Main a group of gifted ladies in creating upscale residential areas, Karen B Wolf speaks with ardour about all aspects of inside design. On this Q&A, she shares her background, inspiration, and the philosophy behind her agency, Okay+Co Dwelling.
Please inform us a bit about your self—education, youth, and so forth.
I attended the College of Michigan, the place I earned twin levels: a Bachelor of Superb Arts (BFA) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA). Later, I accomplished a Grasp’s in Built-in Advertising and marketing at Northwestern College. My background is a mix of enterprise and artwork, with a powerful deal with client conduct and understanding the “why” behind buying selections.
After Northwestern, I joined Spiegel Catalog as a Shopper Developments Forecaster within the Dwelling division. That have taught me about merchandising, behavioral traits, and catalog advertising. I additionally attended Excessive Level Market when it was simply two flooring within the IHFC constructing, and that’s the place I found my ardour for sourcing.
From there, I moved into product growth for an leisure firm, scouting new merchandise for the mass market and main artistic path. After the delivery of my twins, I pivoted to inside design, incomes a certificates from Parsons. My background in fantastic artwork, advertising, product growth, and merchandising has been invaluable to my profession in design.
Did you could have an affect in your youth that formed your profession path?
Completely. My dad and mom had a big impact. They valued arts, tradition, and creativity and all the time inspired me to pursue them. Once I was simply ten, they even despatched me alone on a prepare to New York Metropolis on weekends for artwork lessons. That independence and publicity to artwork at such a younger age formed my ardour for design.
When and why did you begin your agency, Okay+Co Dwelling (previously Karen B Wolf Interiors)?
I began Okay+Co Dwelling as a rebrand of my unique agency, Karen B Wolf Interiors. I wished the title to replicate the energy of my group somewhat than focus solely on me. Through the years, we developed a transparent model message—what we name laidback luxe. Okay+Co Dwelling now represents our collective strategy and philosophy as a design agency.
What does a day within the lifetime of a artistic principal appear like?
My days are lengthy—typically 14 hours, seven days per week—however by no means boring. I really like the unpredictability. No two days are the identical, and we’re continually problem-solving. Even small wins, like when a dangerous coloration alternative seems completely, deliver me pleasure. That fixed movement retains me impressed.
Discuss us via your course of for designing superb houses.
We begin with an consumption session to outline a shopper’s fashion. From there, I construct from the bottom up—selecting tile, wooden, and carpet first. Then I layer in colours, textures, and finishes. I really like mixing boucle with velvet or chenille, pairing efficiency materials with woven blends, and ending with sheers or layered window remedies. That layering has change into our trademark.
How hands-on are you with every undertaking?
I’m very hands-on. I set the artistic path initially, verify in often all through the undertaking, and return on the finish to fashion. These early and ultimate phases are the place my affect is strongest, however I like to remain concerned from starting to finish.
Your layered use of coloration, sample, and texture is beautiful. Has this change into your trademark?
Sure, thanks! Layering colours, patterns, textures, and finishes has undoubtedly change into a signature of mine. It creates depth and heat that purchasers love.
How typically do you add pops of coloration?
I wish to introduce pops of coloration deliberately—often thrice in a room. Consider it like a triangle, transferring the colour all through the house to create stability and cohesion.
The metallics in your interiors look unimaginable. What’s your strategy?
We love mixing metals. Polished nickel, satin brass, and nickel complement each other superbly. Chrome pairs nicely with black, whereas burnished metals combine properly with high-sheen finishes. The rule of thumb: match heat metals with heat tones and funky metals with cool tones.
How can individuals refresh their houses with out overspending?
Spend money on well-made, bigger items like sofas or sectionals. These anchor a room and have to be high-quality. For smaller accents—pillows, equipment, lighting—budget-friendly shops like Goal, World Market, At Dwelling, and HomeGoods are nice. They allow you to replace with out breaking the financial institution.
Do you imagine in repurposing?
Sure, completely. If a bit holds sentimental worth, like a household heirloom, we discover a technique to incorporate it. We measure fastidiously and combine it into the design so it feels intentional, not pressured.
What units your agency aside?
It’s greater than our heat, layered aesthetic—it’s our tradition. I’ve made powerful hiring selections to guard our core values, and that interprets into how we serve our purchasers. Our group’s power and integrity are as vital as our design fashion.
Any thrilling tasks on the horizon?
Sure! We’re engaged on a number of developer tasks that continually problem us to push our creativity. They preserve us sharp and remind us why we love this work.
🔗 Study extra at Okay+Co Dwelling.
