By Donna Heiderstadt

Nuran Aliakbar says three role models from her childhood influenced her desire to work in interior design and to make a positive impact in people’s lives. The first two were her parents, who as immigrants arrived in the U.S. with nothing to their name, hoping to give Nuran and her siblings the life they could only dream of. “I remember my mom telling me stories where she felt that a helping hand was all she needed to keep fighting, but at times it felt like she was asking for the world,” Nuran says. “That’s a feeling I never want anyone in need of dire help to have to experience.” The second was the star of her favorite TV show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. “I often told my parents that I wanted to be like Ty Pennington and change people’s lives through design,” she recalls.

After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Colorado Denver and beginning her career as a Kitchen and Bath Designer at Home Depot, Nuran worked for several high-end kitchen and bath showrooms and studios. Now, at age 28, she is Senior In-House Designer at Denver-based Abacus Cabinetry. “My love for kitchen design is rooted in my belief that these spaces are the heart of every home; it is the one space that brings everyone together in every culture and demographic,” she says.

Nuran describes herself as “driven” and says a highlight of her nascent career was playing a crucial role as the kitchen and cabinetry designer of a project that won the Best in American Living Award from the National Association of Home Builders in 2022. Her favorite design aesthetic is Japandi. “I lean towards simple, natural materials and clean lines, blending Scandinavian minimalism with Japanese warmth,” she says. “I like designs that feel calm, functional, and grounded in nature.”

Nuran’s hobbies include creating pottery, exploring coffee shops (she considers herself a coffee connoisseur), and traveling. She’s also fascinated by her familial heritage. “I’m originally from Turkey, which has played a huge role in shaping my love for architecture, specifically Islamic architecture,” she says. “The rich history and culture there are truly phenomenal. One of my big goals is to visit all 81 provinces before I turn 35, to experience the cultural differences within the country, and discover the unique architectural beauty each place has to offer.”

Nuran’s ultimate career goal, however, remains rooted in the reason she became a designer in the first place. “My desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives is the only thing I want people to remember about me,” she says, “because at the end of the day how you make others feel is what they will always remember.”