Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karly Stringham. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Karly, appreciate you joining us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

My parents always emphasized the importance of trying and following through, rather than being the best at something. Growing up, the expectation wasn’t perfection or winning—it was effort and completion. If I started something, I was encouraged to finish it, even if it was hard or I wasn’t naturally good at it.

I remember times when I wanted to quit activities because I felt like I wasn’t as talented as others. Instead of letting me walk away, my parents would gently push me to stick with it and give my full effort. It wasn’t about pressure—it was about building consistency and commitment.

That mindset has had a huge impact on my life and career. It’s taught me discipline and follow-through, which I’ve found are often more valuable than natural talent. In my work, especially in design, not every project comes easily or perfectly the first time. But because of how I was raised, I’m comfortable working through challenges, refining ideas, and seeing things to completion.

Because they encouraged me to keep trying different things, I eventually found what I am the best at. That process of sticking with things—even when they were hard or uncomfortable—helped me discover my strengths and build confidence in them.

Looking back, I’m really grateful they didn’t focus on me being the best right away. They believed in me enough to prioritize growth over perfection, and that belief has stayed with me. It’s something I carry into everything I do

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m the owner and designer behind Quarterline Design, where I focus on creating thoughtful, highly personalized residential spaces. My background is in architectural and interior design, and I’ve always been drawn to the balance between creativity and functionality designing spaces that not only look beautiful but truly work for the people living in them.

I didn’t get into this industry by accident. From a young age, I was very creative and spent years doing portrait art, even winning multiple competitions. That early foundation taught me how to see detail, composition, and emotion in a way that naturally translated into design. Over time, that passion evolved into a love for interiors and architecture, spaces that tell a story and shape how people experience their everyday lives.

What I offer through Quarterline Design is a full, thoughtful approach to the design process. This includes floor plans, 3D renderings, elevations, and material and finish selections. I work closely with my clients from the early conceptual stages all the way through to the details that make a home feel complete. Whether it’s a full new build, a remodel, or reworking a specific area like a kitchen or living space, my goal is always to create something that feels cohesive, intentional, and tailored.

One of the biggest problems I solve for clients is helping them take all of their ideas, often overwhelming or unclear, and turning them into a clear, buildable vision. Many clients come in unsure of how to make their space feel elevated or how to make everything flow together. I bridge that gap by combining creativity with technical knowledge, so they not only see the vision but can confidently bring it to life.

What sets me apart is the level of personalization and care I bring into each project. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all design. Every client, every home, and every lifestyle is different, and I take the time to understand that. My designs are rooted in storytelling, pulling from my clients’ preferences, how they live, and what matters most to them, then translating that into something both functional and beautiful. I also prioritize a clean, elevated aesthetic that feels timeless rather than trend-driven.

What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me and the relationships that come from that. Being invited into such a personal process, designing someone’s home, is something I don’t take lightly. Seeing a project come to life and knowing it reflects the people who live there is incredibly rewarding.

If there’s one thing I want potential clients or followers to know, it’s that my goal is to make the design process feel clear, collaborative, and even exciting. I want people to feel confident in their decisions and genuinely love the spaces they’re creating. At the end of the day, good design isn’t just about how something looks, it’s about how it feels to live in it.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

During my junior year of school, I found myself living what I had always thought was the dream, I was working at an architecture firm, gaining real experience, and stepping into the world I had worked toward for years. On paper, everything felt right, I was learning, growing, and finally doing what I had set out to do.

But as time went on, I started to notice a quiet feeling I couldn’t ignore, something was missing.

I loved the structure, the planning, and the technical side of architecture, but I found myself drawn to something more. I kept gravitating toward the interiors, the way a space feels, the materials, the details that people interact with every single day. I realized I didn’t just want to design the shell of a home, I wanted to shape the full experience of living in it.

That realization led me to make a complete pivot in my career path. It wasn’t necessarily the easy choice, but it was the right one. I chose to fully pursue both architectural and interior design, combining the two into a more holistic approach.

Looking back, I wouldn’t have discovered that missing piece if I hadn’t put myself in that environment to begin with. Working in different roles, trying different paths, and allowing myself to explore is what gave me the clarity I needed.

It’s something I now strongly believe in, especially when it comes to choosing a career. You can’t always figure it out from the outside looking in. Sometimes you have to step into something, experience it fully, and then adjust. Every step, even the ones that don’t feel like a perfect fit, is part of refining where you’re meant to be.

That experience shaped not only my career path, but also how I approach my work today, with a deeper understanding of both structure and experience, and a commitment to creating spaces that feel complete

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 a combination of building strong relationships and showing my work in a way that clearly communicates the value I bring.

A big part of that has come from word of mouth. When clients have a great experience, feel heard, and love the final result, they naturally share that with others. That kind of referral has been the most powerful form of growth for me, because it comes with built in trust.

I’ve also been intentional about how I present my work, especially through visuals like 3D renderings and detailed plans. A lot of clients struggle to fully picture a space, so being able to show them a clear, realistic vision helps them feel confident moving forward. That clarity not only helps during the project, it also attracts new clients who can immediately understand my style and process.

Another key strategy has been building relationships with builders, contractors, and others in the industry. Those connections often lead to consistent referrals and collaborative opportunities, and they help position me as part of a trusted team rather than just a separate service.

Overall, I’ve found that focusing on quality, clear communication, and a personalized client experience has been more effective than any one marketing tactic. When people feel taken care of and can clearly see the value of what you do, growth tends to follow naturally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://quarterlinedesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quarterline_designs/