Designer Spotlight: The Elevated and Transitional Stylings of LeitDesigns

This month, we sat down with Nicole Leitman of LeitDesigns for an enlightening conversation about how her career in the corporate world eventually inspired her to take a “strategy-first” mindset with her clients. Get ready for an engaging story as Nicole shares how her love for transitional style became the foundation to bringing her clients’ visions to life, accompanied by an elevated and timeless flair.

Q & A with Nicole Leitman

Q: We love the soothing vibe of your designs. How would you describe your style?

A: I aim for a transitional style on every project; one that reflects today’s trends but won’t be out of style as they start to disappear from Instagram feeds. Most importantly, I make it a priority to weave in the client’s vision for their home. It needs to feel like them. I’m there to make everything feel elevated and cohesive.

Q: Your combined vision and talent to transform spaces is amazing! What is your favorite room that you have taken from “drab” to “fab”?

A: This color drenched living room. The “before” and “after” photos speak for themselves!

Q: Your use of colors and textures truly bring out each room’s personality in your designs. What advice can you offer when choosing colors and textures for a space?

A: The very first exercise I do with new clients is review aesthetic and color scheme options for their full home, even if the design scope is only for a few rooms. This gives us a gameplan for the work we’re doing today (and in the future), and helps ensure that the colors and textures we choose all seamlessly work together.

Q: Do you have a signature touch that you use in every project?

A: I tell all prospective clients that my “signature thing” is coming up with designs that feel elevated, but that are still family friendly. I never want anyone to fear living in their house. I have two young boys and a 60-pound dog, so I’ve learned what works for my own family and try to apply that thinking to every project. My corporate background has also led me to operate from a place of strategy first, so I’m very big on aligning with clients on a strategic gameplan prior to putting anything in motion.

Q: What is the one design trend you’re loving for 2026? In contrast to this, is there a trend which you believe is on the way out?

A: Dark and moody vibes! The warmer the better. Cool tones are definitely not as popular as they once were. However, there are ways to brighten up dark spaces in a way that makes them feel balanced and breathable.

Q: Flooring is a foundational element when designing a space. With so many options to choose from, how do you decide on which type to use?

A: This totally depends on the intended use of the space. Whether it’s tile, wood floor, wall-to-wall carpet, or real stone, it’s important to help clients think through how much traffic the space will get and what they want to communicate visually.

Q: The winter blues can spark a desire for a home refresh. What are your top three design tips for livening up a space?

A: Come up with a strategy before you start executing. Find inspiration photos, narrow things down, and see how these things work with what’s already in the room. Strategy is everything!

Q: Your use of wood accents on the walls and ceilings is a true showstopper! Tell us about this technique and why homeowners are loving it.

A: There’s nothing I love more than texture. Wood accents like paneling and coffered ceilings add so much dimension to a home. I try to find ways to incorporate these in every room I design.

Q: Window treatments can be the ultimate design accessory. What are your best tips on choosing the perfect window treatment to tie the room’s vibe together?

A: Nothing warms up a room like window treatments. My biggest tip is not waiting to add them once the room is complete. Window treatment fabrics should be incorporated into the design from the beginning to ensure that they influence all other fabric and textile choices. These fabrics are an integral part of almost every room.

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Nicole Leitman. Whether it inspires you to take the plunge into dark, sultry hues or add a touch of wood accents to your favorite space, Country Carpet Flooring & Interiors is here to help you design the home of your dreams. We invite you to visit our showroom to explore the design possibilities to make these dreams come true. You can schedule an appointment with us at your convenience. And walk-ins are always welcome. We look forward to seeing you!

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