We caught up with the brilliant and insightful KRIS CHANG a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, KRIS thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

I’d always loved giving advice on home decor. Friends would call me when they moved to a new place, asking for help picking furniture or finding the perfect finishing touches. One day, a friend connected me with someone going through a challenging time. She had just ended a romantic relationship and wanted to transform her apartment as part of a fresh start. She’d been seeking wellness advice, even consulting feng shui experts, but had no idea how to execute her vision or create a space that truly felt like her own.

When we first met, I could sense her uncertainty, not just about her apartment but about her life in general. Her home reflected that. It was dim and uninviting, filled with mismatched furniture and pieces that were purely practical but lacked any personal expression. She told me she never enjoyed being at home; it felt more like a place to crash than a sanctuary.

I asked her to describe her dream home in three words. She said, “warmth, comfort, and freshness.” That gave me a clear direction. She gave me a budget, some broad goals, and the freedom to run with it. I was so grateful to have my first client trust me completely—it was a dream scenario!

Over the course of a month, my team and I transformed her space. We gave the kitchen and bathroom a complete makeover, sanded and refinished the floors, and applied a fresh coat of paint throughout. We took a bold step and painted one wall a deep charcoal gray. It ended up being her favorite feature.

One of the most rewarding parts of the project was creating a small walk-in closet for her. Before, her clothes were stuffed into shopping bags or piled at the bottom of her wardrobe. Now, she has a beautifully organized space where she can see everything and take her time getting ready in the morning. It was such a small change in the grand scheme of the renovation, but it had a huge impact on her daily life.

When we unveiled the finished space, she was overjoyed. For the first time, her apartment felt like a home, a reflection of her personality and a place she genuinely wanted to spend time in. Seeing her light up like that was incredibly fulfilling and made me realize how much I love helping people through design. That project wasn’t just the start of my business; it was the moment I knew I’d found my calling.

KRIS, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up in Taipei, Taiwan. Like many Asian kids, I spent my childhood juggling after-school activities—piano, chess, dance, gymnastics—but the one thing I loved the most was art. I could spend hours lost in my studio classes, sketching, painting, and creating. By sophomore year of high school, it was clear that I needed an education system that could nurture my creative ambitions, so I took a leap and moved abroad. That was when I truly discovered the possibility of turning art and design from a passion into a career.

Attending Rhode Island School of Design was transformative. Being surrounded by brilliant peers and mentors opened my eyes to the profound impact of art and design on people’s lives. It wasn’t just about creating something beautiful—it was about connecting deeply with individuals and enhancing their everyday experiences.

After graduating from college, I spent a decade in fashion, working with major department stores. Those years gave me a solid foundation in understanding consumer needs, styling, and designing with a target margin or budget. In 2019, a friend asked me to decorate her house, and the experience was so fulfilling that it sparked my love for interior design. With the support of friends who trusted my vision, one project led to another through word-of-mouth, and by 2021, Flamegold Interiors was officially born.

The name “Flamegold” holds special meaning for me. It’s inspired by the Taiwanese golden rain tree, a tribute to my roots, and a promise to transform spaces into something that feels like home. I believe that design is more than aesthetics; it’s about creating spaces that improve daily life and forge meaningful connections.

Every project begins with understanding our clients on a personal level—their needs, their lifestyles, and their ideal dream spaces. By blending thoughtful design with practical solutions, we create spaces that reflect their individuality and foster a sense of belonging. Inspired by the philosophy of one of my favorite designers, Ilse Crawford, each of our project is approached with empathy and imagination, ensuring every space supports the lives of those who inhabit it.

In 2023, Flamegold collaborated with real estate developers on interior designs for new condominiums and larger-scale projects. In 2024, Flamegold had a special project with the Taiwan-based studio Mac at Salon F. <i>The Amazing Project</i>, was a groundbreaking initiative in interior design that combined mindfulness, sustainability, and personal discovery.

The Amazing Project begins with a deep exploration of the client’s subconscious mind, guiding them to uncover their authentic desires for their living space. From there, we craft a six-sense design proposal that goes beyond aesthetics to create a deeply meaningful and personalized space. We source sustainable, natural materials from around the world—mineral-based paints from Denmark, handwoven rugs, organic products from New York, and locally crafted lighting from Taiwan—to create harmony between the home, the planet, and the individual.

Design is just the beginning. The project’s final phase focuses on mindful living, incorporating practices like Reiki, meditation, and small-scale sustainability solutions such as balcony gardens and rainwater collection systems. The result is a home that’s not only beautiful but also deeply aligned with the client’s values and aspirations.

Ultimately, Flamegold’s goal is to design spaces that go beyond the surface, transforming the way people experience their homes and their lives. Every project is an opportunity to help someone live more authentically, joyfully, and harmoniously. That’s what drives me, and that’s what Flamegold is all about.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Flamegold began as a passion project, a love for decor and design that initially felt more like a hobby than a business. The idea that people would pay me to help them select furniture and design their spaces was thrilling and humbling. At first, I balanced one project at a time while working a full-time job. My days started early, meeting contractors at 7 a.m. to review design details before heading to the office by 9 a.m. After work, I’d meet with clients to discuss progress and gather feedback on what had been completed during the day.

During this phase, I also took evening classes through UCLA’s certificate program. Thanks to the time difference, classes began after dinner and sometimes stretched until 1 a.m. New York time. On a good night, I’d get five hours of sleep—a luxury. The long days and late nights were grueling but strengthened my determination to build something meaningful.

Slowly but steadily, Flamegold grew through word of mouth. I was fortunate to work with supportive clients who loved my vision and shared their experiences with others. I also built connections with friends in real estate, which opened doors to new opportunities. I began assisting their clients with design projects and eventually collaborated with developers. One of the pivotal milestones was working Hive Developers on their condominium projects, Eleven 2 and the The Josephine, located in Brooklyn, NY, which went on to set a record-high sales price in the neighborhood.

I’m deeply grateful to everyone who believed in me and supported Flamegold’s vision. We hope to continue to elevate everyday living and foster a sense of community through thoughtful design.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Building my reputation in the market has been rooted in a client-first approach. I always prioritize thinking from my clients’ perspective—truly understanding their needs, preferences, and challenges. I proactively anticipate potential challenges and manage expectations to ensure a smooth process for everyone involved. Hard work and dedication have been non-negotiable, especially during the early stages of building Flamegold. Clear and open communication has also been key. Keeping clients informed, managing expectations, and maintaining transparency have all helped build trust and strong relationships.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.flamegoldinteriors.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flamegold.interiors/

Image Credits
Photos by @wgh_photo @cindy__yen @jjohn.kellyy _ The Amazing Project, Salon. F: @salon.facilitator _ The Josephine Condominium www.thejosephine.nyc