Exclusive Interview With Kelli Richards Designs

Covet House is thrilled to share with you an exclusive interview with renowned interior designer Kelli Richards . Kelli launched her firm in 2014 following her graduation from College Interdec's prestigious Interior Design Program. She is the founder and principal designer of Kelli Richards Designs (KRD). Her portfolio is packed with a diverse range of projects, with a particular emphasis on the high-end residential market.

Kelli's background as a fashion model for over a decade allowed her to experience various cultures, which has undoubtedly shaped both her personal design philosophy and her broader 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 have exhausted all the options and am left with the one that just feels right for the client and the space, that is when I know I have hit the mark," the designer shared.

During our conversation, understanding what Kelli is most passionate about in her work was particularly enlightening. "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, but it wasn't the only hurdle she's faced in her career. "This past year has been especially challenging due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our projects. Predicting project timelines used to be straightforward, but now it's incredibly difficult given the unpredictable product lead times. Setting clear client expectations from the start has been our strategy. On top of that, there are always typical construction challenges like damages, human errors, and managing the multitude of people involved in each project. Business systems and procedures have been instrumental in mitigating some of these issues. Experience plays a crucial role; you can never know enough, and I'm constantly learning with every new project," Kelli explained.

When asked if she has achieved everything in life, Kelli admitted she is only 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 stated. Despite having achieved her dream of opening a showroom, Kelli still harbors aspirations for the future. "While I've achieved my dream of opening a showroom, my next goal 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 can pour our hearts and souls into our work and see our visions come to life."

"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 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." â€“ Kelli Richards

PROJECTS

As we delved deeper into the interview, we were curious about how Kelli builds relationships 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. We love the story feature because it allows us to show the progress of a project, which isn't always glamorous but provides our audience with an insider's view of the design process," Kelli explained.

Currently, Kelli is working on some exciting new projects and shared details about each. "We're working on a few new projects right now. One is a renovation of a 100-year-old home for a family in the Westmount area of Montreal. The inspiration for this project is Parisian architecture and design. Our client wanted that classic Parisian apartment feel, 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 is a living room project where the client wants a blend of Wabi-Sabi style and Parisian luxuryâ€”natural and earthy yet still elegant and sophisticated."

The past year has been tough, but it has also spurred creativity across various fields, including design. Nowadays, more than just having an outstanding decoration, functionality and practicality are essential. "The current trend I would say is laid-back casual design. Less matchy-matchy and more carefully curated spaces where you can actually live. Aesthetics are always important, but people just want to be able to use their spaces the way they want," Kelli Richards noted. "For finishes, I would say the current trend is lime finish paint that has a plaster-like texture. We're using this in many of our projects as it adds a beautiful natural vibe to the room."

Moving on to Kelli's professional side, we asked her about her ideal client. She described them as busy professionals who trust her to handle the entire project from start to finish. "My ideal client types are typically busy professionals. They travel a lot, many of them live abroad for part of the year or own other residences. They are looking for a design firm they can trust to take care of the entire project for them. They are design lovers and want to create a sense of elegance and luxury in their homes."

Recently, Kelli Richards opened her first showroom featuring her favorite pieces. "At the moment, we have just opened our first showroom in downtown Montreal called 'Kelli'. The showroom features many of my favorite pieces from the world's top makers. This was a passion project of mine because I wanted to make great design more accessible in my city and streamline our sourcing process for projects since we tend to specify a lot of European brands which were previously unavailable locally."

TO FINALISE

Craftsmanship remains vital in the design world, and we asked Kelli who she believes is leading the market. "We work with many different makers from around the globe, and they are all wonderful. In terms of craftsmanship, we have 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."

Wondering about the future of design, Kelli Richards emphasized sustainability and tradition as pathways to creating a more conscious world. "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 actually live their lives without worrying too much about damaging things. I would love to see makers put more focus on choosing materials that are easy to care for because the longer-lasting an item is, the more sustainable it becomes."

Exclusive Interview With Kelli Richards Designs

PROJECTS

TO FINALISE

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