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

Krista, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

One of the biggest trends in interior design from within the last several years is the use of online services. Just like with everything, many people (consumers and designers alike) love the convenience of going virtual if they can. There are some larger companies that do this type of service exclusively, as well as a variety of independent business owners like myself who find that providing this option allows them to broaden their customer base. I think this a great option for clients who understand basic design principles and are just seeking a little guidance for a challenging space. It takes some of the pressure off; you don’t have to have someone come into your space and analyze every corner (if this is something that doesn’t make you super comfortable), but you still have an expert eye to help achieve a curated look. On the flip side, as designers, we have to rely more heavily on the client to provide information such as accurate measurements, photos, and descriptions of the space. There is something to be said for seeing the whole of a house. Seeing the neighborhood, seeing the exterior, seeing the style of the rest of the house, the existing colors and furniture pieces within their true context. All of these can factor into creating a design that feels right. Sometimes from a photo of 3 interior walls and some generic windows, you can’t tell if you’re looking at the inside of a downtown condo, or the inside of a traditional colonial two-story. You can certainly decide as a client how much you want to lean into the vibe of your home, but it should be considered when making a plan. All this being said, I think a virtual option opens up professional design to a whole segment of customers who may not otherwise seek this type of service. The simplicity and limitations make it appealing for someone who’s exploring ideas and costs, or who would rather maintain some anonymity. As a designer, I love doing virtual renderings. It’s a fun and easy way to apply my creativity without getting wrapped in a huge project.

Krista, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have a long history of love for interior design. Even as a young child, one of my favorite things to do was play house, and of course, decorate my house. My dad owned a business building and flipping homes (this was back before the HGTV days when flipping homes wasn’t something we watched on TV), so I was exposed to all the steps that go into customizing a home from an early age. My dad is mostly retired now, but still helps me out whenever I need a hand with some of the harder parts of bringing my visions to life. I love many aspects of design, but my ideal work is with finishes, furniture and decor. Paint colors, surface finishes such as flooring, cabinets, counters, tile, wallpaper, furniture pieces, accessories, etc. When the structures are in place and you’re trying to bring the space together at any point from there–that’s where I love to come in. That’s where the magic happens for me.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been simply providing a great service for my clients so my customer base is built by word of mouth referrals. Early on, I prioritized advertising on local sites to get my name out. Paying for this before you have a steady profit flow is a little painful, but I quickly found that with each person that hired me and each job that was well-completed, I would almost certainly gain another job from that connection, so this advertising paid for itself very quickly. I go above and beyond for my clients; I don’t price gouge and I consider their budgets realistically and abide by them. I want them to have as much fun designing their space as I do. I don’t take on jobs that don’t feel like a great fit. I do what I say I’m going to do. I remember my client’s preferences and what they tell me. I engage with them until I understand them. I have clients that I met exclusively through our working relationship who send me check-in messages, podcast and recipe recommendations, and updates on their dating life because of the great connection we’ve made. I absolutely, positively love this, and I think it speaks volumes to the type of relationships I build with my clients.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

I’m fortunate that I have not had too many close calls, but early on in my business when I didn’t yet have the greatest sense of time management in regards to how long it takes me to complete a project, there were times I was up working on a job site until 2am to complete it by the deadline. This still happens–not everything can be planned perfectly no matter how hard we try, but thankfully I’ve gotten better at not overextending my schedule, so I can continue to deliver the best version of myself and my work for my clients. As for near death experiences, the only one I’ve had is when I recently spilled an entire full gallon paint on the interior of my car–I thought my husband might actually kill me. Thankfully, despite this close call, my car is as good as new and I’m alive to tell about it, haha!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/newdayinteriorsgr?igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newdayinteriorsGR
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-killgore-265870279