It’s not every interior designer that comes with a glittering career prior to being a designer, however, the beautiful blonde model and actress Kari Whitman, has a unique resumé. After enjoying the spotlight doing movies with actors like Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez, Kari decided to turn her sights towards interior design and has never looked back.
Over the past twenty-nine years Kari Whitman Interiors ( KWI ) has been established as an important and respected design-build firm specializing in luxury residential and commercial interior design; and has been featured in Architectural Digest, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and more. At the helm Kari has opened headquarters in Los Angeles and Boulder, Colorado.
Having a close personal understanding of just what the glitterati elite look for in their homes Kari has created meaningful spaces for celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Antonio Banderas, and Kristen Bell, many of whom have also adopted pets from her Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue. Known for creating specialty custom design pieces to curating a home that reflects the personality of the owners has become a hallmark for her brand. From the Hollywood Hills to a Middle Eastern oasis, she has designed many national and international homes for the Royal family of Saudi Arabia, who have come to trust her eye for design and art.
We had the opportunity to chat with Ms. Whitman at the Bowery Hotel as she was in New York City for the Salon Art+Design show at the Park Avenue Armory.
Who are some of your favorite design houses right now?
“I’m loving this brand called Blackpop. Their wallpapers are amazing, and I love how rich and beautiful they are. I have also been enjoying Porter Teleo, who create these bold, abstract hand painted wallcoverings, as well. I really love it when a design element has some glitter or gold shimmer, something that adds a dynamic to the piece. Matte is ok, but I feel it’s overused and everyone loves something that plays well with the light in a space.”
“As for fabrics, I have worked a lot with Dedon. I love Stark, and how many amazing options they have beyond fabric, such as custom carpets. Of course, Prelle, from France is a go to for historically inspired spaces. And, for modern native motifs I look to Elworthy Studio.”
What are your thoughts on lighting?
“Lighting is so important. It completely transforms the space if it has been done correctly. I often create bespoke lighting pieces for my clients. One time I even did this incredible forty-foot-long lighting fixture that flowed down a couple stories and cascaded down to the floor. So stunning. Of course, I often go treasure hunting at vintage and antique stores to find special pieces for spaces where the atmosphere calls for something with history. When shopping for modern lighting pieces I have been liking Lindsey Adelman and Wonderglass.”
Where are your favorite places to go vintage shopping?
“If you have never been to the Paris flea market, you have to go. My friend Kelly Wearstler gave me this tip years ago and it is my favorite place to get incredible finds. However, when you go make sure that you schedule a few days for some serious shopping. You can’t do it all in one day, or even three days, for that matter. It is so much fun hunting through all the stands and finding the most incredible items. I love finding stunning linens and textiles here from old Italian and French weavers, vintage lighting, anything really, you can find it at the Paris flea market.”
What do you think most people would be surprised to know about you and your work?
“I like to do passion projects sometimes. Even if the budget isn’t what I normally work with if it intrigues me and I have never done it before sometimes I’ll take it on. Like when I did this very cool tattoo parlor. I had never done a tattoo business before, but I decided to go with it and stretch my design wings. I had so much fun with the creativity it allowed me. I also did a medical marijuana dispensary, which was a wild departure for me but was so much fun to create.
“I really have to commit to each project that I take on because we are working on projects in California, New York, Denver, Aspen, Jackson Hole, Miami, Dallas, and Saudi Arabia. And, if something is going on I might have to jump on a plane at a moment’s notice to oversee certain parts of each project. I don’t think most people know about how closely interior designer’s work with their creations.“
“I also think most people don’t know about my dog rescue charity that I have. I founded Ace of Hearts, a non-profit that rescues dogs from high-kill shelters and places them directly into foster homes. It’s really important to me.”
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