Living Gallery - Miami Design District Magazine

Spotlight
All in the Pink!
A Self-confessed Design Junkie,
Nisi Berryman Loves Her Work, Life
Story by Debra Kronowitz I Photos courtesy of Nisi Berryman
NIBA Home owner Nisi Berryman is a self-confessed design
junkie. Armed with a degree in painting and art history from
Louisiana State University, she immediately moved to New York
where her passion instantly became design and decorative
arts. She worked for renowned furniture designer Dakota Jackson, launching
his first New York showroom; and after moving to Florida in 1989, she
managed the Tui Pranich showroom and went on to open Holly Hunt Miami.
Prior to launching NIBA Home in 2004, Berryman was the Design District
marketing director for Dacra Development.
“I fell in love with the design world in New York, and was lucky enough to
make it my career and be surrounded by passionate, talented designers
and artists,” she said.
As owner of NIBA Home in Miami’s Design District, Berryman helps many
clients style and complete their design projects with a rich mix of accessories,
furniture and lighting. Her style is about surprising and welcoming
color. In fact, she is wild about hot pink. “I absolutely love hot pink,” she
enthusiastically said. At home, her front door at home is hot pink. Her front
hall is hot pink. And though most of the rest of the house is painted in other
vibrant colors, many shades of pink appear on a sofa and a coffee table, in
pillows and tablecloths, even in the art.
“To me, hot pink is just the most sexy and vibrant color ― it makes me
incredibly happy to be around it.”
In addition to her time spent at work, Berryman sits on the advisory board
of DASH (Design and Architecture Senior High), Miami’s magnet school and
the only high school in the United States devoted to design. “This is very
dear to my heart. It is a transformative place for kids, and launches many
into a productive and creative life,” she said.
She also donates her time to FIU’s Wolfsonian Visionaries Group, which
brings awareness to, and raises funds for, the museum. Other “pet” charities
are WLRN, Habitat for Humanity and Grubstake. “I wish I could support
everything ― so many causes and people need help!” she exclaimed.
Until 2009 (when it folded) Berryman was the Miami city editor for Metropolitan
Home Magazine, where she sought out and wrote about design and trends.
Aside for her passion for design, Berryman loves politics, education, recycling
and creative people. Though she says she has made NIBA Home her hobby,
she does enjoy yoga and the outdoors ― walking, biking, boating and dining.
“I love to cook, but it’s not happening very often these days,” she added.
With her son in college she is finding more time for reading, playing piano
and nightlife. “I miss him so much, but it’s not as bad as I feared,” she admitted.
“I make a point of enjoying dinner and wine with friends, going to the
movies, traveling and haunting vintage stores.”
What’s next for Berryman “My fantasy project is a NIBA hotel right in the
Design District, with a great lounge for live music!” ◆
18 Design District