TASTEMAKER INTERVIEW WITH KAREN KITOWSKI, ASID

I had an opportunity to chat a bit with Dallas interior designer Karen Kitowski. Interior designer for a townhouse located on Miro which is one of the homes on the Dallas Modern Home Tour. She has won many design awards and has been featured in various design and news publications— such as Luxe Magazine, Better Homes and Garden and the Dallas Modern News to name a few. In this short yet informative interview we gain some insight on her inspirations for her designs an her personal style.

 

cmv: What was the inspiration behind decorating 3315 Miro Place? 

Karen: I wanted to create the feeling of a New York SOHO art gallery. A 55 foot long great room with crisp white walls and a 20ft ceiling reproduces that bright airy space you feel when you walk into the Guggenheim or a loft style gallery. Combined with white furniture, the room becomes a canvas for the stand out accent pieces like the zebra print rug and the 18th century French buffet au deux. 

cmv: I notice on this project for Miro there appears to be a lot of high-end pieces, do you ever incorporate vintage pieces in your design? 

Karen:Yes, I use vintage pieces when it’s appropriate and goes with the design aesthetic. I use vintage in my home! 

cmv: Describe an average day working on a project. 

Karen: Every day is different. I could be researching furniture or fabrics in the showrooms, looking for inspiration in art galleries, gardens or boutiques, creating color boards, meeting with clients, doing paperwork, etc. There really is no average day!

cmv: What exactly is your personal style? 

Karen: In my own home, my choices have been in the modern style with a lot of texture, color, and art. However when designing for a client, my personal style is irrelevant. I depend on my eye and knowledge to achieve the client’s vision.

cmv: Do you make any decor changes with the seasons?

Karen: The only seasonal changes I make in my own home are Christmas decorations; however, I have had clients ask me to revamp their homes to reflect a new season. I achieve that mainly by changing accessories.

cmv: Can you share a few key things about yourself, your background and what led you to pursue a career in interior design? 

Karen: Even as a child I was intrigued by color and design. In fact, my first project was decorating the interior of my dollhouse! I knew I wanted to pursue a career that took advantage of my interest in light, color and form, so I studied art and business with a specialty in design at California State. In 1977, I opened my own design studio. Since then I primarily work in residential interior design, but I will occasionally take on a commercial project when asked by an existing client. 

cmv: If you were not an interior designer, what would you be doing? 

Karen: I can’t imagine doing anything else! 

  

cmv: What have been the biggest accomplishments of your career so far? 

Karen: I did the interior design of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s office in the Supreme Court building as well as his home in California. Honestly, making each and every  client happy is my biggest reward!
                                      
cmv: What part of your work do you love the most and why? 
Karen: I like the variety of the day to day and being able to select and assemble beautiful furnishings. 

cmv: What recommendation can you give to homeowners who would like to discover their own signature styles? 
Karen: Cut out photographs that you’re drawn to from design magazines. Save them, and you will start to see a trend developing. Then you will know your style! 

cmv: Are there any current design trends you prefer? 
Karen: Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity.

I want to thank Karen for taking the time to chat with me. Should you be in the Dallas, Texas metro area you can see her work on the Dallas Modern Home Tour, Saturday January 28, 2012. For details and tickets go here. To contact Karen for her interior design services go here. 
IMAGES: 1-3 DALLAS MODERN HOMES TOUR \\  4 KAREN KITOWSKI