Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Bymark.
Hi Kirsten, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hakuna Haus was launched in 2016 as an Interior Styling studio specializing in custom artwork. As the owner and lead stylist, I focus on the true decorative aspects of a home or commercial space with space layouts, furnishings, art and accessories. With every project, I like to add in a custom art piece. Whether it’s a mural, painting, hand-made chandelier or wall installation, that touch of hand can really personalize and complete the full design concept while making it unique. It has been an incredible journey. Ever since I was young, I have explored creative mediums such as drawing, painting, woodworking and sculpture. My degree ended up being Visual Arts from the University of Texas Fine Arts department.
Then my dream job came along one year after college and I started working for the retailer Anthropologie as a Visual Display Artist. This became a ten year, hands-on career surrounded by art, fashion and home decor. Customers would come in and ask to work with me to help style their homes. They’d bring in paint swatches and fabrics and we’d work together on the additional decor items to finish out their spaces. This was all before other retailers had in-store home stylists. So, I started moonlighting with select customers as their decorator. Eventually, I discovered that working for myself would fulfill everything that I desired out of a career. The world of contract hiring within my incredible network of fellow artists and craftsmen has fulfilled my never-ending desire to collaborate and continue to explore. I am currently working on 4-6 projects at a time, along with a new venture into planning for an open studio space. My clients are a dream and I am living the dream as a mother of two, wife, and business owner. This journey has allowed me to balance it all. While it’s not always easy and I often have to reset priorities, it is a path that I would not trade for anything. It is so true that when you surround yourself with positive intentions and people, then those people refer more positive energy and your circle becomes everything you want it to be.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Years 3 and 4 of the business was a bit of a bumpy road. I took on more than I could handle. There were projects that I accepted ultimately because I didn’t want to say no. There were a few difficult clients and a few difficult projects that were not in my best interest or even the client’s best interest. I’ve had to learn how to trust my instincts, walk away from the red flags and be completely honest up front. It’s been a challenge as I am a people pleaser and in a field that’s meant to please people. It’s incredibly personal to work in clients’ homes, to introduce new trades and new products and it has to be a mutually respectful relationship between clients, vendor and contractors. Trust is key to every partnership I build. Even some of my most trusted contractors would let me down and that hit me hard when it affected my client’s trust. But, you learn from it all and grow stronger. So the struggles are just as important as the successes.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Hakuna Haus specializes in interior styling, custom art and consulting. What does that mean? Well, interior styling is just a new(ish) word for interior decorating. I have a passion for combining textures, patterns, colors and tones that inspire your everyday living, help define the personality of a space or canvas and helps narrate a client’s interests. While I have accomplished full renovations, my business is geared more to finish selections such as paint and materials (flooring, tile, countertops, hardware, etc) vs. construction planning. I prefer to work with the bones of the existing space and layer in all of the character, color and texture through furnishings, art and decor. My mantra is to keep the design process “worry-free” and unpretentious, working with both the old and the new with attainable budgets. Space flow is also key to a happy home so I love to rework furniture layouts for easy updates with big impact. Clients are able to pick their own contractors and pay them directly (meaning no inflated markups for other trades work) but I also come with a Rolodex of referrals, if needed.
The custom art & art consulting aspect is typically encompassed of an interior styling project but can also be a separate project without the full design scheme. A singular commissioned art piece or installation or art consulting for the perfect artist’s work that fits your space. I consider art to be the heart of interior design, so custom-made pieces come into play. Whether it’s a hand-painted wall mural or a small painting for the wall or a textural hanging installation on the ceiling, something unique and locally made is conceptualized to personalize the space. While some of these pieces are made myself, I also have an expansive network of incredibly talented artists that I like to connect with my clients and projects. We collaborate to invent or reinvent fitting art pieces geared to inspire and engage the viewer and create conversational opportunities. Anywhere from a reworking current art for a gallery wall to a large, custom-made installation, we can consult and advise on the best type of art that will inspire and define the space.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Patience. So many people were forced to slow down and stay home, causing them to look around a want to update their residents. It was a great time to really dive into projects and wishlists for their homes. However, we are still dealing with extended lead times that we have all learned to be more patient with. I’m so impressed with my client’s patience and understanding. With not only product lead times but also personal schedules, as well. We all had to learn together to go with the flow, work with kids and limited childcare create a mutual respect and understanding for schedules. The pandemic was a quick reminder that you can’t control the uncontrollable and health & safety were first and foremost. Grace, compassion and appreciation came to the forefront of our day-to-day living in a society that was often fueled on immediate gratification. We’ve all had to learn to wait and anticipate those things that we worked so hard for together. Ultimately making the design process became more meaningful and intentional along with relationships.
Pricing:
- $90/hr with Estimate time per project
- $125 Initial Consult
Contact Info:
- Email: kirsten@hakunahaus.com
- Website: www.hakunahaus.com
- Instagram: hakunahaus
Image Credits
Photography by Laura Alexandra Photography
