A home is more than just a means to start your day or a generic place to rest your head at night. It’s a haven where so much life is meant to be lived. At the center of every home, is the heart. This concept is so often lost in the hustle and bustle of today’s American lifestyle. While some hearts are hidden beneath the stereotypical paint colors and cookie-cutter cabinetry of new constructions today or years of wear and tear on old masterpieces, they are still there, beating to be repurposed.
Here to reclaim them is Karin Ross of Karin Ross Designs. Helping homeowners experience inspired life in their homes is what she does best.
“They come to me grasping for a new beginning, a kick to feel alive again. We not only fix the functionality, but most of all, the look is an inspiration to get up tomorrow, to start dreaming again,” she said.
Growing up immersed in European fashion and design culture, Ross has experienced much of her life in the inspiration and flare from across the pond. Incorporating those high-end tastes into her designs is something she does not shy away from, even in the comfort of the Midwest.
“That is where I think I excel,” Ross said. “People have established a comfort. Let’s mix it with elements people are not used to. No matter what, we can’t leave people here in 1990, while people in Europe are in 2050. The gap needs to be closed.”
That blend of European in the Midwest has served Ross well in her almost 20 years of business, making bold moves while staying true to the classic, timeless pieces. She understands that following trends cannot sustain a design for the long haul.
“I look at what is coming, but I’m not necessarily influenced by the trends. My projects are expensive, so when you’re doing expensive projects, trends have to be limited,” she said. “We are doing timeless pieces, this is art. It keeps us grounded and keeps the design timeless. If I can do one or two classic pieces, the rest we can do more because we have our callback pieces.”
Usually, clients know exactly what they are getting when they say “yes” to a Karin Ross project – a passion to fix the need, and perhaps, an attempt to stretch their minds with different design ideas. Determining that comfort level is where Ross likes to start. She schedules thorough visits in every home and will create time to understand exactly what the client wants. Especially in today's design culture, Karin says taking the easy way out is too common. She sets herself apart by never cutting corners and being honest about the cost of doing things the right way.
“We spend an enormous amount of time with people here,” she said. “If we’re going to do it, it’s gotta be done right. I get to know what you need. Things that you don’t even know you need.”
Communication is especially important to the process. Dialogue going both ways helps not only the clients, but Ross’ understanding of what is important in the vision for the home.
“If it’s only in your head, it does nobody any good,” she said “I have years of experience, you must hear me out. I’m not the company that will tell you whatever you want, but I’m also not the company that will tell you my way or the highway.”
With almost 20 years of business behind her, Ross still operates with the same passion she has from the beginning, the very thing that will keep her relevant for the next 20 years.
“If you look at the span of life, adults will do two kitchen remodels. A kitchen usually lasts 25 to 30 years. Two times in life, I give you a booster and a direction to go. That’s amazing!” she said. “When the heart is not in the design, you don’t get the 30-year kitchen. You get the 5-year kitchen.”
After years of designing and creating lasting spaces, Ross has come to realize that surroundings have an incredible influence on a person, good or bad. With her help, a homeowner can inject life back into their unhappy home.
“A couple of weeks ago, I had a couple tell me that after six years they still treasure their space,” she said. “My clients are here for a need. I want to find the heart, claim it, build it and put it where it belongs.”
"I find the heart, claim it, build it and put it where it belongs.”