Founded in 1994 by Kari Whitman, Kari Whitman Interiors (KWI) is a distinguished design-build firm specializing in luxury residential and commercial interior design. KWI is a trusted design expert and visionary for A-list celebs, including Jessica Alba, Kristen Bell, Melanie Griffith, Antonio Banderas, Don Johnson, Virginia Madsen, Emilio Estevez, and Don Henley. Clients of the like are attracted to Kari’s signature style, “eclectic self-expressionism,” which is integrated through salvaged artifacts, distinctive artwork, custom pieces, green design, and pet-friendly elements. With headquarters in LA and Boulder, KWI’s international projects span prestigious locations such as Hollywood California, New York, Denver, Aspen, Jackson Hole, Miami, Dallas, and Saudi Arabia.

How would you describe your design style and point of view? 

The Kari Whitman Interiors signature style is eclectic self-expressionism, meaning no two projects will be the same. We take into account the specific design needs and style of each client and try to make the space a reflection of them.

Part of our signature style also comes from adding “green” elements into the spaces. This could mean finding unique, one-of-a-kind items from an architectural salvage store and incorporating them into the project or taking an existing piece of furniture and giving it new life by painting or re-covering it.  

What drew you to this space, and what excited you most about designing it?

We were drawn to the concept of the Showhouse, gathering designers from different backgrounds and having them each design a room in the house. We are excited to see what the other designers come up with for their spaces, and we are excited to show off our style as well!

We were thrilled to be given the opportunity to design the entry of the house. The entry is the first thing you see as a visitor to the house, so it is a unique opportunity to design the room that will set the mood for the rest of the house. 

Describe the vision for your room in three words—and why those words matter.

The vision for the rooms we are designing are pattern, blue, and eclectic. 

We incorporated texture and pattern through our rug choice in the entry as well as the painting we chose with its impressionistic style. In the powder room, the wallpaper we chose focuses on a bold pattern that will bring visual interest to the room. 

Blue was the basis for our color scheme. This is a repeating color the viewer can see in the entry and powder room alike and fits within the moody color palette for the project. 

The eclectic decor shows off our signature style while still fitting within the transitional style of the project. Rather than opt for something more traditional, we decided to go with a fun entry bench with an unusual shape to function as a focal point. The mirror in the bathroom also gives off a more eclectic style with its modern look.

What’s one detail or decision that truly defines the space for you?

The finishes used in a space can drastically affect how the furniture in the space is perceived. Using a light or dark color on the walls for example can affect how large the viewer perceives the room to be. Ceiling finishes can often be overlooked, but adding a beautiful ceiling tile can make it the focal point of a room. The type of flooring in a room will change how people interact with the space depending on if it’s carpet or a hard surface.

How did you balance beauty with real-life functionality?

Functionality often comes from thinking of how the viewer will walk through the space and interact with the items in the room. When we do the layouts, we want to make sure there is ample space in the walk areas for people to pass through the room and that there are no obstructions. This means determining what the approximate size of the furniture should be, and sourcing furniture of that size from there. 

We determine the most functional and optimal layout first, then we focus on the beauty and style with furniture that will fit within those parameters.