Podcast, Ep. 215: designer Kimberley Seldon

Our guest today, Kimberley Seldon, does a little bit of everything in the design space. She’s a designer, TV show host, business coach for interior designers, keynote speaker, and a podcast host. Kimberley takes us through the evolution of her journey in the design world, her “3-legged stool” approach, tips for the business of design, and more. We also take a Decorating Dilemma where we discuss the importance of being clear on your vision before you go into any big project.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

• Trials & Triumphs in construction, landscaping, keeping a tidy house, and working from home.
• How Kimberley went from the TV world to the design world to the business coach world.
• What is Kimberley’s client process?
• How Kimberley turned her speaking engagements into a brand.
• Business lessons that Kimberley has learned.
• Kimberley believes in staying mostly in a style without doing a “theme”.
• What is Kimberley’s 80/20 rule?
• What is Kimberley’s approach to mixing woods?

Decorating Dilemma

Hello ladies!

I have learned so much from listening to your podcast while we have been renovating our home. My husband & I have spent the last few months renovating a 1930 American Foursquare farmhouse. We have restored the original hardwood floors and all the original trim work is in place. It’s gorgeous. The floors & trim are fir.

Now, for my dilemma. Drapery. I have listened to all the podcasts & done all the reading I can on drapery and my question remains. How do I show off the beautiful woodwork without breaking a design rule? We don’t need the drapery for privacy, but I would like it to finish the space and soften noise. I have included a close up of the trim work & also a view of our living room/reception hall. There is one window facing west in the living room & one facing East in the reception hall. We will be watching movies & entertaining in the space. I would also love your thoughts on furniture as we don’t have any.

I’m ready to execute anything you tell me! Thank you for the fantastic podcast & I appreciate all the design help you have given me.

-Kat

Hi Kat,

Here’s my opinion…even though I’m not sure you’re going to like it!  Because the windows are narrow, I wouldn’t draw attention to it by setting the drapery outside the frame. I think the house needs it, maybe in a beautiful pattern, but I think they should fall exactly as they should. You could do an outside mount, soft Roman shade with the draperies floor-t0-ceiling on top of those, but you could absolutely skip this to save money and just go with the drapery.

In terms of furniture, you want it to support the function you want the room to accomplish.  Since we aren’t sure of that from your email, our rule is to use the largest furniture possible to make the room cozy and functional. And be sure to consider flexible seating for visitors if you plan to entertain often. I always approach with a plan of, “What do I want this room to do?” Keeping in mind how you actually live.

We think you need to really come up with a vision for the house! Pick a paint color last to highlight the rugs, drapery, etc. In other words, don’t pick the lipstick before you pick the outfit!

Good luck, Kat!

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Kimberley Seldon Design Group
• Business of Design
• Kimberley Seldon on Instagram
• Business of Design on Instagram
• Business of Design Podcast
• Cityline
• “At Home in the Woods”

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!

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