As a designer and an artist, Nick Nixon’s talent for coordinating colors is evident.

Commencing his design career with a custom window treatment company, Interior VUES, in 2009, Nixon merged with Floor 2 Ceiling Designs on Main Street in 2012 to create a “full service design center.”

“I like the challenge of working with different projects,” said Nixon, who designs interiors for commercial and residential layouts.

Drawing inspiration from magazines and Pinterest, Nixon said he utilizes his own sketches and selects fabric samples and color chips to form a board for his clients so they can get an “overall idea” for the design.

Incorporating clients’ perspectives and tastes is integral for producing custom designs, according to Nixon. The designer said it brings him “a lot of satisfaction” when clients are pleased with a project.

Nixon said he is currently refinishing many furniture pieces using a variety of techniques.

“It is fun to experiment and come up with new things,” said Nixon.

Nixon said he was first encouraged to start painting by a client. He purchased a canvas, paints and brushes and completed his first work in 2011, which was featured and sold at the Arts of the Albemarle Design House.

“I enjoy doing portraits,” said Nixon. “I have done a lot of commissioned work.”

Nixon is enthusiastic about the First Friday Art Walk in April when he will display some of his artwork at his design store. He is creating a series of Hollywood Legends on textured pastel boards with Prismacolor pencils for the downtown event. Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe are some of the icons he will feature.

Nixon said he gained input from his Facebook page from people making suggestions for which legends they would like him to showcase at the Artwalk.

Nixon has always known he had a vision for arranging colors to best enhance a room or a piece of artwork. Originally from Edenton, Nixon said, “I grew up in a family who did a lot of building and renovating.”

The future designer said he would choose the color scheme and wallpaper for rooms he had growing up.

“I had a natural ability for putting colors together,” said Nixon.

Nixon said he wants to be involved with the Elizabeth City downtown area that has “so many beautiful old buildings.”

“I have always been interested in architecture,” added Nixon.

Nixon enjoys spending time with his family and three sons and is very active with his church’s ministry.

“I enjoy being a part of things,” said Nixon.

Anna Goodwin McCarthy is a correspondent for The Daily Advance.