Strategy-first creative direction & experiential design.
A selection of brand, interior, and experience work across retail, hospitality, cultural spaces, and creative entrepreneurs.
Designing a “living gallery” for artists and creative travelers, blending residential comfort with exhibition, programming, and intimate gatherings.
View case study →A boutique that doubled as a neighborhood cultural hub, spotlighting independent designers through curation, storytelling, and intimate events.
View case study →Transforming a new apartment into a layered, child-friendly home with warmth, storage solutions, and subtle color stories.
View case study →Leading product curation and storytelling for digital-first gifting and lifestyle brands, from concept to launch.
View case study →Designing intimate formats for creative processing, conversation, and play for small groups, authors, and facilitators.
View case study →The evolving practice behind my work: a studio that merges interior, narrative, and experience for brands and spaces.
View case study →M8triarch is a historic Lisbon apartment reimagined as a living gallery and guest house for artists, writers, and creative travelers. My role spanned interior direction, spatial flow, artist integration, and experiential programming.
- Concept and narrative for the “living gallery” model
- Interior layout, furniture planning, and room theming
- Resident and guest experience design (arrival to departure)
- Event and salon formats, including dinners and workshops
The space now functions as a flexible home, gallery, and residency—holding intimate programs and stays while maintaining a strong narrative of belonging and creative exchange.
As founder and creative director of Urban Stitch, I built a boutique dedicated to independent designers and global textiles. The space doubled as a neighborhood salon, hosting events and intimate gatherings.
- Store concept, layout, and visual merchandising
- Vendor and designer curation
- In-store experiences and trunk shows
- Brand messaging and customer journey
Urban Stitch became a trusted destination for customers seeking meaningful pieces and for designers needing a thoughtful platform to showcase their work.
A warm, livable home for a returning client and her child, centered around comfort, storage, and ease—a space to land and grow into.
- Layout and flow for shared living and dining areas
- Color palette and material direction
- Furniture and rug sourcing within budget
- Art and object placement to add personality
The apartment now feels cohesive and grounded while remaining flexible enough to adapt as the family’s needs evolve.
Partnering with gifting and lifestyle brands to create cohesive product narratives for both digital and physical experiences.
- Product and vendor sourcing aligned with brand values
- Concepts for themed collections and seasonal drops
- Styling direction for photography and digital assets
- Collaborative planning across operations and marketing
Designing intimate formats for reflection, conversation, and creative play—often centered on Black women creatives, authors, and cultural workers.
- Experience concept and flow (arrival, soft openings, closing rituals)
- Co-creating with facilitators, chefs, and artists
- Environment styling and sensory details
- Participant journey from invitation to integration
Urban Ivy is the studio through which I hold all of this—interior design, creative strategy, and curation as one continuous practice.
- Strategy-first thinking for brands and spaces
- Hands-on guidance from concept to implementation
- Calm, organized project management
- Deep respect for culture, story, and lived experience
I partner with a small number of clients at a time. If you’re exploring a project—whether a space, brand, or experience—reach out with a brief overview, timeline, and any links you have. I’ll follow up with next steps and options for working together.
Email: info@alannanichelle.com
Instagram: @theurbanivy