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Get to Know: Kristina Phillips
Growing up in the Bahamas, Germany, and France, Kristina Phillips brings an international flair to her design firm. Whether it’s just a few rooms or a whole house, Kristina helps clients create spaces that are unique and authentic to their own experiences and taste by listening first to the story they want to tell.
Q: How did you start your design career?
A: I have always been passionate about design, and throughout the years, I have helped many friends decorate their homes. So when my husband and I undertook a large renovation project in our own house—I fell in love with the process and understood the attention to detail that needed to take place in the planning stages to ensure the desired results. I knew I would need a formal design education to transition a hobby into a business, so I applied and was accepted into the New York School of Interior Design.
Image courtesy of Kristina Phillips Interior Design. Photography by Jane Beiles.
Q: How does your background play into your aesthetic?
A: Growing up, I was fortunate to have lived in and traveled to many different countries (my dad was an international airline pilot and my mom is Swedish). Each place we lived in taught me the importance of vernacular design, which is carried through in all my present-day projects. My love for travel continues, and I am always searching for artisanal and interesting pieces that help tell the story of a home.
Image courtesy of Kristina Phillips Interior Design. Photography by Lisa Russman.
Q: When designing a room, what is the most important factor for you?
A: The most important factor in designing a space is understanding my client's needs and how they like to live. Do they enjoy entertaining? Where are their favorite places to travel to, and why? Are there any collections or special items that they would like incorporated into the design? More than anything, I try and ensure that rooms are layered, cohesive, and unique to each client.
Image courtesy of Kristina Phillips Interior Design. Photography by Lisa Russman.
Image courtesy of Kristina Phillips Interior Design. Photography by Jane Beiles.
Q: How do you think of hardware when designing a space?
A: Hardware is often the detail that elevates a space, especially when it has been factored in during the planning phases. For this bar area, the millwork on the cabinet front was designed around the pulls—creating a very bespoke and custom look.
Q: What is your favorite finish or gemstone?
A: I gravitate towards warmer-toned metals, such as brushed brass or antique nickel. I love it when a finish becomes patinaed with time—it shows a well-lived house. Adding a drop of color with a gemstone can be a beautiful finishing detail in a room.
Image courtesy of Kristina Phillips Interior Design. Photography by Lisa Russman.
Q: Any tips or tricks you can share with us?
A: When mounting drapery hardware, mount the rod or shade well above the window molding and just beneath the crown to give the illusion of taller windows.
Image courtesy of Kristina Phillips Interior Design. Photography by Jane Beiles.
Image courtesy of Kristina Phillips Interior Design. Photography by Lisa Russman.
