### What is your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment is founding, building, and sustaining Kirk Designs, Inc. over the past 32 years. Throughout that time, we have cultivated lasting relationships with clients who have become dear friends. In the early days, clients would call us after purchasing a new home. Today, many invite us to evaluate a property before they even consider buying it.
Kirk Designs has grown into both a design oasis and a creative outlet for me and my seven associates—a place where we can collaborate, explore ideas, and bring our clients’ visions to life.
### How did you get started in the design business?
My love of design began during a high school exchange program that took me from the fields of Iowa to the shores of Lake Como, Italy. My host mother was an interior architect, and living in a 17th-century barn in a picturesque Italian village opened my eyes to an entirely new way of seeing style, architecture, and life itself.
The decision to establish Kirk Designs, however, was born out of necessity. In 1990, during a recession in the United States, interior design firms were laying off employees across the industry. I faced a choice: find my own clients or leave the business altogether. For me, the latter was never an acceptable option, so I set out to build something of my own.
### Who has inspired you?
Who hasn’t? Inspiration comes from an endless variety of people, places, and experiences. It might be the sky on a perfectly clear day, the work of photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson or artist Mark Rothko, or a visit to a small fishing village in Greece.
For me, inspiration comes from remaining curious and open to seeing the world through different eyes. The more perspectives we embrace, the more possibilities we discover.
### Do you have an area in which you specialize?
At Kirk Designs, we are just as comfortable designing a mudroom as we are creating a gourmet kitchen or a primary bedroom suite. Rather than specializing in a particular room or style, we approach each project as an opportunity to respond to the unique needs, tastes, and lifestyle of the client.
I believe our strong working knowledge of construction is one of the qualities that distinguishes us from other design firms. Understanding how a space is built allows us to develop designs that are not only beautiful but also thoughtful, functional, and practical.
### What are some of the notable projects on which you have worked?
I believe every project we undertake is notable. A home is a deeply personal reflection of the people who live in it—a place where they should feel comfortable, connected, and truly themselves. We take that responsibility very seriously.
For us, the most meaningful measure of success is knowing that we have created a space our clients genuinely love. Whether the project is large or small, delivering that experience is what makes it notable.
### Is there anything else we should know about you or your firm?
I am particularly proud that Kirk Designs is not known for a signature style or a particular look. Instead, we challenge ourselves with every project to create something distinctive—design that reflects the individuality, personality, and lifestyle of the people who will call that space home.
Our goal is never to impose a look, but to discover and bring to life what makes each client unique.