There’s never a dull moment around here. The latest excitement is the news that Kristina Wolf Design has decided to start its own fabulous in-house inventory of home accessories!
Kristina just returned from Myanmar, finding inspiration and exotic specialty items for our client’s homes. Next stop is Las Vegas, then Tanzania and Zanzibar. While away on her adventures, Kristina hopes to gather innovative accessories to incorporate into our growing number of wonderful projects. Among the items she hopes to find are fabrics/textiles, lacquer-ware, ceramics, indigenous woods, and culturally rich artwork to add to our rapidly expanding inventory.
We're always on the lookout for beautiful, handcrafted designs.
Traveling always expands the mind. KWD hopes that our worldly finds will spark your designer palette through color, smell and feel!
February 1st, 2012
I’ve just returned from wonderful business buying trip to Myanmar. This country is a place of true beauty where the people take pride in their culture and workmanship. During my stay, I visited amazing cultural sites, rural outdoor markets, and two elementary schools. I was also very fortunate to visit silk, lacquer, gold leafing, and local furniture manufacturers. Whether they were making silk fabrics or applying gold leaf designs to lacquer-ware, every craftsman I met paid singular attention to each detail and showed great pride in each finished product.
Handwoven silks
If you aren’t familiar with Myanmar, here’s a little history. Formerly known as Burma, Myanmar is the second largest country in Southeast Asia and is bordered by China, Laos, Thailand, and India. The country has been under the control of the military regime for decades and only recently has begun to loosen its grip with the re-entry of democratic opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi into politics after 20 years of house arrest. Despite the harsh government censorship and the trials of the past decades, the people of Myanmar were incredibly warm and welcoming. I was incredibly lucky to arrive in Myanmar merely a week after Hillary Clinton’s official visit to the country. The Secretary of State’s visit was history in the making: it was the first time in more than 50 years that a US official has traveled to Myanmar.
A gold-leaf lacquerware tray
I loved traveling around the country, talking to people and seeing their work. It was exciting to find objects and designs that were not only beautiful, but also functional, which is exactly what we at KWD think about when designing for our clients.
Traveling is a great time for expanding one’s perspective. I left Myanmar with a renewed sense of gratitude for living in a country where we are free and prosperous. Thank you, Myanmar. I’m so grateful for new wonderful design inspirations, new vendor contacts, and a renewed sense of inspiration and humility.
January 20th, 2012
The New Year is the perfect time for reflection and gratitude. Kristina Wolf Design is aware of our enormous good fortune in 2011, and we would like to share the wealth by giving back.
That’s why we’ve teamed up with Free the Girls, a wonderful non-profit organization that provides job opportunities to women rescued from sex trafficking in Africa.
Free the Girls doesn’t just give money to these women and hope for the best. Instead, they empower women by providing opportunities to become successful businesswomen in their communities. When this happens, women can support themselves and their families for the long term. And unlike some organizations, a hundred percent of donations fund these inspiring job creation projects.
Help us in our endeavor to make a real difference in women’s lives. It’s simple to give back: contact Kristina Wolf Design to get involved in our Bay Area efforts or contact Free the Girls directly to make a donation, volunteer, and get more information. Watch the video here.
Remember: you can make a difference.
We want to know: How did you make a difference in your community in 2011? What are your plans for 2012?
December 30th, 2011
Many clients come to me convinced they have one “look.” They define themselves as modern, for example. But one look throughout an entire room — or home for that matter — can be quite boring.
This is when the fun begins. When we meet, I go through a series of exercises to uncover their likes and dislikes.
After this enlightening process, they are often delighted to discover that they have a wider range of tastes and preferences than they ever imagined.
Mixing modern with traditional design offers clients a way to express their diverse tastes. Instead of playing it safe, mixing it up results in a rich and dynamic design that my clients simply love.
Jaipur Rugs does a great job of mixing modern and traditional. High quality and affordable, their wide range of styles appeal to many of my diverse clients. And it doesn’t hurt to know that the company supports programs in India to empower rural villagers.
I’ve used my favorite two designs in over 20 of my rooms — to rave reviews:
A more traditional approach: Opus Tree of Life in Sky Blue
A modern take: Kelle in Aruba Blue, from the Konstrukt Collection
We want to know: Do you think you have just one look?
December 19th, 2011
Part of the beauty of interior design is that it allows me to be a “maestro” of transformation. As a designer, I can see the potential of a space when others cannot. My job is taking a raw space and extracting the aesthetically pleasing components. I tear down, build-in, add color, mix and match textures, and create atmosphere where there wasn’t anything before.
