in front of you.

    My favorite design trend (past or present)?
    Curves, curves, curves. Arched doorways, rounded furniture—anything that softens a space and adds a little quiet drama. Straight lines work, but I like a room with some poetry.

    An underrated design detail?
    Lighting. Furniture and finishes get all the attention, but lighting is what creates atmosphere, defines space, and makes a room feel inviting and intimate.

    What fuels my dream projects (and my mornings)?
    Coffee—non-negotiable. “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift on repeat. And if I could steal one thing from a past project, it would be the Brightbound Helix Pendant—basically jewelry for a ceiling.

    My secret weapon on a project?
    Staying unbothered. When things get chaotic—and they will—I’m quietly addressing problems, making lists, and keeping an eye on the finish line.

Interior of a cozy living space with a vintage lounge chair, a small wooden side table with a glass of beverage, a built-in bookshelf with decorative items and a plant, seen through an arched opening with patterned curtains and a large window.
Vector illustration of a handwritten message that reads, "The door's open."

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