Volume 3: March
It’s Our Birthday!
In the spring of 2003, I was living in sunny California and working for a fantastic interior designer who has since become like family. While working for her, we completed four successful showhouse rooms in Pasadena which led to quite a bit of media exposure for her firm.
The next year, as showhouse season was approaching, a couple of my friends who also worked as interior designers encouraged me to apply as an independent designer. I felt like I was cheating on my boss/friend/mentor by applying to do the showhouse in Los Angeles on my own and I don't recall the details. Somewhere along the line I got the call, and my design concept was accepted.
Kirk Riley Design was born in 2004
Showhouses receive excellent media exposure and my project was no exception. I was so fortunate to have that first project featured in print and television. The next few years were a hustle and included a relocation to Seattle where we still are today.
Kirk Riley Design first Design Showcase circa 2004. Yes, we used film that had to be developed from original negatives. No digital here!
As a small business owner, there's often not much separation between personal life and work life. The line can be blurred heavily when you're working so closely with clients and in their homes. Every day I love what I do and still can’t believe I get to call it work. My business relies heavily on the talents and skills of other local craftspeople. Together, we strive to support and work alongside other small and local businesses. 💋
Thank you for your continued support of our female lead business.
Vendor Spotlight
Specializing in vintage home design, we've learned over the years that the kitchen is often the room that needs the most updates. Kitchens are high functioning spaces with built-in features. This means big money and a lot of high-ticket decisions must be made. Since being in Seattle, I have chosen to work with Albert Lee Appliance for my client and personal design projects. Appliances are expensive, and ideally, they feel and work in a way that is comforting to you at the start and end your day.