29 Apr21056 What is luxury? Like “joy” or “comfort”, it is a term that is both personal and individual. For owner and president of KN Interiors Inc., Kristy Nichols and her team, it is defined as “living delightfully”, and they believe it is something that can and should be accessible to everyone. Their passion is creating beautiful, comfortable, functional spaces that elevate the quality of their clients’ lives. For some, that might be defined by artisan-crafted cabinetry, original works of art, and one-of-a-kind furnishings; while for others, it is a space designed using pieces curated from import stores, uniquely combined in a way that expresses their personality and lifestyle. Regardless of how the furnishings are sourced, it is Kristy’s unmitigated expectation that a client’s finished home will support their goals and aspirations, help them lead a more relaxed and efficient life, and spend higher quality time with family and friends. That sounds like a pretty good definition of “luxury” to us. Crowned Most Outstanding Interior Design Studio 2021 – Illinois in this issue of LUXlife, we delve into what makes KN Interiors worthy of this award. Founded in 2009, KN Interiors offers a full range of interior design services, including consultations, furnishings and accessories, organisation, kitchen and bath design, and full- scale home renovations. It specialises in working with busy homeowners who want (and need!) a home that is both a launch pad into their day, and a haven to return to at night. Kristy says, “Our clients LIVE in their homes, and are looking for solutions, both aesthetic and functional, to make the quality of that living better. They are very busy working in their own trade, taking care of their families, and pursuing a myriad of interests that do not include researching endless sofas, solving the configuration of their nightmare kitchen, or crafting detailed plans to phase their home out of the mid-90s and into the new millennium. They trust us to do that. They also want the process to be as smooth and enjoyable as possible. They trust us to do that, too.” To that end, Kristy believes that another integral facet of luxury is impeccable customer service, and whether an individual is looking to update a single space, or overhaul their entire home, they will feel that in every aspect of their project. She says, “At KN Interiors, we understand how overwhelming and intimidating this process can appear to those who aren’t immersed in it every single day… and frankly, they’re right. There are a massive number of moving parts involved in ushering a design from concept to completion.” The luxury of hiring a professional designer is far more than crafting designs that are both stunning and timeless, providing decades of longevity for the investment, although that is absolutely critical. It’s knowing the right questions are being asked at the outset, to ensure that the design meets all of the client’s needs. It’s having someone to Living Delightfully organise and oversee the project from planning through execution, handling any issues that may arise to keep everything on track. It’s trusting someone to be a steward of your finances, sourcing products from bathtubs to cabinet handles that make sense for the your lifestyle and quality needs, while orchestrating the allocation of dollars over multiple potential phases in a way that is both logical and enjoyable. Above all, it’s crystal clear communication, managing expectations and client comfort at every step along the way. With 20 years in the design industry, and easily 90% of KN Interiors’ business coming from referrals and repeat clients, it’s obvious those targets are being met. Kristy regularly finds herself in the entertaining position of now RE-designing her own spaces from earlier in her career. She laughs, “Nothing makes me feel quite as blessed, or as ancient, as designing homes for young adults whose bedrooms I designed when they were children!” When asked how she feels stepping into spaces she designed ten or twenty years ago, she says, “I love it. It’s like a time capsule of who we were then, both the clients and myself. By the time they call me back for an overhaul, the space is usually beat to death. It’s the most amazing feeling as they tell me how much love and use they’ve gotten from that room in the intervening years. When I think about it, I get a little awestruck contemplating the many moments of my clients’ lives that are subsequently passed in these designs that are the children of my brain. It is incredibly inspiring, and more than a little humbling.” As we all move forward together in this unprecedented post-pandemic world, it is Kristy’s intention that KN Interiors not only evolves aesthetically, but in ways that meet the changing expectations and priorities of its clients. Virtual design is now a routine part of business, which has not only maintained safety when distance was necessary, but has now allowed the team to cross those distances to share their talents across the US and other countries. Furthermore, as clients have now spent more continuous time in their homes than they ever imagined, the concept of “aging in place” has gained incredible momentum. It’s something Kristy and her team have been happy to discuss and incorporate for a number of years, but post-2020, feel they are becoming leaders in their field. “Surrounding yourself with beauty and comfort is indubitably a luxury,” she says, “but as we age, the ability to stay in our homes may be the greatest luxury of all, and it is an honour to help my clients prepare for the best possible future.” Company: KN Interiors Inc. Contact: Kristy Nichols Email:
[email protected] Website: www.kninteriors.com