We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kimmie Riley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kimmie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Well, I’ve always been interested in interior design since I can remember but it was another career that actually made me feel like I might just have some talent. When working as a Realtor in Southern California, I often had to stage empty homes and I found that I enjoyed it so much! Now enjoying it was one thing but to hear people positively comment about the home decor while walking through my open houses blew me away. Oftentimes, buyer’s wanted to also purchase pieces of the design when purchasing the home-that’s when I began to feel that interior design was in my blood.
I then began offering my design skills to clients as a concierge service and to friends and family as well. I pretty quickly learned that I was at my happiest when working on design projects. I’ve been lucky and blessed enough to have never advertised and have stayed consistently busy throughout the years. I believe my clients know that I am incredibly grateful that they allow me to come into their homes and design their homes in a thoughtful manner. I believe that your home should tell a story-the story of YOU.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My specialty is Residential Interior Design. I feel so incredibly grateful that my clients trust me and allow me to design where they spend the majority of their lives. As my business has grown, I’ve been able to design a huge variety of homes. And though style may differ between my clients, one thing remains constant-Homeowners want a home that not only tells their story but also a home that is functional, stylish and timeless.
I also pride myself by passing along trade discounts, offering design tips and teaching people that a professional Interior Designer does not have to be out of budget. In fact, clients usually learn by the end of their project that when working with House of Henry Interiors, they save money with my trade discounts and by avoiding costly mistakes. I am a very budget-minded designer and oftentimes tell my clients that home furnishings are expensive! When their project is complete, I won’t be happy if they’ve gone above budget. I want my clients happy with their home AND their bank account at project end.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe that we all know when we are happiest. That being said-it is scary to quit another career and to completely begin a new career-especially later in life. First and foremost, you owe it to yourself to follow your passion. Share your talent with the world! When you’re an entrepreneur, I believe overcoming fear and jumping in with both feet is vital You must be resilient, fearless and possess a strong work ethic. Finally, active listening is another skill that really does pay off. There is no greater compliment than when a client says Kimmie really listened to what I wanted and what I wanted my home to convey.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
I’ve found that my most significant hurdle was tackling imposter syndrome. Starting my interior design business later in life meant my education wasn’t design-centric, leading to self-doubt creeping in, which is a tough battle to navigate. I discovered fairly quickly that the skill needed to succeed in real estate was the same in design- listening intently. By understanding what my clients need, I can establish a good working relationship to create a home they truly love.
Two quotes have deeply resonated with me: Thomas Jefferson’s “The harder I work, the luckier I get,” and Maya Angelou’s “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” My goal is to leave clients excited and content with their homes while also making them feel as though they’ve gained a cherished friend throughout the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://houseofhenryinteriors.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofhenryinteriors/
- Other: https://nextdoor.com/pages/house-of-henry-interiors-cumming-ga/
Image Credits
Amanda Allphin photography