We here at KWD love our work from initial step to the very final installation. However, there is nothing quite like seeing all our hard work come to life in front of our client’s eyes.
To see an example of this magical transformation, KWD would like to share with you a few “before and after” images of one of our latest projects: a new and improved Bachelorette Pad in the heart of Oakland’s Jack London Square.
The Dining Room
From an empty slate . . .
to a work of art!
The Hallway
From merely functional . . .
to fabulous!
The Living Room
From drab . . .
to dreamy!
December 1st, 2011
Most people just see the final product of our work. But a lot goes on behind the scenes! Here at KWD, we’ve been busy finalizing numerous projects in preparation for our quarterly photo shoots. In these shoots, we capture the final transformation of a client’s home. The results appear in magazines, design books, our website, and more. But perhaps most importantly, we give the photos to our clients to cherish and enjoy.
KWD is fortunate to work with Chipper Hatter, a wonderful photographer who travels all the way from San Diego just for us. With his photography talents and Kristina’s expert design eye, they have taken some fantastic photos that capture the magic of design. Here are some behind the scenes glimpses of the KWD team hard at work on the job.
Check out all the lighting and equipment required to get that “perfect” photo.
Even though it can be rigorous work, we never forget to have fun and stay nourished on the job!
Kristina and Chipper discuss angles.
November 15th, 2011
While KWD is a relatively new and young company, Kristina Wolf herself knows a thing or two about re-inventing the past to make way for the present. As a former police captain, Kristina has reinvented herself as one of the most in-demand interior designers in the Bay Area, known for her creativity and passion.
In the near future, KWD may have yet another opportunity for reinvention: a project within a Julia Morgan building in San Francisco! For those of you who are not familiar with this famous local designer, Morgan is a pioneer responsible for designing most of Hearst Castle, as well as many iconic buildings on both coasts.
Morgan’s name often conjures up images of historic grandeur. With this project, our goal here at KWD is to honor the historical beauty and significance of this building — but give it a needed face-lift for modern times.
How can we do that? We don’t have anything set in stone yet, but here are a few ideas: To add some pizzazz , we can use unique wallpapers, and add modern furniture to create the sense of these two worlds merging. Another idea to spice things up is refinishing all the original base flooring and then incorporating an edgy shag carpet. Top it all off with some fantastic time-period lighting and voila! The perfect balance. KWD is extremely excited to have the chance to work on this project, giving a nod to a glitzy yet simpler time.
We want to know: How do you incorporate your past aesthetic with your present?
November 1st, 2011
A few months ago, we wrote a post called Design That Makes A Difference, about our participation in the amazing project called Rooms that Rock. It’s a newly founded non-profit organization that “creates inspiration” in chemotherapy rooms in hospitals and clinics all across the country. Joining together local interior designers and hospitals, Rooms that Rock transforms drab recovery rooms into beautiful safe havens of healing. Their motto? “Celebrating life through words, color and rooms that rock!”
Kristina assembles a chair for her Room That Rocks.
KWD was invited to design one of these rooms at the California Pacific Medical Center. We are fortunate to be collaborating on this project with Bay Area artisans from Platypus Painting and custom window covering company, Stitch.
We are busy gathering ideas, and we hope to show off our finished room soon. Meanwhile, we wanted you to have a sneak-peek at the beautiful hand-painted designs we have in mind by the talented Ms. Melka Meyers. We think these original pieces will go a long way in creating a comfortable healing refuge for those who enter.
We want to know: Do you believe that your living environment can lead to more health and well-being?
October 11th, 2011
We love being out and about, scouting for new fabrics, designs, and materials. One of our favorite things, however, is discovering new artists. This is exactly what happened at the Las Vegas Market, where artists from around the country convened. There, we met with cool artists working on groundbreaking ideas. We found that their vision not only opens us to new concepts, but also whets our own creative juices.
It’s hard to single them out, but here are a just a few of our favorites:
James DeWulf
Based in Santa Monica, California, James DeWulf makes amazing furniture and lighting based in concrete and iron products. Check out this Steel Fan Coffee Table, constructed from a 3/8 inch steel plate:
Steel Fan Coffee Table
or this concrete stainless steel table:
Vue Coffee Table
Shiner International
This Atlanta, Georgia-based company blew us away. They make modern, eco-friendly furnishings using steel, hardwood, and cardboard, taking the term “eco-friendly” to a new level, since most of their creations come from the recycling bin. Check out this bed that literally and figuratively, rocks:
Mood Rocking Bed
We want to know: What artists are inspiring you these days?
