Exclusive Interview With Kelli Richards Designs

Covet House is thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with renowned interior designer Kelli Richards . She established her design firm in 2014 following her graduation from College Interdec’s esteemed Interior Design program. Kelli is the founder and principal designer of Kelli Richards Designs – KRD. Her portfolio boasts a diverse range of projects, with a particular emphasis on the luxury residential market.

Kelli’s background as a model for over a decade exposed her to various cultures, an experience that undeniably shaped both her personal design philosophy and her worldview. “I love exploring all the possibilities of a space and getting to the essence of the client. There is no right or wrong design, but when I’ve exhausted all the options and am left with the one that just feels right for the client and the space, that’s when I know I’ve hit the mark,” she shared.

During our conversation, we were keen to understand what truly drives Kelli in her work. “I love dreaming about all the possibilities of a space and transforming something ordinary into something extraordinary,” she expressed. The past year presented significant challenges for Kelli, particularly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on project timelines. “In the past, we could predict project durations fairly accurately, but now with unpredictable product lead times, setting realistic client expectations from the outset has become crucial. Additionally, construction challenges such as damages, human errors, and coordinating multiple teams remain constant. Over the years, I’ve learned that having robust business systems and procedures helps mitigate some of these issues. Experience is key; you can never know enough, and I’m always learning with every new project,” she explained.

When asked if she had accomplished everything she desired in life, Kelli responded that she felt she was just beginning. “Not even close. I still consider us a young business. It’s been seven years since I graduated from Interior Design school and started my business. I really feel like we’re just getting started!” she emphasized. Despite achieving her dream of opening a showroom, Kelli remains ambitious. “While I’ve achieved my dream of opening a showroom, my next dream is to design and produce my own collection of furniture. Another dream I have is to work on projects where clients allow us complete creative freedom. We’ve had a couple of clients like this, and those projects are always our favorites because we get to pour our heart and soul into our work and see our dreams come to life,” she added.

“At my core, I am an artist. Some design companies approach their business from the perspective of a business first, design second. For me, it’s the other way around. Yes, I own the business and we do run it like a business, but first and foremost, I am a creative person and an artist. I just feel when something is right. I feel the most fulfilled during the design process when I design the perfect layout for how the client wants to live and their family. I immerse myself into their lives, imagining I am them so I can design the best possible space.” – Kelli Richards

PROJECTS

During our interview, we were curious about how Kelli connects with her audience. “We take on only a select number of projects per year, so we don’t do much advertising. The primary platform we use to showcase our work is Instagram, where we love using the story feature to show the progress of a project, which isn’t always pretty but gives our audience an insider’s view of what the process looks like,” she explained.

Currently, Kelli is working on some inspiring new projects and shared details about each. “We’re working on a few new projects right now. One of them is a renovation of a 100-year-old home for a family in the Westmount area of Montreal. The design inspiration for this project is Parisian architecture and design. Our client wanted that old-school Parisian apartment vibe, so although we’re doing a complete gut renovation, we tried to incorporate classical elements in the finishes and millwork to make it feel like it has always been there.

Another project we’re working on is a condo renovation with a water view. Our inspiration for this project is hotel luxe. Our clients wanted it to feel like they’re on vacation at the Four Seasons, so we’re adding a spectacular paneled Ethanol double-sided fireplace dividing the dining area and TV room.

A smaller project we’re working on now is a living room project where the client wants a blend of Wabi-Sabi style and Parisian luxury—natural and earthy yet still elegant and sophisticated.”

While the last year was challenging, it’s widely recognized that it sparked creativity across various fields, including design. Today, people value practicality and functionality in design more than ever. “The trend of the moment is laid-back casual design. People want less matchy-matchy and more carefully curated spaces where they can actually live. Aesthetics are always important, but people just want to use their spaces the way they want,” Kelli explained. On finishes, she noted that the current trend is lime finish paint with a plaster-like texture. “We’re using this in a lot of our projects right now as it adds a beautiful natural vibe to the room.”

When asked about her ideal client, Kelli described someone who trusts her completely and delegates the entire responsibility of the project. “My ideal client type is typically busy professionals. They travel a lot, many live abroad for part of the year or own other residences. They’re looking for a design firm they can trust to handle the entire project from start to finish. They’re design enthusiasts who want to create a sense of elegance and luxury in their homes.”

Recently, Kelli opened her first showroom featuring her favorite pieces. “We’ve just opened our first showroom in downtown Montreal called ‘Kelli.’ The showroom showcases many of my favorite pieces from the world’s top makers. This was a passion project for me because I wanted to make great design more accessible in my city and streamline our sourcing process for projects since we often specify European brands that weren’t previously available locally.”

TO FINALISE

When it comes to craftsmanship in the design world, we asked Kelli who she believes is leading the market. “We work with many different makers from around the globe, and they’re all wonderful. In terms of craftsmanship, we’ve been very impressed with Montis, which manufactures its furniture in the Netherlands. We also showcase Editions Milano in our shop, who creates works of art from the most exquisite marble blocks.” Reflecting on the future of design, Kelli pointed to sustainability and tradition as pathways to creating a more conscious world—design should prioritize quality above all else. “I think the future of the design world will include nature-inspired design, a focus on sustainability, local craftsmanship, and slow, thoughtful design and curation. I believe the trend is moving towards more authentic, durable spaces where people can live their lives without worrying too much about damaging things. I’d love to see makers put more emphasis on choosing materials that are easy to care for because the longer-lasting an item is, the more sustainable it becomes.”

SEE ALSO

Luxury Armchairs That Connect Soulful Design and Remarkable Comfort

//

What do you think? Did you like this article? Follow Covet House on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest and Twitter , we are here to give you the best interior design inspiration for your design projects and, never forget, celebrate design with friends as we do!

Pet Products

Pet Products,Silicone Pet Slow Feeding Mat,Silicone Pet Slow Food Bowl,Silicone Foldable Pet Bowl

Ningbo Honor Imp & Exp Co.,Ltd , https://www.honormaket.com