From our very first conversation, Kit took the time to understand not just our aesthetic preferences for our ADU, but who we are as a family and what we were trying to create. As busy parents with full plates, we came in with virtually no vision and very little to offer in terms of direction or inspiration. Rather than waiting for us to come to her with ideas, she took the lead, asked the right questions, and gradually drew out a design direction we didn't even know we had. If you're someone who wants a designer who can create something beautiful from a blank slate, she's exactly that.
A great example of this was how she approached our budget. The ADU is intended primarily as a guest house, so we were upfront that we wanted the space to feel beautiful and intentional without over-investing in a space that won't see daily use. We also were willing to go a little bold with colors and design. Rather than pushing back or steering us toward higher-end options, Kit embraced that constraint completely. She researched IKEA cabinet boxes paired with custom Plykea fronts, which is something we would have never discovered on our own. The two-tone palette she landed on is bold yet cohesive. Guests ask about the kitchen every time they visit. Her eye for sourcing unique pieces extended to the bathroom too. She found a rounded asymmetric mirror paired with green globe sconces that give the space a warm, distinctive personality without feeling overdone.
Kit also brought real structure to what could have been an overwhelming process. She used design software tools to keep all her content, notes, and decisions organized and easy to reference, which was a lifesaver for us. As busy as we were, she always knew what decisions needed to be made and when, and she guided us through each one without it ever feeling like homework. Her mood boards and presentations made it easy to react and respond even when we didn't have the vocabulary to articulate what we wanted. Perhaps most impressively, she worked directly with our contractor (who was, let's say, a challenge) and helped ensure everything was installed correctly. That hands-on follow-through made a real difference in the final result.
We would absolutely hire Kit again for our next project, and we're happy to serve as a reference for anyone considering working with her. If you're looking for a designer who can take a blank slate, a tight budget, and two distracted clients and turn it into something fun and functional, she's the one. read more