September 16th, 2011
It used to be easy for regular people to buy furniture. But with the tottering economy over the past few years, the availability of great showroom space has gone from bad to worse. Stores just can’t afford the big retail spaces for furniture. As a result, they pack up their stores, consolidate, and show at trade shows instead.
As this trend continues, it’s become increasingly important for us at Kristina Wolf Design to be out in the field. Last month, we went to the Las Vegas Market to do just that. We shopped, we chatted, and we visited with the vendors we’ve worked with and loved, such as Four Hands, Arteriors, Jaiper Rugs, and Loloi Rugs. We marveled at the new and innovative products they are selling, such as this Boiled Wool River Stone Stool by Lazy Susan:
It’s a distinct benefit of working with an experienced interior designer: we’re out in the field, cultivating new relationships and nurturing existing ones. We know whose products are the highest qualities, and we can quickly hone in on the styles that match your taste. Ultimately, this means that we’ll bring you the most interesting and unique designs that you simply wouldn’t find on your own.
We want to know: Have your furniture shopping habits changed over the past few years?
September 1st, 2011
Many clients come to me thinking that because they have a small space, it can’t reflect who they are and what they like.
This is far from the truth. Recently, I met a woman I’ll call Janet. She wanted to hire me to help her mother, Dana: In her early 60s, Dana had a life full of travel, children, and culture. Her husband had recently died. Over the years, they had acquired furniture and objects without an overall design vision, and she never quite got to design her space the way she wanted it. Furthermore, the space was small, and she was didn’t know how to manage that.
Her daughter wanted to help her attain the home of her dreams at a time in her life when she could buy exactly what she wanted and fill it with objects that made her happy. Janet was concerned that she couldn’t do this in a small space, but I assured her that it was totally possible.
We got to work. Dana completed my detailed homework assignment, looking at photographs of places that drew her in — even though she had no idea why she liked the things she was seeing.
Through talking to her, I helped her discover her likes and dislikes when it came to furniture, styles, and colors. After the assignment, she realized that, after all of these years, she had listened to other people’s opinions instead of her own. Finally, she had figured out what she liked!
Next, we decided on a plan: For her family room, we designed a room with a simple and casual garden feel that still had a touch of sophistication about it. We made it bright and cheery and inviting.
Because the family room leads out into the garden, I incorporated tables with stone tops and floral prints to integrate the indoor and outdoor spaces, adding a whole extra living space outdoors. I gave her recliners to watch television, a comfortable sofa where she can read a book, and barstools so she can entertain. She was amazed at the versatility of this small room, where she could comfortably entertain eight people or simply enjoy the space for herself.
After all of these years, Dana told me that it’s the first time she’s ever had a home that reflects her likes and personality. And that’s a satisfying feeling for all.
We want to know: How do you work with small spaces in your home?
August 10th, 2011
A new color, a revised space, some furniture can make a big difference in your life. But when design is used to comfort chemotherapy patients during treatments, this takes making a difference to whole new level. That’s why I’ve joined a wonderful collaboration called Rooms That Rock, which enlists designers to remake a cancer treatment room. The group’s motto, “Celebrating life through words, color and rooms that rock!” just about says it all.
The group was founded by Nancy Ballard, an artist who saw untapped potential in a drab UCSF chemotherapy room. “I am blessed that no one in my family has been touched by cancer or has had to sit in a dreary, drab, outdated chemo room, many windowless and void of cheerful, hopeful colors or soothing art,” she writes on her site.
After donating a piece of art, she decided to go one step further. She opened her Rolodex and requested donations of time, materials, and expertise from me and other designers to upgrade one chemo room at a time, allowing each contributor to rename the completed room for a loved one. I am dedicating my room to my brother-in-law, Ron Rhines, who lost his battle with liver cancer.
The first room was completed in June. I’m thrilled to be gathering ideas and concepts for my room, which I hope will be completed in August. I am also pleased to announce that Melka Myers at Salt Rock Studios and Colin Baird at Platypus Painting have volunteered to donate their time and talent to the project. One of my dear friends is currently undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer, so this is a project that is very close to my heart.
We believe that nearly everyone knows a family member, friend or colleague who has experienced a (potential) cancer diagnosis. If, by doing this, I can improve even one person’s quality of life while they are undergoing treatment, then this project will be well worth the time and effort.
My hope is that we can go on to other clinics from there. Visit Roomsthatrock4chemo.us to learn more about the organization, or to donate.
We want to know: How does design make a positive difference in your life?
July 15th, 2011
Everyone likes a little public recognition. That’s why I’m excited to announce that KW Design will be highlighted in a design book coming out later this year.
