THE TRADE EXCLUSIVE
Kathy Kuo Home Trade Member Spotlight: Hattie Sparks Interiors
Hi cuties! I’m so excited to share our latest Trade Member Spotlight with you all: The lovely Hattie Collins, the founder and principal designer at Hattie Sparks Interiors! Hattie is a New Orleans, LA, based interior designer—though she and her team work nationwide—who has been with our program for about three years.
“[We’ve been with the Kathy Kuo Home Trade Program] for nearly three years. I appreciate the commitment to customer service—it’s easy to get any issues resolved and questions answered.” -Hattie Collins
The Hattie Sparks Interiors ethos is all about luxury that is also lived-in, and relaxed yet refied. Hattie loves to work with color and play with a fusion of new and vintage pieces to create designs that are full of joy, light, and unique visual elements.
Read on to learn more about Hattie and her thriving business, glean her industry insights, and enjoy checking out some of her gorgeous portfolio photos featuring Kathy Kuo Home pieces!
Tell our readers about your business—what are your specialities and core offerings?
We are a full-service residential design firm that specializes in creating warm, layered, colorful, approachable homes. We also have an arm of our business called The Concept Studio that allows us to build out shoppable concepts for clients who need 1-2 rooms designed.
Do you have a favorite interior design style to work with on projects?
We don’t necessarily work within one specific style, but certainly put our unique fingerprint on every project by using bold wallpapers, sculptural lighting, and vintage rugs among other things. I love the mix of old and new—we are known for our mix of contemporary and antique pieces.
“The juxtaposition of an older furniture piece with a sleek, modern lamp is my favorite look.”
How would you describe the style of your own home? What’s your favorite piece of furniture/decor that you own?
My style is eclectic, colorful, and comfortable. My favorite decor pieces are a pair of chartreuse velvet wingback chairs that my mom found at an estate sale (for $15 each!) when I was in college.
“They’ve been through a lot and still look amazing. And, despite their bold hue, have always somehow just worked in every room where they’ve landed over the years.”
Tell us about a notable project from the past few years.
We completed a renovation on Vashon Island, WA, almost 100 percent remotely during COVID. It was such a challenge to handle almost everything over FaceTime, especially in a place I’d never visited. The end result was stunning, and so worth the logistical puzzles we faced.
What have been some of the biggest joys and challenges you’ve faced in your career in the design industry?
The biggest joys are seeing clients happy in the spaces we’ve created for them, and to see a creative vision go from the presentation deck to real life.
The biggest challenge has been managing client expectations—in an industry where the process can move slowly at times, clients can get frustrated. But, we always remind them that good things take time, and to trust the process!
Are there any design trends you see on the horizon for 2023?
I think the trend of really leaning into your personal style is going to continue. I think it’s wonderful that there are so many aesthetic points of view out there, and kind of something for everyone!
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?
It’s certainly an investment, but your time is valuable and should be spent living your life—not agonizing over measurements and flooring selections.
“One of the huge upsides to working with a designer is our breadth of knowledge about what goes into a renovation or a redecoration.”
We spend a ton of time learning how and why to do things a certain way so that our clients don’t have to put their energy into that. Plus, a designer handles coordinating all of the moving parts of a project–drapery fabrication, furniture reupholstery, tile layout, paint finish selection—so you don’t have to!
Speaking to fellow design pros: What advice do you have about working a challenging client or overcoming unforeseen obstacles on a design project?
I think having a very clear contract, and setting expectations and boundaries early on in your working relationship is so important. If a client is crossing boundaries, or breaking the terms of your contract, a gentle, but straightforward, conversation is necessary. It’s important to not only protect your business, but your own sanity, too!
As for unforeseen challenges, we are also upfront with clients about the possibility of things going wrong. As much as we try to avoid that, the reality is you’re working with a wide range of people, and human error happens. We try to find a quick, cost-effective solution and stay flexible as we work to solve the problem.
Where do you draw the most inspiration from as a designer?
I draw so much inspiration from traveling! I love getting outside of my day-to-day bubble and experiencing new places with a distinct point of view. I always come back very inspired.
Are there any exciting updates with your business in 2023 that you’d like our readers to know about?
We are always booking clients for our Concept Studio if you’re looking to start somewhere with a designer! Along with that, we’ve got five major renovations in the pipeline for 2023 that we’re super excited about, and we’ve just expanded our team by adding two new people!
The Kathy Kuo Home Trade Program
Feeling inspired by Maggie Griffin Design? 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, Free Shipping, Low Storage Fees, Dedicated Trade Specialist to Coordinate Orders from Start to Finish.
