The Duchess by NM Designs is a luxury home decor store in Old Towne Orange, California, offering curated home furnishings and personalized interior design services. As an extension of NM Designs, a full-service residential interior design firm, The Duchess brings a warm, elevated shopping experience with one-on-one design guidance.
Set in a charming historic home, we offer interior design services, personalized shopping, and community events for the Orange County design community.
Meet the Team
Nicole brings over a decade of experience in residential interior design, specializing in spaces that feel elegant, livable, and thoughtfully layered. As the founder and creative lead of NM Designs, she is known for her refined eye, attention to detail, and collaborative approach that allows each client’s home to feel deeply personal and beautifully considered. Raised in Villa Park and a longtime resident of Orange, Nicole’s work is rooted in a deep connection to the community she serves. Her understanding of local homes, lifestyles, and family-centered living gives her designs a sense of warmth, familiarity, and intention. Through NM Designs, Nicole brings together elevated design, practical functionality, and meaningful details to create homes that are not only beautiful, but truly lived in and loved.
Kate Aukerman
Co-Owner
Nikki Krup
Team Member
Andrea Groom
Team Member
Nicole McFayden
Co-Owner
Kate leads the backend strategy and operational systems that support The Duchess’ refined retail and interior design experience. With a strong background in business operations, she plays a critical role in overseeing both the day-to-day flow and long-term health of the company. Her work helps ensure that every part of the business feels intentional, organized, and aligned behind the scenes. From operational structure to strategic planning, Kate brings clarity, consistency, and thoughtful leadership to the brand’s growth. Her ability to connect the creative vision with practical execution allows The Duchess to deliver a polished, elevated experience for both retail customers and interior design clients. As a key part of the leadership team, Kate supports the foundation that allows the brand to expand with purpose while staying true to its refined, community-centered approach.
Katelyn Miller
Junior Designer/Team Member
Katelyn is a Junior Designer with NM Designs and a member of the design team at The Duchess by NM Designs. She earned her degree in Interior Design from California State University, Long Beach, and has spent her entire professional career working within the interior design industry. Katelyn brings a thoughtful eye for detail and a strong foundation in design principles, supporting both client projects and the curated in- store experience at The Duchess.
Jennifer Tyson
In-House Florist/Team Member
Jennifer Tyson brings more than 20 years of experience in the floral industry and a passion for creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind arrangements that bring warmth and personality to every space. As The Duchess' in-house florist, Jennifer designs all of our custom floral and greenery arrangements, from everyday accents to seasonal statement pieces.
Jennifer also leads our popular floral and wreath workshops, where she shares her expertise and inspires others to explore their own creativity through flowers and design. In addition to her work at The Duchess, Jennifer is a valued member of our holiday decorating team with Seasoned & Styled, helping transform homes and businesses into beautifully curated seasonal spaces.
Known for her creativity, attention to detail, and love of teaching, Jennifer's work can be found throughout The Duchess and in many of the custom creations our clients enjoy year-round.
Nikki brings a deep familiarity with The Duchess and its community, having spent five years as part of the original Duchess on Cambridge team. With a professional background rooted in design and merchandising, Nikki has a natural talent for creating beautifully styled spaces and helping customers bring thoughtful pieces into their homes. Her eye for presentation and understanding of the store’s legacy help maintain the warm, curated experience The Duchess is known for.
Andrea Groom is a lifelong Orange County resident and proud member of the Villa Park community. With a professional background in residential real estate, Andrea has spent years helping clients navigate one of life's most meaningful investments—their home.
Her passion for beautiful spaces, attention to detail, and genuine love of connecting with people make her a wonderful addition to The Duchess team. Andrea enjoys helping customers discover unique pieces for their homes and creating a welcoming shopping experience for everyone who walks through our doors.
When she's not at The Duchess, Andrea enjoys spending time with family, supporting the local community, and appreciating all that Orange County has to offer.