Implementing custom design in nopCommerce

I am in the feasibility phase of a project where I am tasked with finding a CMS/eCommerce solution.

I need to know:
1.) Is nopCommerce highly customizable?  Can I implement a custom site design and layout easily?
2.) Does nopCommerce have content management capabilities?

1) Yes - nopCommerce is highly customizable

Check this out, it might help you - https://www.nopcommerce.com/boards/t/10560/advantages-of-nopcommerce-a-developers-perspective-blog-post.aspx

2) nopCommerce does offer blog and forums functionality.

For more information, check the demo website: http://demo.nopcommerce.com/

Here is a list of few stores (based on nopCommerce). You can see how people have customized nopCommerce to meet their requirement(s) : https://www.nopcommerce.com/showcaseliveshops.aspx

You can also check the roadmap for upcoming 2.1 version: https://www.nopcommerce.com/boards/t/10994/nopcommerce-210-roadmap-lets-discuss.aspx