We had the good fortune of connecting with Karlin Perez & Kari Pieniazek and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Karlin and Kari, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Both Karlin and I have worked separately in other industries and then in the interior design industry before we reunited and discussed the opportunity of creating our own interior design business. We both have our reasons…but mainly it was that noisy subconscious saying “do it for ME”. We were sorority sisters first, followed each other’s journey through the years, reunited over mexican food and ultimately trusted our gut and ability to do it for the “ME” inside. Designing beautiful functional interiors for people may seem like a hobby but for our clients it’s more like therapy. If we’ve learned anything this year, it’s that our homes are sacred places and deserve the time and attention to make it a haven…especially when the world falls apart.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Karlin and Kari Interiors is a full design firm serving East and West coast clients. In 1 long but short year together we have carved out a place for us in the design world with lots left to be unturned. That’s what’s so exciting about being in a creative industry…forever learning, witnessing growth in yourself and your work, then the reward! We are constantly rewarded in our souls by the love and opportunities our clients give us.
We are able to give our clients the vision of potential that they can not see in their home. We pride ourselves in being therapy for the home…and ultimately its owners. Seeing form, function, and purpose is the goal while making it inviting for our clients. We leave a piece of ourselves with every home while also leaving room for the client to continue expressing themselves in it. It’s a balance…like any self own business it can be difficult…but we constantly practice to be better on all accounts.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta is such an amazing city for food, drinks and hanging out in general! We are the city among the trees so it’s a must to find a good spot to enjoy the outside! A great place to start is at Ponce City Market…its got you covered with food, drinks, shopping and you can pick up the city’s Beltline to connect you to other hot spots like Piedmont Park, Paris on Ponce, Krog Street market and more. For dinner our favorite spots are Iberia Pig, Storico Fresco, Optimist, St. Cecilia, and Umi.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to our families that support us! Brian Pieniazek and Matthew Perez – our husbands! Knox and Mabel – Perez babies! Steely and Louie – Pieniazek fur babies! And our amazing clients that entrusted their homes to us!
Website: www.karlinandkari.com
Instagram: @karlinandkariinteriors
Image Credits
Karlin and Kari Interiors – Karlin Perez