Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Navigating Tariffs & The Economy As a Designer and Small Business

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Having been in business for 33 years, we have walked with clients through many different economic shifts. In today’s design industry, tariffs are simply one of the many factors we manage on your behalf. As your design team, we are prepared to lead you through a successful design project so you can focus on what matters most: creating a beautiful, livable space you love.

We know increased tariffs raise costs, but many of our trusted vendors have been absorbing those expenses or using tiered pricing based on product sourcing—helping to minimize the impact. Categories like imported stone, quartz, furniture, lighting, and textiles have seen some changes, but for our clients, the difference has been marginal.

That said, we understand the conversation around tariffs can cause uncertainty, and it’s natural to feel hesitant. However, our decades of experience and long-standing vendor relationships allow us to guide you forward with clarity and peace of mind.

One of the greatest advantages of working with an experienced design firm is the strength of our vendor relationships. We have spent decades building trust with manufacturers and reps. Our partners have prioritized our clients by honoring pre-tariff pricing, offering discounts, and helping us time orders strategically.

Another way we help clients navigate tariffs is through thoughtful design choices. At the heart of Kirkendall Design is the belief that good design should be as personal as a signature. We blend your meaningful heirlooms and collected items with new furniture to create interiors that feel fresh, personal, and timeless. By combining custom and ready-made furniture with existing items, we can adapt to pricing changes without compromising your design goals.

At the end of the day, our team is here to guide you. Tariffs may change, but our commitment to transparency and trust will remain the same. We are grateful to walk through this process with you—and are committed to creating a home that tells your story! 

Rooted in Design: The Flower Farm at The Studio at K|D

The Why Behind The Studio at K|D and Flower Farm

In 2023, we purchased a familiar Tulsa property—formerly Grogg’s Green Barn—with a vision to transform it into something new. Today, that space is The Studio at K|D: our design studio and interactive event space, located on five acres in the heart of Tulsa.

Our mission is simple yet profound: to provide a space where the Tulsa community can connect, recharge, and experience the beauty of nature, all while cultivating more beautiful and fuller lives within their homes.

The driving force behind The Studio at K|D is our founder and owner, Julia Kirkendall. For over 30 years, Julia has led Kirkendall Design in creating luxury, timeless interiors that reflect the lives and stories of the people who live in them. Through our work, we’ve formed lasting relationships with families and individuals across Tulsa and beyond—and that sense of connection sparked the idea for something more.

The Studio at K|D is the result of that vision. A place to gather, create, and be inspired. Through seasonal workshops, meaningful events, and now, a working flower farm, we’re offering new ways to bring beauty into everyday life.

We’re thrilled to partner with The Heirloom Acre Farm—a small, family-run, first generation farm—to bring nature within reach to the Tulsa community. From the beginning, we worked together to prep the land and lay the groundwork. From there, The Heirloom Acre took the lead—leasing the land, cultivating the flower fields, and managing all U-Pick experiences.

Now, that vision is a reality! Join us every Saturday throughout the season to stroll through rows of beautiful flowers and fill up a jar of your favorite blooms for only $20.

Plan Your Visit: U-Pick Flower Farm Experience

We hope this space invites you to slow down, soak in the season, and leave feeling refreshed—and inspired not just to design a beautiful home, but to live a more beautiful life.

Celebrating Independence with American-Made Design

There’s no better time to celebrate quality craftsmanship than the Fourth of July. Today, we’re spotlighting American-made furniture, textiles, and wall coverings—timeless pieces that reflect the legacy of great design and the beauty of supporting homegrown artisans. These are selections we source through our exclusive trade accounts, made available to our interior design clients.

American-made furniture not only elevates a space but also carries the story of skilled craftsmanship, enduring quality, and intentional design.

As we shared in a recent blog post, the process of sourcing new furniture is more than just choosing what looks beautiful—it’s about getting the scale, function, and style right for your space. When we specify American-made, we’re not only getting custom-tailored quality, we’re also helping our clients invest in pieces with longevity.

Let your home reflect a sense of place and purpose—livable style that feels layered, collected, and distinctly yours.

Interested in sourcing timeless furniture and decor made in the USA?
Contact us to help you furnish and style your home with selections from our trusted, American-made vendors.

 

Selections of American-made furniture from our exclusive trade accounts, made available to our interior design clients. Selections of American-made furniture from our exclusive trade accounts, made available to our interior design clients. Selections of American-made furniture from our exclusive trade accounts, made available to our interior design clients.

See something you like? Contact us for product pricing and information!

