Posts Tagged ‘interior design’

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! 

Berwick South Project Reveal: Customizing a Builder-Grade Home with Thoughtful Interior Design

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When our clients moved into their newly built home in South Tulsa, it was a clean slate—bright, spacious, and full of potential. But like many new builds, it came with standard builder-grade finishes and a white-on-white palette that felt flat and impersonal. They turned to our interior design team to add the warmth, texture, and personality that would make the space feel like home.

Our team at Kirkendall Design developed a design plan to customize their builder-grade home with thoughtful updates like a fireplace update, custom furniture, wallpaper, paint, hardware, and lighting. Join us as we walk through these simple yet impactful updates that make their newly built home feel more personalized and luxurious.

 

Grand Lake Lakehouse Remodel Pt. 2

This lakehouse had been in the family for years but when a plumbing leak caused major damage, it became the perfect opportunity to reimagine the home for the next generation. The goal: create a space where kids, grandkids, and guests could gather, relax, and make lasting memories.

In Part 1, we shared the transformation of the main floor. Now, we’re heading upstairs—where two guest bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a bunk room were redesigned with comfort, color, and family in mind. Each room was gutted and refreshed with new paint, carpet, furnishings, and custom details throughout.

Explore Our Grand Lake Lakehouse Remodel — Pt. 2

Interior Design Trends Spotted at the Utah Valley Parade of Homes

Our design team recently traveled to the Utah Valley Parade of Homes—and let’s just say, it did not disappoint. These luxury homes are on the cutting edge of interior design, and we came back bursting with inspiration.

Top Design Trends Spotted at the Utah Valley Parade of Homes

Curved Architectural Details

Think scallops, corbels, and soft arches.

European Influence

From millwork to materials, Euro-chic is in.

Block Printed Fabrics

Pillows, bedding, window treatments, and wallpaper were full of hand-printed charm.

Gingham Patterns

Gingham patterns showed up in wallpaper and tile.

 

Color Drenching

Bold, saturated rooms in a single hue.

Grand Lake Lakehouse Remodel Pt. 1

When longtime clients called after a plumbing leak flooded their lakehouse—it was the perfect opportunity to breathe new life into their early-2000s vacation home. What started as a collapsed kitchen ceiling and damaged flooring quickly evolved into a full lakehouse remodel, transforming their Grand Lake retreat into a fresh, inviting space for weekends with kids and grandkids.

Located near Afton, OK, this Grand Lake home sits right on the water, offering scenic views and a peaceful escape just a short drive from Tulsa. The house sleeps nine and features three bedrooms and a bunkroom, making it ideal for hosting family and friends. The homeowners purchased this secondary home nearly a decade ago, and over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to design and refresh different areas. This recently completed project—also featured in TulsaPeople magazine—allowed us to reimagine the entire space with timeless finishes, thoughtful storage, and a modern yet relaxed interior design style.

This is Part 1 of the reveal—starting with the main living spaces and downstairs bedrooms, and how we brought new life to this family-favorite lakehouse. Explore the upstairs in Part 2 here.

As Seen in TulsaPeople: Grand Lake Home Remodel for a Growing Family

We’re thrilled to share that our Grand Lake Getaway home renovation has been featured in TulsaPeople! What started as a water leak repair quickly evolved into a full-scale remodel. We reimagined this weekend retreat to give our clients a space where they can relax, host their kids and grandkids, and enjoy modern lake living—perfect for making lifelong memories.

Get all the design details and explore more photos in our Grand Lake Lakehouse Remodel Pt. 1 blog post.

Top Kitchen Trends From the 2025 NKBA Design Awards

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The National Kitchen + Bath Association (NKBA) is the world’s leading authority in kitchen and bath design, always at the cutting edge of industry trends. Last month, we shared the top bathroom trends that inspired us. Now, let’s take a look at the winners of their 2025 Kitchen Design Competition—and the design elements that caught our eye.

Here’s the top kitchen trends that stood out to us.

Best overall Kitchen & First Place Small Kitchen: “Breckinridge Kitchen”

  • Marble backsplash with a built-in shelf ledge
  • Classic checkered floors
  • Undermount sink with apron front—you’ll see this sink style in several of the winning designs.

Small Kitchen, Second Place: “Parkway Kitchen”

Wall of kitchen cabinet with large farmhouse sink and windows

Kitchen with Rohl Shaws farmhouse sink and custom pull-out paper towel holder

Refrigerator area in French country kitchen with small custom island and pantry in background

A Wolf range surrounded by cabinets in a traditional kitchen

  • Wood feature at the range hood—it’s becoming more common to see statement range hoods like this in kitchens
  • Integrated lighting within trim work above the sink
  • Custom trim details on cabinetry

Small Kitchen, Third Place: “Evanston”

  • Invisible appliances and fridge hidden in cabinetry
  • Mix of wood stain and painted finishes
  • Under-shelf lighting on corner display
  • Built-in wine captain (O Captain, My Captain!)

