---
title: "nBaxter Design + Real Estate — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/nbaxter-design-real-estate-pfvwus-pf~184615006
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~184615006.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "nBaxter Design + Real Estate"
category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/d9731deb0e8b4d84_1400-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "111 1/2 E Chapel Hill Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701, United States"
latitude: 35.9967
longitude: -78.8966
phone: "(919) 632-3723"
website: http://www.nbaxterdesign.com
rating: 5
review_count: 3
best_of_houzz_awards: 2
followers: 185
last_updated: 2026-09-23
---

# nBaxter Design + Real Estate

Original Houzz profile: [nBaxter Design + Real Estate](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/nbaxter-design-real-estate-pfvwus-pf~184615006)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators
- **Location:** Durham, NC
- **Serves:** Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, NC Beaches, NC Mountains
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (3 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2015–2019), for Design, Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Star Houzzer
- 5 Star Houzzer
- Houzz Influencer
- 1,000 Ideabook Saves
- Best of Houzz winner
- High-end
- 15 years in business

Nicole has always been known for her unique designs and emotional understanding of her clients’ needs.  By combining her 20 years of design experience with her NC Broker’s license, Nicole is changing the way people look for and purchase homes in the Raleigh-Durham area.  She believes designers are the home experts and helping clients find their perfect house is an expansion of her design services, while REALTORS are the experts in negotiation terms and managing real estate transactions.  By combining her work with nBaxter Design with her real estate services at Domicile Realty, clients now have the proper expert for all their needs in one professional.  

Design consciously, live beautifully
 
Member Home Builders Association of Durham Orange County
NC Licensed Broker
Member of Orange Chatham Association of REALTORS
Member of the National Association of REALTORS

### Services Provided

- Interior Design
- Kitchen Design
- Bathroom Design
- Living Room Design
- Bedroom Design
- Color Consulting
- Space Planning
- Furniture Selection
- Kids Bedroom Design
- Dining Room Design
- Custom Cabinets
- Lighting Design
- Custom Kitchen Cabinets
- Home Office Design & Construction
- Entry Design
- Custom Built-ins
- Floor Plans
- Playroom Design
- Project Management
- Custom Bathroom Vanities
- Custom Furniture
- Mudroom Design
- Nursery Design
- Custom Blinds & Shades
- House Plans
- Custom Home Bars
- Closet Design
- Universal Design
- 3D Rendering
- Basement Design
- Custom Bookcases
- Custom Walk-in Closets
- Sunroom Design & Construction
- Custom Entertainment Centers
- Custom Rugs
- Custom Fireplace Mantels
- Home Theater Design
- Wine Cellar Design
- Custom Shelving
- Custom Pantries
- Downsizing
- Drafting
- Energy-Efficient Homes
- Attic Conversion
- Decluttering
- Kitchen Remodeling
- Licensed Realtor
- New Construction
- Remodeling

### Areas Served

- Raleigh
- Durham
- Chapel Hill
- NC Beaches
- NC Mountains

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | nBaxter Design + Real Estate |
| Address | 111 1/2 E Chapel Hill Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701, United States |
| Phone | (919) 632-3723 |
| Website | http://www.nbaxterdesign.com |
| Followers on Houzz | 185 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/\#!/pages/nbaxter-design/265064993979

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [nBaxter Design + Real Estate](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/nbaxter-design-real-estate-pfvwus-pf~184615006)
- **Website:** http://www.nbaxterdesign.com
- **Phone:** (919) 632-3723

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- BFA in Interior Design, Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, Florida
- Nominated for Best of Durham Awards, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017 by Durham Magazine.
- Pyne Award recipient, Preservation Durham, 2010.

- **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2015–2019), for Design, Service.

**Affiliations**
- [North Carolina Home Builders Association](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/north-carolina-home-builders-association-pfvwus-pf~93544693)
- [HBA of Durham, Orange & Chatham](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/hba-of-durham-orange-and-chatham-pfvwus-pf~1989637100)

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 3 reviews**

### All 3 reviews

**★★★★★ — Elijah Leed Studio, April 2014**

> It has been a pleasure to work with Nicole on a variety of interior design projects over the past year. As a custom furniture designer, I have a unique perspective on Nicole's design process, in regards to both the work I create and to her dedication to the client. While Nicole always has a concept and vision in mind for the custom work, she is always open to new ideas I might bring to the table. This leads to a more interesting design process for me, and often to a more creative product for the client.
>
> Working directly with Nicole I also see the enthusiasm and attention to detail she brings to her work. Carefully interpreting the clients needs, Nicole's eye for a cohesive space - regardless of style - is eloquent and persuasive.

