Ready for a refresh? She makes interior design less intimidating, more accessible

Kristin Prince is a Cary-based teen and dog mom who spends her days helping families refresh their homes without a major investment. An interior designer who loves the ironic combination of her two massive German Shepherds and an impeccable home, Prince left corporate America to start her own business – Kristin Prince Designs – and to pursue her personal passion. She aims to make working with an interior designer less intimidating and accessible to the masses.

Go Ask Mom: You are part of the rising “gig economy” of moms choosing to work for themselves. Why does this appeal to you in lieu of working a traditional office, 9-to-5 job?

Kristin Prince: After 20+ years of working for other people, I decided it was time to follow my passion of interior design. I used to sit at a desk and daydream about doing what I want, and then I finally said, “If not now, when?” My husband travels a lot for work, and between having a teenager, two dogs and a kitten, I needed more flexibility than Corporate America could offer. The idea of creating my own schedule around my families’ needs was also really appealing and I decided it was now or never.

GAM: Tell us a bit more about your “REFRESH” concept and how you came up with the idea.

KP: My refresh concept basically involves helping a family give their homes new life and a new look, one room at a time, at a pace and budget that works for them. Because I’m in my 40s – I’m at a time when many of my friends have had young kids for the past 10 years and haven’t done much to improve or refresh their homes because, really, when you have toddlers around – what’s the point? For many of us, once our kids started growing up, we started to look around and realize we’re long overdue for giving some of our living spaces a new look.

GAM: So, you have a teenager, but you also love animals AND maintaining an impeccable home. How is this even possible?

KP: With planning and the right design, turning chaos into calm is possible for anyone. When I redesigned my own home a few years ago – I knew we needed more space for the dogs. Plus, my teenager needed a place to put all her stuff when she gets home from school and I needed my house not to be a disaster. So, I designed a multi-purpose mudroom that could accomplish all this. If you design your spaces thoughtfully by designating a place for the things that take top priority, you can make any layout work for you. It might require some tough choices, but you’ll end up with a space you love – instead of one that works against you.

GAM: You say you want to make interior design less intimidating. Why do you think people are intimidated by the thought of working with a designer?

KP: I think people assume interior designers are going to want to pick the most expensive furniture, custom window treatments, etc. If you walk into my house, you’d see I have a 17-year old Ethan Allen couch that I refreshed with some new pillows. My coffee table was bought on a local Buy/Sell/Trade group for $50. In that same group, I bought a very well-made chair for $30. I had it and one other (mismatching) chair reupholstered in the same fabric – which gave the entire room a new, refreshed look with minimal investment. I often find people spend a lot of money on new furniture, only to get it home to see it’s the wrong size or the wrong color. Working with a designer can prevent you from making expensive mistakes because we can help you make the right decisions the first time around. 

GAM: What do you love most about interior design?

KP: I love being able to help people fall in love with their homes again. My sixth sense is walking into a room and figuring out exactly how it should be laid out. On a recent project, I moved a kitchen table up against a wall and suggested a banquette to open up the small space. My client literally hugged me – this little adjustment actually changed her life! She told me her mother-in-law uses a walker and wasn't able to get around the table easily before and now she can. A lot of times people can't see the best use of their space, and that's a talent I’ve always had.

GAM: How would you describe your design style?

KP: My personal design style is classic with a modern twist. I like to keep expensive pieces classic, since they are an investment and won't be going anywhere anytime soon. I like to pop in more trendy pieces that are less expensive – like a pillow or lamp since those can be found with a quick trip to Home Goods.