Large Kitchen Winners

Large Kitchen, First Place: “West”

  • Paneled ceiling to add warmth and texture
  • Built-in spice racks flanking the range
  • Marble everywhere—counters, backsplash, and walls!
  • Unique stain/paint combo with lit display storage

Large Kitchen, Second Place: “Bailey”

  • Dramatic full marble wall
  • Table-style island blends function and casual dining

Large Kitchen, Third Place: “Sea Glass”

  • Apron front sink
  • Appliance garage and hidden appliances
  • Hood feature made from 100-year-old barn wood

Which of these kitchen trends—from the 2025 NKBA design competition—are you loving?

All photos courtesy of NKBA. Submit a design request to start creating your dream kitchen with Kirkendall Design today.

Top Bath Trends From the 2025 NKBA Design Awards

The National Kitchen + Bath Association (NKBA) is the world’s leading authority in kitchen and bath design, always at the cutting edge of industry trends. Here’s a look at the winners from their 2025 Design Competition—and the design elements that caught our attention.

Here’s the top bath trends from the NKBA Design Awards that stood out to us.

Best Overall Bath & First Place Powder Room: “Knotty Potty”

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath with custom quartz onyx sink and unconventional design elements inspired by the client's love for burled wood and gemstones

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath with custom quartz onyx sink and unconventional design elements inspired by the client's love for burled wood and gemstones

A bold and unconventional design, but we can still appreciate the custom details inspired by the client’s love for burled wood and gemstones!

Bath features/trends that stood out to us:

  • Custom quartz onyx sink
  • Full-length mirror layered behind slabs 
  • Backlighting behind the vanity and mirror–this was a feature in almost every winning design! 

Powder Room, Second Place: “Tranquillo Santuario”

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath featuring a teak panel wall, full-height tiled backsplash, and a floating white quartz vanity with black veining.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath featuring a teak panel wall, full-height tiled backsplash, and a floating white quartz vanity with black veining.

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath featuring a teak panel wall, full-height tiled backsplash, and a floating white quartz vanity with black veining.

  • Teak panel tambour walls with hidden storage—See the tambour wall in our Fieldstone Project.
  • Floor-to-ceiling tile and mirror
  • Indirect lighting behind the mirror and vanity
  • Floating vanity—you’ll see this feature in several of the winning designs. 

Powder Room, Third Place: “Paradise Found”

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath featuring a curved backsplash, large-scale gold-leaf wallcovering, a black vanity, and gold accents.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath featuring a curved backsplash, large-scale gold-leaf wallcovering, a black vanity, and gold accents.

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath featuring a curved marble countertop.

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath with abstract floral line drawing in the sink basin.

  • Large-scale wallpaper mural
  • Scalloped backsplashes and curved cabinets—rounded edges are big this year.
  • Note the “abstract floral line drawing in the sink basin”

Secondary Bath Winners

Secondary Bath, First Place: “Midsummer Night”

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring indirect cove lighting and botanical tree wallcovering that extends from the bathroom walls into the shower.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring a botanical wallcovering, ornate gold mirror, curved marble backsplash, and floating vanity.

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring a botanical tree mural tile in the shower.

  • Maximalism design—bold textures and patterns throughout
  • Large-pattern wallcovering extends from the walls into the shower
  • Another curved backsplash
  • Indirect lighting in the shower—also known as cove lighting

Secondary Bath, Second Place: “Cenote Bathroom”

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom with a moody aesthetic featuring black tile backsplash, round backlit mirror and vessel sink.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring custom floating vanity, zero-entry glass-walled shower, and in-wall toilet.

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring a black tile backsplash, backlit mirror, and vessel sink.

  • Floating vanity and vessel basin
  • Zero-entry or curbless shower
  • In-wall toilet for a clean, sleek design—one of our clients just selected a similar style for their bathroom renovation
  • (Another) backlit mirror

Secondary Bath, Third Place: “Sharing is Caring”

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring a black and white motif with a distinct tile design.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring shiplap walls and striped tile pattern.

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring a black and white motif with shiplap walls and striped tile.

  • All-black fixtures from lighting to plumbing
  • Distinct tile design—we love this tile!
  • Hidden linear drain in shower floor—do you see it?

