A Madcap Cottage design never fails to inject bold hues, global vibes, and an ample dose of whimsy. John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon, the design duo behind the High Point, North Carolina firm have long been bringing their love of prints, pattern and playfulness to the people via their impressive array of projects, including a line of fabrics for Robert Allen at Home, a Chairish shop selling their own vintage goodies, and most recently, their stunner of a coffee table book, Prints Charming: Create Absolutely Beautiful Interiors with Prints & Patterns. If you can’t get enough of the duo’s exuberant, pattern-happy look, you’ll want to read on, as we recently chatted with the Madcap gents and got the scoop on all of their favorites, from their ultimate design idol (shout out to the original Queen of Home, Martha!) to their favorite entertaining essential (“heaps of rosé”). Catch up on all of Madcap’s design loves, and be sure to check out their Chairish shop, too!
SHOP ALL OF MADCAP COTTAGE’S FAVORITES >>
Design
What do you love about shopping on Chairish?
We love the mix. It’s a veritable casbah of all things chic.
Is there any particular product category where Chairish is your go-to?
Art. We love the range of affordable pieces by contemporary artists in a wide array of mediums.
Favorite thing about designing with vintage pieces?
We never design a room without heaps of vintage and antique pieces. We love the scale, the “special,” the provenance, and the patina. Our home, for example, the House of Bedlam, doesn’t have a single new piece of furniture in it. Nor accessory for that matter!
Favorite paint color:
Fowler Pink from Farrow & Ball. So flattering that it makes anyone look years younger and without the need for pesky fillers and other dermatological procedures.
Favorite color combo:
Pale green and pale yellow.
Favorite way to mix high and low?
We mix items unearthed upon a trip to the flea market against the backdrop of custom Gracie wallpaper in the House of Bedlam living room. We are constantly switching things up, but the Gracie paper is an eternal constant.
Lifestyle
Favorite travel destinations?
India, Portugal, and Des Moines, Iowa.
Favorite design site or magazine?
The World of Interiors magazine and the Martha Stewart blog. Martha’s blog keeps me motivated. Time to trim the privet hedges and rearrange the basement china by color!
Favorite hotel to check into:
Any of the charming riads around Jama el-Fna square in Marrakech; Claridges in London; the Lake Palace in Udaipur, India; and the Villa Galici in Aix-en-Provence, France.
Favorite thank you/hostess gift:
A copy of our book from Abrams, “Prints Charming: Create Absolutely Beautiful Interiors with Prints & Patterns,” and a travel-inspired candle from our friends at Niven Morgan.
Favorite saying:
Anything by Mae West but especially, “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
We never design a room without heaps of vintage and antique pieces. We love the scale, the “special”, the provenance, and the patina.
Favorite entertaining essential?
A menu from our local Chinese takeout joint, a dimmer switch, a good playlist, and confidence.
Favorite artist:
John Singer Sargent, Rex Whistler, Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden, and Andy Warhol.
Favorite thing to collect:
Vintage design and garden books, match strikes, fabulous liquors in jewel-hued bottles, dog toys, cookbooks, needlepoint pillows, and heirloom seeds.
Our home, for example…doesn’t have a single new piece of furniture in it. Nor accessory for that matter!
Your City: High Point, North Carolina
Favorite restaurant:
Fixins’ in High Point. Weird name, great food and service. A young culinary-minded couple from Santa Fe recently decamped to High Point, and their eatery is spot on. A wonderful addition. And, oh, their signature crispy Brussels sprouts appetizer leaves us reeling!
Favorite hotel to recommend to visiting friends:
We put friends up at the House of Bedlam and cosset them with heaps of rosé wine and late-night dance parties. It’s like the Ritz Paris just not in Paris and a helluva lot cheaper.
Favorite local culture hub:
The Aperture Cinema in nearby Winston-Salem, North Carolina for art films.
Favorite local attraction/activity:
We love road trips to the nearby mountains and beach, both an easy drive. North Carolina has something for everyone, from bustling cities to mountain villages and coastal retreats.
Favorite hidden design gem:
The 14 miniature rooms crafted by our design hero, interior designer Otto Zenke, at the Greensboro History Museum. Simply heaven!
Favorite local vintage hunting ground:
There are amazing consignment shops in Greensboro, North Carolina, but we cannot divulge all of our secrets. Mother always said to never give up the goods for free!
Shop All of Madcap Cottage’s Favorites >>
Lead photo by John Bessler
