Kate's design philosophy is simple: to create enduring rooms that are comfortable, beautiful and practical.

From city lofts to country cabins, Kate describes her style as “a happy mix of old and new,” with attention to detail and a great respect for classic design. Kate is a good listener, working closely with clients to blend updated pieces with the items already in their homes, developing a well-edited collection of furniture, art and accessories, and most importantly, capturing the individual styles and unique requirements of each client. "It’s their home, and I want them to feel happy and contented in their environments for years to come.”

Kate’s first official decorating job came to her when she was just fourteen years old, launching a successful career in design that has lasted over twenty-five years. A native of Southern California, Kate attended Cal Arts and Art Center College of Design, and then opened her first design business, Local Color, in 1980. Here she designed several commercial projects, including Lions Gate Films, and worked with residential clients, doing extensive kitchen and bath renovations, color consultations, and full-service decorating.

In 1985, Kate moved to New York City to work for renowned architect Thierry Despont, and later, Peter Carlson. She was given the honor of decorating a room at the prestigious “Keewaydin,” the 1988 Southampton Design Showhouse, where she included one of her own painted wall murals. Since that warm reception, Kate has incorporated original works of art in her projects – her own pieces, those of other artists, and the treasures she finds wherever she goes. Kate stresses that “there is always art in my projects - one way or another.”

In Brooklyn, where her business was located until 2006, Kate specialized in brownstone interiors, working to make functional, beautiful homes out of what were often tiny and awkward spaces. Kate says, “The country homes of city clients have been a delight to work on, too, giving us an opportunity to create comfort in more spacious rooms.”

“I’ve been very fortunate to work in vibrant cities as well as the beautiful environs of the Hudson River Valley and the East End of Long Island. While the city feeds me with inspiring sights and sounds, it’s nature I crave when I’m solving a design problem.” Her living and working experiences make her uniquely qualified to design both city and country dwellings.

Kate has also owned and operated two successful retail shops: The Sewing Circle, a fabric shop in Park Slope, Brooklyn; and Bowerbird, a housewares shop in Catskill, New York. She has also worked in the entertainment industry, where her credits include that of Art Director on the classic Wim Wenders’ film “Paris, Texas” which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 1984.