2025 Tulsa Designer Showcase: Inside a Century-Old Tulsa Home

The 2025 Designer Showcase is closed, but we’re excited to share that $15,000 was raised for the Foundation for Tulsa Schools through ticket sales to the Showcase home! Whether you toured the home in person or followed along on socials, thank you for being part of the Kirkendall Design community.

We love the challenge of restoring historic homes, so serving as the general contractor for this year’s Showcase—a 100-year-old Tulsa landmark—was an exciting opportunity. Our team managed the full renovation, working alongside Tulsa’s talented designers to bring new life to this incredible home. 

You can explore more about our role as General Contractor in our previous blog post, Reviving a Century-Old House. If you own a historic home that needs thoughtful updates, our design-build team would love to partner with you to renovate it. Complete a design request form to start your renovation journey.

Here’s a look at some of our favorite moments from this year’s Showcase!

Reviving a Century-Old House: Kirkendall Design’s Role as General Contractor for the 2025 Tulsa Designer Showcase

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Update: The Designer Showcase is closed now. See inside the 2025 Designer Showcase home here.

At Kirkendall Design, we love the challenge of restoring historic homes, so serving as the general contractor for the 2025 Designer Showcase home—a 100-year-old Tulsa landmark—was an exciting opportunity. Our team managed the entire renovation process, working alongside Tulsa’s talented designers to transform this incredible historic home.

Design-Build Services: Our General Contractor Role in the 2025 Showcase

As the General Contractor, Kirkendall Design took on the heavy lifting, handling the major renovations to prepare the space for the featured designers. We preserved key architectural details like the original hardwood floors and embossed plasterwork, original trim, hardware and other historic design elements. We gutted and reconfigured the kitchen, removed outdated built-ins and carpeting, and executed updates to lighting, paint, and a garage addition.

In addition to the renovation work, we guided the homeowner through the overall design direction, helping to balance preservation with modern updates. With a strong design-build expertise, our team managed the entire renovation process, working alongside Tulsa’s talented designers to transform this incredible historic home.

Do you own a historic home that needs thoughtful updates? Our experienced design-build team specializes in preserving character while enhancing functionality. Complete a design request form to start your renovation journey.

When Is the Best Time to Hire an Interior Designer?

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A frequent question we get is: When is the best time to hire an interior designer? It’s a great question, and the simple answer is: as soon as possible!

Furniture & Styling Projects

When is the best time to hire an interior designer for Furniture & Styling projects? Some of the most successful projects begin at least 6 months in advance, and here’s why. Once a contract is signed, the design phase typically takes 4 to 6 weeks to develop a detailed plan.

Additionally, lead times for custom furniture can vary, sometimes taking up to 6 to 8 weeks to arrive. By starting design meetings in advance, it gives us time to thoroughly understand your vision, plan out the details, and ensure everything arrives on schedule.

Our Furniture & Styling service goes beyond simply selecting new furniture and decor; it’s about creating a home or commercial space that tells your unique story. From the design plan to selections, we manage everything from ordering, tracking, and installation. Explore our Silverthorne home for project inspiration.

Custom Home Builds & Commercial Projects

If you are starting a custom home or commercial construction project, we recommend that you hire an interior designer either before or at the same time that you begin working with an architect. This collaboration allows us to understand your vision, add custom design features, and ensure that the entire space reflects your style.

Of course, you can also hire a designer after your architect has completed the plans if your needs are more focused on material selections, finishes, and equipment and appliances (often referred to as ‘FF+E’ in contracts, which stands for ‘furniture, fixtures, and equipment’).

Our New Construction service offers complete interior design services for custom homes and commercial design projects. Our team collaborates with your architect, and/or builder, from start to finish, to ensure that every detail aligns with your vision.

Renovations

For significant renovations, especially those with structural changes, it’s important to hire an interior designer before hiring a contractor. Interior designers specialize in finding solutions to interior space challenges and can provide design plans that meet your goals and lifestyle needs. We are experts at reimagining spaces to create timeless and cohesive interiors that tell the unique story of our clients. 

We also provide specification sheets or “spec sheets” for your project, which are crucial documents that outline detailed information about the materials, products, and finishes. These serve as a reference for both designers and contractors, ensuring that everyone involved in the project has a clear understanding of the design plans and requirements.

At Kirkendall Design, we specialize in home renovations and commercial remodels, including luxury kitchen and bath remodels. We work with you and your contractors to transform your space into a beautiful and personalized space that meets your needs. 

Now’s The Time

As the year winds down, now is the time to start planning your luxury interior design projects for 2025. Start the process by scheduling your complimentary discovery call and design request form on our website.

