Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Reyes.
Hi Kristen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I decided I wanted to be an interior designer when I was 11. My father and grandfather were contractors and my aunt is an interior designer, so I was exposed to the industry at an early age. We moved five times before I turned 15, each home receiving an extensive renovation either before or during living in the home.
For college, I attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and received a BFA in interior design. Upon graduating, I was recruited to work at Corgan at their Dallas Headquarters and spent several years working in the commercial design world. Ultimately, a passion for personalization and customization guided me to the residential sphere after putting nearly 1.5 million square feet of commercial design under my belt. My company, Sey Interiors, officially launched in 2021 and I haven’t looked back.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The “home boom” of 2020 led to a lot of really exciting projects early in my business. I think one of the biggest challenges for a lot of small business owners is figuring out what projects to take, when to have a wait list, and how much is too much. We have definitely experienced that with varying success. It’s a roller coaster.
I also recently became a mom in 2024, so that has introduced another layer into owning my own business! It is an adjustment to balance home life and work life, especially working in something creative. My mind can always wander into new ideas, intentionally or not, so there have been some late nights in the last year. However, I greatly appreciate how owning my own business gives me the flexibility I desire so I can have both the role of interior designer and mother.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My company Sey Interiors focuses on large-scale construction in North Dallas, Richardson, and Plano, taking projects from the studs to final styling. We love a home with “good bones” and cultivate the existing character combined with the function that a busy family requires. I am most passionate about understanding the hidden potential of every home, ensuring ROI with each renovation. What sets us apart is my deep value to the connection between designer and client, which results in a partnership built on trust and friendship. Our signature aesthetic is driven by the personality of the end-user, combined with warmth, layers, and texture to create one-of-a-kind, completely custom designs. This is in addition to my background in commercial design, which was a training ground for business best practices, attention to detail, and construction management. We are well-rounded when it comes to both the creative side of the business and the practical side, which makes us a good fit for clients who value those aspects in a design partner.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking can be difficult, but you have to put yourself out there! I have found mentors in the industry by being a mentor myself. I believe it is so important to give into the world what you want to receive. The right people will come along side of you when you are aligned with your goals and are working in the spaces you feel called to be in.
Pricing:
- Starting Investment in Full-Service Design: $50,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seyinteriors.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sey_interiors
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeyInteriors/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenseyferthreyes/
Image Credits
Yanglin Cai Photography (first image – mosaic tile main bath)
Sarah Liden Photography (All other interiors shots)
Amber Tice (headshot)
