I use Nova Launcher as well, theming it to mimic the Pixel Launcher and with he Pixel Icon Pack to make all icons rounded.
Another, lighter option if you like the Pixel UI is Lawnchair. You can use the same icon pack for completeness. And it also supports Google Now integration (so does Nova).
The big difference between the two is that Nova is more customisable, and Nova supports weather in the search widget which Lawnchair doesn't.
You can enable full Google Now integration within Nova Launcher, so that it becomes your left-most home screen.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/0...lly-gets-google-now-integration-apk-download/