Hi there, cuties! I am so excited to introduce you to Kristin Harrison, the founder and principal designer of Bungalow 10 Interiors, the subject of this month’s KKH Trade Member Spotlight!
Kristin is a mom-of-three (wow!) and former sales executive who pivoted to follow a longtime dream in design to spectacular results. She and her business, Bungalow 10 Interiors, are based in Northern Virginia (though they take on projects nationwide) and the company is all about
creating “beautiful, personalized, livable spaces that reflect those who reside in them.” I couldn’t love that mantra more!
“In the design world, you usually go straight to wholesalers to procure furniture, accessories, lighting, etc.—but as most of us know, there can be a plethora of headaches that come with any sort of issue that arises during and after delivery. My KKH rep has been absolutely fantastic in eliminating and solving any issues that pop up, and subsequently, my clients have felt like they have an extra support system built into their experience.” -Kristin Harrison of Bungalow 10 Interiors
When searching for inspiration for her design work, Kristin loves to draw from the mix of materials and colors she comes across in nature and travel, and when she’s not crafting gorgeous spaces for her clients, she loves to spend quality time with friends and family: ” have the tightest circle of people around me, some that I’ve known since Kindergarten, that continue to be a constant source of joy for me. It brings me a lot of happiness and calm to be around all of these people,” Kristin says.
Read on to learn more about Bungalow 10 Interiors, how Kristin approaches battling “imposter syndrome” in the design industry, and the exciting news she has on the horizon for the year to come!
Kristin Harrison of Bungalow 10 Interiors
Tell our readers about your business—what are your specialities and core offerings?
We specialize in creating livable interiors that reflect the people who reside within them. That sounds a little cliche, but the truth is, we really do pride ourselves on remembering that these homes aren’t show homes.
There are individuals and families that need to live here and function within their own four walls, so it is imperative to be as collaborative as possible with our clients. We work primarily in new construction and full-home renovations, but really enjoy carving out time for one or two room projects that allow for maximum creativity.
Do you have a favorite interior design style to work with on projects?
The honest answer is, every house is completely different. Sometimes I will walk into a space and think that it would be an unbelievable showcase of California cool, and then sometimes I walk into a space and think it needs to feel like the Cotswolds.
Regardless of “style,” I really tend to lean hard into vintage pieces and hard finishes that age and get better with time. I truly feel like it gives people that “lived-in” feel that you’re often missing in new construction.
Photo by Angela Newton Roy Photography
Shop the Look
How would you describe the style of your own home? What’s your favorite piece of furniture or decor that you own?
My husband and I actually laugh about our own home. I tend to love a more California coastal vibe mixed with British, and he loves a good southern classic style. We have somehow found a way to mix the three, but we are in the process of updating things now that we’ve been here for about two years.
My favorite piece that I own is in our powder room. It’s a marble sink I sketched and had made in Europe, and a rustic wood base that an incredibly talented woodworker made from reclaimed wood in Charlottesville, VA.
Tell us about a notable project from the past few years.
I would have to say the most notable would be my own house. It is a very different experience designing other people’s homes. You try to do your very best and offer an ear, advice and expertise, but there is truly nothing like the experience of building your own home from the ground up.
“It gives you a completely different appreciation for what your clients are going through, and you’re able to sympathize in a way that you previously may not have fully comprehended.”
I think it also caused a huge growth spurt for me in terms of honing in more of my own style because I had that freedom that sometimes you don’t get with customers.
Kristin Harrison’s custom marble and rustic wood powder room sink
Shop the Look
What have been some of the biggest joys and challenges you’ve faced in your career in the design industry?
The biggest joy I’ve gotten was taking a massive leap from a solid career in executive sales and management, having two toddlers and an infant, and saying: “You know what? I’m going to follow this dream I’ve had my entire life and walk away from this stability.” I have some incredibly supportive friends that essentially forced me to do this and I will be forever grateful for the way they have consistently believed in me.
“I think the biggest challenges have been two things: Imposter syndrome and growing pains. Imposter syndrome is a real thing, and there are some people out there that like to point out that designer A and B have a degree in interior architecture, and I just make things pretty. I’ve had to really get that thought out of my head to keep moving forward.”
There are so many great designers that did not go to school for it (Nate Berkus and Jonathan Adler, for example). Let me be very clear, I wish I did study Interior Design in school—I just didn’t have the foresight or bravery to take a route that wasn’t as “traditional.”
The other pain point for me has been growing at such a rapid rate. Again, I have been incredibly fortunate to have some wonderful people around me that have guided me on this journey of growth. Tanya Smith-Shiflett of Unique Kitchens & Baths, Lauren Liess, and Amy Bannecker are three women specifically who have listened and given advice regardless of what my crazy questions are. It takes a village, and a supportive one at that.
Photo by Angela Newton Roy Photography
Shop the Look
Are there any design trends you see on the horizon for the year to come? Any trends on their way out?
I think we are really going to see more color and pattern come into play. Whether it is through wallpaper, paint, accessories, etc. I think the days of grays and grieges are sort of behind us for now.
What advice would you give someone who wants to work with an interior designer on their home, but they feel intimidated or hesitant? For someone who’s never worked with a designer, what’s the major upside?
I would say that you have no idea how much money you can actually save by hiring an interior designer. The amount of people who come to me and say “I tried this myself for years and have wasted so much time and money on the wrong items,” is mind-boggling.
“Hiring someone who can guide you through the process and minimize those mistakes is truly invaluable; plus, we end up becoming friends with all of our clients, so it really is a fun experience over anything else.”
Photo by Angela Newton Roy Photography
Shop the Look
Speaking to fellow design pros: what advice do you have about working a challenging client or overcoming unforeseen obstacles on a design project?
I have two pieces of advice: Always, always, always listen to your gut, and don’t ever forget you are a human being doing your best. I have a very strong gut feeling for most things in my life, and I have learned that that absolutely needs to carry into business. If I have any indication that a client is going to be challenging, or we just do not mesh well, I will politely recommend another designer who I may think has a better personality for the way they want things done.
“Another thing I always tell my clients is that, inevitably, something will always go wrong. It could be a nail popping out of the wall, or a light falling out of the ceiling. Something will always happen, but we will always make it right.”
You absolutely have to have that trust with a client where they know you will do the right thing. We are all human, and no human is perfect; we learn from our mistakes every single day, so remember to give grace so that you can hopefully receive it as well.
Are there any exciting updates with your business that you’d like our readers to know about?
I have a cabinet line coming out with Unique Kitchens and Baths this year that I am extremely excited about. I have always wanted to get into product development and again, to have someone like UKB trust me with that is a dream come true for me.
Photo by Angela Newton Roy Photography
Shop the Look
The Kathy Kuo Home Trade Program
Feeling inspired by Bungalow 10 Interiors? If you’re an interior designer or architect you can apply to our Trade Program to enjoy a wide array of professional benefits, as well as access to a thriving community of interior design pros. You can learn all about it HERE, but in brief, KKH Trade members receive: Competitive Trade Pricing, Low Storage Fees, Dedicated Trade Specialist to Coordinate Orders from Start to Finish, and More.