Talk Shop: Kathy Kuo // Kathy Kuo Home
Photo by Lisa Houlgrave
ABOUT KATHY
Kathy Kuo is an interiors powerhouse: Founder and CEO of Kathy Kuo Home, Kuo has become a recognized tv personality, an award winning interior designer, an activist for female founders, and a mama to two tiny amazing humans. (Whew! Can you say inspirational?)
After graduating from Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in Industrial Design, Kathy began her career in the world of television, making a name for herself during the advent of home renovation shows. After cutting her teeth on set, she designed and developed furniture and textiles for a luxury importer, created a signature decor line for Assouline Books, and more recently, led Bed, Bath, & Beyond’s tabletop division. Her experience and understanding of product design, quality, manufacturing and global distribution became the building blocks of Kathy Kuo Home, an rapidly expanding industry favorite.
In 2012, Kathy launched Kathy Kuo Home with one singular vision: to provide everything from design inspiration to flawless execution in one vertically integrated platform. KKH is a retailer of high-end furniture and home decor supported by a robust interior design firm and a dedicated trade program. Kathy now leads one of the fastest growing online platforms in the home and design industry – and we want to learn more! We sat down with the designer and tech entrepreneur to chat all things design; check it out below!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Classically-inspired, layered-luxe, elegant.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
New York City --- The city has always been my home. It’s an ever-evolving energy that is equal parts invigorating and calming to me. It is filled with dynamic excitement, culture, diversity and design style that pushes the envelope… just so... without trying too hard.
My family --- They are at the heart of everything I do. For now, with design, that means performance fabrics and soft-edged pieces, but also a large table for hosting family dinners, ample seating to gather around, and lots of oversized pillows and throws to create a livable cozy environment.
My travels --- Post college I lived in Europe for 6 months modeling between Milan, Spain and Germany. I was captivated by their history, and how their architecture and interiors were a manifestation of history governed by rulers and religion. A few years later, I had the great fortune of working in product development within the high end home space, and fell in love with artisan craftsmanship from countless countries across the globe. From Morocco to Portugal, to Cebu and Hanoi. Each filigree, brass dome, or hand woven rush seat tells a story of material integrity, creating beauty passed down through generations of artisans, tradesmen, and cottage industries.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I launched Kathy Kuo Home in 2012 with the mission of providing everything from design inspiration to flawless execution in one vertically integrated platform. The site has grown exponentially since it’s launch, with an ever-growing assortment supported by a robust interior design firm and a dedicated trade program.
People ask me what I love most about leading a brand and I say, what’s not obvious, is that I genuinely enjoy building a team and its culture. Seeing my team grow organically on their own and taking ownership of different facets in their role is very rewarding. We have a very close-knit environment, even while being wfh, and it’s very special to have so many talented individuals collaborating and striving towards a shared mission.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I have a few great mentors across many different verticals. I think it’s important to talk to people not just in the home space to really understand how other companies organize their talent, and think about growth.
I spend at least an hour a day networking and talking to those that are a few business stages ahead of me so they can help me see around corners, and show me any potential blind spots I may have.
What’s remarkable is that almost everyone is willing to share their career path, experiences, and failures.. You just have to ask! I also love mentoring other founders, and especially female founders who are moms that need that extra understanding and support to get out of the gates, or make their first big pivot.
What does your home say about you:
So many things! My home has always been my sanctuary, where I get to relax and just ‘be’, by myself and with my children.
If you step into my home you’ll clearly see my style -- elevated yet easy -- as well as an assortment of pieces I’ve collected throughout the years--pictures of my loved ones, items from my travels, cherished pieces from KKH vendors that I admire, and even a piece from my first-ever private collection (coming out soon!). It’s a reflection of everything that is special to me.
Where do you find inspiration:
For interior design inspiration I often look at fabric websites specifically for pattern and color. I also love pinterest and instagram -- social media has become such a fantastic source of inspiration, for every creative industry today. There are so many wonderful designers and artists out there, and now we have the ability to openly share our projects, milestones and praise for one another.
Who are your style icons:
Great question. I think long gone are the days of singular idols representing entire industries and key looks. With social media and television carving new fashion and interior trends (queue Bridgerton!) and anyone and everyone being an influencer of some sort, I think the ultimate style is to be radically authentic to yourself, and what you love.
