Hi cuties! Wow, I can’t believe that June is here and summer is officially underway—and I can’t think of a better way to welcome the new season than by introducing you to our latest Trade Member Spotlight designer—Chrissy Ritter—and her summer-worthy designs, full of florals, mixed prints, and summer-weight textiles!
Chrissy is based in New York City (though she takes on clients nationwide and she’s a true artist at mixing old and new motifs, along with a gorgeous English countryside color palette, to create spaces that feel relaxed but also super-luxe. She’s a big fan of pulling inspo from design books (a woman after my own book-loving heart!) and it shows in her attention to detail and deep knowledge of different style.
“I have been working with the KKH program for a few years now, and I find that is a great starting point for all my sourcing. With such a wide range of vendors, styles, and price points, I can always count on finding something of great quality coming from a KKH sourcing deep dive! It is also a great go-to source when I am in a pinch and need something installed ASAP—there are such great stocked options that really look custom.” -Chrissy Ritter
I also am so happy and proud to report that KKH had the privilege of working with Chrissy Ritter on her recent design vignette for the 2024 Design on a Dime charity event to benefit Housing Works here in NYC! Always a joy to get to collaborate with one of our Trade Members, especially for a great cause. Now…without further ado, get to know Chrissy and her enjoy her beautiful portfolio images!
Chrissy Ritter
Tell our readers about your business—what are your specialities and core offerings?
I run a full service residential design firm (and have dabbled in commercial design!) I specialize in creating homes that are very catered to my clients personal style and taste. I find most of my design inspiration comes from listening to my clients needs, and from my desire to have their personalities really shine through the space.
“I also tend towards renovation or new build projects so I can get my hands on every square inch of the space.”
Do you have a favorite interior design style to work with on projects?
I will work with a wide range of styles, but I love an English Country home. I love a space that is layered, well-collected, lived in, and still fresh. The English color palette gets me every time.
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How would you describe the style of your own home? What’s your favorite piece of furniture/decor that you own?
I would say my own home is a fresh take on traditional. It is a mix of old and new – and houses a lot of collected and found items. I like to root the space with traditional shapes and lighten it up with pops of contemporary silhouettes.
Tell us about a notable project from the past few years.
A project that is very near and dear to me would probably have to be the first one I completed as Chrissy Ritter LLC. This was a young family on the Upper West Side, who purchased a beautiful five bedroom and we did a big renovation.
“This family was a true joy to work with and it really gave me the confidence boost I needed to kick start my career. It was also really special to be able to help set up their growing family!”
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What have been some of the biggest joys and challenges you’ve faced in your career in the design industry?
The biggest joys are definitely seeing my clients’ faces at installation. The biggest challenges come with trusting your judgment and knowing when to push on something or when to let it go.
Are there any design trends you see on the horizon for the year to come? Any trends on their way out?
I try my best to stay away from trend forecasting but I like to think maximalism is in and minimalism is out. I am from the “more is more” family.
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What advice would you give someone who wants to work with an interior designer on their home, but they feel intimidated or hesitant? For someone who’s never worked with a designer, what’s the major upside?
I would tell them to remember that interior design is a professional service, and to never be intimidated by asking a professional for some help. Interior designers are there to work with any and all types of people and projects, and I always think the more help the client needs, the better!
“For those who haven’t worked with a designer, the major upside is unlocking an entirely new world of sources and ideas that they may not have previously thought of.”
It also takes a lot of time and energy to design and install a home, so for clients to be able to gain this time back for themselves is definitely a luxury.
Speaking to fellow design pros: what advice do you have about working a challenging client or overcoming unforeseen obstacles on a design project?
Every project, no matter how perfectly we do our job, has an unforeseen obstacle. At the end of the day, we are in the client service business and the most important aspect of our job is making the client happy. So, when something inevitably goes wrong, I will put my energy towards finding the best solution rather than harping on the problem.
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The Kathy Kuo Home Trade Program
Feeling inspired by Chrissy Ritter? If you’re an interior designer or architect you can apply to our Trade Program to enjoy a wide array of professional benefits, as well as access to a thriving community of interior design pros. You can learn all about it HERE, but in brief, KKH Trade members receive: Competitive Trade Pricing, Low Storage Fees, Dedicated Trade Specialist to Coordinate Orders from Start to Finish, and More.