Talk Shop: Kate Smith // Kate Smith Interiors
Photo by Lam Photography
ABOUT KATE
After working in the fashion industry for 10 years, Kate Smith packed up her family and moved from New York City back to her roots in Connecticut. In 2016, she founded Kate Smith Interiors with the goal of bringing classic and colorful design to life in a livable way. Influenced by her time in the fashion industry, she brings a keen eye to every room she touches; focusing on color, texture, and balance. Kate pulls inspiration from her childhood in Connecticut, her time in the city, and her experiences living and traveling abroad. As a mother, she understands the importance of creating multi-functional spaces that work well for the entire family, both in style and practicality. Her own home reflects her love of traditional design mixed with a touch of whimsy, humor, and playfulness. It was Kate’s beautiful rose garden-inspired room that was featured in Cottages & Gardens that caught our eye! We so enjoyed our chat with Kate, and hope you do too!
Photo by Lam Photography
Describe your style in three words or less:
Classic, colorful, layered
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Travel; nothing provides more inspiration than stepping out of your comfort zone
My tenure in the Fashion Industry; I approach designing a room very similar to how I build a wardrobe. It’s all a balance of hero pieces, foundations, accents, and accessories. Knowing when to push and when to pull back. Creating a little tension. Playing with color and texture can bring your style to life!
My family; My late grandmother, Betty, was so thoughtful in her style and made everything look and feel special.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I started KSI in 2016 with the idea that I could create spaces that are extremely expressive while also being totally liveable. My favorite thing is hearing from a client when a project wraps that “I never would have thought to do that, but I absolutely love it!”
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
Design can be an isolating field if you let it be. I find it really important to nurture relationships with my colleagues and fellow designers. We really mentor each other. I have a few amazing women in particular who I love to travel to events with, catch up over drinks with, and bounce ideas off of each other. It makes us each better, and helps us all through the ups and downs of this wild industry!
What does your home say about you:
My hope is that people feel comfortable and welcomed into my home. I love for things to be pulled together, but I want to create an environment that's very inviting, and not overly precious. A home is meant to be lived in!
Where do you find inspiration:
Everywhere, lol! My camera roll is filled with random bits of inspiration from my day to day life that I save for reference. Sometimes it’s a pattern in nature that I see on a hike. Sometimes it’s a piece of artwork. Sometimes it’s the colors in branding on a package on a kids toy. If you keep your eyes open, you can find inspiration all around.
Photo by Lam Photography
Who are your style icons:
To me the most stylish people are those who are true to their personal style, and not chasing trends. I don’t want to look like someone else, I want to look like me
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Preparation is key! I try to do a little bit each day leading up to a big event so that on the day of I can actually enjoy myself! A host sets the tone for an entire party, and if you’re happy and having a good time, your guests will too! A good cocktail never hurts either!
Do you collect anything:
Yes! I have a large collection of Bordallo Cabbage ware that I love to entertain with. I also collect cake plates, ginger jars, and vintage brooches and scarves.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@accidentallywesanderson gives tons of color inspiration, @everyoutfitonsatc gives nostalgic style inspiration, @inagarten for lifestyle inspiration, and @bobsdanceshop because it always puts a smile on my face.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Rule to live by “One should never be the oldest thing in one’s house”. A home looks best when it’s layered with collected pieces, antiques and newness. I honestly think any other “rule” can be broken under the right circumstances, but as Picasso said “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist”
What are you working on right now:
Alongside my client work, I’ve been spending the past year working on my own Greek Revival home in Connecticut. I’m trying to keep all historic elements where possible, but also update it for modern living and my young family.
Wardrobe staples:
Tweed jackets, always! Can be dressed up or down, and will never go out of style.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
Quadrille’s Perspeolis has been a constant in my life for the past 15+ years. It was in my old office at Tory Burch, it was in my foyer in our house in Fairfield, and I have it in our media room now. I have such a deep attachment to it, I don’t think I’ll ever live without it.
Photo by Lam Photography
Best interior advice you ever received:
Don’t take yourself too seriously- remember to have fun with it!
Best career advice you ever received:
Your career is not a straight line! Give yourself permission to try new things and start new chapters!
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
If you’re doing a project that involves construction, do it to the highest level your budget will allow. If it’s permanently affixed to your home, you want to do it right and do it once. Accessories on the other hand never need to break the bank. They should speak to you and your personal style, but sometimes the littlest things can spark the most joy. For example, I have a trinket dish on my bedside table from Les Puces in Paris. I think it cost 10euro and it makes me smile every time I see it.
Your greatest extravagance:
Sleep is the most valuable resource to me since having kids. After a stay at the Four Seasons in Beirut in 2019 I had the most restful week of sleep ever. I worked with the concierge to order the exact same mattress and pillows to be shipped to me in Connecticut! It is an investment I’m so glad I made!
Favorite places to shop for home:
I love antiques/odd treasures to mix in with a freshly designed space, so The Local Vault, Black Rock Galleries, and Elephant Trunk flea are 3 of my go to.
Most prized possession and why:
My family
Your interiors motto:
A home should be lived in!
Your life motto:
Laughter cures all.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Trust your gut. Think about what brings you joy, and focus on being true to yourself rather than chasing a trend.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: My Mom’s Baklava
Drink: Warm weather; Sancerre. Cold Weather; Brunello
Film: Clueless. Such a pivotal movie from my generation, and the best Jane Austen adaptation. It has a killer soundtrack to boot.
Hotel: The Mayflower. It’s only about 45 minutes away from me, and it’s my husband’s and my favorite weekend escape.
City: New York will always have my heart!
Bedding: Biscuit; I currently have their Truvy print on my own bed.
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): I start every morning with a skim latte, and end every evening with a mint tea
Playlist: “Nancy Meyers’ Kitchen” playlist on spotify. You cannot be in a bad mood when listening to it!
Weekend Activity: Running, Cooking, Entertaining, Spending time with family & friends
Design Book: I’ve been on a kick with Summer Thorton’s WONDERLAND lately!