How Francis Nicdao Designs Luxury Interiors That Endure

Francis Nicdao has spent nearly two decades shaping some of the world’s most refined private residences. His design process, however, begins with people.

“The foundation of any great project is a deep understanding of the client, from their lifestyle and values to the way they want to live,” he says. “Everything flows from that.”

It is a philosophy that has guided his work at award-winning Pembrooke & Ives, the New York-based design firm known for its sophisticated, highly tailored approach to luxury interiors. Nicdao now serves as the firm’s principal and chief creative officer.

Craftsmanship Rooted in Pampanga

Originally from Pampanga and now based in New York, Nicdao credits much of his design sensibility to his upbringing in the Philippines.

Growing up in a province long associated with handcrafted furniture and artisanal traditions, he developed an early appreciation for craftsmanship and materiality. That awareness was shaped further by witnessing local communities rebuild after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the early 1990s.

“That appreciation for craftsmanship, materiality, and the human hands behind beautiful objects has stayed with me throughout my career,” he says. “It continues to influence the way I approach every project, with a strong belief in the value of the handmade and that the most enduring interiors are the ones with a genuine soul.”

Nicdao’s formal path into design began at Pratt Institute, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He continued his studies through an architectural program at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen.

His first role after graduation was at D’Aquino Monaco, where he worked on private residences, spas and retail concepts. His design perspective would develop fully at Pembrooke & Ives, where he has now worked for more than a decade.

Interiors Made for Living

Today, the firm’s portfolio encompasses homes in New York, Palm Beach, Aspen, London and other international locations. Each project balances architectural precision with warmth and livability.

Nicdao describes the studio’s work through a set of enduring principles: “curation, timelessness, light, and scale.”

The results are interiors that feel composed without appearing excessively decorated. They favour longevity over passing trends and place the rhythms of everyday life at the centre of the design.

This approach requires the designer to understand more than a client’s visual preferences. Family dynamics, routines, interests and the practical use of each room all contribute to the finished home. A successful interior must express its occupants while continuing to serve them over time.

A Practice Built on Trust

That sense of permanence extends beyond aesthetics and into the relationships behind the work.

Some of Nicdao’s most meaningful projects have been completed for legacy clients who have worked with the firm for more than a decade, often across multiple homes and countries.

“These relationships are among the most special to me, because they are built on an established sense of mutual trust,” he says. “There is a beautiful creative tension in working with someone who knows you well and has a familiarity with the process, but the freshness of each new place and context always pushes you to explore ideas in new ways.”

This balance between familiarity and discovery defines much of Nicdao’s work. Even within the rarefied world of high-end residential design, his approach remains notably restrained. The firm’s command of proportion and material allows it to move confidently between contemporary and classical interiors.

Between Contemporary and Classical

Among the accolades most meaningful to Nicdao is the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art’s Award for Excellence in Classical and New Traditional Design, which recognised the renovation of a historic Palm Beach residence.

“While much of our work is often viewed as contemporary, it was incredibly rewarding to be recognized by an institution so deeply rooted in classical design,” he says. “To me, it reflected the importance of proportion, research, and timelessness, principles that are fundamental to our work regardless of style.”

The recognition affirmed that the principles underpinning the firm’s contemporary projects also apply to its classical work. Style may change according to the architecture, location and client, but proportion, research and an understanding of precedent remain essential.

Discovery as Part of the Work

For Nicdao, much of the creative process lies in discovery itself.

“Traveling the world in search of inspiration, ideas, extraordinary artisans, and resources that we can bring back to our clients is one of the most exciting parts of what I do,” he says.

These encounters introduce new materials, techniques and objects into the studio’s vocabulary. They also extend the appreciation for craftsmanship that began during Nicdao’s childhood in Pampanga: an understanding that a beautiful object carries the knowledge and touch of the person who made it.

Bringing the Work Home

Nicdao’s projects currently span the United States and other international markets, but he hopes the Philippines will eventually become part of that story.

“The Philippines holds deep personal significance for me,” he says. “Being able to bring our work there one day would feel very special.”

This article originally appeared in Robb Report Philippines’ Design Issue, June 2026.