Principal, Interior Design – Workshop/APD
Background
Nicole Ficano is a principal leading the interiors practice at Workshop/APD, a multidisciplinary design studio offering architecture, interior design, master planning, and branding. Her role sits at the intersection of creative direction, team leadership, and operational strategy, supporting a practice where interiors inform nearly every project.
She studied interior design at a small liberal arts college that also offered an equestrian program, allowing her to explore both disciplines early on. After graduating, Nicole relocated to Los Angeles, where she worked for a boutique interior design firm in Beverly Hills. That experience marked the beginning of a career shaped by adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to take risks.
After several years in Los Angeles, she returned to New York City, continuing freelance work while joining Amy Lau Design. Following that chapter, Nicole joined Workshop/APD as a senior designer, eventually stepping into a leadership role as the interiors practice expanded.
Approach
Nicole’s work is defined by balance. She combines design vision with a strong command of systems, people management, and process. Experience in small studios required her to take on responsibilities beyond design, including accounting and operational oversight, building a foundation that supports her leadership today.
At Workshop/APD, she focuses on equipping teams with clear frameworks so they can operate independently and confidently. Interiors are approached holistically, informed by architecture, site conditions, and client needs. Every project begins with a strong sense of place, grounding design decisions in geography, environment, and how a space will be used.
Beyond design
Outside the studio, Nicole is a lifelong equestrian. Riding has been a constant since early childhood, offering discipline, focus, and a meaningful reset from the pace of professional life. Travel also plays a significant role, exposing her to varied landscapes and cultures that continue to inform her design perspective.
Creative inspiration often comes from textiles and fashion, particularly high couture runway work. She is drawn to craftsmanship, construction, and the storytelling embedded in materials. These influences surface subtly across projects, supporting interiors that feel considered, personal, and deeply connected to their context.
