Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, and interior designer Kristen Wilson, owner of Studio Louise, aims to create beauty in her client's eyes. Her eclectic style with a traditional twist results in designs that are a little funkier and a lot more colorful, with a hat-tip to classic pieces and antiques. “I like color,” Kristen said, “but with a nod back to traditional styles.”
Kristen’s work includes both residential and commercial projects, with a focus on new construction and remodels. She says “I like incorporating clients' personalities into the space. It makes it feel a little more special.” Kristen loves the flexibility of new construction as it permits unlimited creativity. It allows an exhaustive approach to her design because the home acts as a blank canvas ready for her to paint the story of her clients. “You’re not limited and can choose every little detail, whereas, with a remodel, you’re still bound by what’s already there.” That being said, she enjoys the challenges a remodel can present as the limitations often test her abilities and expand her creative mindset to both conform to and elaborate on the space.
When she first entered the interior design world, Kristen wanted her trademark to be funky, loud, colorful, and bold. However, as she matured, she gravitated toward more traditional and tailored interior styles. By pulling in more traditional design elements and principles, she manages to fuse the funky with the tailored in perfect harmony to complement the spaces she designs. Her inspiration comes from traveling, visiting different restaurants, and observing what other designers are doing. As a student of her craft, Kristen is constantly watching how people interact with the designed spaces around them. This flow of different sights and places, rather than one particular fashion, drives her creative mind.
She aspires to create an emotional relationship between her clients and the space they interact with. The intended impact the space has on the clients differs with each room due to the different approaches she takes. “Ultimately,” she said, “I like to listen to what clients want and their concerns, but also push them to step out of their comfort zone.” With the intent not to be too predictable, Kristen encourages clients to choose and embrace pieces they might not have selected themselves, with the knowledge and confidence in her that when all the pieces come together, the space will feel like theirs.
While every project she has undertaken over the years has become her favorite, due to the time, effort, and energy invested, her personal favorite spaces to design are living and family rooms. From upholstery to art, “there’s a lot of room for different styles of pieces to be included,” she said. Her favorite color to incorporate in her designs is chartreuse. “I feel like that color is a little chameleon,” Kristen said. “It is definitely my go-to design color to add a splash of funkiness to the space.”
For those seeking a space incorporating a splash of funky with a traditional twist, visit her website, studiolouiseid.com, to view her portfolio and schedule an initial consultation.