                                                  |
Kimberly
Ward - Kimberly And Cameron Interiors |
| There
is something new and exciting happening in the world of Interior design
and, it started right here in Houston. Kimberly Ward of Kimberly and
Cameron Interiors is changing the way we look at our homes and the
things that we choose to put in them. She’s more than the sales
person who greets you in your local furniture store, she has been
working in cities all over the country infusing spaces with her impeccable
taste and passion for design. In a recent interview on WURD radio
in Philly, she was commended for her layouts, use of color and attention
to detail. The interview which introduced Kimberly to listeners in
four states was a follow up to the November-December feature in Homes
of Color Magazine. The 10 page layout was a full color illustration
of her work that was interesting, thought provoking and inspirational.
We caught up with her at the Inter congenial Hotel in Buckhead where
we talked about art, interior design and why she’s so crazy
about hip hop. |
|
| Question |
Now
this is something really new for our readers. “Why do you think
people are interested in you and your designs?” |
| Kimberly |
Interior
design has become very popular over the past few years due in part
to the number of shows on television about the subject. It seems really
glamorous and interesting and because of that people can’t get
enough. First time home owners are especially excited and seem to
be fueling the growing interest in home improvement.
Design
is hard work and it takes many long hours to pull off a great space.
I think that your home should always be developing and reflecting
the changes that are occurring in your life. On television people
only see the good side of design, but like any other industry, it
has a not so pretty side as well. I am not fan of people copying decorating
shows or decorating their homes like model homes. It’s just
not realistic. You can’t live that way.
|
| Question |
How
long have you been decorating homes? |
| Kimberly |
I
have been working on my own since 2002, but have been working in the
industry long before that. I am lucky because I am able to do the
things that I have loved doing for years. I have always been into
art, photography and space planning. I was the kid who would move
the furniture or rearrange my room all the time. I have always really
loved it. In junior high I was the president of the future homemakers
of America. Isn’t that funny? |
| Question |
What
do you think separates you from other people who are doing design? |
| Kimberly |
Well
I think that my approach is fresh and hip. I am very knowledgeable
of design and take every opportunity to learn about the subject. I
design from my client’s point of view. I don’t just put
in a client’s home what I would like in mine. There is a lot
of education going on at Kimberly and Cameron. I attend classes and
seminars in New York and get design advice from architects that I
work with in Miami. I am always asking questions and learning, so
I can pass the best possible information on to my clients. I strive
to be the best. I prefer a client load that might not be as heavy
as some designers because I need to have a certain kind of client.
I am glad to see other designers. I think that there is enough work
out there for everyone. I have to turn down a lot of projects and
that sucks, but I just don’t have the time. I want to always
provide a quality experience and believe that I can only effectively
do that with a manageable work load. |
| Question |
So
is that just for Houston, because you are working in other cities
as well right? |
| Kimberly |
Thank
God for inexpensive travel and technology. Honestly with the internet
and cell phones, I can be any where. I will work in any city, but
have done the majority of my projects in Houston, Atlanta and New
York. I am working on a condo in Puerto Rico and am working on a contract
that will take me to South Africa. The Puerto Rican Project is the
second home of a client that I have in New York. I designed her home
in Brooklyn and now she has called me back for this project. A lot
of my business is repeat business. I am growing with my clients. I
have a client in Atlanta that is a doctor, that’s why I am here.
I designed his office several years ago and how I am working on his
new home. It’s a big project in this beautiful community called
Nisky Lake. It brings me to the city often. I have become an expert
on managing my schedule so that every one is happy or at lease somewhat
happy. |
| Question |
How
would you describe your style? |
| Kimberly |
I
love the style that has sprung up from the hip hop culture. I take
that swagger and mix it with the knowledge of fine art, furniture
and design. Hip hop is at the core of what makes my design appealing
to many of my clients. Designers before have gotten away with going
to a store finding an expensive sofa and putting it in a clients house.
My clients are a lot more sophisticated than that. They still want
furniture that will last and is not gimmicky, but they also want their
homes to reflect who they are and a lot of the time that life has
been formed on a hip hop soundtrack. I love the fact that the music
and culture has evolved and so has our taste. We are now consumers
of the finer things in life and that is what I provide. I make no
apologies for the extravagances that are often present in my designs.
A plasma hidden behind a mirror in the bathroom is not for everyone.
I design for trendsetters. They travel well, they eat well and they
live well. |
| Kimberly |
Well
just working. I will be in Chicago this summer hosting an event called
Art and Soul. I am excited about that. There are some guys there who
have some of the premier upscale events in the city who I will be
working with on this project. It is going to be hot. Other than that
I am just taking things as they come and enjoying these blessings
that God has given me. |
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