The book, Interiors: An Exclusive Collection of the Finest Designers (Panache Partners LLC) will feature “successful design firms and their extraordinary designs,” according to the publishers. What this means is that they’ll pick some of my most beloved designs to show the world. After working so hard on a space, it’s a wonderful feeling to know that so many people will get to see it.
I feel very honored to be recognized as an industry leader, especially since we are a relatively young company in turbulent economic times. It’s nice to know that while my clients appreciate our work, so does the industry as a whole.
I’m not sure yet what designs will be featured, but come back to this blog for updated information.
June 30th, 2011
Last month, a senior at University of California-Berkeley contacted me. She told me about the service project she was working on with the Cal Corps Public Service Center, which coordinates student efforts to benefit Bay Area communities and beyond.
The international Flat Stanley Project is a literacy and community-building project that connects elementary school children with high school students, college students and the elderly. It allows children to send a paper doll (that’s where the “flat” part comes in!) they create to different characters, who then add their own creations to the doll. Then they send it back to the student, along with a story about themselves. It’s a wonderful way to connect communities and people of all generations.
The student then asked me for scraps of fabric, wallpaper or other color samples to create clothes for Flat Stanley.
We were delighted to help. The next day, we scoured through our old books and samples and came up with a pile of interesting things to dress Flat Stanley.
I believe that we can all use our talents and resources to help out in the community and make a difference. You never know — it could change a life.
You can learn more at www.flatstanley.com
We want to know: What are some ways, big or small, that you can make a difference?
Continue Reading December 15th, 2010
Sometimes it’s hard to slow down. We’re so used to doing — and not used to being.
It’s easy to think that we have to be “on the move” to be successful. But I know that sometimes recharging my batteries makes me more productive in the long run. Not only that, but when I’m still and present to the world, I can be more mindful and aware of the things around me.
I headed to Paris with this idea in mind. While I love museums and grand architecture, on this trip I wanted to experience the world one little Parisian bench at a time.
Sitting and observing in this beautiful country, I noticed the exchange between people, the movements big and small, the noises of laughter and voices and taxis. I saw the patterns that emerge and the smells from the bakery and the cheese shops.
Soaking all of this in allowed me to let go of the idea that I must be doing something. And this, in turn, opens my eyes to the possibilities.
I’m back to my home, my family, my work. But I feel different. I’ve returned feeling refreshed, more attuned to my surroundings and my natural rhythms — and with my creative juices flowing.
How do you recharge your batteries?
Continue Reading December 1st, 2010
On September 16th, we celebrated the Grand Opening of Energy Matters Acupuncture & Qigong studio at 4341 Piedmont Avenue in North Oakland.
I worked closely with the studio’s owner, Kirstin Lindquist, L.Ac., to create a space conducive to relaxation and healing. The first step? Figuring out how to transform an old real estate office with horrible red and orange colors into a soothing and welcoming studio.
The whole process started with getting to know Kirstin, even in ways that she didn’t understand about herself and her likes and dislikes. Although she had a vision about what she wanted, she didn’t know how to get there. Through interviews, getting to know her, watching her, and sensing her energy, we came up with a full picture of a wellness studio that struck a delicate balance between a sterile medical environment and a spa.
Working with her on her current budget, we prioritized what we wanted to accomplish first. As the business grows, we’ll go into the next phase of design.
I recommended a completely different color palette than originally planned, and the result is soothing browns, blues and greens that really work to create calm and ease. We brought in some elements of water, metal, and fire, and furnished the common area with pieces that are sturdy and durable. With six treatment rooms and a large studio, the area feels spacious and calm.
You can have the best business, but if no one knows about it what’s the point? That’s why we worked closely with Cathy Dalton at Marketing Works. Kathy helped us bring Kristin’s vision out in the world so people could discover it — and benefit from it.
I’ve loved working on a commercial space where people come to relax and renew. That’s why I’m particularly excited about our next big project in this area, Mira Vista Country Club in El Cerrito. Stay tuned for updates as the project gets going!
We want to know:
Is your business space conveying what you want people to know about you and your business? Do you need help figuring out how to prioritize your projects?
Continue Reading October 26th, 2010
I’m thrilled to report that I’ve been nominated by the San Francisco Design Center as a Designer of Distinction. My inspiration to become a designer began in these showrooms, so this nomination is a big marker that my career has come full circle.
Here’s why: A few years ago, I had some significant design issues on my house. I had studied design before, so I really understand design’s value: that another party can lend objectivity to the process, not to mention save you money with steep discounts at showrooms.
I hired a husband-and-wife design team. One day, I went to meet them at the San Francisco Design Center. I arrived before they did and I started pulling together pieces that I loved. The showroom manager approached me and said: “I love watching a good designer at work.” That’s when the light bulb went off!
