Creating With Coveted Home
Tell us more about your history/interest in interior design?
After college I moved into a house that I was always tinkering with, thinking "how I could decorate differently," make the space better, paint a room, etc. I helped a few friends pick out paint colors for their homes and one of them suggested I try doing it for a living, which I had never even considered! Immediately the thought captivated my mind. I decided I wanted to be formally trained so I moved to California to go back to school and earn a degree in interior design. That was in 2005 and I've been captivated ever since.
When did you decide to found your own store? Can you tell us more about that process/decision?
While in design school I worked at a furniture store that offered interior design services. I loved the concept and started planning for my own similar business. In 2008 I decided to move back home to Kansas City to be close to family and dove right into opening my first store. Lots has changed since then, but my intention hasn't -- to bring current design trends to Kansas City and develop long lasting relationships with our clients by working one-on-one with their needs in mind.
In your opinion, what makes a space great.
I prefer an edited mix of styles that are comfortable, livable and reflect the personalities and lifestyle of the people living there.
What are your staple/go-to items when designing a space.
Comfortable seating, something vintage to keep the room from feeling too sterile or precious, something with a global feeling to give personality and warmth, art and plants to breathe life into the space.
Describe your design aesthetic in one word.
Evolving.
How can readers bring design elements into their own home, without breaking the bank?
Vintage is a great way to get a lot of bang for your buck. Plants are pretty affordable and seriously do wonders for a room but my biggest piece of advise is to collect things over time. People are so used to instant gratification, but I find the best interiors are those that have evolved over time.
Future plans?
We are getting ready to launch our Coveted Collection which will include custom pillow options, rugs available in multiple sizes and wallpaper. I'm really excited about having these options that were previously only available to my design clientele, available to our walk-in retail clientele.
Why should readers make Kansas City a must-visit location?
Kansas City is like an Indie band about to break into the mainstream. There is a palpable energy in the city between the food, arts and ever growing community of makers that are changing the scene and putting us on the map next to larger cities such as Austin, Nashville or Portland.