Day in the Life: Palette Group Founder Nate Nichols

The founder of Kensington-based Palette Group — a creative agency that’s responsible for City Fitness and Starr Restaurants’ marketing campaigns — on his favorite things

Nate Nichols | Photograph by Jillian Guyette

Nate Nichols | Photograph by Jillian Guyette

I wake up at 6:30 a.m. to work out. I get to my studio by 8:30. The first thing I do there is boil water for pour-over coffee. I only drink single-origin varieties from Central or South America. ReAnimator Coffee is the office favorite. 

I’m not much of a cocktail guy; I prefer Espolón Tequila — straight, on the rocks, with two limes. One of my favorite places to gather with friends is Martha in Kensington. It’s dark and intimate, and there’s a great fireplace inside.

Photograph by Jillian Guyette

Photograph by Jillian Guyette

The Palette Group office is filled with custom furniture made by one of my best friends, Liam Dean. I’m a huge fan of local mixed-media artist Dewey Saunders (above). We’ve worked together in the past. If I had more zeros in my bank account, I’d have a lot of his art in my apartment. For now, his work is the screensaver on my computer.

Ruckus Gallery in Old City does a lot for local artists and really, really niche national artists. The gallery’s layout and floor design are stunning.

I’m inspired by Moe Elgawly, the founder and designer of The CXX, a local menswear company. He’s a creative savage.

Photograph by Jillian Guyette

Photograph by Jillian Guyette

I wear five pieces of jewelry (above right) every day: a ring on each hand — a wolf I got in Los Angeles on my right hand and a black onyx ring from Barcelona on my left — a Giles & Brother railroad spike bracelet, a Tanner Goods leather and gold bracelet, and a gun trigger necklace from Lapstone & Hammer on 11th and Chestnut. And my dope canvas satchel (above left) from Bus Stop Boutique in Queen Village literally never leaves my side.

Photograph by Jillian Guyette

Photograph by Jillian Guyette

When I turned 26, I took a solo trip to my father’s home country, Haiti. Since then, I have traveled to Paris, London, Vienna, Barcelona, and always keep some of the currency (above) when I return home. All the coins and bills are a reminder of humbling beginnings.

Published as “Day in the Life” in the January 2017 issue of Philadelphia magazine.