Kate Dawson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Kate, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Shopping. Prepping. Sourcing. Styling. Honestly… the HUNT. That moment when I’m out sourcing pieces—digging through shelves, aisles, websites (and occasionally someone’s garage)… and I spot the perfect thing? I could cry. I probably have. I completely lose track of time when I’m chasing the right accessories to tell a client’s story. The perfect pillows, the just-right lamps, the little finishing touches that makes a room feel lived in and loved… those are the moments where I find flow. It’s not just about filling a room, it’s about feeling the space come alive. That’s when the creative floodgates open and I start dreaming about all the rooms we’re working on.
I’m the one scouring the aisles with way too many things in my cart, scrolling through renderings on my phone, triple-checking that everything aligns perfectly. It’s like design tunnel vision… in the best way. Time just disappears when I’m in that zone, chasing beauty, harmony, and a little bit of magic. That’s when I remember: this is what I’m meant to do.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Kate Dawson… former Broadway actor turned interior design addict… founder of Decor Whore (yes, you read that correctly!)… and unapologetic lover of all things bold, beautiful, and a little over the top.
At Decor Whore, we specialize in making homes look like a million bucks… at a fraction of the price. Seriously. We’re experts at mixing high and low, Craigslist finds with custom upholstery, thrifted treasures with luxe details. You don’t need a trust fund to live in a space that looks like it belongs in a magazine… you just need a little creativity, some strategic zhushing, and maybe me in your corner. 🙂
And while we love a deal, we also love a story. Because I don’t just want your space to look pretty… I want it to feel like you. Your home should tell people who you are without you ever saying a word. I take the time to get to know my clients… their quirks, their favorite colors, the things that bring them joy… and then I translate all of that into their space. It’s where beauty meets meaning. (With a side of glam.)
Decor Whore was born out of necessity… and a serious plot twist. I had left the stage… we had a young son… and I had become disenchanted with the performer lifestyle. So we moved to the burbs for a fresh start. But a couple years in… we went through a devastating financial loss. I needed to bring in money, and fast…so I started selling skincare online. I threw a little party to try and move some product… and instead, everyone lost their minds over our apartment. They kept asking who designed it. I was like, “Uhh… me? And TJ Maxx? And Craigslist?”
One of the guests asked if I could decorate her office. I said yes… because honestly, I needed the work. I did the space, posted before-and-afters online, and people went wild. It all happened totally by accident… and it’s the best accident I’ve ever had.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Being diagnosed with leukemia. Hands down, that moment flipped my world upside down… and somehow, right-side up again. It made me realize I’d been racing through life… chasing deadlines, saying yes to every project, trying to do it all, be it all, design it all. I was sprinting in some invisible race that doesn’t even exist.
Spoiler alert to my fellow workaholics… there is no giant scoreboard in the sky. No one’s keeping tally of your productivity. You don’t win anything for burning yourself out.
What I learned is this: take the trip. Take the night off. Hell, take the day off. Read outside in the shade. Walk around that lake. Sit with your dog for an hour… or just sit for an hour and do nothing. (Yeah, I said it… DO NOTHING.)
Because the truth is, the world doesn’t need you to hustle harder… it needs you to be here. To notice the light, the laughter, the quiet beauty all around you. That’s where the real living happens.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Oh, sweet girl… breathe. You don’t have to prove ANYTHING. You don’t have to hustle so hard to earn your worth. The right things will find you… even if they come disguised as chaos, heartbreak, or a HomeGoods sofa.
I’d tell her that detours aren’t failures… they’re divine redirection. That life is not a race or a performance (even though, yes, you did spend a good chunk of it under stage lights). The magic happens when you stop striving and start trusting yourself, your timing, and your instincts.
And I’d tell her this: one day, you’re going to build a life and a business that’s so deeply you that it’ll make every wrong turn worth it. So loosen your grip, enjoy the ride, and know that you’re doing just fine.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. Whether I’m designing rooms or sharing my leukemia diagnosis and bone marrow transplant journey with my followers… being the real me has always mattered.
I don’t believe in curating some picture-perfect, untouchable persona… it’s not who I am, and it’s not how I work. The homes I design aren’t staged sets; they’re real spaces for real people, with messy kids, spilled coffee, and life happening inside them. And the same goes for me.
I share the wins and the hard stuff, because I think we all crave a little more honesty in this world. What you see online is exactly who I am in real life; unfiltered, a little sassy, and often sentimental. I probably curse too much, I definitely have an unhealthy love of glitter, and I never pretend to have it all figured out. But that’s me… the whole, sparkly, perfectly imperfect package.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope they’ll say I made them laugh. That I brought them joy. That they felt lighter, happier, or just a little more hopeful after bumping into me; whether it was in person, online, or through a room I designed.
I hope they’ll remember me as kind, caring, and deeply human… someone who didn’t just decorate spaces, but lifted spirits. Because I truly believe that when you love your home, it changes your life. The right environment can shift your mood, spark creativity, and make even the hardest days feel a little softer.
And of course, I hope they’ll say I was a fantastic designer. But more importantly, that I used my creativity to make people feel happy and hopeful in their home and in their own lives… and to remind them that joy belongs everywhere — even in the wallpaper!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.decorwhore.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katethedecorwhore/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateTheDecorWh0re/
Image Credits
Headhsot: Carley Storm
Pictures of rooms: Kate Dawson
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