I quit my job on the police force and attended UC Berkeley’s design program. And the rest is history.
The winners will be announced at a luncheon in February. Stay tuned!
Continue Reading October 12th, 2010
When I design a house, I don’t design it according to what I like. I design it according to what the client likes. This means if I have 20 clients at the same time, none of their homes looks the same. This is opposed to designers with a cookie-cutter look: When you walk into a home, you know immediately which designer did it.
For me, the most important step in my process is getting into my client’s head and understanding them. Only then can the look truly reflect who they are.
To do this, I need two things from a client:
1. Find Out the Client’s Aesthetic: To do this, I work with a book called Dream Homes, which contains about six different styles such as contemporary, exotic and cool minimalism. Each style has 100 different photographs. I give the client this book. Each member of the family gets colored tabs, and they go through the book putting the colored tabs on the pictures that they like.
When they are done, I sit down with them and go through an interview process to discover what they like about each photograph. This is an illuminating process. We find out some very interesting things: One client liked unique lamps, so we added several of these to the design. Another client wanted to bring the outdoors in, so among others design elements, we recommended a table fashioned from a tree root.
This works so well that many clients want to own the book so they can keep the tabs to remember the process! They love being involved, and it seems like fun instead of work.
Continue Reading August 18th, 2010
Many parents think they have to choose between enjoying a beautiful home or having a home solely dedicated to their children’s enjoyment. The good news is that you don’t have to choose! I help clients design a sophisticated home that is also accessible and fun for kids.
In the past, the parents picked out kids’ rooms — complete with a boat bed and blue wallpaper. Today’s young kids, however, have strong opinions and know what they like and don’t like.
When I look at design, I look at how kids are going to use their own rooms as well as the rest of the house. I look at the children’s needs both educationally and motivationally and how to give them space to be active (and also space for downtime).
I offer a unique program for families with kids. I bring in an elementary school teacher with design abilities. The teacher sits down and talks to the kids to discover their interests, where they are in their development, their likes, dislikes and tastes. Kids can have magical ideas — and my job is to see how they can come to life.
Continue Reading August 4th, 2010
Modern life moves really fast. Since we don’t want to get left behind, we move right along with it. But there’s a point where if you don’t take the time to recharge your batteries, you come up empty. The most common place to recharge is your home; there’s just something about coming home and feeling like you are in a warm cocoon — a protected and safe place. But if your home isn’t a comforting place for you, the hectic pace of outside comes in with you. It’s essential to have a sanctuary where you can relax, exhale, calm your mind and body and draw new inspiration.
I help clients create this relaxing sanctuary. To do this, I first get to understand each client as a unique individual. So instead of a cookie-cutter design, I know what inspires you to relax. I’ve learned that most people don’t know “the look” they want. But they know it when they see it. So, it’s my job to listen carefully and find the look that will give you that wonderful “ah-ha!” moment. Then, you can just “sink into” the space and enjoy.
Relaxing means different things to different people: Right now, I’m doing a hot pink and black home, and to my client that color combination is extremely soothing. I take the colors and objects that are calming and nourishing for you and turn them into something beautiful — instead of making assumptions and jumping to design conclusions. At the day’s end, you’ll have a place where you can sit down with a glass of wine or cup of tea and feel that it totally reflects who you are.
In my work, I take a holistic approach. When people hear the word “holistic,” they think of acupuncture or naturopathic medicine. But holistic health is healing the psyche. When working on design, I focus on creating a healing environment in many ways.
Continue Reading July 7th, 2010
I recently went to visit a client in Pebble Beach whose home was about to begin construction. One of the best features about this stunning home was a wonderful kitchen and outside eating area. But when I walked through the house, I noticed something odd: There was no door that connected the kitchen and the outdoor eating area! So anyone who wanted to eat outside needed to walk through a formal living room to get to the outdoor eating space.
This is why it’s so important to never lose sight of the big picture.
Whether you’re doing a remodel on a single room, an addition or new construction, looking at a blueprint doesn’t really give you the full picture. And even the best contractor can’t focus on every tiny detail or completely contemplate the finished look of your house.
The contractor says, “I need you to pick out the lighting by tomorrow.” The client just hopes to get it right. Many homeowners building or remodeling find themselves making big decisions in a vacuum.
An interior designer should always focus on how you’ll use your space. First, I talk to you and discover what’s important to you. Then I walk through each area to think about how you’ll live there. I pull a vision together and understand how to make things harmonious (cabinet doors, tiling, paint colors, and lighting) for a finished look.
Continue Reading June 23rd, 2010