Start planning today and let Kirkendall Design help you bring your 2025 project to life!

Benjamin Moore’s 2025 Color of the Year: Cinnamon Slate

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We love this time of year in the design world with all the color announcements. Benjamin Moore recently revealed its 2025 Color of the Year, Cinnamon Slate, and the team at Kirkendall Design can’t wait to share our thoughts on this rich, moody hue!

If you missed it, we shared our favorite colors from Sherwin-Williams’ 2025 Colormix Forecast—check it out here. While Pantone hasn’t announced their color of the year yet, the predicted color is Future Dusk–a mix between deep violet and midnight blue. We’re excited to see the official color soon.

Now, back to Benjamin Moore! Color experts describe the Color Trends 2025 palette as “quietly colorful hues that are calm, confident, and adaptable, yet distinct. These shades invite you to explore all ends of the color spectrum.”

Keep reading for our design team’s thoughts on the 2025 Color of the Year and how they envision using the Color Trends palette for clients.

Photo by Benjamin Moore; Wall: Cinnamon Slate 2113-40, Trim: Glacier White OC-37

Photo by Benjamin Moore; Upper Wall: Cinnamon Slate 2113-40, Wainscoting: Ashwood Moss 1484

Photo by Benjamin Moore; Walls: Sea Salt CSP-95, Trim: Glacier White OC-37

Photo by Benjamin Moore; Walls: Tissue Pink 1163, Trim: Glacier White OC-37

Photo by Benjamin Moore; Wall: Tissue Pink 1163; Cabinets: Ashwood Moss 1484, Trim: Glacier White OC-37

Photo by Benjamin Moore; Walls: Sea Salt CSp-95, Trim: Glacier White OC-37

 

Our Interior Design Team’s Thoughts on the Benjamin Moore Color of the Year: Cinnamon Slate

Julia Kirkendall, Owner and Principal Designer

Cinnamon Slate is a beautiful color for an accent color, and its subtle hue and brown undertones make it easy to use. I’d love to use it in a study or library to create a dark, moody background. My favorite combination from the 2025 palette is Cinnamon Slate with Chowning’s Brown and Tissue Pink—a classic mix I can’t wait to use for a client.”

Jayne, Senior Designer

Cinnamon Slate surprised me! The name makes me think of rust or orange tones, but it’s actually a warm, dusty purple. I’d use it as an accent wall in a bedroom or powder bath. In a bedroom, I’d pair it with soft browns, greens, and a hint of pale pink in the bedding or deep gray accents for a more masculine touch.

My favorite combos with Cinnamon Slate are Rosepine, Sea Salt, Chowning’s Tan and Leather Saddle Brown. But, some of the tan/brown could be brought in with textiles like leather and wood instead of paint.”

 

Debbie, Interior Designer

Cinnamon Slate has such a calming effect, making it perfect for bedrooms, nurseries, or powder baths. I’d pair it with Sea Salt or Paris Rain in a bedroom or nursery for a soothing feel. From the 2025 palette, I’d use Rosepine on a kitchen island surrounding it with Sea Salt cabinets.”

Lauren, Senior Designer

“This is the perfect color if a client was specifically looking for a purple or mauve tone. I could see it working in a small powder bath, paired with a bold wallpaper, or used to paint a statement piece of furniture. From the 2025 palette, Sea Salt is my favorite—it would look great from walls to trim or cabinetry. Ashwood Moss could be a great exterior color.”

 

Lindsay, Senior Designer

“I could see Cinnamon Slate fitting perfectly in a historic home, maybe as a cabinet color or in a moody powder bath or butler’s pantry. The depth of this color is amazing, and I’d play with different sheens—flat on the ceiling, satin on the trim—to create contrast. It would also look great as a plaster feature wall, adding texture and age with venetian plaster or roman clay.”

 

We see so much potential in Cinnamon Slate and the Color Trends 2025 palette and can’t wait to use these colors in future designs!

 


Thanks for reading! As the year winds down, now is the time to start planning your luxury interior design projects for 2025. Start the process by scheduling your complimentary discovery call and design request form on our website.

The ‘Why’ Behind The Studio at K|D

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Wide angle shot of The Studio at KD in Tulsa with its all black exterior, white lettering and lush landscaping

In 2023, we celebrated 30 years of Kirkendall Design and the opening of The Studio at K|D! We wanted to take a moment to look back at the ‘why’ behind The Studio and share some exciting updates. 

