When I wrote my year-end review for 2020, I never imagined that 2021 would be an even bigger rollercoaster ride! Who could have predicted that we would have an enormously successful year in the home business, while also having one of the toughest times in our history, thanks to supply chain issues and delivery delays? I’m lucky to have the very best clients who rode through this crazy year with me and are heading into the new year in their gorgeous new homes. I also have one of the best teams in the business, and I could not possibly thank them enough for their support and incredible work this year. Let’s take a spin through some highlights:

The Incredible Projects

This year, we had unprecedented growth that tripled our business. In one short eight-week time period, we installed six whole-house projects! My team and I were so happy to work with clients this year who believed in our vision for their homes. The Rodgers Ranch Project (which is really a stunning estate) began to take shape and is almost complete - you can see a sneak peek of the principal bedroom above. I can’t wait to show you the full project in 2022! We also debuted a gorgeous beach home on Figure Eight Island off the coast of North Carolina. I was excited to work on this coastal house (below) because it’s a vacation home that this family has loved for three generations. It was also great to spend time with one of the family members who worked as my first employee! In the new year, we have another big project we’ll be starting on that island and I can’t wait!

We also completed several modern luxury vacation rentals in Tennessee (see below), homes in Charlotte and Raleigh, and many more projects across several states. Whew! This was definitely one of the busiest and most exciting years for my design business.

The Challenges

I never like to focus on the negative, but the supply chain issues and delivery delays were awful for all of us in the home business. Clients had to practice patience as we tracked products, switched out selections, and found solutions for everyone. The lesson learned? If you have a project you want to start in 2022, let us know NOW. We’re going to continue with these challenges into the new year, so plan as far ahead as you can! In this current climate of low inventory and raw material shortages, we have become experts at playing decorator roulette and getting it done. That’s the level of service you get when you hire our team.

Remembering Becky

Sadly, we lost so many in 2021, including my good friend and artist Becky Clodfelter. Below is a treasured Mother’s Day card she created that hangs next to my bathroom vanity. It’s the first thing I see every morning and the last I see every night. Becky has hand-rendered in watercolors every client presentation I’ve given for more years than I can remember now. This year, she lost her fight with ALS, and the world lost a talented, loving, generous, kind soul. I am forever grateful for her talent that helped me build a business and her friendship that I will never forget. 

Celebrating Quintana

We were finally able to get together with friends, family, and colleagues this year in small gatherings. I am so thankful to the Thompson Traders family and our collaboration on my Quintana collection. We held two designer dinners during the June and October High Point Markets to showcase and celebrate the success of our line of metal sinks, range hoods, and tubs. I was so excited to see our products installed in fabulous kitchens and baths across the country, too!

Media Relations

Podcasts are even more popular than ever, and I loved being featured on two this year. I enjoyed talking about all things design with the ladies from Ballard Design on their How to Decorate show, and also on the Designer Series with Modern Matter Hardware. I also had a full-circle moment when one of my projects was featured on the cover of Home Accents Today, a magazine where I served as an editor 15 years ago. But probably the most fun press opportunity I had was filming an episode of Couched with host Carson Kressley for The Design Network - that was a blast! Stay tuned for more on that…

Home and Team

Even in this crazy-busy year, I was able to squeeze in a home renovation of my own. We added a sunroom that includes a home bar, a special space for Chief Barkitect Penny, and a gorgeous breakfast nook. What seemed like a small project took almost a year to complete, but it was so worth it. You can see that Penny approves below.

And I saved the best for last. I could never thank my team enough, especially April Feezor and Megan Sommers. These two women keep everything humming at KCI, and I am so thrilled to have them in my life. With a crazy year like this one, it’s been a complete blessing to have their support and hard work.

For all of you who have been along for the ride this year, thank you so much! And here’s to a very happy 2022 for us all.

All the best,

Kara