Laidback luxury with Karen Wolf Design

Laidback luxury with Karen Wolf Design

A team of talented women lead to the creation of upscale living rooms, Karen B Wolf Speaks with passion about all facets of interior design. In these questions and answers, she shares her background, her inspiration and the philosophy behind her company. K+Co Living.

Please tell us something about ourselves – school lessons, formative years, etc.

I visited the University of Michigan, where I received two degrees: a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA). Later I completed a master in integrated marketing at Northwestern University. My background is a mixture of business and art with a strong focus on consumer behavior and understanding the “why” behind the purchase decisions.

After Northwestern I came to a mirror catalog as a consumer trends forecasts in the home department. This experience taught me about merchandising, behavioral trends and catalog marketing. I also visited the High Point Market when it was only two floors in the IHFC building, and there I discovered my passion for procurement.

From there I switched to product development for an entertainment company that was looking for new products for the mass market and the management of the creative orientation. After the birth of my twins, I turned to the interior design and received a certificate from Parsons. My background in art, marketing, product development and merchandising was invaluable for my career as a design.

Karen Wolf, K+Co. Life Karen Wolf, K+Co. Life

Did you have an impact on your youth that shaped your career path?

Absolutely. My parents had a big influence. They appreciated art, culture and creativity and always encouraged me to pursue them. When I was only ten years old, they even sent me on a train to New York City for art lessons at the weekend. This independence and exposure to art at such a young age shaped my passion for design.

© 2018 Christian Garibaldi / Garibaldi Imagineering LLC
© 2018 Christian Garibaldi / Garibaldi Imagineering LLC

When and why have you founded your company K+Co Living (formerly Karen B Wolf Interiors)?

I started K+Co as Rebrand of my original company Karen B Wolf Interiors. I wanted the name to reflect the strength of my team instead of concentrating me exclusively on me. Over the years we have developed a clear brand message – what we call Laidback Luxe. K+Co Living Now represents our collective approach and our collective approach and our philosophy as a design company.

What does a day look like in the life of a creative principal?

My days are long – up to 14 hours, seven days a week – but never boring. I love unpredictability. Not two days are the same and we are constantly problem solutions. Even small victories, as if a risky color selection is perfect, bring me joy. This constant movement keeps me inspired.

Karen Wolf, K+Co. Life

Talk to us through your process to design amazing houses.

We start with a recording session to define a customer's style. From there I build up from scratch – first tiles, wood and carpet. Then I layer colors, textures and surfaces. I love to mix boucle with velvet or chenille, combine performance fabrics with woven mixtures and end with blocks or layered window treatments. This layer has become our brand.

How practical are you with every project?

I am very practical. I set the creative direction at the beginning, regularly check in throughout the project and finally return to the style. In these early and last phases, my influence is the strongest, but I like to stay involved from start to finish.

Your layered use of color, pattern and texture is breathtaking. Has this become your brand?

Yes, thanks! The layers of colors, patterns, textures and surfaces have definitely become a signature from me. It creates depth and warmth that customers love.

© 2018 Christian Garibaldi / Garibaldi Imagineering LLC
© 2018 Christian Garibaldi / Garibaldi Imagineering LLC

How often do you add color pops?

I like to deliberately present colored color pops – usually three times in one room. Imagine it like a triangle and move the color in the entire room to create balance and cohesion.

The metallics in their interiors look incredible. What is your approach?

We love to mix metals. Polished nickel, satin -messing and nickel complement each other beautifully. Chromium goes well with black, while Borrenedehed Metals mix well with high joke surfaces. The rule of thumb: Adjust warm metals with warm tones and cool metals with cool tones.

How can people refresh their houses without excess?

Invest in well -made, larger pieces such as sofas or sections. These anchor a room and must be of high quality. Great for smaller accent ridges, accessories, lighting-sind fudget-friendly shops such as Target, World Market, at home and homegoods. You can have them updated without breaking the bank.

Do you believe in the upheaval?

Yes, absolutely. If a piece like a family height has a sentimental value, we find a way to integrate it. We measure carefully and integrate it into the design so that it intends and does not feel forced.

© 2018 Christian Garibaldi / Garibaldi Imagineering LLC
© 2018 Christian Garibaldi / Garibaldi Imagineering LLC

What distinguishes your company?

It is more than our warm, layered aesthetics – it is our culture. I made difficult settings to protect our basic values, and this leads to our services of our customers. The energy and integrity of our team are just as important as our design style.

Any exciting projects on the horizon?

Yes! We are working on several developer projects that constantly challenge us to promote our creativity. They keep us sharp and remind us of why we love this work.

🔗 more at K+Co Living.

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