**★★★★★ — susanzenn, Feb. 2014**

> We have hired Nicole Baxter to work with us on several projects over the last four years. We have gutted and renovated our master suite, renovated our great room, transformed a bedroom into an office, as well as many smaller scale projects involving built -in design, and selection of paint color, tile, and decorative accessories. Nicole is awesome because she brings the same enthusiasm and artistic eye to all projects regardless of size and scope.
>
> Nicole has always been respective of budget and time considerations, and is a great listener. She is aware of both form and function and is not willing to sacrifice one for the other. But the best part about NBaxter Design is that Nicole is a fresh, creative designer whose work does not all look the same. She is up on the very latest in the world of design and knows how to bring those elements to her work often allowing more traditional design to have a "twist" or an "update." She has experience with all styles, and has a particular interest in contemporary and modern design.
>
> Nicole is super talented and fun to work with. She has been in the design business for several years and has great contacts and resources. She is a pleasure to work with and we can't recommend her highly enough.

**★★★★★ — meaghan81, Jan. 2013**

> I have worked with Nicole over the past few years on various projects, she has a great eye and also is very knowledgeable on the technical side of things. Nicole has a way of bringing fresh and unique ideas to a project and I look forward to working on many more projects together!

## Selected projects

- [Hope Valley](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hope-valley-pj-vj~71077)
  - Location: Durham, NC
  - Photos: 34
- [Santa Fe Contemporary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/santa-fe-contemporary-pj-vj~71187)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 12
  - Description: Santa Fe is a magical city with its traditional adobe style of architecture and a strong arts community. When my client found this house, it was important that the space was bright, crisp and contemporary to create a gallery-type background for his extensive art collection, while being able to host several people for frequent entertaining. Architecture by Trey Jordan.
- [Trinity Loft](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/trinity-loft-pj-vj~475780)
  - Location: Downtown Durham, NC
  - Photos: 24
  - Description: A seamless mix of old and new, vintage and contemporary, on the edge of the warehouse district.
- [Hillsborough Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hillsborough-farmhouse-pj-vj~2856176)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 28
- [Carrboro Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/carrboro-modern-pj-vj~71239)
  - Location: Carrboro, NC
  - Photos: 14
  - Description: While working with well-known Carrboro and Chapel Hill architect, Sophie Piesse on a master suite renovation, the house was struck by lightening, and all was lost in the fire. Once the shock passed, her clients realized the amazing opportunity they had to build their modern dream home. I was brought on to the design team during the early planning stages, and was able to help mesh modern furnishings and decoration with Sophie's clean lined architecture. Sophie used the original foundation, and ke…
- [Chapel Hill Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/chapel-hill-modern-pj-vj~71215)
  - Location: Chapel Hill, NC
  - Photos: 3
- [Craig Street](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/craig-street-pj-vj~425788)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 9
- [Bald Head Island Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bald-head-island-retreat-pj-vj~71196)
  - Location: Bald Head Island, NC
  - Photos: 4
  - Description: The freshness, serenity, and ease of maintenance were the keys to creating this lovely beach retreat in the marina on Bald Head Island. The concept was to create a beach house that was sophisticated and took cues from the beach, without relying on expected cliches. The materials are natural, like the reharvested teak wood cocktail table and sisal rug, the soft greens and blues were inspired by the sea glass found on the North Carolina coast, and everything is easily washed and cleaned. The guest…
- [Durham Loft Living](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/durham-loft-living-pj-vj~71207)
  - Location: Durham, NC
  - Photos: 3
  - Description: Located in the hippest city in North Carolina, this condo in Mangum 506 is fresh, simple, and young at heart. The purple accent wall anchors the space while pulling out the architecture and details.
- [A House Named Fred](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-house-named-fred-pj-vj~475921)
  - Location: Durham, NC
  - Photos: 4
- [Kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kitchens-pj-vj~353289)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
- [Country Elegance](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/country-elegance-pj-vj~301076)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 4
- [Urban Living](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/urban-living-pj-vj~71147)
  - Location: Raleigh, NC
  - Photos: 4
  - Description: Located on the sixth floor of a downtown Raleigh condo, faux finisher, Clark Hipolito and I wanted to create a dramatic contemporary space with a curated feel. The open space presented many design opportunities for different finishes and textures. The brick-colored soffit helped to anchor the kitchen space from above, and we echoed this in the tile flooring, which added durability to a heavy traffic area, zoned the space, and created a unique look with the thin strip of tile next to the wood flo…
- [Family Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/family-farmhouse-pj-vj~825067)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 1

[See all 14 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/nbaxter-design-real-estate-pfvwus-pf~184615006)

