“I’ve always wanted a duck egg blue kitchen,” Kim West tells me, leaning on her marble countertop, a sequin-like wall of Zellige tile her backdrop. In her fully renovated Austin bungalow, Kim’s kitchen dreams have come true, and they take center stage as the focal point that anchors a surrounding open floor plan. There’s a laidback, thoughtful flow through the adjacent dining room, to the living room, to the breakfast area, and onto a few especially delightful bedrooms. The thing that both sets each space apart and ties them all together? Kim’s spot-on desaturated color choices and signature pops of pattern. None of it is surprising coming from the interior designer and co-owner of SUPPLY showroom, but even still, a visit to the West residence exceeds all expectations.
Your home strikes such a unique balance of old and new. It’s one of our favorites in Austin! How long have you lived here?
We have been lucky to live in this house for about a year and a half. When we first moved to Austin we were hoping to live in this neighborhood but the right house just wasn’t available. We had our eye on the lot for a few years and after several attempts we finally got a yes. We designed the house along with Dig A Architects and spent some time working with the neighborhood and the city on approval. It was a long process but good things come to those who wait! We took the main house down to the studs, reworked the layout added on and rebuilt plus we added the guest house and a pool (It’s Texas after all).
Above: dining chairs HAY from Nannie Inez
What’s your favorite spot in the house?
I love the open living/kitchen – mixing some of my favorite patterns from SUPPLY in various shades of blue gives the space a friendly personality. Our super long island is the perfect spot for guests to linger, nibble and gab for hours.
Describe your home in 5 words or less:
She is definitely fun, layered, warm and inviting.
Above: kitchen cabinets painted Kentucky Haze from Benjamin Moore; kitchen stools HAY from Nannie Inez
Above: living room sofa upholstery and curtains are made with fabric from SUPPLY
Business-Owner, wife, mom, you’re a busy lady! What’s your favorite way to relax at home?
Hanging out on our screen porch next to our giant live oak with a stack full of magazines and tunes overhead. Plus pool parties that start early and end late with plenty of tequila.
You absolutely nailed the wall and cabinet color choices throughout the house. What was the design inspiration for your home?
The first image I pulled was a dreamy montage of pastels from the Spring 2012 Louis Vuitton ad campaign. As I started sourcing for the house I continued to gravitate to soft, washed out colors that are pretty and livable. After owning the showroom for a year it was fun to finally pull together all of my favorite things and bring them to life.
Above: vintage cantilever chairs are reupholstered with fabric from SUPPLY; wall color Nantucket Fog by Benjamin Moore; bedside light fixtures Lampe Gras from DWR
What was your biggest design challenge when working on this space?
Finding a good balance of pattern and rest, figuring out where to step on the gas or pull back. Also, having relationships with our vendors we work with at the showroom felt a little like choosing between your children.
Who are your dream house guests?
Massimo Bottura to cook, Amy Schumer for giggles, Lady Gaga for Karaoke, Oprah for inspiration and Ryan Gosling because Ryan Gosling.
Above: master bath wallpaper from SUPPLY
What interior design words of wisdom can you share with our readers?
Be original, shop independent design, and invest in things your friends and neighbors don’t have. Invest in an interior designer, building a house is a monumental undertaking, choose the right guy or gal to nail your vision the first time.
What are your favorite design resources?
Supply Showroom for fabric and wallpaper magic. Nannie Inez for interesting furniture and objects. Vintage for lighting and furniture.
Fill in the blank: A well-designed home should ______.
“Tell a story about the people that live there.”
Above: little girl’s loft bed Oeuf NYC; pink bedroom wall color Batik from Benjamin Moore; kids bath wallpaper from SUPPLY; kids bath cabinet color Arsenic from Farrow and Ball Below: Kim’s dress William Morris for H&M
Austinites! Plan a visit to see Kim’s home for yourselves as part of the 2019 Tribeza Interiors Tour. Click here to buy your tickets, and mark your calendars for the can’t-miss January 27th event!
