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Kristen gives her client’s heirloom secretary desk a place of
honor. The rug from Stark Carpet was custom designed by
Kristen using motifs consistent with the home, a Wallace Frost
French Tudor. |
Tell us a little about how you
incorporate a client’s own style
into a space you are designing.
I make it clear from the start that
this is their home and in order for
it to reflect their own personality, I
must get to know them – I need to
see their collections and hear the
stories of pieces they wish to
incorporate into the space. Maybe
they brought back something from
their travels. I am not afraid of
people and their stuff. These
important things are what will put
their “stamp” on the room. My role
is to edit, streamline and layer
their treasures into a space.
What about the space itself –
what part does that play in the
process?
Preserving architectural elements and details in a residence to establish provenance is an important
first step in all projects. Is this a historical home? Does it have special architectural mouldings, beams
or great plaster work? After determining which of those elements should be preserved, I ask a lot of
questions about all the different ways the space will be used – you would be surprised how revealing
that can be. When my clients really think about how people will move through the space, where they
would like to sit and read or which windows have their favorite view, my task becomes to make the
space uniquely theirs.
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This antique bench was recovered in a Belgian style
tapestry. The pop of raspberry silk on the pillows
lightens the tone and keeps the room from feeling
too “serious”. |
I understand you lived and worked in
London, England in the early part of
your career. How did that influence
your work?
Huge influence! In so many ways! First,
space was so limited in the city. Every
inch counted. Even out in the country,
with larger homes, the rooms were
small and cottage-like, so I needed to
be mindful of keeping everything in
proportion. The English seem to really
use all their rooms, too. Each space
needed to fit within the function and be
comfortable. The furniture, fabrics,
textures needed to be pleasing –
because they were going to be used a
lot.
The other lesson I learned in England
was about time, and this included
learning patience and the appreciation of
time. The pace is very different there. We stopped for tea every afternoon. It did not matter what was piled
up where – we stopped and regrouped. It was a good life lesson. I learned to take a short break – and
guess what – that is when inspiration can strike.
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This wonderful carved dining table is original to
the home. The client, a lover of fresh flowers,
appreciates the English porcelain tureen Kristen
located to hold the daily bouquets. |
How do you apply that lesson with your clients?
Clients sometimes expect an answer immediately
after a question is asked. I have learned through
experience that there is no harm in telling a client
that I would like to put some thought into it. With
experience comes patience.
Clients’ needs are first in their homes. Is there
something that makes design personal for you
in your own life?
I have made a comfortable home that works well
for my family, but what I am really investing my time
in now is helping make comfortable homes for
families without the means to do it themselves. I
was working with a client almost a year ago who
was passing along some of her things to make way
for new items we had selected. It was important to
her that these things “live on” in some way, and I
wanted to be “greener” with my daily work, as well.
Too often clients will have something wonderful
that just will not work in their new space – what
happens to those things? My client and a partner
started Humble Design, a nonprofit company
providing families in need with functional and
welcoming home interiors. I got involved right
away – I love the thought that we are minimizing
the impact on the environment by matching clients
with donated and gently used household goods.
It doesn’t get much more personal – I get my whole
team involved. We transport items to a home, and
I pick up the paint roller or screwdriver myself to
help make it happen. It is really rewarding work. |