## Ideabooks

- [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/143893529/list/wish-list) — 1 idea
- [Erin and Joe](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/108613847/list/erin-and-joe) — 7 ideas
- [Paul Inara Court](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/108107816/list/paul-inara-court) — 56 ideas
- [nBaxter Temp](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/88327023/list/nbaxter-temp) — 44 ideas
- [Amy](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85440900/list/amy) — 5 ideas
- [EReid- Clean Whites](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/74881191/list/ereid-clean-whites) — 69 ideas
- [EReid- Warm Modern](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/74853287/list/ereid-warm-modern) — 91 ideas
- [EReid- Organic Mod](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/74881105/list/ereid-organic-mod) — 50 ideas
- [Steve Living Room](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/69003203/list/steve-living-room) — 7 ideas
- [Modern Bedrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/6005707/list/modern-bedrooms) — 6 ideas
- [Chad Collins](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/60520495/list/chad-collins) — 47 ideas
- [Pretty Spaces](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/56592479/list/pretty-spaces) — 3 ideas
- [Painted Floors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/54960930/list/painted-floors) — 1 idea
- [Srapery DOs!](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/54236678/list/srapery-dos) — 2 ideas
- [Spaces I want](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/42363799/list/spaces-i-want) — 12 ideas
- [Elese Moroccan Baths](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51668960/list/elese-moroccan-baths) — 17 ideas
- [Dalton](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/49844790/list/dalton) — 4 ideas
- [Modern Built-ins](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/27752500/list/modern-built-ins) — 5 ideas
- [Schroder](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/27362036/list/schroder) — 59 ideas
- [skye](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/47738850/list/skye) — 28 ideas

[See all 69 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/nbaxterdesign)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Predictions: What do you think will be the next big thing in design?** *(in Home Decorating)*

End of the year is always a fun time to make predictions for the coming one. When you think about design and decor in general, what are your predictions for the "next big thing" to come about?

Tell us! (photos encouraged)

A: Cheers to everyone who said they don’t care about trends!  You guys rock!  

From a designer’s perspective, I am not inspired without my clients, and I don’t do trends at all.  My clients come with fab trendy pics, but after a few chats we realize they’re attracted to the emotion good design creates.  When everything makes sense, the concept is concise, and all details support the concept (or go against it in the perfect way), then your brain relaxes, because it’s not trying to figure out how a mishmash of stuff makes sense (our brains like patterns and complete systems— both are survival mechanisms). The trick is creating an emotion that reflects you, supports you, and speaks to how you think, your social disposition, how you communicate, if you are linear or logical, your family history, your adventures...  Trends and overly stylized designs fall apart when you start searching for the client’s presence.  We’re not Farmhouse, or Mid Century, or Organic Mod... it’s illogical, as is the work of celebrity designers— they’re putting their ideal of their house in your house and then charging money for it.  Design is about you, 100%.  There are certain principles that make great design, follow them, there’s stuff designers can’t explain— that’s talent, but all in all— do you.  Great designers are conduits and biographers, because the client’s voice is the voice that is heard and designed for.  It’s super hard to design for yourself— emotional designers can’t do it, because we’re too close to the subject (ourself).  Skip the celebrity designers, skip the fashionistas, go for the emotional ones, because they get it’s about you- not fame, not trends. You will always be in style.  With millions of furnishings at our fingertips, and endless ways to combine them, it’s pretty ridiculous people follow trends.  

2018– the End of Trend

Love, the anti-designer designer.

**Q: couches?** *(in Photo Questions)*

love the couches and rug.  can you tell me where they are from?

A: Hi there-

The specs are archived, but from what I can remember, the sofas and the fabrics they're covered in are from private trade-only lines that I carry, and I found the rug at Market.  I commissioned the cocktail table from a local woodworker specifically for the job.  None of these pieces are available retail or online, but I would be more than happy to help you find pieces just as special for your home.

Kind regards,
Nicole

**Q: Hi. Can you please tell the tiles name/brand ? Thank you** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Yes!  Everything Jennifer Scully said!   Beautiful work, Sarah :)

**Q: distance between wc and sink** *(in Photo Questions)*

we have a tiny wc like this i would like  to know the distance between the toilet seat and sink

A: Hi there.  Side to side, the minimum space you can put a toilet in, in North Carolina, is 30", meaning the toilet drain is 15" on center.  Between the toilet and the sink, you will need a minimum of 30", but check to see if you have local codes.

Many thanks!
Nicole

**Q: I can't find a color for my dang living room design I'm doing...** *(in Design Dilemma)*

I'm annoyed... I can't find any color schemes for the design i'm doing... I like the orange, grey, and white look, but I don't know...

Do these look like a good combo?

A: Yes, but...  Color is only about 40% of the room's success.  60% is knowing how to use them.  If you do the light on the walls, the mink as an accent and in pillows, light upholstery, gold for the furniture-- wood pieces sparingly, and orange in the pillows and accents, you'll be okay.

**Q: Long curtains on everything? Thank you thank you** *(in Design Dilemma)*

hello friends, thank you for taking time to read this. This is a picture of one major wall in my house- the kitchen to the family room. It has four windows, one more you can not see, & a sliding glass door. Am I supposed to put long curtains from ceiling to floor on all of these windows?

A: I agree with Sheeja.  Window treatments frame the. iew and always make a room look finished.  Hang your panels close to the ceiling to accentuate height, and yes, they DO need to go to the floor.  No short panels... ever, ever, ever.  Also, rods need to be wider than the window by 6-8" on either side.  The panel should cover a bit of wall, the trim, and a bit if window.  I highly recommend designer hardware, too.  The telescoping joint is a huge faux pas, and Rowley makes affordable pieces.  If you do telescoping, get the largest base span you can find so the joint is covered by the panel, and not in the middle of the window.

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-23.*