Bringing The World Home with Becky Miller of Modern Nomad
In this month’s cover story, Culture & Style Editor ANNIE BLOJ interviews Becky Miller, founder of Modern Nomad Design, and the curated concept space Modern Nomad in RiNo. Becky was photographed at home in Hilltop.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ESTHER LEE LEACH // STYLING BY MARGO GOLTZ
HAIR: MACKENZIE DAVIS FOR KENZE HAIR STUDIO // MAKEUP: CHANTY VARGAS FOR LIVE LOVE LASH
CLOTHING: A LINE BOUTIQUE CHERRY CREEK
Dress: Jonathan Simkhai, Booties: ba&sh Paris
Annie Bloj: Becky Miller, Founder of Modern Nomad Home and Design, has an incredible eye for detail and design. Founded in 2017, Modern Nomad is a unique multi-tenant retailer, all housed in a 5,500 SF warehouse in the heart of RiNo. The fun, personal, and visually exciting ethos of Modern Nomad translates directly into her interior design firm, Modern Nomad Home. Her personality shines through her home's design, where personal photos and artwork, such as her son's paintings, are layered with modern and antique finds from all over the world.
You have been a real estate agent in Denver for 23 years. How did that lead to opening up your interior design firm, Modern Nomad Home?
Becky Miller: I've always had a passion for interior design, and I reached a point about ten years ago when I desperately wanted to do something creative. I had friends and clients from real estate that started to request my help, and that was such a fun and personal way to step into that world. Having a sense of purpose is so important to me, but it also needs to feed my soul. Design does that for me.
AB: You famously opened Modern Nomad, your retail space, after an inspiring trip to ABC Carpet and Home in NYC. How has that space changed since you opened it?
BM: Modern Nomad has evolved immensely in the past three years. Actually, this November will mark our 3rd year, which is incredible and unbelievable to me! I've realized the concept itself - a multi-tenant retail space with no demising walls - thrives on challenge and change. I've never held tight to a specific vision, and when something doesn't work out, I take that as a sign to move on. We have our core group of tenants, and I am so grateful that I get to work with such a fantastic group of small business owners. I try to keep the tenant mix diverse yet also relevant for what people want today. I love it when people come in to visit one particular store and walk out having touched every tenant in the space. Not only is it a place to shop, but I hope it's a place for inspiration and leaves people with a sense of community and cohesiveness. That endeavor will always be at our core.
Top: Roi Du Luc, Pants: L’Agence, Shoes: Aquazurra
AB: During the photoshoot, we spoke about how travel and spending time in design-forward cities such as Copenhagen inspire your design. How do you bring those ideas back to Denver and translate them for yourself and your clients?
BM: Travel is such a vast source of inspiration, which is why the world's current state is even more frustrating with the inability to travel freely. That said, Instagram honestly helps me reconnect with the international design community and find sources of inspiration. Copenhagen is an incredible city in so many ways, and I was lucky to have lived there for a year. It literally woke up a sense of creativity and observation that had been dormant in me. While Copenhagen is known for Scandinavian design, the Danes also brilliantly incorporate a sense of the world into their homes and Malene Birger is an excellent example of that. I find her aesthetic so inspiring - like ancient meets modern. I love the juxtaposition. Tension in design is essential to me; it makes an interior thought-provoking and interesting. Also, bringing in objects from around the world - those that tell a story gives a home soul. Soul is everything!
“Change your decor with your mood or the seasons. Design is an ever-evolving experience for me, like fashion. I treat my home the same way I treat my wardrobe - there are core pieces that always stay and those that may have been an impulse purchase to keep things exciting.”
AB: As a Denver native, what about the ever-changing scene here in Denver inspires you and excites you?
BM: I've been known to say (many times) that having grown up in Denver, I never intended to stay. The fact that I did is still a little surprising to me. It has allowed me to grow and try ideas, like Modern Nomad that would be difficult in a larger city. While I feel that Denver still lacks diversity (in so many ways), we have made strides in cultural exposure, architecture, food, mass transit, design, and well, marijuana. Ha! Honestly, I love it when people move here to try new ideas or open new businesses - and see them succeed. The one thing about Denver is that we don't have access to everything here, like in NY/San Fran/LA. So there's lots of room to grow. Also, I don't think as designers we should "play it safe" here - let's push the envelope a bit.
Dress: L’Agence, Belt: IRO
AB: Even though your home is strikingly well-designed and decorated, it is incredibly warm, fun, and never precious. Your family's personality shines through the design of your home; it feels like you could have a bunch of your son's friends over or host an elegant dinner party. Could you share three tips on how to incorporate more personality into our reader's interior design?
BM: 1. Don't play it safe. Have fun with color, texture, different time periods, etc. Nothing is more boring to me than seeing a house full of mid-century modern furniture. Don't take yourself so seriously.
2. While we strive for a specific "look," bring items into your design scheme that genuinely bring you joy. I love the hunt for furniture and accessories - when they remind you of that trip or time you stumbled across the perfect textile.
3. Change your decor with your mood or the seasons. Design is an ever-evolving experience for me, like fashion. I treat my home the same way I treat my wardrobe - there are core pieces that always stay and those that may have been an impulse purchase to keep things exciting.
AB: Becky, thank you so much for opening your home and sharing your story with us. Modern Nomad is always a destination for me when I'm in RiNo, and I'm so happy to get to know you better.
Becky Miller: @modernnomadhome // @modernnomaddenver // modernnomaddenver.com
Esther Lee Leach: @estherleeleach
Annie Bloj: @theblojreport
Mackenzie Davis for Kenze Hair Studio: @kenzehair_studio
Chanty Vargas for Live Love Lash: @chanty_livelovelash // @livelovelash
Margo Goltz for A Line Boutique:@margo_alineboutique // @alineboutique