John Loecke + Jason Oliver Nixon

Welcome to Madcap Cottage where a sign over the firm’s front door announces, “Banish the beige.” “Truth,” notes Jason Oliver Nixon, one half of the High Point, North Carolina-based design firm. “If you are looking for boring and banal, go bark up someone else’s tree. We don’t want to live in a museum—unless it’s the Isabella Stewart Gardner.” Adds John Loecke, the other half of Madcap Cottage, “Think prints, patterns, color, and heaps of fun! These are the core elements of the Madcap Cottage brand DNA.” Former New York City magazine editors, the duo sees themselves as storytellers who help guide a conversation. Notes Jason Oliver, “We bring your adventures to life through our products, interiors, and social channels. Madcap Cottage is all about giving permission to celebrate a life well lived.” The duo is mad for long road trips across the USA with their four pound-rescue pups—paired with more far-flung global adventures. Says John, “We love visits to our home states of Florida and Iowa just as much as we adore Sicily, Harbour Island, and Portugal. Good design resides everywhere.” What else excites the gents? History, old movies, great gardens, house museums, auctions, vintage magazines, and, surprise, color-coded spreadsheets. Oh, and a cool, crisp pitcher of martinis—olives on the side.