Her Magazine is New Zealand’s only women’s business lifestyle magazine! Her Magazine highlights the achievements of successful and rising New Zealand businesswomen. Her Magazine encourages a healthy work/life balance.
Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/59614
woman in the kitchen kitchen manufacturers at the time, Hostess Kitchens. She learned from the best and became passionate about kitchen design. However, by the time Nicola was 34-years-old she decided it was time to start her own business. "I suddenly understood what I was supposed to be doing," she says. "I was tired of being told to sell based only on high profit margins. Instead, I wanted to give people exactly what they needed and what was best suited to their budget, while offering new products," she says. So Nicola quit her job and took the plunge into business ownership, opening the doors of Nicola Cumming Design in Auckland. Over a 20-year period, she has developed it into a successful kitchen, bathroom and renovation design business, which includes other areas such as laundries, entertainment units, hobby/sewing rooms, bedroom units, and wine cellars. And, being a go-getter, she recently expanded into the Bay of Plenty. One may ask how a business succeeds for so long through economic ebbs and flows. It seems Nicola's rounded approach and work ethic has carved out a place for her within a competitive industry. "I offer people a holistic way of thinking, which means I help clients consider their lifestyle before any designing begins; for example, I discuss with them how they move around their existing kitchen and what they do when cooking their meals. My approach is unique to most people, but it stems from that "light bulb" moment in my 20s when I decided to design attractive yet functional kitchens. It's about genuinely meeting the needs of my client," she says. Nicola's penchant for beauty coupled with a deep appreciation of nature filters into her designs. She has travelled to 'designer paradises' such as Milan, Tuscany and Paris, and thoughtfully combines these experiences into her own design style. "I love the eclectic old and new building styles around the world, and there is a Kiwi-influence that comes through my designs. Plus, NICOLA'S TOP TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE KITCHEN DESIGN Know your budget and what it needs to include. Pull photo magazine clips of textures, styles, colours, and cabinet or hardware specifics that inspire you for your home. Think about what your special lifestyle requirements are, such as layouts, traffic flow, work flow, social flow. Divide your requirements into two lists: a 'must have list' and a 'wish list'. Use an experienced, professional designer. They have so much knowledge and can save you heartache, time and money. 76 | www.hermagazine.co.nz with our avocado orchard as a backdrop, what better way to be inspired? It's an idyllic situation. I love the colours, textures and combinations of colours – the way nature goes together," she says. The highly-qualified spatial designer has also been a tutor, a key speaker, and won industry awards. And when someone is as naturally creative and passionate about life like Nicola, it should be no surprise she is also a certified makeup artist, who has worked on the set of Shortland Street and staged emergency scenes for NZ Special Air Services (NZSAS) training. She also volunteers for the charity, Look Good Feel Better, where she helps women suffering from the effects of cancer feel special by showing them how to apply makeup. It seems the adage 'variety is the spice of life' is owned by Nicola. She has completed a two-year landscape design course, and attended various night school classes including calligraphy, sushi making, bread making and cake decorating. Nicola has also spent hours in her hobby room creating sculptures and mosaics, and after 16 years of social dancing she continues to kick her heels on the dance floor. And, her love of embracing new experiences continues. All things said and done, Nicola looks relaxed on a stylish rubicund- leather bound chair surrounded by well-considered furnishings in the lounge of her Whakamarama property she shares with husband, Keith. The petite brunette can smile at how her turn of misfortune and a chance meeting with a kitchen designer changed the course of her career path forever. Words and photos by Vivette Reid www.kitchendesigner.net.nz Before and After