Primary Bath Winners

Primary Bath, First Place: “Tranquillo Sanctuario”

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom with warm, spa-like design featuring pony wall shower and flat slab-front cabinets.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom featuring a pony wall shower and a tiled ceiling with a rainhead shower system.  Close up of the shower in the NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom, featuring a mix of honed marble and fabric-effect ceramic tiles.

  • Partial shower walls or pony walls—provides a functional divider while keeping the space feeling open
  • Flat slab-front cabinets (Compare to traditional cabinet doors, such as Shaker-style. This style gives a more modern look.)
  • Tiled ceiling with rain head shower system—we love the ceiling design!

Primary Bath, Second Place: “TNAH 23”

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom with glass-walled, cedar-clad sauna, and dual floating vanities.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

Cedar sauna from the TNAH 23" primary bathroom

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom featuring marble-lined wet room with high narrow window.

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom featuring dual floating vanities.

  • Glass-walled, cedar-clad sauna—Home saunas are increasing in popularity because of their health benefits
  • Back-to-back dual floating vanities
  • High narrow window in shower—brings in natural light but maintains privacy
  • Additional luxury features: Heated floors and comfort-height smart toilets with music

Primary Bath, Third Place: “Scandi Retreat”

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom featuring a hidden closet door within a tambour wall made of white oak slats.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom with spacious, spa-like layout featuring large-format concrete-look tile and minimalist design.

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom with floating white-oak vanity, floor-to-ceiling tile, and backlit mirrors.

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom with luxe shower featuring large-format concrete-look tile and minimalist design.

  • Hidden closet door within tambour wall, this one made from white-oak slats
  • More backlit mirrors—Five out of the eight winning designs feature backlit vanity mirrors!

The 2025 NKBA winners highlight the top bath trends like maximalist design, curved elements, and indirect lighting. Which of these trends are you loving?

All photos courtesy of NKBA. Submit a design request to start creating your dream bathroom with Kirkendall Design today.

Designing the Perfect Outdoor Entertaining Space

Outdoor furniture and photography courtesy of our exclusive trade partner

Great outdoor living is all about creating spaces that bring people together. At Kirkendall Design, we love designing outdoor areas with distinct zones—dining spaces for long dinners, cozy fire pits for conversation, outdoor kitchens for effortless hosting, and even fun additions like shuffleboard or a poolside lounge.

Get inspired by these outdoor entertaining designs, featuring thoughtfully curated zones. Keep scrolling to see mood boards showcasing luxury outdoor furniture—with pieces you won’t find anywhere else in Tulsa.

Outdoor Living with Distinct Zones

Outdoor furniture and photography courtesy of our trade partner.

Luxury Outdoor Design & Furniture

Whether you need full-service design to transform your outdoor space or have your eye on a specific furniture piece, we’re here to help. Our comprehensive services include:

  • space planning
  • outdoor design and renovation
  • outdoor furniture sourcing and installation

When you work with us, you gain access to exclusive outdoor furniture lines not available at local Tulsa retailers. We love sourcing from our trade-only manufacturers, known for their luxury, comfort, and durability. One of our favorites is a family-owned manufacturer that crafts each piece in the USA. Their collection includes outdoor rugs, chaise lounges, coffee tables, dining tables and chairs, fire tables, ottomans, lighting, sofas, sectionals, and more.

Learn more and shop these exclusive pieces by submitting a design request!

Outdoor Dining Inspiration

Outdoor Fire Pit / Seating Area Inspiration

Poolside Lounge Outdoor Living Inspiration

More Outdoor Living Inspiration, Designed by Kirkendall Design

Outdoor Living Shuffle Board at Home – Midtown Tulsa, OK / Photography by Valerie Wei-Haas

Outdoor Living Patio Seating – Tulsa, OK / Design by Kirkendall Design, Photography by Michael Hunter

Outdoor Balcony Terrace Seating – Tulsa, OK / Design by Kirkendall Design, Photography by Michael Hunter

Outdoor Living Pool & Lounge Area – Tulsa, OK / Design by Kirkendall Design, Photography by Michael Hunter

Outdoor Living Pool & Lounge Area – Tulsa, OK / Design by Kirkendall Design, Photography by Michael Hunter

Contact us today to start designing your dream outdoor space and gain access to our trade-only furniture selections. Submit a Design Request today!

As Seen in TulsaPeople: Florence Park Midtown Attic Bathroom Renovation

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We’re thrilled to share that our Florence Park midtown attic bathroom renovation has been featured in TulsaPeople! This nearly 100-year old attic bathroom transformation was a labor of love—turning a cramped, awkward layout into a luxe home spa with a spacious two-person walk-in shower.

Check out the before and after photos below to see the dramatic change, and read the full story for all the details on this stunning renovation.