However I always gush over Christan Liagre, Jean-Louise Deniot and Axel Vervoordt for their ability to lean deep into a key look, own it and build a brand around it.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Making your guests feel special!
I started hosting (pre-pandemic) dinner parties that focused on a singular topic. Let’s say the topic is “X”, I would then invite people that were influential or tangentially involved in that topic over for dinner. The premise would be that only one person could talk at a time (how I grew up at our dinner table), and we would aim to move that topic towards solving or adding value for X.
Every guest would contribute and no one would be left out and made to feel like a wallflower.
When hosting family gatherings, I am much more relaxed, and sometimes will do takeout (the beauty of Caviar app in NYC) and just plate everything beautifully, so I can focus on entertaining, and making sure everyone is having a great time.
Do you collect anything:
Just item(s) from my own site - we carry over 100K items. I have to be careful to not over collect here!
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
So many! There are so many talented designers I love following - @sophiepatersoninteriors, @kenfulk, @victoriahaganinteriors, and @jeanstofferdesign just to name a few.
I also love @nicolabathiemclaughlin - she has such fantastic, feminine style in all that she does and it feels so seamlessly elevated, it’s inspirational.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Measure three times, buy furniture once? Haha. I don’t have many here.
What are you working on right now:
There are so many projects going on right now, across both our assortment and design firm, but nothing I can share publicly just yet... Stay tuned for some exciting news in the next few months!
Wardrobe staples:
My Missoma Coin Necklace is one of my absolute favorite jewelry accessories!
Black body suits, kaftans, cashmere socks and my mothers jade wedding ring.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
I am loving beautifully crafted murals at the moment. It’s incredible how they can truly transport you to another place or feeling, even in your own home. I just added a Susan Harter mural to my entryway foyer and I’m transported into another world!
Best interior advice you ever received:
A well designed home helps support the life that you want to create, as well. Design for style and sophistication, of course, but design around the foundation of the client’s lifestyle, routine, and personal needs.
Design a space that feels loved and lived in.
Best career advice you ever received:
Learn which items to delegate and which to keep close to yourself. There’s a lot to do when building a brand or leading a design firm, so try to out-source and delegate when you can on the routine tasks.
That being said, never delegate hiring. Try to interview every single person on your team until you no longer have the time to, but the single most important thing you can do is personally find good people to support your mission.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Investing in one or two timeless pieces that will ground a room is a must! Staple items like a sofa, area rug, accent chairs or media cabinet will likely be with you for a long time, so it is important they are durable and something you love. Even if it is a splurge - you will thank yourself in the long run if you budget for them up front.
Your greatest extravagance:
My full time live-in nanny! She’s been my lifeline for the last 8 years and knows all my needs before I need them. I couldn’t raise two kids and have a career without her!
Favorite places to shop for home:
Obviously Kathy Kuo Home! If I’m looking for a shopping day though, I love Monc Xii in Sag Harbor or 1st Dibs online to find unique one of a kind vintage finds.
Most prized possession and why:
I have the most amazing two kids -Maya and Didi - and they are absolutely the ‘prizes’ of my life.
Your interiors motto:
When good design happens, you don’t notice it. It feels natural, organic, effortless, expected, and perfectly balanced, It’s harmonious.
Your life motto:
I believe that designing the life you want stems from your own perception. To be a good leader, a good mother, a good friend -- you need to have a strong sense of self awareness, while also doing everything through empathy, love, and compassion.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
It’s OK to not have a defined ‘style’! I am all about the mix -- I love to incorporate pieces from a variety of styles that complement each other nicely. Don’t limit yourself, just see what pieces speak to you or what feeling you want to embody, and go from there. Your design style will also change as you grow, so be open to be able to pivot!
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Hot Pot (Asian Shabu Shabu)
Drink: Pamplemousse La Croix
Film: Cinema Paradiso
Hotel: Amandari in Indonesia
City: NYC or Paris! I can’t choose.
Bedding: Sferra Giza 45 Sateen. You’ll never sleep on anything else after this
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Jasmine Green Tea. Without anything, and only 1 cup in the morning
Playlist: Snatum Kaur - Ardas Bhaee is so beautiful.
Weekend Activity: Outdoor activities with the kids (hiking, soccer, museum), cooking and working out
Design Book: Get your House Right by Marianne Cusato & Ben Pentreath
