John Ishmael




John Ishmael
“Because I am an artist, color, texture, light, and emotion have always fascinated me. These are all characteristics of great interior design. My inspiration and love for design has grown naturally from my love of art. Therefore, when I work with my clients I see myself as a conduit for their creations. The finished product for my clients should always reflect their personality and not mine.”
John joined the Nandina Atlanta team as an owner and lead designer with over 20 years of experience in the field of interior design. John holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is known for his creative use of textiles in his designs. Prior to Nandina, John owned and managed a successful custom workroom where he specialized in draperies, slipcovers, and custom furniture. His love of fabrics and his fascination with creating new spaces segued seamlessly into his successful career as a designer. He is also passionate about art and enjoys a successful second career as an artist. His powerful abstracts are often the jumping off point for some of his most memorable interior design projects. He and his partner Troy have recently renovated a downtown store front that had been a gallery into a private home for themselves and their three dogs. The best feature of the new home is a large living area with expansive wall space full of their art and photography – a nod to it’s previous history as a gallery. Frequently, they open their home for the once-a-month downtown art stroll called “First Thursday”.
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