Over the years of providing interior design services in Tulsa, we’ve built amazing relationships with our clients, helping them create spaces that reflect their unique stories. These connections and our desire to help people live fuller, more beautiful lives is what led to the creation of The Studio at K|D. 

Kirkendall Design owner and interior design, Julia Kirkendall helps client choose samples

In 2022, we began renovating The Studio—previously known as Grogg’s Green Barn, a local plant nursery—into a stunning multi-use space. Now, it serves as our interior design studio and a versatile event venue and photography studio.

The Studio at K|D Offerings

Signature Events

Our outdoor space is now complete, featuring a turf lawn, pergola, and spacious deck—perfect for outdoor entertaining! Inside, we can host up to 120 guests for corporate functions, philanthropic events, and business meetings. While we specialize in corporate and philanthropic events, we also welcome select personal occasions for Kirkendall Design clients and referrals. Learn more or inquire.

guests eating having family-style dinner outside at The Studio at K|D, plus string lights on the pergola and turf lawn for relaxing

family style dinner set up for an event at The Studio at K|D in Tulsa

Sweet blue and white set up for a baby shower hosted at The Studio at K|D in Tulsa

family style dinner set up for an event at The Studio at K|D.

Photography Studio

One of the biggest changes since opening, is that you no longer need a memberships to use our photography studio! Our focus remains on high-end lifestyle, corporate, and branding photoshoots, catering to business leaders and professionals looking to elevate their brands with fresh photography.

Whether you are a photographer, or needing photography services, The Studio is the perfect backdrop. Schedule today!

client sits at a conference room table during a professional branding photoshoot at The Studio at K|D

professional photography at The Studio at K|D

Photography client posing on couch at The Studio at K|D for new professional headshots

professional brand shoot at The Studio at K|D's photography studio in Tulsa

Flower Farm

Our flower farm, managed by The Heirloom Acre Farm, has bloomed beautifully. Our summer U-pick events, hosted by The Heirloom Acre, were a big hit! We’re grateful for their partnership and look forward to even more flower experiences next season!

Beautiful blooms in The Studio at K|D Flower Farm in Tulsa

Rows of sunflowers at the Flower Farm at The Studio at K|D in Tulsa

Beautiful blooms in The Studio at K|D Flower Farm

 

Lifestyle Workshops

We kicked off our workshops with a bang this year, and we loved seeing people come together for classes on cooking, gardening, sourdough bread making, and more! We’re working on the line up for future workshops. Check for upcoming workshops here!

cooking workshop at The Studio at K|D in Tulsa

Several workstations set up in The Studio at K|D for sourdough bread making workshop

learning knife skills at our knife skills workshops led by a local chef

Explore The Studio at K|D website and be sure to sign up for the studio newsletter.

How to Choose the Perfect Paint Sheen

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Photo by Valerie Wei-Haas / Design by Kirkendall Design

The right paint sheen can transform your walls from a quiet backdrop to the star of the show. It’s all about choosing a finish that balances style, durability, and practicality. With options ranging from velvety matte to reflective gloss, paint sheen refers to the level of light reflection on the surface, helping you create the perfect ambiance for your space. Let’s explore the different sheen options and how our interior design firm uses each one.

Photo by Sherwin-Williams

Paint Sheen: Flat

Photo by Valerie Wei-Haas / Design by Kirkendall Design

This sheen offers minimal light reflection, helping to smooth out surface textures and imperfections. It’s easy to touch up but harder to clean, making it perfect for ceilings.

Paint Sheen: Matte/Eggshell

Design by Kirkendall Design

A matte or eggshell sheen offers a smooth finish with low to medium light reflection, making it excellent for high-traffic areas like bedrooms, hallways, dining rooms, and living rooms. It hides imperfections well, is easy to touch up, and has just enough sheen to resist moisture.

Paint Sheen: Satin

Photo by Sarah Baker / Design by Kirkendall Design

Satin sheens are both durable and easy to clean. They’re ideal for cabinets, garage walls, trim, and also moisture-prone areas like bathrooms – spaces where you want a balance of durability and a slight glossy finish.

Paint Sheen: Semi-Gloss

With higher light reflection, semi-gloss sheens are perfect for kitchens, baseboards, and doors. It’s durable, washable, and easy to clean, though it can show imperfections and are a bit harder to touch up.

Paint Sheen: High-Gloss

Photo credit: centsationalstyle.com

High gloss sheen, as the name suggests, has the highest level of light reflection, creating a mirror-like finish. We don’t use it often but it can create a high-end look on certain surfaces like cabinets, doors, and furniture.