Tina Nicole is the lead designer and one of the founders of Nathan Anthony Furniture, a luxury upholstered furniture line. Since starting Nathan Anthony in 2005, Tina has been honored numerous times for her design excellence, both nationally and internationally. At Nathan Anthony, Tina leads by producing sustainable and custom furnishings in their Los Angeles based factory. Just like their mission statement, please help us “connect, share, repeat” this week’s Maker Monday’s story, Tina Nicole of Nathan Anthony Furniture.
Tina Nicole focuses on enlightening the room with unforgettable furnishings. Which is clearly executed in this minimalistic living room with an incredible view.
Andrew Joseph: You’re the newest Crayola color. What color are you and why?
Tina Nicole: Citron! It’s a combination of green and orange that makes its own yellowish hue. It’s fresh and bright and happy! Stands out in the crowd! It denotes style, sophistication and fun. It pairs beautifully with all other colors, especially black and white. It’s a color you can associate with the divine and abundance in some cultures.
Andrew: What makes you angry?
Tina: When I seized the wrong day.
Andrew: If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Tina: Teleportation, You can go anywhere you want! Stand on top of the Egyptian pyramids, watch the sunset from Machu Picchu, sip tea atop of the Eiffel Tower. You can also pop in backstage at a Lady Gaga concert, or take a front-row seat at a Broadway show! No more messing around with TSA or boarding priorities!
Tina Nicole has made the World’s Leading Design List in 2018 and has been honored for design excellence five consecutive times with International Product Design.
Andrew: If you could guest star on any TV show -on or off air- what show would you guest star in?
Tina: Modern Family.
Andrew: What’s a guilty pleasure you have?
Tina: Stracciatella (Italian chocolate chip ice cream) on Italian brioche.
Andrew: If you weren’t a designer, you’d be a ….?
Tina: Hologram.
Andrew: What’s something you always travel with?
Tina: Chapstick.
The goal for Tina Nicole is to delight the hearts of consumers. Over at Nathan Anthony Furniture, they constantly keep it fresh with new fabrications and sculptural shapes.
Andrew: What would be the name of your debut album?
Tina: IMMA DO ME.
Andrew: What was your first job?
Tina: Licking envelopes.
Andrew: Do you get your eight hours a night? – what is your schedule like?
Tina: I work-out with a personal trainer at 5 am M-F, in the office from 10 to 2, head home to be with my son by 3 pm when he gets out of school. Dinner together with my husband and son and in bed by 9 pm. Date night is every Thursday.
Andrew: Are you a pet person? Why either way? Dogs or cats?
Tina: Dog person, they each have their own personality, they are full of love, they don’t talk back, they are loyal and they smile.
Craftsmanship and construction are two key components of Tina Nicole’s success. While also working alongside her team, Tina and her partner, Khai, have produced exquisite furnishings.
Andrew: Style (or design) icon?
Tina: Style: Miuccia Prada and Coco Chanel; Design: Karim Rashid and Patricia Urquiola.
Andrew: What’s one ingredient you put in everything?
Tina: Vietnamese Fish Sauce.
Tina is Creative Director and CEO Nathan Anthony Furniture, a company she and her husband Khai Mai founded in 2005. Their mission is to create beautiful, unforgettable furnishings that light up the room; delight the hearts of others with new fabrications, sculptured shapes and artful touches; excel at craftsmanship and construction; operate from a space of love and gratitude; and craft responsibly in Southern California.
Tina holds a Juris Doctor Degree from Loyola Law School, a Bachelor’s Degree in English from UCLA, and an Associate of Arts Degree in Merchandise Marketing Management from Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Burbank Youth Vocal Arts Foundation. Memberships include The California Bar Association, Female Founders Collective, Women’s Leadership Development Network (WithIt), The International Society of Furniture Designers and The Sustainable Furnishings Council. In her free time she enjoys travel, window shopping, visiting museums and cathedrals, live theater, beach cruising, working out, poetry, writing, dancing, painting, and creating things. Her volunteer work includes the performing arts program at Burbank High School, and delivering or cooking food for Ascenicia: Lifting People out of Homeless, Glendale, CA. She lives with her husband and son in Burbank. Learn more at www.lovenathananthony.com.
Andrew Joseph is a regular contributing editor for ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME magazine. See more of his work here.
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