Meet Kaitlin Piper | Furniture Designer and Academic

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaitlin Piper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaitlin, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
A few years ago, I would have scoffed at the notion of work-life balance. I have always been highly motived, goal-oriented, and driven to succeed. 100- hour work weeks and sleepless nights were my normal. I rarely had time for hobbies or other interests. My work was my life- it completely defined who I was. Although this workaholism helped advance my career quickly, it came with serious consequences.

Since I was in elementary school, academic achievement seemed like my primary purpose. As a straight-A student, I was labeled as the “smart girl” and this became my identity- my only identity. Consequently, I climbed the academic ladder, pursuing a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and finally a PhD. Halfway through my PhD, I hit a breaking point. I was physically, mentally and emotionally burned-out, and I ended up in the hospital. Many doctors’ appointments later, I realized that I needed to make changes and find more balance in my life, if I was going to be healthy. I started thinking about what I wanted for my life. Who I was outside of academia? What were my other interests?

Art and creative expression are interests I hadn’t explored since high school. Picking up a paint brush after all these years gave me a thrill of excitement. I started using my artistic passion to paint and redesign furniture. Eventually, I posted my furniture redesigns on social media, my work gained popularity, and people began approaching me with custom orders. This led me to start my own furniture design business, Vintage Inspirit.

Today, I’m nearly finished with my PhD, and I’m still pursuing a career in academia but with more balance and intention. I am continuing to grow Vintage Inspirit, which has given me an outlet to pursue my creative passions. After experiencing the harmful effects of workaholism, I now view balance as being able to pursue the different facets of yourself- I’m not just a successful academic, but I’m also an artist and entrepreneur. I no longer have a single identity and my career doesn’t define who I am.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My introduction to furniture design and décor occurred when I was very young. As a child, I remember helping my mom redesign our home- we painted kitchen cabinets and walls, remodeled dressers, and installed flooring and new countertops, among a multitude of other DIY projects. At the time, I didn’t know that this love for art, creativity, and design would lead to a business.

Over the years, I lost touch with the artistic and creative passions I developed as a child. Instead, I pursued a career in academia, and three college degrees later, I became immersed in my research and teaching career. Although I was happy and successful in my academic career, I felt like something was missing. One day, I bought an antique dresser that I restored and redesigned to match our home. Working on this dresser rekindled the same creative excitement I felt as a child. Eventually, I began working on other furniture projects and posted them on social media. Very quickly, I became addicted to creating and designing furniture, and clients began contacting me for custom orders. From this, Vintage Inspirit was born. I didn’t plan to start a business, but it developed organically from my need to create.

I would describe my furniture pieces as eccentric, quirky, and unique. The furniture that I create cannot be found at large retailers and my clients receive truly one-of-a-kind pieces. In addition to my original furniture, I also accept custom orders, where I create furniture and décor to perfectly match my clients’ homes. At Vintage Inspirit, we value sustainably- most pieces are created by recycling old furniture and reclaimed wood to create something modern and beautiful.

Vintage Inspirit was born out of my passion for art, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me. It has been a pleasure working with all of my clients, and I am overjoyed by the amount of support I’ve received from the Atlanta community. I love making furniture and décor that makes people smile.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Midtown and Virginia Highlands are probably my favorite spots. If a friend was visiting Atlanta, I would take them to the beltline for a stroll. We’d probably take pictures next to the street art and shop at Ponce City Market. Then, we would go to Fontaine’s Oyster House for lunch. Fried calamari and oysters followed by key lime pie is the perfect lineup! Fontaine’s is also next to a bookstore (Virginia Highland Books) and a plant shop (The Green Flamingo), so of course we have to stop there too! For my more adventurous friends, I would take them to the North Georgia mountains where we would take a hike- maybe Mt. Yonah or Tallulah Gorge.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate this shoutout to my partner, Brandon, for always encouraging me to pursue my dreams. He has been involved in the business every step of the way- from moving furniture to selecting paint colors. I also dedicate this shoutout to my Mom, for always answering my phone calls; my Dad for being my #1 fan; my brother for always making me laugh; and my three cats for their endless cuddles. I’m so grateful to have such an amazing support system!

Website: www.vintageinspirit.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vintage_inspirit/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/knpiper/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VintageInspirit1