Kathryn Chaplow founded her design company in 2005, shortly after having children and wanting a more flexible work schedule. The designer started Kathryn Chaplow Interior Design with one employee from her home and now has a team of seven in a newly built office on Grand Rapids’ west side that includes a retail space opening this fall. Chaplow’s all-female team, most of whom are mothers like her, specializes in interior design for projects such as residential homes, boutique healthcare, hotels, and restaurants. Chaplow and her team recently completed the interior design of a renovated general store in Walloon Lake and a 60,000-square-foot restaurant and entertainment called Silva by Marc Secchia currently under construction just north of downtown Grand Rapids. is designing a project.
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Ms. Chaplow recently spoke with Crain’s from her new office at 839 Butterworth St., S.D., about the appeal of Grand Rapids’ west side, starting a retail brand and doing business in western Michigan.
Why did you decide to move your office here?
I love the west side and live on this side of town. I really love this area. I think there’s a lot of potential for growth, expansion, and creativity, especially in this corridor because there are so many little spots waiting for something interesting to go into it. There’s a lot of availability, but it looks like it needs a bit of refinement. Access to the city center is excellent.
I think what this new studio will do for us is allow us to have larger, more collaborative meetings in our own space. This will allow us to grow our team and realize the full potential of Collect, Kathryn Chaplow Interior Design’s retail brand. The preparations are complete.
Can you tell us a little more about creating the storefront for your retail brand Collect?
It has evolved, but it first started as curation for clients. What happens when you’re curating a project is that not everything sticks. So you end up with an overstock, but if you’re buying something special or vintage or antique, it doesn’t mean it’s going out of style. So we kept it and have really collected different objects and items: lamps, mirrors, frames, books, bookends.
We mix it up with artisanal creations and a small selection of new gift items. It’s not just old things, it’s a mix of different things. The aim is to create a colorful and interesting store where people can take inspiration from the store’s aesthetic and find something to take home or give as a gift.
The plan is to announce seasonal openings in the fall, close after Christmas, and then open again seasonally.
Do you have any plans to pursue any new types of projects?
We would like to do more development and partner with builders and developers to develop other retail spaces and multi-family housing. I think there’s a lot of room for good design in this area, and I think it can be even better. We have made some beautiful developments and we would like to be part of further developments, especially in this area.
Why did you decide to start your own interior design company?
When my son was born, I decided to start my own business so I could have more flexibility with my hours. I was able to work nights and from home, but since I don’t have family in Michigan, I wanted maximum flexibility.
What really built the company was my and my staff’s flexibility. We compete with other design firms to deliver the best work and work with these truly amazing buildings and amazing clients. But we’re also very aware that we want to be flexible in that mix and that it’s going to be very parent-oriented.
Another thing I always try to do is be very optimistic. So when you encounter a problem, it’s an opportunity to learn and grow. I never take big leaps, I take baby steps and ask for lots of advice.
Although women dominate the interior design field, the construction industry as a whole remains male-dominated. What is it like working on a job site?
As local builders around West Michigan, we have a truly unique and special culture, the people are kind and family-oriented, and we generally have never encountered any major problems. If people were less kind and less respectful, they would probably treat everyone that way, not just me. One thing I’ve learned in business is how to fit in with people who practice professionalism and courtesy. We will continue to work with those partners, not just with me, but with their entire team.
When I see women on construction sites, I always do my best to connect with them. Our office project had a female supervisor, and she was in charge of our project, but it was the first time in over 20 years that I had worked with a woman who was a site manager.
Have you noticed any big trends in interior design in recent years?
Some things have corrected themselves, but in general they tend to just increase costs. I think people are taking the time to educate themselves on the planning process and are becoming a little more mindful of how timing can impact the price of a project.
Some people want to be able to work from home, but also need office space. People want the space outside their home to be more comfortable, more beautiful, definitely healthier, and have more light. That also applies to spaces that welcome guests, such as clinics and reception areas. In all these places, people just want to be more thoughtful.
Is there something that many people misunderstand when thinking about working with an interior design company?
Probably the biggest misconception is that it’s all fun and that it happens very quickly and everyone is just going at it. What people see on TV is a before-and-after picture, but it’s actually very service-oriented. The fun and beautiful part is just a small part of what you do. A big part of the job is communication, professional relationships, getting to know your contractors and listening.
So many people think things should be done a certain way. Being able to sit down with someone, really listen, help them explore their own aesthetic, and watch them begin to realize that they have their own unique aesthetic. Masu. It’s not like Pinterest.
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